Best Stain for an Old Deck 2024 4.7/5 (145)

This post was updated on June 14, 2024

Hi, I am Scott Paul. I have been staining new and old decks for over 30 years. My reviews for semi-transparent wood stains and help tips on staining decking are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top product choices. See here for more info about me.

What is the Best Stain for an Old Wood Deck?

I appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest deck restoration news and trending topics through 2024. Below, we mention some tips for restoring an old, neglected wood deck. Questions? Feel free to leave a comment below with any pictures you may have.

Old Wood Decking

Staining Older Wood Decking

Wood decks can be a beautiful addition to any property but can become an eyesore when neglected. Sun and water damage occurs when a deck is neglected for too long. The wood loses its natural oils and becomes very dry and porous. Cracking, splitting, warping, and graying are all signs of an old deck that has not been protected against weathering.

My Steps To Restoring Old Decks

1. Make any Needed Repairs
2. Weather New Deck Boards
3. Prep the Old Deck for Stain
4. Staining the Old Deck
5. Maintaining the Old Deck
6. Need Help? Ask me Below for Tips

#1 Repair the Old Deck

Do a thorough look over for any rotten boards and replace them. Check for loose boards and railings and tighten these up as well with decking screws or galvanized nails. Check the foundation and decking supports for any structural damage.

My Pro Tip: Boards rot from the bottom up, so look under your deck for signs of wood rot.

#2 Weather the New Deck Boards

If you replace any rotten deck boards with new smooth decking, they cannot be stained right after installation. The decking is not porous enough to accept the stain, which prevents the stain from properly penetrating the wood. Most stain manufacturers suggest waiting a few months for the new boards to season. See my new wood tips here: Staining a New Deck.

My Pro Tip: Ink stamps on new boards. Lightly hand sand those off before weathering the new wood.

#3 Prepping the Old Deck for Stain

There are 3 main options for prepping your old deck, and the current condition determines which direction to go in. If you are unsure, see this article for more info: Prepping a Wood Deck: Clean, Strip, or Sand.

Clean and Brighten the Deck

My Pro Tip: Best When Removing Oxidation/Graying

It is not impossible to bring old gray wood back to life. A little care and maintenance can revive the most neglected decks. If the deck is still in good structural condition, the grayed wood can be cleaned using a wood deck cleaner.

Use a scrub brush or pressure washer with the deck cleaner to remove unwanted mold, mildew, dirt, and graying. The transformation of washing an old deck back to clean again can be amazing. After using a wood cleaner, it is important to use a wood brightener. While the wood is still wet, apply a wood brightener to the surface to enhance the wood’s beauty and open the wood pores for better stain penetration.

Strip and Brighten the Deck

My Pro Tip: Strip the deck if you have an old clear, transparent, or semi-transparent stain that has failed unevenly.

To remove old deck stains from the wood, you have to use a deck stripper. A quality deck stripper will break up and soften any old decking stain, allowing it to be washed away with a pressure washer. Once the deck has been prepped with a stripper and the old deck stain is gone, a wood brightener is necessary to brighten and neutrlaize the stripper, restoring the pH of the wood.

Sand The Deck

My Pro Tip: Sand the deck if trying to remove an old, peeling, solid color stain.

Most deck strippers will not remove solid stains or paints. If this is the case, you may have to sand the old stain to return to bare wood again. See these tips on deck sanding: How To Sand an Old Deck.

#4 Staining the Old Deck

Apply Penetrating Wood Stain

My Pro Tip: Choose a Semi-Solid Stain to hide imperfections in the old decking.

Once the deck dries, choose the best stain for an old deck. Because old wood decks are significantly dried out, a wood stain that conditions the wood is essential. We use stains like Armstrong Clark or TWP Wood Stains for an old deck. This type of wood stain contains non-drying penetrating oils that help rejuvenate the wood cells. These conditioning oils stay deep in the wood to replace the wood’s lost natural oils.

The stain also contains drying oils that separate from the conditioning oils. These drying oils remain on the exposed surface to cure locking in the conditioning oils and provide protection against weathering. This conditioning of the wood’s cellular structure and weather protection are the keys to reviving an older wood deck.

#5 Maintain Every 2 Years

Repeat the cleaning and staining of the wood every two years to maintain its appearance and extend its life.

Many deck owners think an old deck may have to be torn down and a new one built to replace it. This is not always the case. Old decks can be cleaned and coated with stains designed to rejuvenate old wood. It may be possible to bring your old wood deck back to life and get many more years of use.

#6 Need Help? Old Deck Staining Questions?

Prep or Stain Help? Please ask me below if you have questions about my old deck staining tips or need help choosing a stain. Just post a comment below and include as much information as possible.

Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993 Owner

As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. In 1993 he started his first company called Oakland Pressure Wash specializing in exterior pressure washing and deck staining. That company evolved into OPW L.L.C. shortly thereafter concentrating more on exterior wood and deck restoration. Scott and his Deck Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 decks in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. He has become an authority in the deck restoration industry and has contributed to numerous wood restoration forums and informative sites. All the products he suggests through this site are sold through online sites and in retail stores, allowing the consumer to choose their own means of purchase. Scott’s eCommerce sites do sell many top brands he endorses and if you appreciate any of the help he has offered then feel free to purchase from one of them.

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