Table of Contents
How to Stain a Wooden Deck First Steps. When staining your deck, first make sure it is clean and dry. Maintenance. Step 1: Sweep the Surface. Step 2: Creating a Plan. Step 3: Protect Exterior Walls. Step 4: Add Stain to Tray. Step 5: Attach Pole to Paint Pad. Step 6: Stain Deck With Paint Pad.
Is it better to brush or roll stain on a deck?
The agitation and friction caused by a paint brush will cause the wood to absorb more stain. So if you are spraying or rolling the stain, always back-brush it in with a brush while the stain is still wet; you’ll achieve much better penetration in to the wood.
How do I stain my deck for the first time?
Learn how to stain your deck easily with these 4 simple steps. Apply the product. Scrub your deck with a mop that has stiff, hard bristles. Wash away the residue with a hose or pressure washer, using low to moderate pressure. Allow your deck to thoroughly dry before you stain.
Do I need to pressure wash deck before staining?
There is a common misconception that just pressure washing a deck prior to staining is all you need to do in order to prep your deck for stain. Pressure washing can help, but if you want your stain to last, using a good deck cleaner and brightener on the deck prior to pressure washing will provide you the best result.
Do I need to sand my deck before staining?
Once dry, these wood fibers can remain raised and may cause splinters. For this reason, light but thoroughly sanding your wood deck is a necessary step before staining or sealing. This crucial step will ensure that your refinishing job gives great results.
Should I paint or stain my front porch?
While staining may take less time than painting, painting often does a better job of filling the cracks, covering imperfections, and provides longer lasting protection. Paint also is typically more rot resistance and does a better job of preventing mold and sun damage.
How do you stain and seal a porch?
Step 1: Check the Weather. Step 2: Remove Your Furniture. Step 3: Sand the Deck. Step 4: Sweep the Debris. Step 5: Cover Your Plants and Siding. Step 6: Stir the Sealer or Stain. Step 7: Apply the Sealer or Stain. Step 8: Repeat Step 7 for the Entire Deck.
How many coats of stain should you put on a deck?
The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much deck stain as the wood can absorb. Typically this will be 2 coats, unless your dealing with extremely dense hardwoods which may only be able to absorb 1 coat of wood stain.
What if it rains after I stain my deck?
If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to displace the stain. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off.
What temperature can you stain a deck?
Apply stain only at the proper temperature. For most stains, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum, with the safety range from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Stains do vary, so check the label first. Avoid high humidity and staining on hot surfaces.
How do I know if my deck is dry enough to stain?
Another way of checking if your wood is ready for stain is to pour a little water on the wood. If the water beads up, the lumber still too wet to be stained or painted. If the water is absorbed into the wood easily, it’s ready to be sealed or stained.
What tools do I need to stain a deck?
Materials Needed: gallon of high-quality deck stain. broom. drop cloth. paint pad. paint pole.
Can you use a roller to stain a deck?
A paint roller can be used to roll stain on. A wide 18-inch roller may work well for staining a few fence or deck boards at a time but a mop or stain pad will hold more stain lessening the amount of time you have to dip back into the stain bucket.
How long after I stain my deck Can I walk on it?
In most cases a full body stain or acrylic deck finish will be dry to touch within an hour in dry, hot weather. After two hours you could take a chance and walk on it with shoes, though I’d recommend barefoot. After about 4 hours you should be able to safely walk on your deck.
What happens if you don’t clean deck before staining?
Before you apply stain, make sure the surface is clean (no dust, dirt, wood fibers or grease), dry and free from mildew. When a surface is not clean, stains and other finishes have trouble sticking and may end up peeling.
Is it better to sand or power wash a deck?
Splintered, cracking, or just plain rough wood should be sanded first, then pressure washed to open the wood’s pores and allow penetration of the stain. Deeply grooved wood that has mold, moss and other growing things filling the cracks will need treatment with a deck and siding cleaner.
What happens if you don’t sand before staining?
You need a smooth surface with no blemishes because stain will highlight scratches and dings in the wood. Always sand down to clean wood (if you have enough meat left of the wood) before applying any stain. Too fine and the wood won’t be able to accept the stain.
What is the best way to apply stain?
Stain can be applied with a bristle brush, a foam brush, or a cloth. On woods with large, open pores, such as oak, mahogany and ash, increase your pressure to work the stain into the pores. Rubbing or brushing against the direction of the grain will help fill deep pores with stain.
Can you stain a deck in the evening?
If you stain your deck in the summer, make sure you do it out of the direct sunlight. Applying a deck stain in direct sun will cause the stain to dry to quickly and can result in premature stain failure. In the summer, stain your deck in the morning or evening so the deck surface isn’t too hot.
Can you stain an old deck?
Clear finishes and transparent stains are fine for new wood, but for older decks, Starling recommends using a semitransparent stain. ”The grain still shows through, but the pigment gives the old wood a clean, uniform color and helps the new wood blend in,” he says. brush to apply the stain.
Can you stain over stain?
Staining over stain is easy and works beautifully if your applying a dark stain over a lighter stain on raw wood. 2. You can mix 2 or more stains together to make DIY custom stains.
Can you stain over stain on a deck?
Yes, it is possible to stain over the existing stain on a deck. It is recommended to do this at least once every 5-15 years, depending on how worn your deck is.
