This post was updated on March 5, 2024
How To Stain a New KDAT Deck
DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to site for all things wood deck restoration-related. As before, we recommend you wait 1-2 months to stain new 2024 KDAT wood surfaces to allow the wood to weather, creating an ideal porous surface that will hold the stain better. We encourage customer interaction on our site, so if you have stained a new KDAT surface, we want to hear from you. Feel free to leave us a comment with pictures of your projects if you have them.
When to Stain a New KDAT (Kiln Dried Wood)
Deck? Right away or wait?
Although pressure-treated lumber is protected against fungi and insects, regular maintenance is required to achieve optimal weather protection. Staining and occasionally refinishing the wood will ensure your wood project will be enjoyed for years to come.
However, when pressure-treated, or other types of wood are new there is a waiting period of 3-6 months when using most stain brands. The wood has to season before you can stain or seal it. New wood has a high moisture content. As the wood dries out it shrinks and becomes more porous. Some weather damage can occur during this seasoning period but staining new wood too soon can lead to staining performance issues as trapped moisture will wreak havoc.
A way around this issue is to use KDAT (Kiln-Dried After Treatment) lumber. Moisture is removed from the lumber prior to arriving at the lumberyard. The advantage of KDAT lumber is that you can stain or seal it much sooner. Because all the moisture has been previously removed, the wood will not shrink or need as much time to season. Basically, it is like seasoned wood that has not had to season naturally and has been susceptible to the elements. You will need to prep the surface though with a deck cleaner and wood brightener before staining. This will help remove any mill glaze. We also suggest only applying 1 coat of stain to the new KDAT wood.
Best Tips and Steps for Staining New KDAT Decking
- Install wood first. Wait for 1-2 months of weathering.
- Prep wood with a deck cleaner and wood brightener to remove mill glaze and or open grain for the stain.
- Choose a stain such as Armstrong Clark. This allows maximum penetration into the wood grain.
- Apply only 1 coat of the stain.
- Apply a light maintenance coat 9-18 months down the road.
Stain new KDAT decking within 1-2 months after installation for the best results. No need to let the wood weather longer. Staining a new KDAT deck properly will allow you to enjoy your new deck for many years.
Best New Wood Deck Stain Water-Based | Best Applying New Wood Deck Stain | Best New Wood Deck Stain Oil-Based |
Months to Weather New Wood: 3 months for both semi-transparent and solid stain colors. | Months to Weather New Wood: 2-3 months for transparent and semi-transparent colors. 12 months for semi-solid. | Months to Weather New Wood: 4 - 12 months for all TWP Series and Colors. |
Staining a New Deck Tips Video – DeckStainHelp.com
Any Questions on Staining New KDAT Wood? Ask Below.
Hi, I have a customer we’re building a deck for this week. We were planning to use KDAT decking but they just told us they won’t be staining it until next year. Will it weather too much between then and now?
It will be fine.
I live in N.W. Georgia and built a new KDAT deck. Project was completed August 1, planning to stain deck at end of November, but I’m concerned about it being too cold. Should I wait until spring? (9 months after deck completion) or just proceed as planned. Thank you.
Either way is fine. If you stain now, make sure temps are above 50.
I provided olympic clear sealer to my decking contractor to seal the end cuts. 1000sq ft 2 level upper level is picture framed as the lower part is.. top 2/3 complete .. but when he applied sealer to cut ends almost all ends have 1-3″ of sealer
On the top as well.. I planned to use a transparent stain will I now have a problem with staining the ends? Won’t it look darker ?.. if so p,ease advise.. thanks
Yes, it will probably not blend. You will need to strip it off and then brighen the wood. BTW, you cannot stain the new wood yet as the above article explains.
MY KDAD WOOD CAME WITH A LIGHT CHERRY STAIN ON IT, CAN I SEAL IT RIGHT AWAY?
No, you can never apply a sealer over a deck stain. It will peel.
I had new kdat deck put in April. I have not had time to stain the deck, now its October and won’t have time to do until April of next year 2021 because it’s getting cold.. Is this a problem? What can I do ?
Thank you
Sharyn Acampora
Just prep and stain in the Spring.
The Yellawood KDAT website and rep say to stain prior to or immediately after installation. But you seem to be saying wait 1-2 months for weathering. I live in Florida and we have regular rain storms and I am concerned about the wood losing the benefiyt of already having been dried. What is you best advice? Please send response also to meplunkett454@gmail.com
Yes, it needs to weather for 1-2 months and then be prepped.
You didn’t answer my question. How do you prepare KDAT deck SPINDLES.
Yes, we did. See below.
I just recently re-stained my deck and in the process discovered that I needed to rebuild the railing. I will be installing a new rail with KDAT and cable railing this weekend and will let the new wood weather one to two months as advised. Once the railing is ready to be stained how would you recommend prepping the railing for stain (cleaner, brightener, etc.) while not damaging the stain on the deck floor. I just re-stain the deck for a few weeks ago and would prefer not to strip it down and redo the whole thing.
