How to Stain a Deck
What is the best way to apply stain to a deck?
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.
Do I need to sand before staining my deck?
Sand the Deck If you plan to stain the deck, sand the surface before application to make the wood better absorb the coating. Use an orbital sander to remove any old gloss and smooth out any rough areas on decking boards. You may need to use a sanding sponge on the railings or balustrades.
How do you prep a deck for staining?
Can I use a roller to apply deck stain?
Use the proper roller nap for best results, but remember that rollers are not really designed to hold deck stain. A wide 18-inch roller may work well for staining a few fence or deck boards, but a mop or stain pad will hold more stain, lessening the amount of time you have to dip back into the stain bucket.
What if it rains after I stain my deck?
If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. If it rains immediately after you’ve stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off.
How long after power washing deck Can you stain it?
48 hours
Wood Deck Staining Overview Let’s start by answering the question: how long should you wait for your deck to dry after you power wash it? The short answer is 48 hours. You should wait at least two days after pressure washing your deck before you consider staining it, to give time for it to dry.
How many coats of stain do you need?
We always recommend two coats of stain for any wood project, but you should only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain.
Should I use deck cleaner before staining?
In short, yes. We highly recommend using a deck cleaner when prepping your deck for a new coat of deck stain. We’d also recommend using a deck brightener before staining your deck, though this step isn’t required.
Do I need to prime my deck before I stain it?
Priming the Deck As with any painting job, it is also very important to prime the surface before applying paint or stain. Your deck boards need to be properly primed because they are constantly exposed to varying temperatures, moisture, humidity, and lots of foot traffic.
Do you seal a deck after staining?
Most of the time, stains also contain a protective sealant. It’s a good idea, though, to re-seal your deck (or check that it needs to be re-sealed) once a year. Water-based stains can adhere to water or oil-based coatings already present on the wooden surface. Water-based stains can be cleaned up with water.
Can I apply a second coat of stain a week later?
Can I Apply a Second Coat of Stain a Week Later? No, applying a second coat of stain a week later is a bad idea. If you apply another coat of wood stain after a week, it will not adhere to the wood properly. As a result, any finish you use on top will experience adhesion problems and peel off.
Should I sand after staining?
Yes, you need to sand the wood surface to even out scratches, dings, and other blemishes that the stain would highlight. Sanding also opens up the wood pores allowing the stain to penetrate it properly. If you skip sanding, the wood might not absorb the stain as it should. What is this?
Can you stain a deck at night?
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.
What tools do you need to stain a deck?
Are foam brushes good for staining?
Foam brushes are fine for applying Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner and any Minwax® stains, but they don’t lay down a smooth final topcoat finish as quality bristle brushes do.
What temperature is best to stain a deck?
Avoid the Cold If you’re staining your deck in the spring or fall, wait for a day with highs above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, make sure freezing temperatures aren’t in the forecast for that night. If it drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit before the stain has thoroughly dried, it can hinder the curing process.
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. Extreme heat or sun can work against you when you are staining your deck.
How many dry days does it take to stain a deck?
A deck stain typically takes between 24 and 48 hours to dry depending on the brand of the stain, as well as a host of environmental factors that include temperature, humidity, and even the age of the wood. What is this?
How much does it cost to stain a deck yourself?
The average cost to power wash, stain, and seal a deck is $1.57 to $4.04 per square foot. A 12×12 deck costs $226 to $582 to stain when paying someone, or $59 to $176 to stain it yourself. A gallon of stain costs $20 to $50, which covers 200 to 300 square feet.
How much should I sand my deck before staining?
Many homeowners recognize this but wonder how to sand a deck for the best results. To open the wood grain so it absorbs stain or paint, sand the deck using 20 to 50 grit sandpaper on the first pass and 60 to 80 grit on the second pass on a belt sander or orbital floor sander.
What is the average price to stain a deck?
Average Cost to Stain a Deck The cost to stain your deck typically ranges from $540 to $1,050 with an average of just over $700. This equates to an average cost of $2 to $4 per square foot for labor and materials. Higher-quality stains will run up the price, as will washing or sealing the wood prior to staining.
How do I stain my deck in one day?
The key to staining on the same day as prep is to allow all the visible water to dry off the deck. It can be applied to damp wood to the touch not soaking wet wood. Make sure that when applying you only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Do not over apply a semi-transparent deck stain.
Is it OK to jet wash decking?
If you have timber deck boards, a power washer’s pressure may cause splintering and damage to the timber fibers. If the timber surface already has some splintering, pressure washing will only exacerbate the issue.
How do you clean a newly stained deck?
Mix one cup of liquid dish soap or laundry detergent in a bucket of warm water. Pour the mixture onto the stained decking, and allow it to soak into the wood for about 15 minutes. Then use a stiff-bristle nylon brush to scrub the stains from the surface. Rinse with clean water and repeat, if necessary.
Can you use OxiClean to clean a deck?
To clean the deck with this quick method, I just mixed 1 cup of OxiClean (powder) into 1 gallon of water. Pour a little bit onto your deck in sections and use a push broom to scrub the solution in really well. Once you notice stains starting to break up, spray down well until the soapy residue is gone.
Why does my deck stain peel every year?
Deck stains will generally peel for two basic reasons: over application and poor adhesion. This is simple — too much stain on the surface of the wood. With deck stains, specifically with semi-transparent finishes, more is not better. You only want to apply as much product as the wood can easily absorb.
What is the fastest way to sand a deck?
What sander is best for outside decks?
random orbit sander
Remember that woods used on decks are typically soft-wood species. Belt sanders, whether hand-held models or large uprights, tend to gouge softwoods, so an oscillating or random orbit sander is usually the better choice. Make sure your deck is thoroughly dry before you sand.
Should I wet wood before staining?
Wet the wood with water before applying the stain to raise the grain and leave a rougher surface for more pigment to lodge. This adds an extra step because you have to let the wood dry for this trick to work. You could shorten the procedure to one step by using a water-based stain.
Do you need to seal wood after staining?
Yes, sealing wood after staining it is essential to protect it from damage and discoloration from foods, liquids, human touch, and piercing objects. While wood stain may seal the pores and offer some protection from moisture and water damage, its primary purpose is to color natural wood.
How long should stain sit?
Wipe the stain off immediately if you’d like a lighter tone. But for a deeper tone, leave the stain on the wood for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it off. Be sure to wipe off all the excess stain going in the direction of the grain of the wood.
What type of roller should I use to stain my deck?
What’s the right roller for the job? For staining a deck, go with a standard 9 inch napped paint roller. A napped roller will apply the stain in much the same way as a lambswool pad, but in a much more efficient way.
Can you put stain over stain on a deck?
Can I stain over a stained deck? If your deck is in good condition and you’re looking to apply a maintenance coat to keep your deck looking new, then yes… you can stain over a stained deck. It’s the same if the surface of your boards are starting to look really worn and faded. Applying more stain won’t hide the damage.
Is it better to spray or brush deck stain?
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.
Should I sand my deck before staining?
Sand the Deck If you plan to stain the deck, sand the surface before application to make the wood better absorb the coating. Use an orbital sander to remove any old gloss and smooth out any rough areas on decking boards. You may need to use a sanding sponge on the railings or balustrades.
Can I use a roller to stain a deck?
Short Answer, Yes. But there are some other things to consider when using rollers or sprayers. Rollers are a great way to apply wood stain as well for the speed at which you can apply the stain. However, when using rollers can be a disadvantage when you have hard to reach areas.
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