Summer is the perfect time to update your outdoor living space. Whether you have a brand-new deck or one with some pre-existing stain on it, we will outline everything you need to get it ready for staining. To ensure the best-looking finish and maximize the lifespan of the stain there are a few key steps you to achieve optimal results. Follow our guide below!
Step 1
Relocate any furniture, planters, and BBQs. Store them in the yard or garage where they will be out of the way and protected. You will need the area to be free of any obstructions. Your deck will need to be clear for a few days to allow for cleaning, and for the stain to cure properly before being put back into use.
Step 2
Sweep the deck to clear away any leaves, dirt, and other debris. Work from the center of the deck outwards, pushing the debris over the edges of the deck. Use a stiff scrub brush, or putty knife to dislodge any packed-on dirt. Tools for this step:
- Large Push Broom
Step 3
Inspect boards for rot or decay. Replace any damaged boards. If your deck has been in place for a few years, it may require some repairs or the replacement of rickety boards. You can use these old pieces to test stain colors on so don’t get rid of them right way! Use wood filler to fill in small cracks and holes.
Step 4
Wash your deck. For existing decks there will likely be some mildew, mold or algae accumulated in the areas that are subject to higher moisture. Be sure to choose a cleaning solution with bleach in the ingredients to eradicate the microscopic spores! If you deck has a lot of organic growth on it follow up the cleaning step with a power washer to blast away any stubborn stains. This step will require a few tools:
- Safety Goggles & Gloves
- Cleaning Solution
- 5 Gallon Mixing Bucket
- Garden Sprayer
- Stiff Deck Brush
- Garden Hose
Put on your safety gear and mix your cleaning solution according to product instructions in a 5-gallon bucket. Pour this solution into a garden sprayer and begin to work in sections. Keep the area wet with your hose to avoid the cleaning agents from drying onto the boards. RINSE WELL. Continue working in sections until your whole deck has been scrubbed clean.
*Your deck will require at least 2 sunny days to dry completely before you can begin the next steps*
Step 5
Sand entire deck. Yes, the entire deck! This step is crucial and cannot be skipped. For new decks you need to remove the mill glaze present on all new wood. Mill glaze is a phenomenon created during the milling process by the heating up of sugars present in the wood. This creates a natural waterproof coating. If this step is skipped the stain cannot penetrate the wood grain and will just dry on top of the wood and cause the stain to flake, peel, and bubble. For uncoated existing decks you will need to remove the grayed sun damaged surface to achieve a uniform finish. For Decks with pre-existing stain the process is the same. You will need to remove the previous finish to allow the new one to penetrate the wood grain. Once you have sanded the whole deck sweep off the surface to remove all that wood dust. You will need some tools for this step:
- Hand Sander
- 60 Grit Sandpaper
- Sanding Machine (These can be rented from your local hardware store and will save your back!)
- Large Push Broom
*For previously stained decks, the previous color will influence the new color you choose so keep that in mind! We recommend bringing a board into your local paint store to sample stain colors before you commit! *
Step 6
Protect the surrounding area. Use drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect shrubs and flowers. If your deck is attached to your house, you will want to protect the siding from any stain splashing onto it.
Step 7
Stain. Your deck is now ready for staining! If you’ve followed all the steps we outlined above you will have a perfect surface ready for stain. As always we at Casanova Painting are more than happy to take on your painting and staining projects, contact us for a free quote if you’d rather leave the work to us!