This post was updated on September 18, 2025
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior deck staining and prep. My reviews and help tips are based on my history as a wood and deck restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top product choices. See here for more info about me
Apply and Reapply Solid Color Deck Stain the Right Way
Solid color deck stains are a great choice when you want maximum UV protection, longer durability, and a uniform appearance that hides imperfections in the wood. Whether you’re applying solid stain for the first time or reapplying over an older coating, proper prep and technique will determine how well the finish holds up.
How to Apply a Solid Color Deck Stain for the First Time
If your deck has never been coated before, applying a solid color deck stain can give you maximum UV protection and a uniform finish that hides imperfections in the wood. The prep and application process is a little different compared to reapplying over an existing coating.
Step 1: Clean and Brighten the Wood
✅ Clean and brighten: Use a quality deck cleaner to remove dirt, mildew, or mill glaze from new lumber. Rinse thoroughly and apply a wood brightener to neutralize the surface. Test in a small area to confirm color before applying to the entire deck.
Step 2: Choose The Best Solid Color Deck Stain
✅ Choose a high-quality solid-color deck stain (see recommendations below). Not all stain brands perform the same, and our testing has revealed the Top 3 Brands of Solid Color Wood Stains.
Step 3: Applying the Solid Color Deck Stain
✅ Dry time: Let the wood dry 24–48 hours before staining.
✅ Apply correctly: Stir the stain well. Apply with a brush, roller, or sprayer, always back-brushing into the grain. Use two thin coats, letting the first dry completely before the second.
🚨 Final tips: Avoid staining in direct sunlight, on hot surfaces, or if rain is expected within 24 hours.
When applied properly, a solid color stain on bare wood will last 2-3 years on horizontal decking surfaces and 3-7 years on vertical surfaces before maintenance is needed.
Prepping Tips for Applying Solid Color Deck Stain Over Old Deck Stain
Solid (opaque) deck stains completely cover the wood, hiding the natural grain. Once you apply a solid deck stain, switching back to a transparent stain is nearly impossible without heavy power sanding or using a specialized paint stripper like RAD PaintStrip Solid Stain and Paint Stripping Gel.
One of the most common questions I get about applying new stain to previously painted decks on DeckStainHelp.com is:
Do I need to remove the old solid-color deck stain before reapplying?
Do You Have to Remove the Old Solid Stain?
If your existing solid-color stain is in relatively good condition—meaning no major peeling or flaking—you do not have to fully remove it before applying a new coat. However, proper surface prep is critical to ensure adhesion and long-term durability.
🚨 Note: If you want to completely remove a solid-color deck stain, you will need to either power sand or use a heavy-duty paint stripper like RAD PaintStrip Solid Stain and Paint Stripping Gel.
How to Prep for Reapplying a Solid Color Deck Stain
Step 1: Remove Loose and Peeling Stain
Before reapplying a solid-color stain, you must remove all peeling, flaking, or loose stain, along with any dirt, grime, and mildew.
- Apply a deck stain stripper – Use a high-quality deck stain stripper to break down and loosen old stain.
- Pressure wash the deck – Rinse thoroughly with a pressure washer to remove debris and old stain residue.
- Let the wood dry – Allow the deck to dry for at least 24 hours before sanding.
Step 2: Sand the Surface
Once the deck is dry, use an orbital sander to smooth rough areas and remove any remaining loose stain. Focus on spots where the old stain did not adhere well.
Step 3: Apply the New Solid Color Deck Stain
You can apply a fresh coat of solid-color stain directly over intact, non-peeling stain. Make sure to:
✅ Choose a high-quality solid-color deck stain (see recommendations below)
✅ Apply two thin coats for even coverage and better durability
✅ Follow the manufacturer’s drying time between coats
Recommended Solid Color Deck Stains
If you’re looking for the best solid-color deck stains, check out my in-depth review here: The Best Solid Color Deck Stains
Other helpful articles:
📌 Why Have a Two-Toned Deck?
📌 How To Remove a Solid Color Deck Stain
| Step | First-Time Application | Reapplication |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Condition | Bare, untreated wood (new or weathered) | Previously coated with a solid color stain |
| Cleaning | Use deck cleaner + brightener to remove dirt, mildew, and mill glaze | Use deck cleaner to remove dirt, mildew, and loose stain |
| Dry Time | Allow 24–48 hours before staining | Allow 24–48 hours after cleaning before recoating |
| Sanding | Usually not required unless rough areas exist | Feather sand peeling edges or problem spots |
| Number of Coats | Two thin coats for full protection | Typically two coats; spot prime bare wood first |
| Tools | Brush, roller, or sprayer with back-brushing | Same as first-time; brush into bare spots before recoating |
| Durability | 3–7 years depending on climate and prep | 2–5 years on recoats, depending on condition of old coating |
FAQ: How I Approach Applying Solid Deck Stain (Even Over Old or Painted Surfaces)
Is a solid color stain good for new decks?
Yes. A solid stain provides immediate UV protection and a uniform appearance, especially helpful for softwoods or decks with imperfections.
How many coats should I apply?
Two thin coats are best. One coat often doesn’t give full coverage or durability.
Can you put solid stain over solid stain?
Yes, as long as the old stain is still in good condition. If it is not peeling or flaking, you can apply a new coat directly on top. The surface needs to be clean and dry, and I suggest sanding any shiny or worn areas so the new stain can adhere properly.
