Table of Contents
Do you seal a deck before staining?
If you have a brand-new deck made of treated lumber (as opposed to cedar or redwood), wait at least a few weeks before sealing it for the first time. This allows the wood to dry so the stain is absorbed.
Can you stain and seal a deck at the same time?
Bottom line: A combined stain-and-sealant product offers durable, moisture- and UV-protection with the least drawbacks. In lieu of that, you can apply a simple stain to the deck and, after 48 hours, apply sealant for a similar level of protection.
Can stain be applied over Thompson water Seal?
The waterproofing nature of Thompson’s precludes using a water based product as a stain or paint. Quality penetrating oil finishes will soak into the wood right past the Thompson’s paraffin if you have waited until it is actually time to treat the surface again. DO NOT USE A WATER BASED STAIN.
Should you put a sealer over stain?
Applying a clear sealer over a deck stain is never a good idea. It really won’t help the deck stain or give any added protection more than the deck stain already is. Applying a clear sealer or polyurethane over a deck stain will cause more problems than it is worth.
Can you put water seal over stain?
And actually, the answer is YES—you can use our EMTECH water-based sealer or top coat over the oil stain. The beauty of all our water-based sealers and topcoats is that they’ll level and adhere to whatever solvent- or oil-based stain you’ve used.
How long does deck sealer take to dry?
Let the sealer or stain dry for 24 to 48 hours (or as directed), depending on the product and conditions, before using the deck.
Do you need to seal wood after staining?
After staining wood do you have to seal it? After staining wood, you have to seal if because the wood remains a porous surface. If you’re just using a regular stain, it can provide some degree of protection compared to totally unfinished wood.
Do you have to stain wood before polyurethane?
Apply stain to sanded scrap wood and allow it to dry. Check the color before adding it to your project. It’s also advisable to add polyurethane to the stained scrap piece. Polyurethane deepens the color of stain.
Can you seal wood without staining?
A water-based polyurethane finish will work great for sealing wood without altering the color. An acrylic lacquer is also a good option. All in all, it’s mostly a matter of personal preferences.
What can I put over Thompsons Water Seal?
You can only paint over Thompson’s Water Seal if you wait 45 days and use a primer. This only works if you paint over concrete, but paint doesn’t always stick to the Thompson’s seal well. Your paint may not look as intended because Thompson’s Water Seal has hydrophobic tendencies.
Can you waterproof wood before staining?
There are three surefire ways to waterproof your wood for years to come. Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish. Seal the wood with coating of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer. Finish and waterproof wood simultaneously with a stain-sealant combo.
What to use to clean deck before restaining?
Use 120 to 150 grit sandpaper and sand in the direction of the wood grain. Most likely you won’t need to sand your spindles or railings because vertical surfaces don’t wear as fast. When the sanding is finished, use a leaf blower, broom or wet/dry vac to thoroughly remove the dust, and your deck is ready for staining.
What should I use to clean my deck before staining?
Also, recommended but not required is the use of a deck brightener before staining your deck. Deck cleaners, such as the Wood Deck Cleaner and Brightener by DeckWise or the TimberTech Deck Cleaner, will lift and remove any stuck-on grime from your wood deck boards.
What happens if you don’t seal wood stain?
Wood is dried-out and dull if you do not apply some sort of sealer. By applying pigments, a stain is meant to darken or dye wood, but the wood is not preserved by staining. It only brings out the grain pattern when you rub the stain into the wood and gives the wood a more bold look.
How long after staining can I seal?
If it’s cool or damp you probably should wait overnight. If you are using a water based polyurethane then the stain should dry 7 to 10 days. You can shorten the wait by sealing the wood with a de-waxed shellac such as Zinsser Sealcoat after 2-3 hours and then proceed with the water based poly.
Will stain rub off if not sealed?
Once dry, the stain won’t rub off on the bedding. However, a sealer of some sort (polyurethane, shellac, etc.) will make the surface much easier to clean, resist staining, & wear better, etc.
Can you put water based finish over oil based stain?
ANSWER: Yes! but the underlying finish has to be absolutely dry. When using a water based topcoat over an oil based stain, allow oil based finishes, such as Java Gel Stain, to dry at least 72 hours before coating with a water based topcoat.
Can I put water based stain over oil based stain?
Yes! But you must follow ONE simple rule to ensure the best possible finish: the underlying finish must be absolutely dry. When using a water-based product over an oil-based product, such as water-based High Performance Topcoat over oil-based Gel Stain, wait 72 hours before applying the water-based product.
How do you seal stained wood?
Most stains should be sealed to prevent bleeding. After smoothing the stained wood, apply a sealer coat of thinned shellac, sanding sealer, or other appropriate sealer. Do not use shellac with NGR or water-base stains. If you plan to finish the piece with polyurethane, make sure the sealer is compatible.
