After having spent many long winter months shut in our homes, we long for only one thing: spending fun times outdoors! So, for many people, their summers centre around their backyard. Whether for getting together with friends for a BBQ or sipping your coffee in the first light of day, your deck is an extension of your home throughout the mild weather seasons.
But who wants a dull-coloured, faded-looking room? Here are 5 easy tips for staining your wood deck.
- Prepare the surface properly
Before anything else, give your deck a good cleaning. First, remove all dirt, down to the smallest stone. Then prepare the cleaning mixture, spread it over the wood and leave it to soak in for 15 to 20 minutes. Next, scrub vigorously and rinse with water. Finally, allow the wood to dry for 24 to 48 hours before applying the stain.
To make your cleaning mixture, you will need:
- TSP degreaser
- CUTEK® Quickclean deck cleaner, Benjamin Moore ARBORCOAT or Sansin Multi-Wash
These products remove mould, mildew, dirt, grease, contaminants and chalking. You can even use them to wash brick, stucco, asphalt, and vinyl.
Is your deck paint or stain peeling? You’ll need to treat them with stripper first to obtain a perfectly smooth surface, which is essential for applying a stain.
You can then sand your deck, giving you a smooth surface ready for your chosen stain to be applied.
- Choose the right time
The success of your project depends on the weather, among other things. Of course, the weather can be difficult to predict, but here are a few things to bear in mind to help you choose the right time for your project.
– Beware of rain: Wait 2 to 3 days after a rain shower before starting your work and, if possible, make sure that no rain is forecast within 12 hours of completion.
– Avoid dew: Wait until the wood is thoroughly dry after the morning or evening dew before applying the stain.
– Everyone in the shade: Don’t apply stain to areas that are in direct sunlight. Instead, wait until these areas are in the shade. That way, you’ll get better results… and avoid heatstroke!
– Neither hot nor cold: Make sure the ambient temperature is between 10°C and 25°C. That way, there should be no visible marks when drying.
- Get the right tools
To paint wood on a deck, a paintbrush is the ideal tool. For oil-based products, a brush with natural bristles is preferable. For acrylic products, a brush with synthetic bristles will do the trick.
Whether natural or synthetic, silk bristles are highly absorbent. Since stain is more liquid than paint, you’ll want a brush that can hold a substantial reserve of product in its bristles. Don’t hesitate to apply the stain generously to saturate the wood completely.
Of course, if you have a very large deck, staining it with a brush can be a rather painstaking task. If you decide to use a roller, it’s important to use a brush on the sides to ensure that the stain soaks into the wood well. This will prevent unsightly drips.
- Choose a quality product
After preparing the surface and tools, it’s time to choose the stain. We recommend Cutek stains.
Made from top-quality ingredients, Cutek stain is perfectly suited to the Quebec climate. It can be applied in full sun and even on wood placed on the ground in humid areas. It’s easy to apply, won’t crack, chip or peel, and best of all, there’s no need to sand when freshening it up.
Other products may be better suited to your needs, such as Sensin stains, Benjamin Moore’s ARBORCOAT line or Livos protective oils.
Come and see us at our store for personalized advice on your project!
- Be patient
After putting so much effort into your staining project, it would be a shame to spoil it by being too hasty. It’s of the utmost importance to let the stain dry completely to achieve good results. Patience is a must!
If you’re using Cutek, don’t walk on the stained surface or place any objects on it for the next 3 days. You’ll be able to go out on your deck on Day 4.
Sensin and Benjamin Moore products dry in 24 hours but have different properties than Cutek products.
And then, that’s it! Your deck is ready to welcome you!
Want to know more?
For more advice on the use of our exterior paint and stain products, visit one of our four branches. Our team will be happy to advise you according to your needs.
