Pete's Painting said:
I thought oil-based stains were bad due to mildew issues,
Ummm...well....
People like to see things in Black and White
It is rarely so
Oil-based products technically
can have more mold issues than water-based products
That's
can
But oil-based products are not mold magnets and mildew farms
It really depends on each individual situation
Tree/shrub type and placement, prevailing winds, sunlight, use, maintenance all have a larger role with mold/mildew issues
Oil also holds up better in general, and certainly in high moisture areas
(I'm basically out in the ocean out here)
I still use more oil-based (or hybrid) deck products
Pete's Painting said:
There is mildew present on all the decks I will be doing, will pressure wash, bleach etc, but is the oil better for horizontal surfaces?
Depends on why the mold
Has it not been properly cleaned in seven years, or does it become green in three months?
There a nice tree grove dropping mold food and providing a nice healthy shade all day?
Bushes right up against them?
Etc...etc...
Pete's Painting said:
Turns out sikkens is available in my home town, should I switch?
I would consider using the products in certain applications
Don't let the specific instructions scare you
Really, most products work better when using the procedures Sikkens spells out
It's just that they are the only ones that have the guts to say you really should be doing it this way
I would say that you probably wouldn't completely switch, as the product line-up is confusing and difficult to grasp
And they'll always be a place for "..a coat of Cabot 3000 Natural"