Q. My decking and siding is new. Why do I have to clean it before I treat it?
A. It is important to always begin with a clean surface. If you could look at the wood under a microscope, you would see how dirty it really is. Construction creates more dirt than you would imagine. Try wiping a damp white rag over the surface to see how much dirt wipes off. Also remember that mildew spores are invisible until they die. You certainly don't want to trap mildew under your finish. Wood finishes adhere and penetrate much better on clean wood.
