Does Your Deck Need a New Coat of Stain?
As school ends and summer starts, you turn your attention to the different spring and early summer projects you want to accomplish. As you spend more time outdoors, you also become aware of winter’s effect on your home’s exterior.
In today’s deck staining tips we are going to look at a few tools and methods to restain your decks and exterior wood surfaces.
Materials Checklist for a New Jersey Deck Staining Project:
- 2 gallon bucket
- Wood Stir Stick
- 4″ exterior stain brush
- Latex gloves
- Exterior grade stain like: Woodscapes® Exterior Acrylic House Stain
- Shop Cleanup Rags to soak up excess stain.
First, thoroughly clean the deck and wood surfaces to be refinished. A nylon scrub brush can be used for tight corners and edges, and to remove dust.
Sand any uneven or splintered areas. Then, clean and wipe the surface again. Note: if you used a pressure washer to clean off the deck, make sure it is dry before moving to the next step.
Put the stain from the can into the 2 gallon bucket. This allows you to get into the container and easily flap the side of the brush against the inside edge of the bucket instead of scraping all the stain off on the opening edge of the can.
Using the 4″ brush, make even strokes across the wood surface. If you notice an area seems a little thick, go back and smooth it out with the rag.
How Many Coats of Stain Do I Need?
If your wood is extremely weathered and is thirstily soaking the stain in, you may need a second coat. If the surface looks deep and resilient, you’re good to proceed. If it still seems a little faded or bare in spots, a second coat will usually even out the coverage.
One warning about the rags: do not leave them bundled up in a can in your garage. Lay them outside flat to dry or soak them in water. Spontaneous combustion can happen with a stained pile of rags.
Deck Restoration or Lounge Furniture: Good As New.
You can use these same tools to renew outdoor furniture, wood siding or wood trim around your home and outbuildings.
Manufacturers are constantly improving the options available to homeowners. Sherwin–Williams Deckscapes® products come in a variety of unique and beautiful stain colors.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. If you would like help on your painting projects, that’s why we’re here! Our services page talks about the various repairs we can help with around the house, including deck restoration and restaining wood siding.
We look forward to hearing from you!