This post was updated on August 20, 2025
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in wood and deck staining. My deck staining help tips on what to do if rain harms your deck staining are based on my history as a wood and deck restoration contractor for the past 30 years. See here for more info about me.
How to Protect Your Deck From Rain Before and After Staining
Wood decks are a fantastic way to enhance the beauty and value of your home while providing a comfortable outdoor space for entertaining guests and relaxing. However, they are constantly exposed to harsh elements like rain, snow, sun, mold, mildew, and pests. Proper deck maintenance is crucial to preserving its longevity and appearance. One of the biggest challenges homeowners face is dealing with unexpected rain before or after staining their deck. In this article, I’ll cover how to avoid rain on your newly applied deck stain and what to do if rain catches you off guard.
Key Tips for Preventing Rain Damage to Deck Stain
- Rain can cause issues with fresh stain, leading to washout, blotches, or an uneven finish.
- Once the deck is dry, inspect for damage to see if touch-ups or a full redo are needed.
- A light second coat may help even things out, but severe cases might require stripping and restaining.
- Sanding and cleaning can improve blotchy spots before reapplying stain.
- Always check the forecast before staining to avoid unexpected rain ruining your hard work.
Rain After Staining a Deck: What to Do Immediately
You checked the weather forecast, and everything looked clear, so you started staining your deck. Then, out of nowhere, a rainstorm hits. Panic sets in—but don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world.
Has this happened to you? If rain interfered with your deck staining project, leave a comment below, and I’ll help troubleshoot a solution. If possible, share pictures so I can offer specific advice.
Why Rain Too Soon After Deck Staining Damages the Finish
Staining a wood deck is essential for protecting it against the elements and extending its lifespan. However, once the stain is applied, it needs adequate time to dry and cure. If rain falls too soon after staining, several problems can arise:
- Washout Effect – Rain can cause the stain to rinse off before it fully absorbs into the wood, leading to uneven coverage.
- Blotches and Spots – Water can create unsightly spots where the stain has been partially removed.
- Poor Adhesion – Some stains require a curing period to bond with the wood properly. Moisture can prevent this, leading to premature failure.
To avoid these issues, let’s discuss how long stains typically need to dry and what signs of rain damage to look out for.
How Long Should Deck Stain Dry Before Rain?
The drying time for deck stains depends on various factors, including the type of stain used, weather conditions, and wood porosity. Here’s a general guideline:
- Water-Based Stains – Typically dry to the touch in 1-2 hours but require at least 24-48 hours to cure fully.
- Oil-Based Stains – Take longer to dry, usually around 4-12 hours before they can resist light moisture. A full cure can take up to 72 hours.
- Humidity and Temperature – High humidity or cool temperatures can slow drying times significantly.
Always check the product manufacturer’s recommendations for precise drying times.
Next, I’ll review the time needed for wood deck stains to properly dry, discuss the signs of rain damage, and explain the best remedial measures to take.
My Steps to Prevent and Fix Rain Damage on Fresh Deck Stain
1. Check the Rain Forecast
I know this is obvious, but always check the forest before starting. It is best never to stain any exterior wood when inclement weather is forecasted, especially rain. Most deck stain brands warn against applying their product within 12-24 hours of rain. In any case, I always place a waterproof cover or tarp over the deck as a preventative measure. But as we all know, sometimes the weather is not so predictable and people forget things. So, what do you do if it does rain on your deck shortly after staining?
2. Too Late, It Rained on Newly Applied Deck Stain
You cannot do much until it stops raining once it starts. Just let the rain continue and asses after it has stopped. Do not bother trying to tarp, as it will be too late. A light drizzle most likely won’t hurt anything, but a good downpour can be a different story. The type and brand of stain can make a difference as well. Some stains can handle rain better shortly after being applied than others.
Deck Stain Good From Rain
3. Steps to Take after it Rained on Deck Stain
Step 1: Assessing the Rain Damage
After the rain has passed and the deck has dried, take a closer look. It depends on how hard it rained and for how long. Look for little pockets, blotches, or white spots, usually the size of a dime. Any of these can indicate some damage from the rain.
Deck Stain Harmed From Rain
Step 2: Check Deck Stain Directions
Read the instructions on the stain can for recoating or adding a second coat. Once you are within the time frame recommended for a second coat, try applying the stain in an inconspicuous spot to see if it fixes the rain damage.