Clean and brighten the rails. The prep should not harm the floors as long as you do not use a bleach-based cleaner.
Building a deck. Understand the logic of waiting 1 to 2 months for wood to weather and become more pourous. How do you eliminate the scratches and dings that will occure during that time period, prior to staining, since sanding isn’t an option.?(You’d have to wait for the wood to weather again). Won’t the scratches be more prominent when the stain is applied? I’m not doubting you guys at all. Just wondering if there is a solution to this problem. Maybe the answer is that it’s a deck, and not an interior floor. Appriciate your feedback.
There is not a way to stop any scratches or dings and honestly, they are going to continue after you stain anyhow. It will be part of your deck no matter what so best to just not be concerned about them.
We have a KDAT deck that was installed several months ago. It is inside a screened porch and has been covered with cardboard. The bottom surface of the deck is exposed to the air but not water or sun. Am I safe applying Defy Extreme or do I need to expose the boards that have been covered with cardboard for some time, and if so, how much time? Thanks
Expose the wood for 1-2 months and then prep and stain.
I’m in the process of installing KDAT decking and have completed one section already. Since installation, it has rained and several the boards, previously pristine and uncracked/unsplit, have now started to crack and split (presumably from absorbing water and drying out. Guidance here is to let a new KDAT deck season for a couple of months before staining/sealing but seems like that will subject the wood to more water and potential splitting. Why isn’t prepping, staining, and sealing immediately or ASAP after installation a better approach and wouldn’t doing so be more likely to prevent the boards from splitting due to moisture absorption/drying if done before being exposed to rain over a period of time?
Splits and cracks are normal for decking and cannot be prevented no matter if stained right away or not. They are not a big deal and nothing to worry about.
As for why not to stain right away, it will not take and will fail. All stain manufacturers suggest waiting for the wood to become porous and you have to prep to remove mill glaze and oxidation after. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
I purchased kiln dried premium wood on 5/1/20 and started to stain it June 14, 2020. We power washed it 5 days ago and attempting to stain TWP 116 Rustic. It appears splotchy and not absorbing stain well. I used roller and went over it with a brush. Still splotchy. What type of roller should I use? I used Wooster Pro 3/8″ semi smooth for paints and stains. Should we wait another month to stain?
Also, is TWP Rustic 116 the same color stain as TWP Rustic Oak 116? . We used TWP rustic oak 116 last year on another deck and it appears more red which we preferred than the current TWP rustic. The new TWP Rustic 116 appears more yellow than the TWP Rustic Oak.
They are the same, no difference in color or formula. You should stop and wait until fall to prep and stain. Use their Gemini Restore Kit for the prep. Rollers do not work well, use a stain pad or brush,
If I use RAD 2 step process again, how do I keep from removing most of the stain that’s already on the deck? That’s what happened when I used it before the second staining. It took off so much stain that it looked like I had never stained it in the first place.
What type of brush should I use to scrub the deck?
There is nothing wrong with a deep cleaning when recoating with the same brand. This is the best way for performance anyhow. Any scrub brush will work. Most pressure wash.
Hello,
Great website. Told all members of our HOA about you.
Before the “light maintenance coat”, how should I clean the deck? Someone told me Dawn dish detergent. We are in CO, 7500′ altitude, early AM sun on 3/4 of deck.
Deck is 12 x 30 kiln dried redwood, installed 10/2017. Originally used RAD 2 step cleaner process, let it dry till moisture content was ~ 15%, then had contractor stain all 4 sides, install, and stain cut ends. Looked beautiful. For second coat ~ 10/2018 I used RAD cleaner again and was DISMAYED that most of the stain came off. Let it dry, restained and it looked beautiful again. Now just some slight wear areas from shoveling off ice. THERE IS NO GRAY. Would like to clean off pollen and surface dirt without removing a lot of stain again. Thanks!
P.S. For Jeff below, try CAMO fastening system. Screws are hidden, not “face fastened”, so a beautiful appearance. Just be sure the installer doesn’t overdrive the screws and strip the wood in the joists.
No, you need a deck cleaner when recoating: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-cleaner-system-review/
If you trying to remove dirt without recoating, then use warm water and dish soap.
What fastener do you recommend, attaching to wood joist?
Not sure. We do not install decks but maintain them. Most use screws or nails.
I just rebuilt a twenty year old deck soi I can tell you what failed on that and what i used on my new deck. I attached 4×4 posts with 1/2 ” bolts . Old deck was zinc plated bolts, they showed some rust but still were not compromised. New posts I used galvanized 1/2″. Where 16d spiral nails had backed out of some structural joints I used polymer coated screws 3 1/2 to 4 1/2″ long.
What’s the best stain to use for a kiln dried cedar deck?
And do we need to clean and brighten it?
Do I need to clean and brighten my raw cedar before staining?
It was just finished being installed. How long should we wait? When does the clock start? Home builders here, so it took us a couple weeks to get it all puzzle pieced together. Very much a tetris situation.
Thanks in advance!
Hello,
All your answers to your questions are in the article above.
