Decks made of wood need to be maintained on a regular basis because they are always exposed to the elements. The deck, in contrast to the siding or even the roof, is horizontally exposed to all of the elements of the weather and must withstand the full force of water, snow, and ultraviolet light. Unlike siding or a roof, rain does not discharge. Because of this, it should come as no surprise that the surface of the stained wood deck needs to be maintained once every one to three years, depending on the circumstances and the products that are used.
After being sanded and subjected to a power washing or cleaning process, a wooden deck can be stained using a stain, which will be explained in this article.
Choosing a Stain and Brush
Utilize a high-quality exterior semi-transparent oil-based penetrating stain, such as the Sikkens product that was used in this guide. As for the brush, you should be sure to choose a natural China-bristle brush of the highest possible quality, such as the ones that are produced by Purdy. Brushes made of polyester or nylon should be avoided while working with oil-based products because of their ineffectiveness. And remember to always apply the stain according to the directions provided by the manufacturer.
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
- 2- or 3-inch natural-bristle paint brush
- Canvas drop cloth
- Paint pad and pole
- Paint pad tray
- Rubber gloves
Materials
- Wood deck stain (preferably oil-based)
Instructions
Start With the Handrail
It is recommended that once the wood has been sanded, the staining process begins at the railing or the tallest section of the deck. Drips won’t be able to land on the finished stain work in this method. It is important to clean the bottom as well as the sides of the handrail. Maintaining a wet edge while working from the wet region to the dry area is the best way to have a smooth finish that has consistent colouring.
Stain Posts and Horizontal Members
After the handrail has been finished, the members of the deck rail system, both vertical and horizontal, should be stained.
Stain Under the Handrail
Be sure to clean the nooks and crannies of the underbelly as well as any other spots that are difficult to see. In particular, if you have an elevated wood deck, these places will end up being highly visible from the surrounding area of the deck itself. To perform a task well requires paying attention to the smallest of details, and it is far simpler to perform the task correctly at this point in time rather than to make adjustments after the project has been completed.
Protect the Deck Surface
Put a drop cloth underneath the area where the stain pan and pad are going to be loaded as you prepare to move on to the next step, which is staining the deck surface itself. It is preferable to use a heavy-weight canvas drop cloth rather than one made of plastic because canvas does not move as easily in the wind. On the reverse side of some tarps, there is a plastic or rubber liner that serves the purpose of preventing stains from penetrating the material.
Stain the Deck Surface
There are a few different approaches one can take when staining the deck’s surface. You have the option of utilizing a pressurized sprayer (and dealing with the possibility of the wind staining the side of your house), utilizing a brush (if you enjoy kneeling and bending over for hours at a time), or utilizing a huge pad applicator (the very best approach).
The paint pad applicator performs an excellent job of producing a good, uniform coating of stain and swiftly covering big areas. It also does a terrific job of providing a nice, even layer of paint. The only potential drawback is that it may not provide adequate coverage in the spaces between the deck planks if your deck has greater gaps than average.
If this is the case, you will probably need to use a brush to get the joints, remove the stain from the surface of the deck while it is still wet, and then apply the stain to the deck surface using a pad applicator. Alternately, considering that you are already on the ground staining the joints by hand, you might as well just stain the deck boards as well, taking care to keep a wet edge on the brush. If you decide to stain the deck with a brush, choose one that is between 3 and 4 inches wide.
To apply the stain, first, dip the applicator pad into the paint tray, and then use the paintbrush to apply the stain to the deck boards in strokes that run parallel to the length of the boards. After applying the stain generously and allowing it to penetrate the wood for a few minutes, check for any puddles of stain that have not penetrated the material and work them into the grain of the wood using a towel.
Work Toward Your Exit Point
To avoid staining yourself into a corner, finish the staining process near an exit point, such as a door or stairs. Typically, you would want to begin at the house and work your way outward; however, you may need to make some adjustments to this plan in order to finish up at the steps and exit the deck once the staining is complete.
Stay off the Deck
Before walking on the deck for the first time, allow it to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which is often up to 24 hours.
