Mold and Mildew

NewTech has and antifungal guard added during formulation and an additional antimicrobial surface coating. This means your NewTech material is protected against mold, mildew and germs, including bacteria. We recommend that you periodically clean your NewTech material by washing dirt and debris from the surface of the deck. Do not allow twigs and other sources of microbes to build up between the boards. If mold or mildew develops, use a standard deck wash containing sodium hypochlorite. Spray on the solution in concentrated form to a slightly dampened deck surface. Allow 20 minutes for the chemical to set and then simply wash off using a standard garden hose. You can use a pressure washer but do not use more than 1200 PSI or hold wand close to the deck surface as this may cut into the surface of the deck causing unwanted scratches.

Heavy Stains

Staining may occur from oil, grease, dark wine, mayonnaise, butter, charcoal, red clay, or rust, damaging your deck surface. The first action is to clean the spot immediately. The best results will occur by cleaning immediately after the damage happens, before it soaks in to the cellulose fiber. If immediate cleaning is not possible, try to lift the stain from the surface using a degreaser or detergent in hot water. If you are not satisfied with the result of either method, try rubbing alcohol and a wire brush, brushing in the direction of the grain to maintain surface finish). You can lighten the color of the stain by using bleach but be careful not to lighten the color more than the rest of the deck as this will create a blemish. Always test your cleaning solution in an out-of-the-way place to avoid ruining the aesthetics of your NewTech product. Additional cleaners such as oxalic acid or phosphoric acid also provide more power when removing stains. Be careful not to mix these cleaners together, however. In addition, Always allow for proper ventilation and respiratory protection. Refer to the manufacturer suggested precautions when using any cleaning products. If all else fails, you can sand the face of the board as the stain will not penetrate past the surface to the interior. Please note that if you sand an area, it will not have the same grain pattern as the rest of the deck. Use a protective mat or plastic caps to protect against constant metal contact from sources such as furniture legs, grills or planter stands. Constant metal contact may produce rust stains.

Ice and Snow

Always use a plastic shovel to remove snow from your deck surface. This will not scratch the surface like a metal shovel. If you use a metal shovel, do not chip at the deck surface. Use salt to remove ice from the surface of your deck.Salt will not cause harm or react with the composite formulation. Remove the salt from the deck surface when convenient. Note, however, that prolonged exposure is not recommended.

Refinishing

NewTech works well with the Cabot line of Deck stains. A custom formulation of color fast properties allows you to recover and maintain the rich beauty of the original color. NewTech does fade to a slightly lighter color due to the bleaching nature of the natural cellulose fibers contained within the product. Please specify the color you purchased from your dealer when ordering. Contact your nearest Cabot dealer to learn more. Always be careful not to drag furniture or heavy items across your deck as it will leave scratches on the surface.

Painting

NewTech does not require any painting over the life of the product. If you want to change the color of the decking, railing, fencing or furniture products, use a paint recommended for surface coating applications. The paint will not penetrate the surface of the material like traditional wood. Additionally, the paint will last much longer than it does with wood due to the fact that water does not penetrate the interior of the board causing the paint to lift from the surface. Always wait until the surface weathers before painting to provide more cellulose exposure for the paint to adhere to. Always test a piece of NewTech product before applying to the whole project to ensure that desired results are achieved.

Miscellaneous

Always place concentrated heavy items where the deck board is contact with the joist substructure. Constant loading of the deck board without support may cause the decking to sag. NewTech is not recommended for structural supports. Refer to the ASTM specifications when designing for your hot tub, spa, outdoor kitchen or open pit barbeque and other heavy fixtures. Additionally, be careful not to drag furniture or heavy items across your deck as it will leave scratches on the surface.