Note: Water-based stains generally cure in roughly 2 hours, while oil-based products usually require at least 1-3 days. Keep in mind that the curing process is often slower when the temperature is below 60 degrees (F).
Step 3: Redo Deck Stain Prep and Start Over
Applying a second coat of stain will often resolve problems associated with minor rain damage. If a light recoat does not fix the problem, you can also try using a mix of wood cleaner and a pressure washer to see if you can wash the spots without harming the stain. Or you can try lightly sanding the rain spots and recoating. Care must be taken, though, not to over-apply the stain, as this can cause other issues like flaking and peeling. If you cannot fix the problem with washing, sanding, and recoating, you may have to remove the stain with a deck stain stripper and start over again.
Extra Tips to Avoid Rain Damage Before and After Deck Staining
Choosing the Right Product
While many water-based stains will dry completely in 12 to 14 hours, oil-based products often require a day or more of drying time. I have found that stain products that deeply penetrate or absorb into the wood usually perform the best in terms of appearance and long-term surface protection. As such, it’s very important to allow this process to occur without being hindered by water.
Before choosing a wood stain product for your deck, I encourage you to visit our product reviews on DeskStainHelp.com. I also invite you to visit our interactive forum with questions, comments, or feedback.
Use a Tarp or Cover
As I noted, weather forecasts are sometimes inaccurate, so covering the deck with a durable tarp or similar material after applying stain is an important precautionary measure. Various tarp products, such as those composed of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl, and similar materials, are affordable and effective.
4. Popular Rain on Deck Stain Questions:
How long does the deck stain need to dry before it can get wet?
Answer: The time required for deck stain to dry and cure varies according to the stain, temperature, humidity, and other factors. Always consult with the manufacturer’s instructions to confirm the timing. As noted, be sure to check the weather forecast before getting started. The majority of stain products will dry completely within 24 to 48 hours.
What should I do if my deck looks blotchy after the rain?
Answer: If rain has caused your recently stained deck to appear blotchy, it is important to let the surface dry completely. In many cases, lightly recoating the blotchy areas will correct the problem.
If the problem persists, apply a wood cleaning product and rinse the surface with a pressure washer. If blotches are still visible, gently remove them with sandpaper before recoating the area with stain.
Can I apply a new layer of stain over the existing one?
Answer: Yes. You should gently sand the surface and then apply a fresh layer of stain. Remember to always review the manufacturer’s instructions before reapplying the stain.
Will rain ruin a freshly stained deck?
Answer: Rain may damage your deck if the stain has not dried completely, particularly if a heavy downpour occurs. Because the stain has yet to be fully absorbed into the wood, the water may wash away or significantly dilute the stain.
In these instances, the most common problems are peeling, discoloration, and spots.
How can I protect my deck from unexpected rain?
Answer: Always check the weather forecast for any possibility of rain before applying stain to your wooden deck. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging or labeling materials regarding the time needed for drying and curing. Furthermore, cover the deck completely with a waterproof cover or tarp as a precaution.
How do I know if my deck stain is ruined?
Answer: When a freshly stained deck is exposed to rain, it may ruin the stain. As noted, large areas of discoloration, blotches, or spots are common indicators of a need to recoat the surface. Based on the circumstances, you may need to clean and lightly sand the surface before reapplying the stain. However, using a deck stain stripping product might be necessary if the water damage is more extensive.
Will rain ruin a newly stained deck?
Answer: Yes, if the stain has not fully dried or cured, it may permanently damage the deck stain.
How long does deck stain need to dry before rain?
Answer: This varies based on stain brand, type of stain, and weather conditions. The average is 4-12 hours but can be put to 24-48 hours.
What if it rains 12 hours after staining deck?
Answer: 90% of the time, there would be no issues.
What if it rains 24 hours after staining deck?
Answer: I rarely see any issues, but it is always possible that the weather was cold or that the stain was over-applied.
5. Want Help on Fixing a Deck Stain that was Rained on?
Share Your Experience!
By following these guidelines, you can protect your deck and ensure a beautiful, long-lasting stain finish, no matter what the weather throws your way!
