One thing I have learned over the years is there is a lot more to staining (or restaining) a wood deck than most people think. One of the biggest errors we hear about is people staining new wood decks without properly cleaning them first.That makes sense, right? "I bought newwood from the local lumber yard, soI should just be able to sweep or rinse it off and be good to go!"
Unfortunately, the new wood you bought has been through quite a journey.From the mill to the distributor; then by truck to the lumber yard—wood gathers dirt and mold spores from multiple environments as it passes througheach leg of its trip.That is why hosing off the sawdust and visible dirt is just not enough.
Many people get away with skipping this critical step, and for that we are thankful.For others, they can be stuck dealing with mildew growing beneath the coating they just applied, or might see areas where thepenetration or adhesion of their coating is less than ideal.We created this article to review and clarify some of the key steps to consider, so you can have the best possible chance of your deck finish performing as expected.
Allow New Wood to Dry
Although it's tempting to skip this step, start by allowingnew wood to properly dry (orseason) before applying a stain product.Drying time for "green" (not kiln-dried) decking lumber may be anywhere from four to 12 monthsdepending on your area'sclimate and time of year purchased. It's ideal to allowthe wood to season to a 15% or less moisture reading.The seasoning process goes a long way towards helping prepare the wood for accepting the stain product.The results are worth it!
In Every Scenario,Clean Your Deck First
From clean-looking decks to surfaces caked with dirt, you will never create challenges by doing an extra cleaning—but skipping this step could lead to trouble!Remember to readthe cleaning instructions, which willhelp you take the right stepsto protect your plants, siding, and hardscapes.After a thoroughcleaning, be sure toevaluate if your deck could benefit froman application ofwood brightener.
PreparingYour Deck Surface MeansAvoiding "MillGlaze"
“Mill glaze” is a controversial subject. It's acondition referringto smooth lumber which isnot receiving stain or paint, and is certainly worthguardingagainst.
Asimple water test and proper preparation of the wood will protect against this condition, as long as you do bothbefore the coating is applied. To test for this condition, simply apply water to the areaand let it sit for a few minutes. If you see the water beading up and failing topenetrate, you'll need to address the issue. If you're seeing signs of mill glaze, you'llwant to use a wood brightener on your deck lumber, followed by a light wash and thorough rinse. Then allow for aproper dry time of 24-48 hours before applying your coating.
We'll share more about mill glazeinPart 3 of this series.
When Is YourDeck Dry Enoughto Stain?
In general, you want to wait 1-2 days after cleaning your deck to begin the staining process. Should you have rain, you will want to wait another 1-2 days before resuming the project.If your deck does not get any direct sunlight, it is likely to take an extra few days to dry out properly after wet weather.
Staining your deck before it iscompletely dry runs the risk of trapping moisture that could lead to mold or mildew challenges.Consider using amoisture meterto help you determine ifyour deck is dry enough for staining to begin.
Be Mindful of TemperatureandWeather
Many deck stain manufacturers say their product works best when applied in temperaturesbetween 60-80 degrees, but shouldn'tbe applied in conditionsbelow 50, or if the temperaturedropsbelow 32 degrees within 8 hours.Do not apply your deck coating if rain is expected within 24 hours.A quick light rain is not likely toharm the finish if it has alreadybeen absorbed properly, whilea heavy rain will most likely ruin your finish, causing you to strip it all off and start over.
How Often Should YourDeck Be Restained?
This is about personal preference to a large degree.If you want your deck to look like a piece of furniture,applyamaintenance coat every 6months—remembering to firstclean the deck surface every time a maintenance coat is applied.A light cleaning will usually be adequate if you stained your deck within the past 12 months.If it has been more than18months since the last application, a heavier cleaning will most likely be required.
If you are switchingto a different brand of deck stain, check with themanufacturer for any steps needed in addition to cleaning your deck. Changing stains during maintenance applications may require that you strip off the old coating and start from scratch.
General Tips for a Quality Result
- Follow the above recommendations.
- 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.Over-application is the most common problem people experience.More is not always better, and puddling stains can turn into a gummy mess that will create hours of additional work to rectify.
- Work in small areas, keeping a “wet edge” as you go along.Consider staining the entire length of 1-3 boards before moving on to a new section.
- Wipe off any excess stain after allowing the recommended time for penetration.
- Should you do any sanding of your deck surface, make sure that the dust is completely removed before applying your stain. This is especially important when working with hardwood decking.
- Be especially careful not to sand the heads of your nails or screws, which removesthe protective coating and causes additional challenges.
- When sanding, it is recommended that you don’t use anything finer than 80-grit sandpaper for hardwoods, or finer than 100-grit for cedar.
- Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific dry time and curing time before walking on your deck or putting back furniture, barbecues, and other accessories.
Notes on Safety
- When done with your oil-soaked stain rags, it is important to handle them properly before disposal. Lay them flat on the ground in single layers to dry fully. Be sure to check outthis helpful tutorial fromDunn DIY for more information.
- Spreading oil-soaked ragsout on a drop cloth will limit the chance of any damage to concrete or hardscapes, and also protect your lawn.
- Once the rags are stiff and dry, you can dispose of them with your local waste management company or landfill.
Skipping the recommended steps when finishing or refinishing your deck is certainly a gamble.We hope you take the time to do it right, so that you canenjoy the beauty and performance that can come with a job well done!
We've got even more tips to help you preserve and beautify your deck. Check out Staining or Restaining Your Deck Part 2:Steps for Different Deck Surfaces andStaining or Restaining Your Deck Part 3: The Myth of MillGlaze.
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