Hi- I have about 2000 feet of IPE that has not been treated in 3 years. What is the best way to clean and remove the old stain?

Depending on how thick the old sealer is, a good DECK STRIPPER, would do the job. Follow up with a powerwash, [if experienced], or a scrub [with the grain] and rinse. Last but not least, apply a WOOD BRIGHTNER, with a final rinse, and let it dry for 24-48 hours depending on weather before sealing. One great thing about hardwood decking is that it is far more forgiving than softwoods such as cedar.

Make sure that you apply a IPE stain that was made for exotic hardwoods. IPE is extremely dense and regular deck stains will not work as well. IPE also will require more maintenance then other types of wood. This is mainly due to the hardness. Choose a stain that will be easliy recoatable in the future.

IPE deck stains

Good morning! My husband and I had a mahogany deck installed three years ago - would the same principles apply since it is an exotic hardwood? If so, we are at the point where the contractor sanded down the deck. How does this method prepare the deck for sealing? From what I have been reading it appears as if it takes the place of a cleaner, however, we should be using a brightener to adjust the PH so as the wood will be ready for the sealer. Do you agree? Then going forward, do you have to use a cleaner and brightener before re-sealing every year? I would appreciate any advice. With all the problems we have had over the course of the past three years, I want so much to get back on track.
Make sure that you apply a IPE stain that was made for exotic hardwoods. IPE is extremely dense and regular deck stains will not work as well. IPE also will require more maintenance then other types of wood. This is mainly due to the hardness. Choose a stain that will be easliy recoatable in the future.

IPE deck stains

Sanding can cause the wood to become less porous. I would suggest a light cleaning to remove the excess dust and "open" the wood pores better. The brightener should also be used after the cleaning.

In the future you should always clean and brighten prior to recoating. This will maximize the longevity of the stain. Every so often you may need to use a stripper instead of the cleaner. This is due to buildup of stain. Thicker is not better when it comes to horizontal stains. When dealing with exotic hardwoods such as Mahogany, it is better to apply a light coat annualy.

Thanks so much for the information. I'll stay in touch and let you know how things work out. Have a good weekend.