Need to stain the deck but how to protect the wire railings?
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That wouldn't be that easy since they're all tensioned and cut.
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To me a full stain job on that side of the post, including cables, would look better than a botched stain job, but really, who's going to notice other than you, and you'll be down at that beautiful lake fishing.:biggrin2:
But the damp rag seems reasonable to me.
But the damp rag seems reasonable to me.
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Hmmm All the ones I've seen have adjustable tension points at the ends (aka through screws that can be undone with a socket and a pair of pliers)
With that in mind though, my next thought would be to wrap all the cables in plastic - should be able to get thin sheet around the cable and at least into the through holes on the posts - then you would be able to brush stain around the inside of the post holes without it getting on the visible part of the cable. I think it'd be easier than taping everything and you could probs spray it too.
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Go to your local Home Depot/Lowes/Ace/True Value or similar and buy the smallest diameter foam pipe insulation . Generally it is 4 ' long and slit down the length . Slide it over the wire and stain away . Keep sliding the foam along until you reach the next post . Pull it off and place over the next wire . Repeat and rinse :biggrin2:
Yeah, the issue is since they've been tensioned and cut if I release them pull t hem back through that hole to reattach would be a difficult task. I would like to do this because the intermit posts I have are warped already so I want to swap those with metal ones but I know as soon as I release that tension I will never be able to get it back through that last post again.
The wood was literally dripping wet when I laid the boards and we had to finish it to pass inspection for home owners insurance so I couldn't wait to put the railings on.
If I was gonna attempt this it would be deck boards and rail first, then posts. I would get a tarp and drape it over the working section of deck and rail, making sure the top and bottom strands of wire were well covered.
For the posts, you need a way to keep stain off the wire, obviously. You could use some light grease and coat each wire by the posts. Stain, let dry, then hit the grease with some degreaser.
For the posts, you need a way to keep stain off the wire, obviously. You could use some light grease and coat each wire by the posts. Stain, let dry, then hit the grease with some degreaser.
Good Answer!:smile:
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How about drinking straw or plastic tubing (such as that used as a water line to refrigerator? Split lengthwise, and slide over wire and into hole in post.
In a pinch, you might be able to use shrink tubing as well. (Cut lengthwise, not heated!)
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In a pinch, you might be able to use shrink tubing as well. (Cut lengthwise, not heated!)
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Personally, I'd just saran wrap them. The plastic will prevent any water from seeping through, and it's easy to remove after. For where it meets the posts, you can just jam a small wad of the wrap in the openings. While detailing, I use saran wrap on my car's interior when certain products can't touch specific materials (e.g., leather oil and seat belts don't mix). If you use this method, before to buy the cheap, bulk stuff.
Really good idea.
I would also have a can of paint thinner and rag to wipe off any that gets on the wire by the post.
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