Pro Tips: How to Stain Your Deck

Staining your deck can originally seem like a very daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Our expert crew here at Handyman Connection of Eden Prairie is here to help make it a little easier on you if you’re looking to stain your deck on your own. Check out some of our pro tips and steps to staining your deck like a professional. Let us know how it works out for you!

Preface

One of the most important things that we’d like to stress when staining your deck is to take your time, work carefully, and be patient. As you go through each step, take your time so that you don’t make any mistakes that cause you to have to go back and re-do what you just worked so hard to do.

Prep

As with many home maintenance projects, preparation is key. Before beginning any actual work, make sure that you have the proper tools and the right stain for what you’re looking to accomplish. Additionally, make 100% sure that the deck is completely dry and clean before starting. That means if it rains, you’ll need to push back your job a couple of days so that the wood is completely dry. The stain won’t hold as well if it’s applied when damp.

There also may be issues with the hold of the stain if it isn’t properly cleaned. That cleaning process includes removing any old stain prior to applying the new stain. You can use a wood cleaner for this to help strip off old stain and to get rid of dirt. If the layers of old stain are too thick, you may need to sand down the problem area so that you are starting the new stain from scratch.

Brightener

Our crew here in Eden Prairie would definitely recommend investing and doing some research into wood brightener before applying the stain. The brightener has a dramatic effect on the final results of your project, in the best way, as it opens up the surface to improve stain penetration, will help neutralize any stain strippers, and will restore the appearance of the wood. All of these things will drastically improve the quality of the stain, as well as the final result. You can just simply spray on the brightener, let it dry for a while, and then rinse it off before applying your stain.

Stain Application

If you did apply the brightener, make sure it’s completely rinsed off and that the deck is dry before starting this step. Each stain has a different set of instructions and potentially a slightly different application process. Be sure to follow those instructions very closely to ensure the efficiency and quality of your work. Also make sure to note the amount of coats that are recommended and complete that accordingly.

Finish

We would always recommend a weatherproof sealant to secure the excellent work you’ve done. There are many good ones you can find here at home renovation stores in Eden Prairie. Make sure you are patient with the finish as well, and that everything is completely dried before putting furniture or other items back on the deck. Try to keep your family off of it for a couple days to ensure the stain is all set.

If you have questions about how to stain your deck, or if you’d like a professional to tackle the job for you, give the crew at Handyman Connection of Eden Prairie a call and we’d be happy to take care of it for you.