Skipping prep often leads to poor coverage and early peeling.
Do you need to strip the old stain first?
Not always. If the existing stain is intact, cleaning and sanding may be enough. But if it is cracking, flaking, or bare in spots, I usually remove it with a solid stain stripper or power sander. Once you apply a solid stain, switching back to a transparent finish is rarely possible without full removal.
Applying over a damaged base can trap moisture and cause future failure.
Can you apply solid stain over semi-transparent stain?
Yes. A solid stain will cover the wood grain and color beneath it. If the previous semi-transparent stain is still holding up, you can go over it after a full cleaning and some sanding. If it is patchy or worn, you will get better results by stripping it off first.
The smoother and more uniform the base, the better the final result.
Can you apply solid stain over paint?
I do not recommend it. Solid stains are made to soak into wood, and paint prevents that from happening. If your deck is painted, you should remove the paint completely before applying any stain.
Staining over paint usually leads to poor adhesion, bubbling, or peeling.
What is the best way to apply solid deck stain?
Use two coats, not one thick one. Apply with a brush or roller, and follow the manufacturer’s dry times between coats. Avoid staining in direct sun or high humidity for best results.
Two, even coats help with coverage, consistency, and durability.
What happens if you do not prep before re-staining?
Lack of prep is one of the most common reasons stains fail. Without proper cleaning and sanding, you may see:
- Peeling or flaking within the first season
- Blotchy color and uneven coverage
- Mold or mildew growing under the stain
- Trapped moisture that leads to wood rot
No matter how good the stain is, it will not last on an unprepared surface.
How often should solid deck stain be reapplied?
Most solid stains last between three and five years, depending on your climate, sun exposure, and how much foot traffic the deck sees. I recommend inspecting the deck once a year and touching up or re-staining as needed.
Regular maintenance keeps your deck looking good and helps prevent long-term damage.
What should you do if the solid stain or paint starts to peel or bubble?
If the stain or paint starts to peel or bubble, it means the finish is no longer bonded to the wood. Moisture, poor surface prep, or applying stain over a sealed surface like paint are common causes. The only real solution is to remove the failing finish completely.
Start by scraping off all loose material, then use a stain stripper or power sander to remove what remains. Once the surface is bare and clean, allow it to dry thoroughly before applying a new coat. Skipping this step will only lead to the same problem repeating.
Trying to stain over peeling areas without removal will trap moisture and result in further damage.
Got a question about deck staining? Ask me in the comments below!
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Hello, I have added on to my existing deck last summer and I am now ready to reapply the same colored solid stain from restore-a-deck. I plan to use the cleaner and brightener from you as well. The stain on the old deck is 5 years old and still looks pretty good with the exception of a couple small areas ex. in the pic. Do I have to use your stripper as well?
Thanks, very happy with your product.
No need. Just make sure to remove any loose or peeling stain with pressure washing.
I have 6 year old Flood Solid Color Stain on my 12 year old redwood deck. The deck gets full sun most days and wraps the house and is about 20 feet above ground level. We have lots of landscaping and garden beds under the deck so I am concerned about using any stripper that will damage plants. There are some peeling areas that I can spot sand to smooth out but I’d like to know if I can just use a good deck cleaner (which one?) to clean and then reapply same solid stain? Do I need a brightener after cleaner if I’m not stripping the wood and I am reapplying a solid stain that completely covers wood grains? Or do I need to sand entire thing? Thank you. Photos attached.
The goal here is to clean the wood from any dirt and mildew and remove all the loose or peeling solid stain by sanding or spot sanding the peeling areas. You can then cover the intact solid stain with your new solid stain coating. You do not need to apply a brightener for this project.
Very helpful information, Scott, thanks for the site. My question is about Cutek Extreme, have you used it? Does it compare to the other brands you’ve listed?
We have not used it. There have been mixed reactions on this site from consumers who have used it. Easy to apply but fades quickly seems to be the general theme. As we mentioned, we have not used or reviewed it to give any proper feedback from our experience.
I just had my deck stained with solid stain and am upset that people are now telling me I made a mistake saying that because i had been using semi-transparent for the past 7 years I shouldve kept using semi-transparent. Does this mean i will have to stain it again next year? I was told by Home Depot solid stain would last longer than ST and I was tired of staining my deck because the Semi Transparent required restaining every two years and more recently every year. I didnt like the wood showing through because the wood was again and didnt look great.
See this about the difference between deck stain types:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stains/
Most likely but post some pics in the comments so we can see.
Here are some pics of paint peeling on my rails
See this for tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-reapply-a-solid-color-deck-stain/
Hi We hired some to power wash our deck and apply translucent stain. Unfortunately the guys didn’t have their technique down and the deck looks like it’s been painted a redwood color. Is there a way we can undo this?
Heavy paint stripper and power sanding will be needed. Tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-a-solid-color-deck-stain-or-paint/
Solid stain applied 3 years ago and looking at applying the same product and color. I’ve power washed and sanded. Is this ready for stain?
Yes, as long none of the current solid is peeling and is fully adhering to the wood.
I have power washed my deck prior to staining. Is that enough prep or do I need another product before I stain?
Post some pics.
If I’m reapplying the same color of solid stain, do I still need to strip, pressure wash, and sand beforehand?
Yes, you still need to do the same steps.
So no need to clean and brighten after stripping and sanding?
Correct if you power sand.