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.
- If rain hits within 0–2 hours of staining, the stain may wash off or become blotchy, likely requiring a full reapplication.
- Oil-based stains are more forgiving in rain after a few hours; water-based stains spot and streak more easily when exposed to early moisture.
- After rain stops, inspect for blotchy color, streaking, light spots, or tacky areas to determine whether a touch-up or full redo is needed.
- A maintenance coat or light recoat fixes minor rain damage; stubborn spots may need cleaning, sanding, or a deck stain stripper.
- Always check the 48-hour weather forecast before staining and cover the deck with a waterproof tarp as a precaution.
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.
✅ Quick Answer: Rain After Staining a Deck
If it rains shortly after staining a deck, the impact depends on how long the stain had to dry:
- 0–2 hours: Likely damage—stain may wash off or become blotchy
- 2–6 hours: Partial curing—possible spotting or uneven finish
- 6–24 hours: Usually minor issues, especially with oil-based stains
- 24+ hours: Typically no damage
👉 In most cases, affected areas can be fixed with light cleaning and a maintenance coat once the deck dries. If heavily affected, you may need to remove the failed stain and start over.
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 Does Deck Stain Need Before Rain?
| Time Before Rain | What Happens | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 Hours | Stain washes off or streaks | Re-clean and reapply |
| 2–6 Hours | Blotchy or uneven finish | Light prep + recoat |
| 6–24 Hours | Minor cosmetic issues | Spot fix if needed |
| 24+ Hours | No real impact | No action needed |
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.
✅ Oil-Based vs Water-Based Stain in Rain
- Oil-Based Stains:
- Penetrate deeper
- More forgiving if rain occurs after a few hours
- Water-Based Stains:
- Dry faster initially
- More prone to spotting or streaking if rained on too soon
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
✅ How to Avoid Rain Issues When Staining
- Check weather forecast for 24–48 hours
- Avoid late-day staining when dew can form
- Apply thinner coats for faster drying
- Use products suited for your climate
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.
✅ How to Tell if Rain Damaged Your Deck Stain
- Blotchy or uneven color
- Streaking or runs
- Light or faded spots
- Tacky or sticky areas after drying
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
✅ How to Fix a Deck Stain That Got Rained On
- Allow the deck to fully dry (24–48 hours)
- Inspect for uneven areas or blotching
- Lightly clean or rinse the surface
- Apply a maintenance coat to affected areas
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.
I stained a deck with Sherwin Williams super deck waterborne semi-transparent exterior deck stain. I finished at 4pm. By 8pm a light mist was starting that turned into a drizzle for several hours. It’s been wet ever since and now it looks splotchy (see the picture attached (left side of the image is not stained yet) . Do I need to strip everything and start over? Can I just recoat?
It is hard to tell since it’s half wet, but most likely if you have spots or splocthiness, you will need to remove and start over.
I stained a deck with Sherwin Williams super deck waterborne semi-transparent exterior deck stain. I finished at 4pm. By 8pm a light mist was starting that turned into a drizzle for several hours. It’s been wet ever since and now it looks like the picture attached (left side of the image is not stained yet) . Do I need to strip everything and start over? Can I just recoat?
No pics.
Added a picture above, thanks!
I applied 1 coat of Defy solid stain on the floor of my deck then half way into the second coat it started to rain. It created some splotchiness. Can I recoat the whole deck with a second coat after it dries from the rain? Do I need to lightly sand first? Or will another coat just cause peeling?
Just recoat.
I thought the second coat of Defy solid stain had to be applied before it started to cure or it will peel . It has been 3 days since I stained.
Not the solid stain, that is for the semi-transparent stain.
I just finished putting a coat of Cabot Australian Timber Oil Natural on my yellow pine deck and now it looks like rain is coming. What can i expect with this product.
Best to contact Cabot if any issues as we do not use their products.
Very good post, very useful, very targeted advices.
Many thanks
Does this information also apply to a water borne sealer used on a new deck? in my case, the sealer was applied on a Monday and Tuesday – 2 coats 24 hours apart. It then rained heavily starting on Thursday and now the deck is looking quite blotchy. (it’s still wet). The product used is Sansin wood sealer.
