What are the choices you have when deciding to either apply a deck stain or deck sealer? Once you decide to stain or seal, how do you go about it?
First, you need to know that a deck stain is a sealer. People usually think a sealer is the clear product, while a stain is the one that adds color. That’s not true, the difference is when you look at deck stain as opposed to deck paint. Deck paint is solid color, the most opaque of the sealers.
There are several choices of deck stains, first, it is exterior stain, and then you have clear, transparent, semi-transparent and solid. Check the color charts at your local hardware store to see the difference and decide which you would like to use. Usually, the older or more stained the wood, the more opaque the deck stain you should use.
Remember that oil is the one that will penetrate the wood more, giving a better seal. Find one mixed with latex if you are looking for easy cleanup.
Now, lets move on to how to stain a deck…
First, get all of your necessary products and supplies together. Calculate how much deck stain you will need according to the instructions on the can, protect any shrubs or painted areas with drop cloths and painters tape, you’ll need brushes for staining small areas and either rollers or paint pads, which we suggest to use, for applying the stain to larger areas. Paint pads are the best applicators; they cover a large area, like rollers, while getting into the wood grain, like brushes. A large painters bucket or pan so you can mix more than one can of stain at a time if you are covering a large area, otherwise, a painters pan is fine. You’ll want to use a pole extender so you don’t have to be bent over all the time.
Next, the right preparation is everything when staining a deck. Choose a weekend when the weather will be clear and dry for several days including a day before and a day after staining. The deck surface must be clear of any debris. Move all the furniture and accessories off completely. You don’t want to be moving it around once you’ve started the staining process.
Sweep the deck and assess its condition. Wash it with a deck cleaner or power wash it, depending on the degree of dirt on it. If you choose to power wash it, be sure that you use a setting low enough so it does not lift up the grain of the wood, but does remove the dirt. You must wait for it to dry completely before staining.
Before you begin to stain, be sure to double check for any loose pieces of wood or areas that may need to be sanded. Once that is done and you’ve taken care of any issues, you are ready to stain.
If you are covering a larger deck and using more than one can of deck stain, you should start by missing two cans together. As you use it, add more stain to the mix from the next can. Continuously do this throughout the process. This keeps the deck stain blended and you won’t see any variation in color.
Start by applying to the top of any rail or integrated seats around the deck, basically working from higher to lower areas of deck. Work the stain into the grain of the wood with gentle pressure. Stain the wood going with the grain, completing to the end of a section at a time. Its best to do about three boards at a time. This prevents any lines from appearing.
You must be careful to not drip any stain onto any area that you are not covering at the time. If you do, spread it out or clean it up immediately. It will make a mark that will show up darker when you apply the stain over it, particularly if it is transparent stain that you are using.
Allow the deck to dry completely before walking on it or putting any furniture back.
Next step, enjoy your deck and outdoor living!
--Barbara Frerichs
|