How-To Prepare a Deck for Staining
- Thoroughly sweep the deck to remove all leaves and other debris.
- Liberally apply cleaner using a roller or pump sprayer (wear protective equipment to avoid contact with skin and eyes). …
- After 15 minutes, work the cleaner into the surface using a stiff synthetic-bristle brush.
Should you 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 before re staining a 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.
What can I use to clean my deck before staining?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Application apply olympic deck cleaner at full strength with a pump style garden sprayer. Apply liberally and allow to stand for 5 to 10 minutes scrubbing is not typically required.
Do I need to prime my deck before staining?
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.
How soon after power washing Can I stain my deck?
48 hours
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. Now let’s talk about specifics. Cleaning your deck is an all important first step in the staining process.
What happens if you don’t clean deck before staining?
But don’t just slap a coat of stain on in a hurry — you’ll need to clean your deck before staining it. If you stain a deck without cleaning and prepping it first, the results will look blotchy, uneven, and, well, amateur. Any time you save skipping the cleaning stage, you’ll spend twice over repairing the botched job.
How many coats of stain should you put on a deck?
two coats
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. The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much as the wood can absorb.
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.
What if it rains after I power wash my deck?
Rain really will not hurt unless the deck is wet when you seal it. If wet when sealed depending on the type of sealer it may be ok (water based) or with oil based it will not adhere as well.
How do I stain my deck in one day?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Well Thompson's advance now offers the one day project. They have the oxy action foaming cleaner it'll kill the mildew. And freshen up the wood. You're going to rinse. And allow that to dry.
How long does it take for a deck to dry after staining?
about 24 to 72 hours
You should also consider the type of wood you are staining, amount of stain you’re applying, and weather conditions, like humidity, temperature, and air circulation. On average, wood stain takes about 24 to 72 hours to fully dry and cure, though you can typically add a second coat after about four hours.
How long does a deck have to dry before staining?
48 hours
After a deck has been power washed it will have some retained moisture within the wood. It’s important to let the wood dry thoroughly so none of the water that soaked into the wood gets trapped under the stain. In perfect drying conditions, 48 hours is enough for the wood to get to where it needs to be before staining.
What temperature is best to stain a deck?
The Goldilocks Zone for Staining Your Deck
- It’s below 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- It’s above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- It’s a cloudy day or at the right time that the deck is in the shade.
- The humidity is low.
- Rain isn’t in the forecast.
- The wind is calm.
How do you sand a deck before staining?
Use the palm or orbital hand sander for hard to reach places or where the belt or floor sander misses. Don’t forget to sand the exposed ends of the boards. Sweep or vacuum up the dust, and sand the deck again with a 60 to 80 grit to smooth the surface and still leave the pores open to suck up the stain.
