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Remember, no rain 24 hours before you apply stain and no rain 24 hours after the staining project. Assuming the deck is dry and thirsty for stain, it’s time to make your deck amazing. When applying stain, a pad, brush, roller, or rag can be used to apply the stain.
How do I know if my deck is dry enough to stain?
One way to clear way to check if the deck is dry enough for staining is by using a moisture meter. A moisture meter measures the amount of moisture within the wood itself. When using a moisture meter to inspect your deck lumber be sure to check in several spots along the board.
How long does a wet deck need to dry before staining?
In perfect drying conditions, 48 hours is enough for the wood to get to where it needs to be before staining. Decks that don’t get much sun should be given an extra day to dry out. If after a day or two the wood still looks wet or there are soft spots, give it more time to dry out.
What happens if you stain a wet deck?
It is not recommended to stain a wet deck. You should remove the old stain before pressure washing the decking to ensure the new one has a good surface to stick to. Staining a wet deck will result in an uneven finish. Try to stain your decking on a dry, warm day.
Can I stain my deck if it rained last night?
Wait 24 to 48 Hours Wet wood can impact the look of your newly stained deck. According to stain manufacturer Behr Corporation, you should avoid staining a deck for at least 24 to 48 hours after the deck gets wet. Otherwise, moisture in the wood will prevent the stain from adhering correctly to the deck.
Can you pressure wash and stain a deck in the same day?
DPI Pressure Washing recommends you wait 72 hours following cleaning to stain your deck. Always inspect the wood before staining it. If you see moisture or some swellings still apparent in the fibers, wait another day or two. Remember that staining a wet deck will result in an uneven finish at best.
Should you pressure wash a 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.
Can I stain deck after morning dew?
Don’t apply your deck stain in the direct sun; choose morning or evening hours, or a time of day when your deck has shade. Morning application can be a safer choice to help avoid any contact with dew that sets in overnight. Don’t apply more stain than the wood can absorb.
How long does wood take to dry after rain?
Mostly wood takes no more than one week to dry after rain. Normally moisture content of the wood will increase around 30% after exposure to rain and once moisture content reaches 15%, we can consider the wood is dry.
Is it OK to stain wood while it’s raining?
It is best to never stain any exterior wood when inclement weather is forecasted, especially rain. Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12-24 hours of rain being forecast. Some stains can handle rain shortly after being applied better than others.
Can you stain a deck over multiple days?
Ultimately you want two set aside at least two days. If you need to power wash your deck or replace any boards it may take you an extra day or two. It is ideal to stain your deck in a season that experiences mild temperatures. The direct sunlight can cause the deck to dry too quickly which will leave water marks.
What temperature should it be to stain a deck?
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. All finishes, including stains and paint, have trouble drying in moist conditions.
Is it better to sand or power wash a deck?
DO sand your deck before sealing. At that point, lightly sand the surface to remove splintery or fuzzy patches caused by pressure-washing the deck. A pole sander with 80-grit sandpaper will suffice; a power sander is overkill. Then seal the deck to protect from cracking, cupping, and warping.
How many coats of deck stain should I use?
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. Watch this video to see more tips on how many coats of stain to apply.
Do you sand or clean deck first?
It is important, to begin with, a power sander and always finish by hand to reach difficult areas. Remember no more than 60 or 80 grit paper. The next step is to clean the wood thoroughly after the sanding. Deck cleaners, also known as deck wash are used to lift dirt and unsightly mildew which accumulates over time.
Why you shouldn’t powerwash your deck?
Wood decks are especially vulnerable to power washing, because the pressure exerted by the power washer can lead to splintering. If there is any area on the deck where the wood is already beginning to split apart, power washing it will exacerbate the problem and cause the split area to expand.
