It is often suggested that you stain your deck prior to painting. This is actually not the best practice. Before staining, you should first prepare the deck for painting. This includes cleaning the deck boards and applying a protective coating to prevent damage to new decks from chemical spills. Staining your deck is easy if you follow the right guidelines. However, without the proper prep work, and with the following deck staining advice, your deck can be damaged and potentially destroyed.

Why Stain Your Deck?

Regular cleaning is important for protecting the finish on new deck staining project. However, cleaning too often can lead to damage to new deck surfaces and reduce the final results of your deck staining project. When cleaning your deck, follow the manufacturers’ guidelines on washing instructions. For example, washing should take no longer than 2 hours, and should include both deck surfaces and brushing.

Moisture Protection

Protect the deck from moisture when staining it. Do not let tarps, leaves or any other type of wood debris fall onto the deck. If you are staining inside a gazebo, make sure there is no access from the deck to the exterior. If the deck surface is exposed, you should consider putting a mat underneath the deck to avoid moisture entering the wood. This will help prevent warping as well as promote a smooth finish on your deck staining project.

Sealant

Finish your deck staining with a good sealant and wax. Chemicals can strip the natural color from wood, so you should choose a good sealant and wax to protect against ultraviolet light, pollution, and water damage to the deck surfaces. Many sealants and waxes also have anti-rot properties to prevent rotting, so they will prolong the life of your deck staining project. A sealant and wax will also help protect your deck from debris such as sticks, stones, and branches that can break off and float down the water during wind storms.

Finisher

Finish your deck staining with finisher. Finishers are available in spray cans or bottles, and most kits include instructions for their application. Some types of finisher, such as cypress or latex, are best used on wood deck boards only. Others, such as water-based polyester, may be used on all deck boards. The difference in the finish of your staining project will depend on the type of stain you use, as well as on how you apply it. Water-based dyes have stronger colors and require less finishing.

Finishing Your Deck Staining

Apply your deck staining the right way. Mist all areas with your deck stain. You can also apply your deck stain with a brush or roller, if preferred. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions for staining, using brushes that are specifically made for staining wood.