4 Busted Myths About Staining Your Deck

Myth #1 – Brand New Wood is Ready for Staining
Prepping new wood is an essential step in the staining process. You must treat new lumber with a wood cleaner followed by a wood brightener to get the most out of all that deck stain you just bought. Just because new wood looks squeaky clean, there is plenty dirt and grime to warrant a thorough cleaning. The application of a wood brightener will open the pores of the new wood and allow the deck stain to be absorbed more effectively.

Myth #2 – Pressure Treated Wood Requires a Few Months to Fully Dry Before Staining
While this myth is extremely widely circulated, the truth is that wood is ready for stain as soon as it is dry enough. If you let too much time pass between cleaning and staining, all that work you did to open the wood’s pores could go to waste. Applying deck stain as soon as the treated wood is dry enough will leave you with the best results in the fewest steps.

Myth #3 – You Must Use Oil Stain
While oil stains have long been considered best, recent advancements in water-based stains have more than leveled the playing field. Blind loyalty to oil stains now comes at a price – they are regularly being outperformed by other options. Some professionals even suggest that oil stains are harder to apply than other styles, but that largely depends on external factors.

Myth #4 – Applying More/Thicker Coats of Stain Will Make it Last Longer
This is probably the biggest misconception when it comes to staining decks because it seems logical. However, it is possible to apply too much stain to a deck. If you use more stain than the wood can soak in, the excess will just dry on the surface. This buildup of stain will result in premature peeling and chipping instead of providing extra protection.

If your home’s deck is in need of a new coat of stain, put down that can of deck stain and pick up the phone! Call on the experts at Handyman Connection for a free, no-obligation estimate today. All of our work is performed by an experienced deck handyman who will walk you through every step of the process for a simple and seamless experience. Our goal is your complete satisfaction.