DECK staining tips
Decks are a wonderful place to gather, whether it is for a family dinner or a backyard barbeque. To get the maximum lifespan, decks must be treated with care. The stain on a deck can be as important as the deck itself. Staining a deck protects the wood from moisture and damaging UV rays. A good stain will make your deck stay beautiful longer. Allow Storm System to offer some helpful deck staining tips for deck-owners everywhere:
When was your deck built? If the answer is very recently, you may need to wait a few months for the wood to dry out before staining it. If you applied a stain stripper, you must wait for the product to break down the previous stain before you wash the deck down. Patience is a virtue during this process. (Do the water absorption test…Pour a little water on the deck and if it absorbs it can accept a coating…if it beads up or does not absorb the deck wood will need to be properly prepared.)
Wait!
It is essential that you check the forecasts before you begin and ensure that it will be a week with good weather. Stain requires multiple days to fully absorb into the wood and dry. A downpour or a layer of snow can ruin all your hard work. Choose your week carefully!
Rain, Rain, Go away
As with any coating, longevity depends on good surface preparation and application. Whether this is the first or 10th coat of stain for you, it’s imperative that you correctly prep the wood surface before re-staining. Stain adheres to the wood through penetration, and any dust, debris,
or mill glaze (residue from the lumber mill) reduces this penetration. In fact, improper prep work is one of the major causes of premature
stain failure.
First, the existing surface needs to be prepared properly in order for the new stain to achieve maximum performance. Surface preparation goes beyond the typical clean, dull and dry. Depending on what type of stain or coating is on the surface and how long it’s been exposed to the elements will determine what surface preparation is needed. To achieve the longest lasting finish, the existing coating must be completely removed, either mechanically or chemically. This is to allow the proper amount of penetration necessary and achieve the uniform recommended amount of product on the surface. Studies have found that a combination of mechanically and chemically preparing the surface developed the greatest absorbency and most durable finish. Make sure to read and follow the directions on the container or from the Technical Data Sheet to ensure proper safety precautions, mixing ratios, application and neutralizing processes.
Mechanically sand the surface with 60 or 80 grit sandpaper to remove any remaining coating as well as any loose, fuzzy, dead, grayed wood fibers. You want to have a sound, solid wood surface for the new coating to penetrate and adhere properly too.
Once the cleaning is complete, allow the surface to dry out over the course of several dry, low-humidity days. Any water from the cleaning process that is retained in the wood will eventually work its way out during warm, dry weather. If a stain is applied too soon the moisture from the wood will be pushing out the stain with it. An easy way to test the moisture content is to sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface; the faster it’s absorbed into the wood, the dryer the surface. Apply the new coating as directed.
PREPARING YOUR DECK FOR STAINING
When picking a stain, one must consider the type of wood, the desired color, and the geographic location of the deck. Someone living in Boston during the winter needs a different stain than someone living in Arizona in the summer. Make sure that you are choosing your stain based on the level of opacity, the degree of UV protection, and the typical longevity of the finish.
Eenie, meenie, minie, mo!
Test your stain in a small area and allow it to dry before applying it to the rest of the deck to ensure that you have picked a color that you like.
TESTING 1,2, 3
While there are many ways to apply deck stain, you always want to have a paintbrush handy. This brush will allow you to work the stain deep into the porous wood and reach holes that your stain pad, garden sprayer or other staining applicators may not reach.
BRUSH STROKES
When staining, over-application can slow the drying process and cause the stain to crack or peel when exposed to inclement weather conditions. You do not want to under-apply, as this will not protect the wood, but over-application can be just as dangerous!
LESS IS MORE
Apply stain from the back of your deck to the front and do not change directions to avoid painting yourself into a corner!
Nobody puts baby in a corner
After you are done staining, consider what your deck will require to maintain its current look. Washing the deck down every few months, removing debris, and applying a wood brightener will keep your deck looking immaculate all year long.
Upkeep
Having a deck is a wonderful thing. All this work will pay off when you and your loved ones are able to congregate on your masterpiece and enjoy a meal or bask in the sunshine together. Make sure to appreciate your deck by using it as often as possible!
ENJOY!
For the most complete preparation system the following is recommended,
Storm System Wood Stripper, for the removal of existing coating.
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DECK STAINING TIPS
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Storm System All Surface Mold & Mildew Stain Remover.
Storm System Wood Brightener / Neutralizer.
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For more coating solutions, also visit:
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