In your case, you over applied. You will probably have to remove all and start over.
What is wrong with this? I just had it stained. The upper part has a second coat. Looks awful!
It could be due to improper prep, overapplication, and possibly just using an inferior brand of stain. We would need a lot more details to help narrow it down.
Hello, I’m trying to figure out if this was ruined by rain or if this is white washed and needs more time to cure. I finished around 8 pm and it rained unexpectedly at 4 am. This is what I woke up to. I read on the manufacturer website that if it isn’t fully cured then you shouldn’t put another coat on. If it is rain damaged then I want to recoat asap. We are trying to list our house for sale and the new deck looks awful.
You will need to reapply another coat of the solid stain.
Really informative article. Thank you for the info.
Why does one board on a recently stained deck puddle like this? Very odd. Does it mean the product didn’t adhere to this board?
It might have not penetrated fully. Was this new wood? Did you weather and prep?
This was not new wood – about 15 years old and sanded – first with 40 grit and then 80. Cabot’s Australian timber oil was used. Sorry please remove triple post.
I would not worry about it. Seems minor.
Stained deck with semi transparent olympic PPG stain. We live in Alaska so its been raining a lot. We stained, it dried for over 48 hours and now its raining for the next week. If you touch the stain it is coming up on our hands, shoes , and dogs feet. It is raining for the next week and can’t just wait it out. What can we do right now to fix this?
Nothing you can do to fix this besides strip it all off and start over.
It rained all of a sudden while staining the deck using Olympic maximum semi-transparent stain
You will need to recoat this.
Sorry, forgot to add photo.
Hi Scott. First of all, thanks for all the valuable advice you provide. I’ve had my deck restained, and it looks great, EXCEPT:
there are darker areas around the perimeter, where a hand brush was used. (Photo attached.)
How do you recommend we fix that? Do we need to sand and redo? If so, do we still need to use brightener? The deck was cleaned thoroughly, stripped, cleaned again, then treated with brightener, before stain was applied. Hoping a sanding will suffice.
Thank you.
You will not be able to spot fix this and have it blend. The entire flooring would have to be stripped and brightened and then restained.
Thanks for your help. A thorough sanding is not sufficient? Reluctand to use stripper/brightener because the outer deck, railings and gazebo are fine. Don’t want runoff from stripper to ruin those.
Thanks again.
You could sand the entire floor.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/
Thank you for your help. That’s what we’ll do.
I’m using Arborcoat over oil primer on cedar shake siding. How long until it’s rain ready? I’m in Maine and it rains so often that I’m grabbing every chance I get to finish. The primer is all dry for several days but I have areas that still need 2 coats of finish.
Thanks!
Sorry, but we will not use Arborcoat due to its many issues, so we do not have the experience to answer this correctly.
Hi Scott,
We had a new deck built with cedar wood and the contractor applied the first coat of stain yesterday. Forecast looked good, but we had an unexpected rain last night. Based on my reviews of your site, it looks like we need to make sure it is totally dry before applying second coat but not sure how long to wait and do we need to be concerned about water spots that may come through? We also need to sand out a few overlap spots. Contractor was not overly experienced with staining so looking for advice.
We used Pittsburgh Paramount – Luxury Finish + Sealant; Satin – Semi-Transparent. The rain beaded up nicely on the deck but now unsure if we need to do any type of prep before we give it a second coat of stain. Thanks for your help.
You cannot stain new wood right away and most brands only want one coat for new wood:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
It is probably going to peel as it never soaked into the wood. Do not add more. You should sand it off and start over after proper weatering and prep.
I’m confused by your response. I’ve never heard of not staining new wood right away??? The stain soaked in and seemed dry before the rain.
It is common knowledge that all new wood has to weather and be prepped before staining the first time. In your pictures, the stain did not soak in but dried on top of the wood. This leads to premature failure and peeling.
Hi Scott – what grade of sandpaper do you recommend. We’re doing a little research and it looks like it will involve a 2-step sanding process?
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/
Hi Scott
I stained my decking brown 4 days ago and it rained about 12 hours later and I noticed that the rain water on it was brown. I swept all the water off and when it’s dry it’s fine but as soon as it gets wet the water turns brown again! I can’t let my dogs walk across it and they get wet brown paws. What can I do please?
