This post was updated on October 23, 2024
Hi! I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood staining and restoration. My simple deck stain facts and tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor. See here for more info about me.
Question: How to stain a deck quickly?
My Pro Advice: Spray the Deck Stain
The best way to stain a deck quickly is to use an air or pump sprayer. You will also need deck stain pads and brushes to cut in the main surface of the deck and clean up any drips on railings. To use a pump sprayer, you will want to make sure that the surrounding area is completely covered in tarping. If you can’t do that, you can stain the railings with deck stain pads and brushes while you are waiting for the main surface of the deck to dry from prep.
Note: Always read and follow the stain brand manufactures directions. Not all stains are applied exactly the same and some will require 1-2 coats. Use these tips as a guide and modify as needed depending on the brand and type of stain being used.
See below for more info on Staining Tools Needed.
Deck Staining Fast Tips
- Open the stain and mix for one minute. Drill paddle mixers on a cordless drill work great. Try to mix every 30 minutes while using it as the stain can settle.
- Cover the outside and below the deck to protect concrete, bushes, grass, etc, with poly tarps or plastic. You may need to weight down the tarps to keep them from blowing in the wind.
- Start with railing first if applicable. No railings, skip to step #8. Using a smaller stain pad or brush start the section of railings near the house and stain a section of the rails 4-5 feet away from the house by hand. Make sure to use cardboard to catch any drips under the railings from staining the flooring prematurely. Staining Fast Tip: You will need to do all railings that butt up to the house by hand to avoid overspray on the house.
- Using a canvas tarp that is 9×12, hang it so it is 12 feet across the railings with 4.5 feet down on each side of the railing.
- Using a sprayer apply the stain by lifting up one side of the canvas tarp. The other side of the canvas will prevent over-spray. Walk around and do the opposite side the same way. Include outside edge of deck flooring as well.
- Move the canvas down the railings to the next section. Look over the section that was just sprayed and touch up any areas that were missed. Check for any runs or drips and even those spots out with a pad applicator or brush. Move cardboard under the railings to the next section that is about to be done.
- Repeat Steps 3-6 until railings are completed.
- Starting on the flooring, use a stain pad or brush to “edge” out the house so that you are at least 2-3 feet away from the home with the stain
- Using a sprayer apply one coat of stain to the rest of the flooring. Staining Fast Tip: If only applying one coat of stain to the deck, skip this step and move directly to Step 10.
- Using a wider floor stain pad or brush on an extension pole, apply a coat of stain evenly over the entire surface. Staining Fast Tip: Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions as to how long to wait between the first and second coat. Some will say apply wet on wet while others want the first coat to fully dry before the second coat is applied.
- Always finish steps last using the same methods.
Important Safety Note: When applying an Oil-Based Stain, canvas tarps and any rags should be saturated with water and allowed to dry before disposing of. DO NOT leave tarps or any rags in direct sunlight or in/near the house. They can cause a fire!
Fast Deck Stain Application Tools
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Deck Staining Floor Brush
Stain Pad Applicator or Floor Brush with Threaded pole. This is used for the flooring. Wider pads or brushes are better for faster application.
- Stain Pad Applicator or Brush for Railings. Typically 3-7 inches wide
- Optional Sprayer. Spraying a deck stain will speed up the process immensely. Take precautions to cover any bushes, concrete patios, etc. Pump sprayers can be used for many semi-transparent and transparent stains. Thicker stains such as semi-solid or solid stains will require an airless sprayer.
- Canvas tarps, poly tarps, paint trays, etc.
Do you have any questions as to Applying a Deck Stain Fast? If so, ask below in our comment area or see our Deck Stain Facts section with over 150 simple Q&A articles that answer all the questions that you have regarding deck staining, cleaning, and prep.