Before asking if rain harmed your deck, wait until the rain stops and the water fully dries off the deck or wood. Gather some pictures and post a comment below. Make sure to include the stain brand and type of stain used.
It rained very heavy and persistent the next day after my first water based staining. When can I apply the recommended second coat.?
That depends on the brand of stain and if you or cannot apply another coat after it has cured.
Hi Support Team
I painted my garden boxes, inside and outside with Pure 100% Linseed oil and it rained 12 hours later. A real down pour all day. It looks like the rain has washed of most of the oil. When I started we were not expecting rain for four or five days so am really upset that I have wasted my time and money in painting the boxes with oil. So what happens now.? Do I have to wait for them to dry to recoat.? The stain was applied to garden boxes not decking so is the procedure the same as decking..
Strip it and redo it with a proper wood stain, not straight oil. Use TWP or Armstrong Clark stains.
I live in Australia so not familiar with the TWP or Armstrong Clark stains. As they are garden boxes and I will be planting vegie and herb plants in them, so are these stains food safe or will they leach into the soil and contaminate whatever plants are sown in them. I am new to garden boxes so not sure what to use to waterproof the inside of the boxes. Have read that Linseed or tung oil is best for this purpose any info would be gratefully appreciated.
Had a contractor come out to stain my decks and fence. He used Thompson’s Water Seal on the fence and Cabot’s Australian Timber Oil on the decks. Started to rain as he was finishing up and now have some white bubbly patches on fence and decks looks unevenly stained. Does he need to come back out to reapply?
You will have to redo fully. Start over.
Like, restain everything all over again?
As in you will have to remove the coatings first and then restain.
Oh, no.😓 Thanks for your help @ Deck Stain Help!
I power washed & “sealed” this table with Thompson’s Water Seal (oil based/clear). The first week the table looked fantastic. Then we had a hard rain about 3 weeks after staining and now have water spots. How can this be fixed?
B4 sealing, We power washed the table & let it dry >4 days. Water seeped into the wood, no beading.
Waited for dry days at 70-80 degrees to apply stain. Applied one coat and let it dry in shade 3 days(73 hours).
We started using the table. Water beaded on surface and it looked perfect.
Now, 3 weeks post stain, had a heavy rain a couple days ago. The table ow has water spots all through the water sealer.
What happened? How do we fix this?
It happened because Thompsons is a very poor product and should not be used for hardwoods. You will have to remove all and start over with a better brand of stain for your hardwood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
What do I do? Here’s pic of white blotches and some still wet after 24 hrs.
Pressure wash off the blotches and then lightly recoat all.
Thank goodness it’s on the railings. I will do that (pressure wash then recoat). Thanks for your quick reply. Truly appreciated 😊
Here is the pic
Can anyone suggest a remedy for this…this is the second coat of Cabot deck correct and it rained 10 after applying.
You would have to recoat it.
I put a clear ‘no nonsense’ water based stain on my decking. After being caught out with rain shortly after the decking has left a cloudy / milky look in certain areas. Would another coat fix this?
No, you would have to remove it and then use a proper stain.
I put down a Thermory kiln dried spruce deck, and am ready to coat it with their Cutek wood protecting oil. The Cutek says not to use if wood contains more than 17% moisture, but I don’t have a gauge, and really need to do it today. It rained day before yesterday ( a midnight torrent), was dry yesterday and today (sunny) – do you think I’m good to go? (No rain in the forecast now). Thanks!
It is most likley okay to stain.
I started staining my deck rails and spindles today. Using Cabot solid color acrylic stain and sealant. Finished up for the day at 6pm. And theres a chance of rain after midnight. Should I be worried? Seems to be drying fast. Thank you
You should be fine.
I think you are fine and it just has not fully cured yet. I would not worry about it.
I oiled our new deck last month with Intergrain universal timber oil. It rained the next day about 9 hours after. There were patches after the water dried.
I sanded it back when we had a few good sunny days and reoiled. It still has patches and now has white marks on some boards. See pictures attached. We are in Australia and weather is cool
You will need to remove and start over.
Is the best way to sand it back again to remove the stain or is there something else.
Sand or strip.
I looked on my weather app and it stated no rain for the next 7 days. I started staining a pine deck that is 6 months old. It started raining and I am so upset! I am using a solid stain from Behr. I am at a loss as what to do now. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Let it dry and then recoat all again.