Many thanks in advance for your advice
Pat
What stain did you use?
HI Scott,
I plan on painting a shed with Cabot Solid Color acrylic stain and sealer. I had the medium base (1808) tinted to match previous color. I’ve had luck using deck satin on vertical surfaces. Shed is 18 years old and in good shape. Looking to freshen it up. I don’t have a lot of free time to do projects like most of us. My question is on any given day this week rain is predicted in the afternoon/early evenings. Temperatures mid 80’s to low 90’s. It seems dry time would be 4-5 hours maybe 6 before rain is predicted. Is this enough time or do you think I’ll run into problems. Project is in the Dutchess county.
I’d appreciate any advice.
Be Well
Tom
It should be okay if you have 4-5 hours of drying with a solid acrylic and vertical wood.
Will the morning dew mess up my deck stain if it hasn’t dried completely
I used Valspar solid with the primer built in.
It’s been 5 hours since I finished it and it’s still wet 🤦♀️
There is no way to know until it fully cures and dries. You have to deteremine after. Anything else would be a guess.
I used Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Wood Sealer on my deck and started 10am yesterday and finished around 12pm. It’s now expected to rain this afternoon around 4 or 6 pm. That would be about 30 hrs. The can said to allow 48hrs. Will I still be ok?
No idea. You have to inspect it after the rain stops and the water dries off to see if damaged or not. Probably okay.
Hi. I just had my deck stained with Benjamin Moore Arborcoat. The contractor filled in holes and knots with some sort of wood filler/ epoxy. It has rained almost every day since the work was done. I checked the deck today and noticed that the filled in holes are mushy and the stain has bubbled. Will the areas eventually harden?
Probably not but give it time to let it fully dry and cure before removing it and starting over.
hi, i cleaned and prepared my deck and then it rained before i stained. do i need to re-clean and re-apply more wash/prep before applying stain?
No, just let it dry.
Hi Scott, I used Thompson’s wasterseal stain and sealer all in one semi-transparent for a deck. After 12 hours rain started. Is that a problem? Here were pictures from the rain.
Looks fine. You would be able to visibly see if you had an issue. White spots.
Thanks. What does white spots look like?
White water spots.
We stained on Monday. It is now Thurs and I’ve noticed white spots where water from my plants have occurred. the water is pooling and doesn’t seem to be evaporating. Will these white spots go away? Does this mean every time it rains we will have spots all over the deck. Thanks or any advice you can give.
That is most likley mineral deposits from the water. They should ipe off and go away over time.
Thank you for your quick response.
hey! So I power washed and sanded my deck. Rinsed it off with the hose. Leaves are falling here in Ny and its starting to get cold. Can I Paint on the oil primer two coats and then wait until the spring to put on the Arborcoat waterbased solid stain in the Spring?
No. Do it all in the Spring after cleaning the deck again.
I power washed rails/ privacy feature deck and let it dry 48 hr. now it looks like rain might start in a about 12 hrs, chance increasing over next 2 days. I only have upright wood to stain as deck floor is composite. it’s water base semi trans.should I chance. my time is limited to have time. n (tried in may, power washed then rained forever and then got too hot forever). live in midwest and cold weather weather next . it might be 3-4 wks before I will have time to stain again. will I need to re prep again?
It depends on the stain brand and how fast it dries. If you wait more than 2 weeks, you should redo the prep.
Thank you . It’s behr semi Do you think I can chance it if the rain is supposed to start about 10 to 12 hours from now?
Hard to say. Their stain is poor so it may not cure correctly before the rain. We would switch brands first to avoid issues down the road: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deck-stain-review/
Hi Scott, I put on my first coat of Behr’s solid wood stain yesterday and finished around 2pm. I woke to very chilly temps, 36 degrees and dew all over the deck. After it dries out, can I put plastic over it and apply a second coat tomorrow, or do I have to wait longer due to the dew? I was hoping to apply a second coast this afternoon, or is this too soon?
Don’t cover it. Just wait until it warms up later and the dew burns off. You can apply this afternoon.
Great! 🙂 Thank you. But then is it okay to be staining in direct sun, even if the temps won’t be going up higher than 64 degrees?