Install wood first. Wait 1-2 months of weathering.
Prep wood with a deck cleaner and wood brightener to remove mill glaze and or open grain for the stain.
Choose a stain such as Armstrong Clark. This allows maximum penetration into the wood grain.
Apply only 1 coat of the stain.
Apply a light maintenance coat 9-18 months down the road.
Our fairly new KDAT deck (built last Nov.) was stained today (Tuesday) using Restore A Deck semi-transparent Dark Walnut with one coat as instructed. Overall, looks fine, But, in one back corner area, there was some sawdust that got caught under the stain. Even though it was blown off with a leaf blower right before staining, there was some sawdust, from carpenter bees most likely, scattered over about a 12″ X14″ area. Is there any option to lightly sand or touch up this area or should we leave as is until the next maintenance coat? It’s in a back corner, so not a prominent spot; but, just wondering if there is something to to do address it. Thanks
Leave it as is. Any attempt to spot fix could result in making it look worse.
Do you recommend sealing with a sealer prior to staining a KDAT deck?
No. You cannot apply a sealer prior to a deck or after a deck stain.
I am installing a new KDAT deck. I want to use a soild color stain. What are the recommendations you have for this. It is very hard to find quality solid color stains other than the big box stores, and SW.
See this: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
Do you have to prime KDAT new wood before staining?
You never use a primer prior to applying a deck stain.
Hello, I plan to stain my KDAT deck this spring. It was installed last summer and I did not stain within a few months as your article suggests as many areas of the deck were covered with furniture and those areas did not weather or pass the “sprinkle test” so I had to wait.
I know it is recommended to use a CLEANER and BRIGHTENER before staining. Can you please recommend a cleaner and brightener and how to apply them, please? Looking for best practice and product!
Thank you in advance, your help is MUCH appreciated.
Use the Restore A Deck: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-cleaner-system-review/
As for how to prep, you apply the cleaner and then lightly pressure wash off. When done, you apply the Brightener and then rinse that after 10 minutes: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-cleaning-tips/
We are replacing a 1300sq ft deck around the pool. Thinking of using Yellawood. Their video says you can stain it right away. Also looking at Wolmanized by Hickson. Don’t want to mess it up by doing the wrong thing.
You want to follow the directions of the stain manufacturer brand you choose and whether they suggest weathering or staining right away. Most will say to wait a month or longer for KDAT and then prep.
We installed a deck (KDAT) and have waited 2 months for it to season. Following the suggestions listed here, we purchased the RAD and were intending on using the TWP Rustic Oak stain. The problem that I’m having is that this stain is only available online. I ordered the stain on November 4th and was just told by the company that it wont be available until the 21st, meaning I wont have it until sometime after that. Unfortunately, I leave on November 22nd and won’t be home again until January 6th. My question is this, if this stain is so good then why isn’t it available in a store somewhere? They do have 3 stores within 100 miles of my home (Greenville, SC) listed on the TWP website but when I called them there wasn’t one store that actually carried it. It’s very frustrating. I was hoping to have this deck completed before I left for my trip. Can you recommend a stain other than TWP? A stain that can be purchased in a store and not ordered online, if possible.
Thank you for tips and advice, I appreciate it!
You must be ordering from the wrong company online. Buy directly from TWPstain.com. It should only take a few days to ship, not 17 days. TWP is sold in numerous stores across the country, it sounds like you are unfortunately in an area without a walk-in store nearby. As for a high-quality stain in your area, you will not find any at a big box store. You could try to find Defy Extreme locally or Armstrong Clark.
Thank you for your help, I have placed another order on TWPstain.com.
I appreciate the quick response!!
You are welcome. If you have time, post a picture of the finished project when you are done.
We had a small front porch built with KDAT last fall. it is probably 5’x4′ with hand rails spindles and 3 steps. It is 8 months since it was built. You suggest a deck cleaner and wood brightener followed by Armstrong clark stain. Would this still be the process even though the deck is 8 months old? I imagine I can use a small roller for applying stain to much of the deck. I would need to use a brush or rag to do hand rails and spindles. It almost seems a rag would be easier to do the spindles. Is there a reason to use a brush rather than a rag. I have zero experience with this and would love not to screw it up. Could you suggest a specific deck cleaner/wood brightener and the specific type of stain I want to use? I want to make sure I idiot proof the process as much as possible.
thanks
Michael M.
Yes, you have to prep. Do not use a roller but a stain pad or brush. Rags are not easier but very messy. Prep with the Restore A Deck Cleaner/Brightener Kits. Use Armstrong Clark in any color you like.
2 months ago we installed a kiln dried Northern Spruce bunkie – precut tongue & groove bunkie kit. The wood has darkened somewhat in colour since we constructed it.
We plan to use a transparent stain. Must we stain it now in early September or can we wait til next spring? Our bunkie is in Ontario Canada up north near Parry Sound. Stain now or wait? What stain do you suggest we use! Thank you!
You can do now or Spring. Make sure to prep first. Try TWP 200 Series or Armstrong Clark.
Thank you so much for your quick reply!