I stained my deck two years ago and there was some rain spots on it after it dried. How can I remove these water droplets? I am getting ready to resand my deck and would like any suggestions as to how to fix this problem. Thank you
You cannot fix this outside of sanding it down to the bare wood or coving with a new coat of solid stain.
We stained our deck about 2 years ago. I think there was some dew that formed overnight and it has since added to the rainspots on the deck. Please look at the pictures and let me know if there is anything we can do? Or any suggestions before I apply another new coat of stain to the deck? Will restaining it make it go away?
Would using fans to help dry the freshly stained deck with unexpected rain help to keep stain from being displaced
Probably not much if at all.
How long after staining a fence will it be affected by rain?
Depends on the brand, type of stain, and how long it takes to dry. Not one answer for all.
We wanted to have the Pergola painted tomorrow with the sealer stain and sealer product and it’s supposed to rain on Tuesday I’m wondering if that is enough time in between to paint the Pergola without any damage
Depends on the brand, type of stain, and the temperature. No way to answer this exactly as all stains and conditions are different.
I used SW Super Deck IR reflective semi solid stain on my boat dock. It came a downpour about 4 hours after applying. There are a few bare spots now and the rain didnt bead up like i thought it should. The bare spots dont concern me terribly as I can touch those up but shouldn’t the rain bead on Semi solid stains???
Typically no, water should not bead off a deck stain. It sheds off if a breathable stain.
What is the best brand of stain to use on your wood to protect it from the rain
See here for the top stains: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
It rained 2 hours after finishing applying the final coat.
Product used was Intergrain DWD
You cannot spot fix. You will need to remove all and start over.
I’m in Northern California and the long, dry summer just came to an end before getting to a new project using Sansin Stain. There is forecasted about a week of clear weather after a few days of rain. But the morning dew can leave everything pretty wet. I’m wondering if its alright to stain the projects, or try to reschedule for spring
Wating until Spring will be fine to prep and stain.
Forgot to attach photos for the below post
You will need to remove it all and start over to fix this.
We stained our back steps yesterday and according to the weather report were clear for rain within the 8 hour window the stain requires before it’s waterproof. However a huge thunderstorm storm came in just as we were packing up last night.
I tried to put a tarp over it as best I could, given the situation, loud swearing and cursing the sky was involved, but a lot of water still got in.
We used Olympic Maximum semi-transparent stain + sealant.
Some parts are still tacky 22 hours later. Should I try and get covered again before the next rain tonight or is the damage done and I shouldn’t bother? Will it get worse if it gets wet again at this stage?
Once the rain has left am I able to repair the damage or do I need to start again?
We may not have idea weather again until spring will it be protected with what’s on it now for winter?
Thanks for your help.
Hello – Our deck is 12 years old, treated pine. The first time we stained the deck a few weeks ago, we first used Behr Wood Stain and Finish Stripper using a wire brush. Then we used Behr All In One cleaner to clean the deck. After 24 hours of drying we stained the deck using Behr Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain and Sealer. We did not realize it at the time but within 12-24 hours we had a weekend of rain (not hard) from a tropical storm. The stain was peeling up in several places after the weekend of rain to our disappointment, and to further add insult, we ended up really not liking the color. We were most concerned about the peeling, so we ended up using Behr Wood Stain and Finish Stripper and the wire brush again to completely scrape the new stain off the deck. We did not use the All in Once Cleaner this time because we figured we had just used it and the wood should be clean. It certainly looked clean, cleaner than the first time. We let the deck dry for a few days this time then applied a different color of Behr Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain and Sealer a little over a week ago. It had over 24 hours to all dry before rain. It rained this past weekend and the stain started immediately started peeling up. You could walk out on the deck during the rain and you could literally smear it with your feet. The attached pictures show what it looks like now after it’s dried for a few days. Seems to be getting worse. Do you know what most likely happened and what we should do? Thank you for your help!
The main issue is you are using one of the worst stains made: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deck-stain-review/
Read all the comments below the article.
You really need to remove all and start over with a proper penetrating stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Sorry to be blunt but the issue is not you or your prep but the poor Behr stain.