Should be no issues.
Thank you again Scott!
I pressured washed my deck, let it dry and then used Flood CWF-UV Clear. Temperature was in the low 60’s. Roughly 24 hours after application, I noticed the deck was still wet and unfortunately it started to rain heavily. What do you suggest?
Let it dry out after the rain and then assess any issues.
Is it safe to apply more stain if needed after it thoroughly dries?
No. More is not better. You may need to remove all and start over.
I stripped, sanded, and brightened my 256 PT deck, and finished 2 days ago. I planned to stain it tomorrow with TWP 1500 – Cedartone. The original weather forecast was that it would be clear for 48 hours. Now the forecast has changed, and rain is expected about 36 hours after staining. Should I hold off or go ahead and stain the deck.
Thanks,
Nick
Yes, you can stain.
Thank you for the quick response.
I sanded our deck and put the first coat of Cabot Deck Correct on it yesterday. About 4 hours after application some unexpected rain came in. It rained pretty steady for a few hours but never seemed to be a heavy driving rain. Most areas seem to be fine but there are some white marks and just one board that has some bubbles as shown in the picture. Do you think the rest of the deck will be ok to put the second coat on after everything thoroughly dries and I can just sand and start over on the board with the bubbles? Any idea of what causes the white spots? Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hard to say what will happen in the future as this stain brand and type is prone to peeling anyhow. The while looks like sap leeching out.
Hey! Thanks for doing this. I am sure we are fine, but just wanted confirmation that everything is good, so I don’t drive myself crazy. I did 2 coats of Behr premium waterproof 100% acrylic which says rain resistant in 4 hours. After a forecast of no rain, we had a random really hard 1 hour rain about 22 hours after 2nd coat was applied. The first pic is about 3 hours after the second coat (no rain) and the second pic with more shade is 24 hours after the heavy rain (50 hours after 2nd coat). Thanks for your help!
You will be fine.
Thank you, sir!
Welcome!
We had some dew drip down from an overhang the night we stained and found this the next morning. We used Messmer’s UV+. Should we try and add more stain to these spots, sand the boards down and stain them again, or something else? Thanks!
You cannot spot fix this and you will need to add some gutters or it will continue. To fix, remove all and start over. Strip and brighten to remove.
Is it better to use a brush vs a roller ti stain your deck?
I want to know your opinion. Personally I am liking a brush😎
We like brushes or stain pads but it does speed on the stain brand and type of stain.
Hi, I put a first coat of stain on a deck yesterday when it wasn’t calling for rain. The forecast has now changed with a 70% chance of thunderstorm tomorrow, starting about 48 hours after I finished. I was going to put on 2nd coat today but then it will only be about 36 hours before it might get rained on. Thinking I should hold off on the 2nd coat, hope the first holds up well, and then do a 2nd when there is less likelihood of rain. Does that sound right? Can I do the 2nd coat several days after the first?
This depends on the brand and type of stain being used as they do not all have the same instructions.?
Live in SC where we have quick hard rains every other day to relieve the heat. Can I use a oil based stain and cover the deck with a large tarp to protect it? I am in a timeframe to get this done. I could put up bases to hold the center of the tarp up so the center isn’t weighted down.
Thank you
Laurie Jones
No, it needs airflow and sun to properly cure and dry.
Hired a company to paint house and stain deck. They pressure washed, sanded, then stained with Cabot Australian Timber Oil. It rained two hours later. Water pooled on the wood. It looks awful, splotchy and scaly. The pics show it several days after staining was done. Contractor thinks “more stain”, I had to stop them and ask them to go get educated before doing anything. That’s what I’m trying to do here…
What an awesome resource to be able to ask the opinion of others to figure out what to do, thank you!
Adding more will not fix it. Remove and start over.
One more question if I may, could something else have caused this condition or is it rain water for sure? Thank you in advance.
It is rain.
Sorry to ask more questions… the contractor had the crew pressure wash the stain off the wood instead of sanding. The wood looks “fuzzy” and I see lines in the wood from the pressure washing…
How deep of doo-doo am I in?
Post some pics.
