How To Properly Stain Your Deck

by Tony Evans⁽¹⁾
Smoky Mountain Painting

Proper maintenance of your deck is critical to its protection and longevity. Your deck endures all the harsh elements of the weather and over time the stain that is on it will be begin to break down and offer none or very little protection. If left untreated the deck boards will begin to split and rot and you will end up having to replace the deck. That is why good upkeep of your deck is very important. But before you begin to stain there are some important steps that you need to take first.

Before you start to stain you should clean any mold or dirt from the pores of the wood. This is very important first step because if you fail to do this the stain that you apply will not adhere properly to the wood. To do this you will need to purchase a good cleaning product which is made for this. Many hardware and paint stores sell a variety of deck washes that you can apply with a garden sprayer. Following the directions on the deck wash that you bought, apply the product to your deck.

In some cases, if your deck is heavily stained you may need want to consider using a pressure washer to clean your deck.If you do decide to use a pressure washer, you will need to be careful because if it is used improperly it can cause damage and may end up ruining your deck. Begin by using a wide fan tip keeping the nozzle a distance of 18-20 inches from the surface. You may need to get closer to the decks surface to clean all of the stains but its better to start our from a longer distance and move the nozzle closer if its necessary. When using a pressure washer make sure to use long, smooth passes with the wand and always clean in the same direction of the wood grain. Allow the deck to dry 24 hours before applying stain.

Next, you will need to decide what type of stain that you are going to apply. There are generally three types of stains or sealers that are most often used today, clear, semi-transparent and solid stain. Clear finishes go on clear and leave little or no coloration to the deck. The clear finish stains are usually water repellents and some offer U.V protection as well. Semi-transparent wood stains usually are a little longer lasting than clear sealers and will add some color to your deck. Solid wood stains will penetrate the wood and will also allow the grain and texture to show through. The biggest disadvantage of solid wood stains is that they are inclined to show wear on high traffic areas, and when the stain begins breaking down, it can peel.

After you have decided on what type of stain that you want to use, it is now time to apply the stain. The best method to apply stain is by using a paint roller or an airless sprayer to apply the stain and then back brush to achieve a smooth, even finish. Start out by staining the vertical sections of your deck first, such as the post and handrails. Next, apply the stain to remainder of the deck.When applying the stain, be sure not to let the stain begin to puddle on the deck. Also, do not apply the stain in direct sunlight in order for the stain to penetrate and dry properly.

Staining your deck is the best way to keep your deck looking great for a long time while also providing a great layer of protection.

The author is the owner of Evans Painting in Birmingham, Alabama and has over thirty years experience in the home improvement field. For more information please visit http://www.evanspaint.com or http://www.vestaviahillspainting.com

Article submitted Monday, January 30, 2012 & read 415 times.

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