Boy you are not kidding! We used Behr premium deck over on our south facing deck a few years ago, and it ruined the deck! Most boards are now rotted because the deck over got little holes on the surface that trapped water underneath, it’s awful!!! We have now cleaned, sanded, and filled much of the damaged wood and we’ll be priming and painting the deck with Kilz porch deck and floor paint.
Light rain started just as we finished applying Pittsburgh Ultra Advanced Semi-Transparent to our cedar deck. Now it looks like this. What should we do?
You will need to remove it all and start over. Strip and or sand. Brightner after. Probably will need to do all floors so it looks even. The rails look okay.
We stained our Deck starting at 4:00pm yesterday (Friday) because we finally got a break in our weather and had 5 days prior for our wood deck to dry out. It looked good last night but this morning the deck looks horrible because we have so much to dew. We live in Washington state and it is moist this time if year. Over the past couple months we tried to strip the paint using Smart Strip which was not successful, and we have sanded and pressure washed multiple times to prep. We used Sherwin-Williams Super Deck paint with a an anti mildew additive last night (m-1 advanced mildew treatment). I have attached our weather forecast as well. Any suggestions? Wait untill spring to put on a second coat or put a second coat on Sunday?
Wait until Spring as you may have to remove the Super Deck.
Hello. Five days ago we had our deck and boardwalk stained with a sprayer and then it started raining 3 hours later. It has rained intermittently since then. Water seems to be pooling on both for long periods. Please see photos attached and advise whether to re-stain.
Send pictures when the water dries off.
Water has dried off. Here are new photos. Thanks.
The water has dried off. Here are new photos. Thanks.
The water has dried off and here are new photos. Thanks.
It is fine, leave as is.
Hi there,
I have a few questions to ask you:
A. I spent a whole day staining the deck on Sunday but rain started last night, Monday, at 8 pm. It lasted till around 4:30 am and the total volume was about 20 mm. So the stain was let dry between 26 to 36 hours before the rain. I got up at 5:30 to wipe the deck and I could feel there was water beaded on top, and the water in the bucket was kind of clear. Now at 12:30pm the deck is dry and I am taking some photos for you to see if there is water damage on the deck.
The stain I used was Cabot Australian Timber Oil honey teak. The label says drying time is about 24 hours but when I called, they recommended 48 hours no rain.
B. It’s sunny today but it will rain again tomorrow morning. Should I cover the deck tomorrow? I was actually thinking about covering the deck with plastic sheets last night but rain just started before I got to lay the plastic sheet on so I gave up.
C. Another question is (see phone #4), I found I missed some areas between the boards. Should I stain these areas? If stain bleed over to the areas already stained, will there be a problem? They say this oil is for one application only.
Thank you so much! I was so relieved when I found this updated post.
P.S. I am at Toronto and it is getting cold now. Roughly 10 at night and 20 during daytime this week.
It looks fine, do not add anymore stain as it will not dry correctly. No need to cover tomorrow. We would not worry about touching up between the boards.
Thank you for the quick response. Attached a photo for the areas between boards. A little bigger than I’d like to see. No need to touch up at all?
I have some very fine bristle brushes used for oil painting that can reach deep down there. I can try not to touch the areas already stained. Worth trying?
If you touch these spots up, wipe the excess off right away where it gets on the top of the board where it is already stained.
Hi. We stained our deck using semi-transparent acrylic/oil stain (Dulux; CWF-UV5). Because the weather forecast changed to rain for the next week or so we paused the project.
Can we cover the unfinished section of the deck with tarps? By unfinished I mean those areas that have been pressure washed and sanded but NOT seen any stain yet?
The stain has dried but some deck planks were halfway stained (i.e. half the length). Can we just continue applying the stain once the weather is good again/the wood is dry (trying not to overlap/overcoat the previously stained areas)? We might have to wait until next spring due to bad weather forecasted.
Would we need to sand the deck again if left covered by tarps throughout the winter?
Thanks!
Do not cover. If you stain this year, just make sure you have two days of drying. If you stopped in the middle of a board, it will not blend when you finish staining.
Is it bad to linseed oil a trailer deck then cover it 2 days later to keep water off
It would not help and could create issues.