Pics
We would definitely sand it or buff it before staining: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-fuzzies-furring-on-deck/
Hey Scott – I just stained my deck w Cabot Australian. It was starting to cure last night. Rained this morning and feels wet to touch and coloring looks as though I just applied the stain. Assuming i’ll Have to re do but is there a chance after it dries it will cure and be okay?
thnx Steve
Just wait a few days for it to fully dry and cure and then assess if any damage or not. Most likely okay.
Hey Scott – thnx! It diaries and seems to have cured although there are a couple of washed out/ faded spots. Can I spot stain the areas washed out or just give the entire deck a second coat? Thanks again for your help
It probably will not blend if you spot apply. Adding more does not always work as well and can create issues with over-application.
We hired a local handyman to paint our deck. Trying to beat the rain, he waited only 24 hours before painting. It then rained 12 hours after he finished. He used a Sherwin-Williams product. There also seems to be sap bubbling up, as well. What should we do next? Can these spots be sanded and recoated?
Sap seeping out has nothing to do with the rain. Try scraping and sanding those areas and recoating.
Hi! What an amazing resource! Thank you so much!
We stained our new cedar deck a few days ago with Olympic Semi Transparent Semi Solid Atlas Cedar Oil Stain and it rained about 12 hours after… we attempted to tarp and dry the rain as it happened… then it rained again about 12 hours after that…
Now that it’s dry it looks like there are some dry spots near the knots in the wood… do you think I should apply another coat of the stain?
Thanks!
It looks good and the rain did not harm it. The knots always stain lighter in color and that is normal as well.
Hi, First, thank you for your article. I’ve waited till the rain dried off the deck before asking my questions. I painted using Cabot solid stain over semi- transparent which was applied 2 years ago to a deck which had been left untreated for 3 years (the deck is about 5 years old). I stained in the evening when the sun was not on the deck, weather was in the 80s, paint had just been mixed at Lowe’s, deck was properly power washed and dried, and no product was applied to the deck surface before staining. Within 2 hours of staining the deck it began to downpour. (the weather app said no rain) It rained hard for 15 minutes (as we ran around in horror trying to tarp the deck LOL). This morning the deck was wet and paint could be scratched loose with a fingernail. After baking in the 90 degree sun I tested again at 1PM. It is now very solid paint, dry to the touch, but slightly tacky if I leave my hand on the hot deck for a minute, and appears to have no bubbles or flaws. My questions; How do I know it’s fine or needs to be stripped? Am I able to apply a second coat over Cabot solid stain because the wood soaked in the first coat as fast as I could roll or hand paint it and the surface shows small splits. The pictures are from 1:00 today, they show the edge of the stain that was painted last (I’d run out of stain) and the deck’s entire surface. Thank you so much for your help.
You should be fine. Finish the first coat and then apply another coat to all wood.
Wow! Thank you for your quick response. Guess I dodged a huge problem.
Scott, I know this isn’t the right thread but you were so helpful with my rain questions, I have one more. I painted all the rails and posts with Olympic solid stain we had left from painting the house. My thought was it would match nicely however with 10 people living here it became very obvious that the flat stain holds fingerprints very very well. I want to paint in a higher gloss but Lowe’s paint counter can only suggest Cabot solid stain over the Olympic, but it is also a flat sheen. Is there a more washable option for me? Thank you
Do not put a high gloss on a deck, it will peel if you do. Leave it as a flat sheen.
Ok, I researched & noticed you recommend Restore a Deck. Would that be more washable than the Olympic stain? Would it be safe to apply another coat of R.A.D or Cabot over the existing 2 coats of the Olympic which were applied 3 days ago? The Olympic really isn’t washable & I’ve put so much work into the deck that I hate the thought of not being able to wash dirt off the rails. Thank you
None of the solid stains have a gloss and are matte with no shine so the “washability” of it will be the same. I think you would be wasting your money and time but I suppose you could test it. Try a gallon of the same color in another brand of quality solid stain. Just apply where people touch such as the top of the railing.
