Deck Stain Too Dark? How to Lighten 5/5 (1)

This post was updated on June 26, 2024

Hi, I am Scott Paul, an exterior wood restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in stripping and recoating wood and deck stains. See here for more info about me.

Question: How to lighten a deck stain that is too dark?

My Pro Tip Answer

To lighten a deck stain that is too dark, once dry, strip and/or sand to remove the deck stain. It is best to strip and remove the deck stain completely and start over with a more appropriate deck stain color. It is not possible to fix a deck stain that is too dark without stripping and sanding it and starting over, particularly when using a semi-transparent deck stain or deck sealer.

More information on prepping the deck for lighter deck stain

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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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