Proper Application of Wood Deck Stain

Over-application of coating can be a major source of problems for all wood finishes. Many do-it-yourselfers and even some painting contractors seem to have a common misconception that more is better when it comes to application of coating. This is hardly the case, and will not provide the deck with any beneficial results.

Most deck finishes are designed to penetrate the wood surface, so applying too much coating will lead to a buildup of material, forming a film on the wood that will eventually peel or crack. Over-application on water repellant products will result in a waxy, sticky or slick surface because the coating buildup will interfere with the wood's ability to dry properly.

Coating Application Methods

A variety of methods using sprays, pads, rollers and brushes can be used to apply clear coatings. Spray application is the quickest and easiest way for large horizontal deck surfaces, as it evens out the finish while eliminating drips and lap marks. Pads are also well suited for coating decks, with individual boards coated entirely along their length to prevent lap marking. Paint rollers are effective for applying siding finishes, clear finishes and water repellents, instead of using them for deck coatings. Brushes are best used for detailed work on spindles and railings. As with all exterior coatings, keep in mind that deck finishes should only be applied under normal weather conditions.

Application Guidelines

To insure a uniform color, the products should be properly mixed before application. It is important that you do not skip this step, as even standard factory mixed colors can vary per batch. This ensures that you will begin application with the same color; even if a slight color difference is present in some batches, it will be hardly noticeable if new product is added at certain intervals.

It is always a good idea to first test the stain on a sample piece of wood from your deck, so you can verify the color and look you want. Make sure that the coating saturates all checks or splits; coating should be done several times on all exposed ends until the wood pores have been saturated.

Care and Maintenance

Depending on the kind of weather conditions that they are frequently exposed to, stained wood surfaces might need to be retreated every two or three years, even earlier. It is also recommended to do an annual inspection of treated surfaces.