I took your advice and tested the Cabot solid stain in white over the existing stain. It definitely has a slight sheen in comparison to the Olympic but is not glossy (which is fine). Would you consider Cabot a quality brand? I didn’t see your recommendations till after I purchased & applied 4 gallons of the Cabot and it had rained on the newly stained deck brining me to your site. BTW, you were right, the deck is just fine 🙂
It’s okay. Not the best but not bad.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
I forgot to mention the rails and posts are white.
We had a contractor stain our new cedar deck and he used Sherwin-Williams semi-transparent Super Deck with two coats. It’s been more than 24 hours (more like 36) and it rained this morning and now lighter areas are showing where some of the puddles were. Photos attached. Also there are marks on the steps where our dogs go up and down the steps. What should we do now?
It was not fully cured before the rain came. Give it a week or so to see if the spots go away on their own. If they do not, then you will have to remove all and start over.
Thank you. After the rain the sun came out and the deck dried. The spots appear to be gone but of course not the marks on the steps. We’re debating putting treads on the steps.
I used Cabot semi solid stain on my deck yesterday with rain in the forecast for tonight. It started raining this morning and now it’s going to rain all day. When I touch the wood it’s like the stain is wet again. Is there anything I can do?
Nothing you can do at this point.
Same happened to me…
ANY SUGGESTIONS ???
There is nothing you can do about it until the rain stops and dries off. You assess it then if it needs to be fixed or not.
From article above.
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.
What is the best stain/sealer for my newly built white pine shed? I’m get overwhelmed with all the information I’m reading
Try Restore A Deck semi-transparent stains.
I used Cabot correct deck stain 1st coat and it looks like it’s going to rain after 6 hours of drying time. Should I cover it with a tarp or just leave it alone
Leave it alone.
i have treated my deck of old boards with cleaner and water sealer. The i added a stain sealer on top, and it is looking good -unchanged after heavy rain. will the stain color last?
You cannot apply a deck stain over a deck sealer. It will peel shortly.
My can of stain got water in it sitting on the porch is it still good??
No.
Our deck is Huge over 600sf not including the front porch deck and one by a pond. I have been successfully maintaining it for thirty years with CWF-UV recoating every 2-3 years. Whether they changed the formula (I suspect they did) or wether it just could not take any more stain, it needed to be stripped and sanded. It has been a grueling job for one woman with a power washer, a belt and palm sanders. I used Sherwin Williams Super Deck in semi-solid. We live in upstate NY and our area gets a lot of rain. It’s been a dance coordinating last coat sanding and putting down finish I can tell you! The job has been done in sections. Due to the windows of weather opportunities between rains and needing the boards dried before sanding, I could only manage one coat on each section. It should have had 2. Can even tell it needs 2. It just couldn’t happen not even in the week.
My question is can I safely do a second light coat in the fall four months later? Will it adhere or will it just sit on top and flake. I’m so afraid of the latter. This is my first time using a semi-solid.
It will probably have issues if you apply more, especially with the SW brand. It is not that good. Sorry.
I applied first coat to all of my wood yesterday and it looks great so far…its been about 17hrs drying but this morning it was still a little oily. I was planning to apply the 2nd coat of stain sealer today but now itsraining. My wood boards are underneathmy deck and was getting wet so i wiped them with a cloth and propted them up so rain could run down and not rest on. Is this ok? And when will i be able to apply 2nd coat?.
This all depends on the brand of stain you are suing and is the wood new?
Handyman used messmers oil for ipe deck. He said it would rain the next day but wouldn’t be a Problem. Rainingvhsrd 12 hours later. Deck seems to have oil mixing with the rain. Will deck need to be redone? He also did not wait half an hour to wipe off excess in some places he just coated and wiped is this a problem?
You cannot assess until the rain water dries off. Nothing you can do right now.
Had deck stained just over 24 hours ago. Will chlorine affect the color of used on gutters?
Yes, the chlorine will damage deck stain and bleach out the color.
If I keep the porch wet can I clean my house around it with water & bleach? Will it effect it right away or will it take days to show up? Thanks so much I never thought this would be a problem till someone said you can’t get bleach on stain decks…
It will have an immediate reaction and damage your stain.
My deck has milky places all over it after the first rain after staining
It was several days so I don’t know what could have caused it
Please help
What stain brand and type did you use? Post some pics in the comments.
This was posted as an answer to question. This is not the right answer. They asked about a porch that has a roof.
