Many Central Florida homes have a wood deck, which creates (or expands) a usable outdoor area for relaxation, recreation and entertaining. However, a wood deck requires maintenance to keep it a beautiful asset to your property – as well as extend its life. Decks are exposed to Florida’s harsh environmental conditions – including intense sunlight, triple-digit summer temperatures and heavy rains – which can quickly expedite wear and tear. Staining your deck – and periodic refinishing – are essential to keeping your deck in top condition for years to come.
How to Prepare the Deck
As with all home maintenance and improvement projects, proper preparation is the key to success. Home Depot advises that you thoroughly clean the deck surface before staining to ensure the stain coats are applied evenly and do not peel when dry. The step-by-step process is as follows:
- Remove patio furniture, potted plants and other items from the deck.
- Sweep the deck to remove all leaves and other debris.
- Apply wood cleaner to the surface of the deck. Let it remain on the wood surface for about 15 minutes, then work the cleaner into the surface of the deck with a scrub brush. Scrub thoroughly to remove all residue.
- Rinse the cleaner from the deck using a garden hose or a pressure washer equipped with a 45-degree tip set at 1200 to 1400 psi. Spray with the grain of the wood.
- Allow the deck to dry, which could take as long as a day or two.
- Once the deck is dry, use an orbital sander with 60-grit or 80-grit sandpaper to remove any remaining residue from the deck.
- Pressure washing is also an option for cleaning and prepping the surface of the deck, particularly older decks.
Because a thorough cleaning is necessary to achieving the best result, the importance of pressure washing can’t be overstated. If it’s necessary, you need to decide whether you can (or should) do it yourself, or hire a professional. Our blog post – “Pressure Washing: Should You Hire a Pro or DIY?” – covers this topic in detail, giving you all the information to make this decision.
Important: If your deck is newly built using pressure-treated lumber, the lumber will need to dry for two to four months to allow the deck stain to adhere properly.
After the deck is completely dry, inspect it closely for wood damage. Replace any broken, rotted or warped boards. Check the surface for broken screws or exposed nails and replace them if needed.
You’ll also need to determine whether your deck’s existing stain is water-based or oil-based. According to Home Depot, water-based stains need to be stripped off before you apply a new finish, while oil-based stains can be recoated after you use a deck cleaner. To test the stain, apply a small amount of deck stripper to a small area on your deck – preferably an inconspicuous area. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then wipe it off with a rag. If the stain comes off, the stain is water-based. Follow the directions on the deck stripper to remove this stain from the deck. If it does not come off, the stain is oil-based. Oil-based stains can be recoated after you use a deck cleaner.
Important: Water-based and oil-based finishes aren’t compatible. You can’t (or shouldn’t) put a water-based finish over an oil-based finish.
Tools and Supplies You’ll Need
If you’re staining your deck yourself, Olympic recommends the following basic tools:
- Natural bristle brush for alkyd oil stains.
- Synthetic bristle brush for acrylic oil stains.
- Large bucket (5 gallons)
- Stirring sticks.
- Roller.
- Roller tray.
- Stain pad with a pole.
- Painter’s tape.
- Drop cloth.
- Rag (for clean-up).
- Mineral spirits (if using an alkyd stain).
Proper Stain Application Techniques and Tips
Along with proper prep work, proper application sequence and technique will give you pro-perfect results! As DIY expert Larry Bilotti advises in his article for Bob Vila, choose a weekend that does not have rain in the forecast. “If possible, avoid applying the stain in direct sunlight. (Always test the stain on a small area and let it dry to make certain the color is the one you want.)”
Interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn is even more specific in his article for HGTV:
“For best results, apply stain when the temperatures are between 50 and 90 degrees, and avoid staining in direct sunlight if possible. Sun dries out stain quickly and can create uneven color or brush marks. Check the weather forecast to make sure you have several dry days ahead.”
Use painter’s tape to protect areas you don’t want stained – such as your home’s siding. Then, sweep the deck one more time to remove dirt and small pieces of debris that may have settled on the surface since the pressure washing or deck cleaning.
Finally, it’s time to get started! Home Depot provides the following instructions:
- Stir the stain thoroughly before applying and pour into a paint tray. Since exterior finishes have a higher solids content, it’s important that materials are stirred frequently.
- Apply the stain to a test patch of wood to confirm that you’re satisfied with its color and appearance.
- Cover the deck surface with towels or a drop cloth below the stair railing and around the balusters and spindles before staining them. They’ll catch falling stain drips and specks and protect the deck surface.
- Begin by staining the railings, posts and balusters with a paint brush or hand-held paint pad. Use long, even strokes.
- Stain the inner and outer sides of the deck stair handrails.
Next, apply stain to the deck boards. Before beginning, plan an “escape route” to avoid staining yourself into a corner!
- Stain the deck boards using a paint pad applicator attached to a pole, or a pole-equipped roller. An applicator or roller allows you to cover a large deck surface with stain in less time. It is less labor intensive than staining a large deck with a paint brush by hand and more accurate than using a pressurized sprayer.
- Apply one coat of stain in long, even strokes. Usually, one coat will be enough.
- Use a paint brush to stain between cracks and in any problem areas.
However, Bilotti recommends using a bristle brush to apply the stain, start by heavily coating the open-end grain of the boards. Then brush two to three boards from one end to the other in long, smooth strokes. To avoid lap marks, make sure that the leading edge remains wet and that wet stain is brushed into wet stain. This may come down to a matter of personal preference in application method, so look at each method and decide which will work better for your situation.
Finally, apply stain to the steps. Use a large paint brush or hand-held paint pad applicator for best results. Deliver an even coat of stain, then if needed, add another coat.
Important: Don’t over-apply stain. This may cause it to crack or peel when exposed to moisture. Too much stain will also interfere with the drying process and final look.
Let dry at least three days before returning patio furniture and other items to your deck, and start enjoying! However, be sure to keep up your good work. Deck staining needs to be redone about every two to three years. As a general rule of thumb, if water beads up on the deck, the stain is still doing its job.
As you’ve learned, keeping a good stain on your wood deck is essential to its beauty, function and longevity. If you’ve also learned that it’s a process requiring a good deal of work – from preparation to application – that’s what our pros at The Paint Manager are here for!
The Paint Manager has served Central Florida since 2000 with quality professional residential and commercial painting services. Visit our website to learn about many other services we provide – including pressure washing, roof cleaning and stump removal. Become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer. We look forward to meeting you!