We cleaned the black mildew off of our mahogany deck using TSP substitute solution with bleach and a plastic-bristle brush, in accordance with the cleaner directions (because power washing didn’t remove the black). It has been a very dry summer and the deck dried for 48 hours before we applied a coat of Benjamin Moore transparent Arbor Coat. Despite a forecast of 3 more dry days, it started to drizzle when we were almost finished and it continued to rain lightly overnight and this morning. It’s dry now and it looks awful. What should we do?
You will need to remove all and start over to fix this. Strip off what you can, sand the rest, brightener last.
I had my deck stain 3 days ago and it poured today now it is all white. Can you tell me what to do please help
We would need pictures and also what stain brand and type that were used?
I stained my deck it rained 2 hours later.. three days later it’s still tacky. Will it dry?
Hard to say. Depends on the brand and type of stain? Pictures would help as well.
We apply TWP following the instructions, now we have some discoloration, some woods look dark and others lighter. Should we apply a more TWP cloth on the light areas to unify the color?
It is not possible to spot apply and have it blend. You would have to recoat all.
Just washed my deck with proper cleaner but now calling rain for 8 days or so, will I need to wash it again? Thank you.
You should be okay as long as you stain within 2 weeks or so of the prep.
We power washed our deck. Before we could paint it, wet weather moved in. That was about 3 weeks ago. Now the weather is great for painting. In that 3 weeks we ago walked on our deck. Do we need to rewash the deck before painting it?
Yes, rewash lightly.
Pressure washed and sanded our rather old mahogany deck. Applied Australian Timber Oil in Mahogany Flame. We had unexpected rain about 16 hours later and it’s lasted for 2 days. Now some boards are still beading but others look very flat. With fall rapidly approaching I was wondering if the deck would have enough protection for the winter and I could resand it and stain it in the fall, or if it’s completely shot and I need to redo it this year
It is fine for the Winter. Clean and recoat next year.
Thank you!
Hi I started the process of water sealing my wood fence with cabot clear wood stain it hadn’t rained 48 hours before and wasn’t supposed to rain for 48 hours after however I live in NC and the weather is all over the place so the weather could call for no rain and 10 minutes later it could change. I got 1/3 of the fence done and it started raining in the process 😭 it had only been on for 30 minutes now I dont know what to do I am a novice at this. We had a good down pour for about 3 to 5 minutes and now I don’t know if its ruined and if so how do I go about fixing it. Your help is greatly appreciated! Thank you 😊
Note on Help with Rain on your Deck Stain
-Before asking a question if rain harmed your deck, wait until the rain stops and the water fully dries off the deck or wood. Make sure to post pictures.
Hi here is a picture you were asking for 😊 I’m using Cabot clear wood protector on my backyard fence. It had only 30min to dry when it started raining. It rained pretty hard for about 3 to 5 minutes but this is normal weather here I never know if it will rain or not the weather changes so fast so often. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Looks fine.
Sanded whole deck 80 grit , started to stain the deck and got half the deck done then took a break for about 6 hours , got back to it and almost finished the other half when a downpour started . My question is do I just put a second coat where it looks ok , strip away what looks bad and paint again ? Or do I strip whole deck with 80grit paper again and start over ? Should I resand the areas that weren’t painted or will it smooth out again after it drys for few days ? This is a solid Color wood oil based stain , should I just do two more layers on the areas that look like they lifted up ?
The boards definitely aren’t smooth to the touch as they used to be , even where the paint didn’t lift seems to be slights rough and coarse again
Rain will not harm anything. Just continue to coat with the solid stain.
Awesome thank you for the swift response ! So once it dries the lifted paint isn’t at risk for a peeling issue and it should smooth out again texture wise ? I loved how smooth it was after the sanding so I’d hate for that to be gone
It would not hurt to pole sand the rough areas before finishing it up.
We have a 15 year old deck that had never been stained or sealed. We pressure washed and brightened it. On day one, we used Rustoleum deck start primer. Day two we began staining the floor of the deck with Cabot acrylic water based solid deck stain. We let it dry for four about 5 hours before it began raining. So far, it looks fine, but we were planning to apply a 2nd coat because there are some areas between the boards we missed and it looks slightly unfinished. Is this not a good idea once the deck dries out again? We just don’t want it to peel if we add too much stain and we saw that you said not to try “touch up” or “spot” staining.
You can apply a second coat once it dries.