Sorry but we do not understand your comment.
How can we cleaned a stained deck
Will hit the deck work on a stained deck with black mould on it
We do not understand your question.
So I cleaned and brightened my deck but the last week has had some random light showers, so I haven’t had the 72 minimum window to let the deck dry, stain and cure before more rain comes.
I was wondering whether I could get some plastic sheeting to cover the deck and rails when I know it’s going to rain so that the deck doesn’t get soaked again and I can uncover it when it’s nice enough to allow it to continue drying or even start staining if it’s already dry at that point?
Do not cover it. Just let it dry for 48 hours after rain before staining.
Hi,
Deck stain was applied yesterday. As it’s drying, I am noticing the following:
1. some lines in a portion of the deck
2. some fuzzies and white residue – these came about during the prep, but I expected them to be gone after staining
(The person applying the stain did walk across a couple of times holding a rag wet from water, or holding the paint tray/brush with stain in it . A push mop with a rag tied around it with a string at each end was also used to wipe the floor of any excess stain. Not sure if any of this might be related)
My questions:
1. Any idea why the lines are there and how to fix it?
2. What to do about the fuzzies and white residue – Will this go away on its own in a few weeks?
Thank you.
1. Looks like roller marks maybe from grill or furniture. You cannot fix them outside of removing all stain and starting over.
2. No, it does not go away.
Hi,
1. There was actually a grill there with wheels that they moved, so that would make perfect sense. I might need to ask them to sand that section and re-stain there, will that work?
2. Could you please clarify your second response – what does not go away, the fuzzies or the white residue/spots around the knots? What caused this and how do I fix it?
Thank you
1. You cannot spot fix, you would have to remove all and start over.
2. Same are #1 with the fuzzies and white residue.
We stained our covered deck with oil based stain. It became very foggy and had tons of moisture on it. It dried in some areas but is super “shiny” in others and seems sticky still in the shiny areas. It’s now been 5 days of nice weather. What do we do….. thanks for your help!!
Remove excess stain with rags and mineral spirits. Saturate oily rags in water when done to avoid spontaneous combustion.
Is there a mineral spirits product you would recommend?
Any.
Mineral spirits didn’t work. Some parts are still “sticky” and shiny. What’s next ? Do I have to sand it? Could I put a clear sealing coat over the whole thing and then it will all just be shiny : )
You cannot top coat it. It will make it worse and it will peel. If it does not cure and dry on its own in a few weeks then you will have to remove it fully and start over.
Oh and I do plan to use one of your recommended brands when we redo next spring. Unfortunately I came across your website after the fact! Oh well! Lesson learned!!
We live in western Washington state and applied Australian Timber Oil to our deck that has not been maintained since being built about 14 years ago. We cleaned it and pressure washed it first and allowed it to dry. Of course it rained that night. The sections under the roof seemed to fair okay and are dry but the sections that got rained on are still kinda tacky. Even after drying all the way. When it rained really hard over the weekend the water seemed to seep into the stain and it created a yellow kinda film on the top that I could scrape off with my finger nail. Is there anything I can do to get rid of the sticky parts to keep excess dirt and grime from collecting over the winter? I know this is most likely a start over in the spring situation but it’d be nice if it wasn’t sticky all winter. Thanks for any advice. I’ll attach pics of the dry deck. The lighter spots are where the yellow film forms when it’s wet.
The only thing you can do is remove all and start over.
Hello, similar story to others here: I think unexpected rain might have messed up the deck seal we applied. Either that or I was a bit heavy handed in applying the deck seal.
It’s a new deck and we used Behr transparent deck seal. It rained maybe 6-8 hours after we sealed the deck. It was overnight so I couldn’t tell how hard it rained but there was water pooled on the deck the next morning.
Question is: should we pressure wash and re seal it or is it okay for the upcoming winter? What do you recommend?
Send pictures after the rainwater has dried off for help on how to fix.
Sorry I thought the pictures were loaded! Here they are.
Notice in some areas the colour is more saturated and shiny despite it feeling completely dry.
Just fix it next Spring. Strip and brighen for prep and then use a better brand of deck stain as well. The Behr is very poor.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
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