Decks are a great place to relax or entertain guests while enjoying the nice weather outside. However, decks are exposed to the elements and tend to handle heavy traffic, so your deck requires maintenance to keep it looking great. Staining your deck can help it maintain its appearance through years of summer barbecues. Here are some helpful tips to guide you in your deck staining project:
Take your time: Nothing will have a greater impact on the results of the project than taking your time throughout the project. Allow stain strippers to remain on the surface long enough to break down the old finish on your deck. Being patient will help prevent overspray and spills on non-target surfaces. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the forecast and wait until the weather is favorable.
Be Prepared: Preparation plays a great role in how smoothly your project will go. If you have new, pressure-treated lumber, allow the lumber to weather for a few months and dry out prior to staining it. Whether the deck is new or old, it will need to be cleaned. If there is a buildup of old stain, use a stain stripper; however, if you find some small spots the stain stripper can’t remove, they should sand off easily once the deck dries.
Rinse Thoroughly: Use a lot of water when rinsing cleaning chemicals off of your deck. Although many of these products are harmless, if they are left in the wood they can later resurface and break down your new stain.
Remember More Isn’t Always Better: Semi-transparent wood stains are the best option for your wood deck. These allow the natural grain of the wood to show through. Only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb; too much stain will result in the wood not being able to breathe. When this happens, it will peel and you will be left with an ugly mess.
Use a Brush: There are a few different ways to apply the stain to your deck; rollers and pump-up garden sprayers are two of the more popular methods. Whichever method you choose, you should keep a brush around no matter what. Brushes can work the stain deep into the pores of the wood and the friction that the brush causes makes the wood absorb more stain. Whether you roll it on or spray it on, brush it afterwards while the stain is still wet to get the maximum penetration into the wood.
Follow these tips to prepare, plan, and execute a flawless deck staining project. Be patient, take your time, and be precise and you will have a beautiful shiny finish for your summer hangout spot. For all of your staining or painting needs contact Mount Pleasant painters and set up an estimate.