Love your info–hearing the thunder my deck was painted with Cabot Deck Correct 24 hours ago–still a little sticky. Can send pic after rain 🙁
Used Sherwin Williams semi-solid super deck stain with added sand over old deck that had been sanded down to bare wood. Applied 1st coat, then waited 48 hrs and applied second coat. It rained 2-3 days later and now the deck has water spots. Any ideas on correcting this?
Looks like mineral deposits from the rainwater after it dries. Should just wash or wipe off
Yesterday the painters applied Armstrong Clark Amber to my new ipe deck. It poured rain overnight. Do I squeegee off the water that is sitting in little pools on my deck or do I let the sun dry off the water? It might rain again in a few hours.
Leave as is. It is fine to just dry off the wood.
Thanks. Great advice and so quick. Final question: because it rained so soon after the stain was applied (4 hours) does this mean that the life of the stain will be shorted or that my deck will crack or warp or somehow be less that what it should be?
Life of stain would not be harmed. If there was an issue, you would see large water spots and discoloration in the stain and your pic does not show this.
Hi, We stained our 1.5 year old pressure treated wooden deck using Valspar semi-transparent stain and just after we finished it started raining in 10minutes. We had checked the weather earlier in the day and rain was not expected till tomorrow! Next whole week it is going to rain everyday. My Q is once we are through with rainy days and deck is completely dry: Do we need to sand down entire deck then power wash n re-stain ? Or we can directly apply 2nd coat of same semi-transparent stain?
That would depend on how it looks when dry but I would guess that it needs to be fully removed and started over.
I had my cedar deck stained with Cabot Australian Oil. (Deck was dry, prepped)
This was done by a non pro friend helping me after husband passed away. It was a large job. I needed to do some touch up and in a few areas the color was uneven, so need another coat. I was going to do that today, but had a light rain overnight. Questions, should I even do a second coat and live with imperfection (still looks nice) or wait a year.
2. Is it ok to wait until weather looks like precipitation for a few days straight
3. Should I just second coat where you can see the variance in depth if color.
THANK YOU, I AM A NOVICE
Wait until next year to do it. You cannot spot apply, you would have to do all.
Can I cover a freshly Thompson water sealer porch with a tarp if it is going to rain?
We wouldn’t do that as the coating needs air and UV to cure.
What if tarp is removed immediately after the rain?
Don’t do it.
Hello I just stained a new pressure treated deck. Put first coat on Behr semi transparent. let dry for 24 hrs. Went to put send coat on, got about half way through and Raines hard for about 10 minutes. Do I wait for deck to dry and then finish second half or start over again?
Post pictures after it dries but you will probably have an issue with the 1/2 that was rained. It will most likely peel down the road: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deck-stain-review/
So I just stained a new deck this morning. The chances of storms were low for the day and the next couple, but in East Tennessee storms come and go as they please. I finished and about four hours later it began to rain. The rain has stopped, but I am afraid it will come again! I used Olympic Elite woodland oil in Mountain Cedar on pressure treated lumber.
The water is pooling , it doesn’t appear to be soaking into the wood, and I do not see any white spots.
Is it helpful to kind of squeegee some of the excess water off?
No just let it dry off.
Did it turn out fine?
Hi, we applied Behr Premium transparent n400 (Friday) . It rain about 12 hours later and the following day also. It rain again last night but the deck doesn’t seem to dry, water is pearling still. I do not see any white marks or peeling. Should I be worried about water damage? Can we speed up the dying somehow?
Just wait until it dries out and assess. If it fully cures correctly, you will be fine. No way to speed it up.
We live just outside Seattle, Washington. Our deck is about 12 years old, 2×6 cedar.It has southern expose and gets pretty hot when the sun is actually out here in the PNW. It is 1800 sq feet. We sanded, cleaned and brightened using TWP restore a deck. It looked fantastic.
We finally had a 5 day window to apply TWP Pro cedar tone. We did the wet on wet 2 coat process. It looked like brand new!
At the halfway point it rained! Now it has puddles sitting on the stained but not dried areas.
I am sick about it. We have put hours into this and it was looking amazing!
Your advice has been spot on. Where do we go from here?
You may need to strip off the stain you applied to the floor and brighten. Give it a few days for the wood to dry out and send a picture then.