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Recently, I stained a deck that I built during the previous
year. Staining may sound simple (and it is), but there's a right way and wrong
way to get the job done.
You shouldn't stain your deck right after building it
because the wood needs time to dry out. This is true even for most types of pressure-treated
lumber. Remember, too, that there's a lot of prep work that must be done before
you start staining. Start by picking up the supplies that you'll need.
For DIY deck staining, you're going to need a pressure
washer, deck cleaner, scrub brush, and push broom, as well as painters' tape
and plastic. You'll also need to pick out what kind of stain to use, depending
on your house color or your preference. In my case, I chose a clear stain to
bring out the natural colors of the wood.
Before you start the prep work and staining, keep an eye on
the weather – both for today and the next few days. The wood must be completely
dry, and you'll want to sweep away any windblown dirt or leaves. Make sure
there's no rain in the forecast, too. Next, wet the deck with clean water and
apply your deck cleaner. Then use your scrub brush to get rid of any mold, mildew,
or compacted dirt.
Let the deck cleaner sit for as long as the instructions on
the label allow. Then use the pressure washer to clean everything off. After
the pressure cleaning phase, allow the wood to dry out for a couple days. During
this time, use the tape and plastic to put a barrier up on your house so that
you don't get any stain on your house when applying it.
Now that everything is set up and dried out, go over your deck
with a final sweep to get rid of any loose dirt off. Then and only then should
you start your staining.
Personally, I found it easier to do the railings first, and
then use a roller to apply the stain. Go over the boards with a brush for a
smooth stain look. Be careful not to use too much stain, however, because you
don't want runs showing up; they makes the person look like an amateur.
When you're done, don't walk on the deck for two days
to make sure the stain is dry. Also, keep an eye on that weather forecast. You
don't want it to rain for two days after the stain is applied.
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