How to stain a deck yourself Deck staining is a very important process that improves the appearance of your deck and helps to protect it from the elements. A good quality stain can help your deck last for a much longer period of time than if left untreated. There are many different reasons you would want to stain or re-stain your deck, but it might be too expensive for you to hire a professional company, or you may just enjoy taking on DIY projects. Whatever the reason, if you are looking for tips on how to stain a deck on your own, this article aims to provide you with tips on how to complete a stained deck yourself  – to the highest possible standards. Tags: Deck Stain Help, deck staining tips, Deck Staining Tips 2018, Deck Stain Help 2018, how to apply a deck…

Gemini Coatings Buys TWP Wood & Deck Preservatives and Stains There has been a big announcement in the deck stain sector as Amteco, owner of TWP stains, has become part of the Gemini Industries’ family. TWP has been a big player for many years and is used by tradesmen and those who expect quality and durability in their work. TWP stands for ‘Total Wood Protection,’ and the brand is respected as a provider of high-quality stains.  Gemini is another well-known name in the wood coatings and protection sector and has been distributing TWP products for over two decades. Tags: TWP Gemini Products, Amteco TWP

The Great Deck Stain Lie – Why Multi-year Warranties are BS You should always be wary of companies who make wood stains and claim they will last for years on end. Often this is an exaggeration just to dupe customers into buying their brand. Wooden decks look great and keeping them looking great is no easy feat. If you own one then you know how high maintenance they can be. You can choose to neglect your decking but you will see how quickly they deteriorate. Companies who offer warranties of up to eight years, however, are complicating things. Tags: deck stain failure, Home Depot Deck Stains, Lowes Deck Stain, Deck Stain Warranty

What are the most popular deck stain colors? Choosing a new deck stain color is not an easy decision, and there are a few things to consider before you start staining. We have put together this handy guide on the most popular deck stain colors to help you decide which is best for you. Before we look at the colors, we can talk about a few of the main types of deck stains: transparent, semi-transparent and solid color stains and the pros and cons of each one. Transparent stains provide a clear finish that will show the most amount of your deck’s natural wood grain without altering the color. Minimal to no (clear sealers) UV protection. Solid color stains will cover your deck surface completely and the natural grain will not show through. They are prone to peeling since they dry on top of the wood. Semi-transparent stains offer a best of both worlds approach that enhances the wood’s natural beauty…

How long will your can of deck stain last? You might find that when you’ve finished that big staining project, that you’re left with a bunch of deck stain left over. Well, it would be a shame to throw it away, wouldn’t it? But if you intend to store it, then there are a few things you should know first. Your stains can stay usable if following these simple guidelines. Unopened cans of deck stain Unopened cans of deck stain – just like regular paint – have a shelf-life of up to 5 or 6 years before they start to deteriorate. So if you didn’t have time to start your project this year then there’s no reason to worry. You can use the paint any time that suits you within this timeframe. Make sure to store the deck stain in a temperature controlled room. Do not let the stain freeze. In the case that your stain has been stored for…

Why is the deck stain still sticky after applying? Staining your deck is not the easiest task as there are lots of things that can go wrong during the whole process. It could be that you applied your stain the day before a rainstorm or you could have over-applied your stain, leaving it sticky and tacky As a rule, when you make the decision to stain a large area, it’s prudent to invest in proper applicators like stain pad, a paintbrush or even some sort of sprayer to apply the stain evenly. Give the deck approximately half an hour to really soak up all the wood stain and then go over it with a wipe to get rid of any excess liquid. You can use this opportunity to fix any runs or drips, too. If using an oil based deck stain, make sure to soak all oily rags in water and lay flat to dry outdoors. Why is the Deck…

How to correctly sand your deck before staining If you’re fed up of looking out at your peeling, dull, grey, sun-beaten deck then it’s time to think about re-staining the boards. As every DIYer knows – this begins with the correct surface preparation. Step 1: Power washing Before you start the sanding process, begin by power washing the surface of your deck. Using a deck stain stripper will help to remove old coatings. Remember, softer woods like cedar may require a less powerful stream of water. If you are using a pressure washer, then make sure to keep it on a lower setting and hold it a little further away so as not to raise the chips and cause splinters. After pressure washing, leave the deck to dry for up to two days, depending on the local climate. Tags: Sanding Wood Decks, How To Remove…

How to Spray a Deck Stain properly and evenly. We here at DeckStainHelp.com hear a lot about different methods and tools people use to stain their decks. Luckily, there are options so you don’t have to be tied down and committed to staining your deck any certain way. One way to apply stain onto your deck is by using a low-pressure pump sprayer. We hear positive results from people who use a sprayer to stain their decks from its ease of use. Best of all, if you use a sprayer and follow these directions, you can complete your deck stain project in as little as two hours. Here’s how to do it. Tags: Applying a Deck Stain, how to apply a deck stain, How To Stain A Deck, How to Stain Deck Railings, Deck Stain Sprayer

See here for a more in-depth article on staining new wood. It is important to consider the state of your wood surface before staining, especially this Spring 2018 following such a harsh winter with extreme temperatures. Preparing to stain a new deck is considerably different from staining a deck that has already been stained. It is important to follow some guidelines that lay the foundation for an optimal wood surface to stain. Before diving into a wood stain project, we recommend you conduct your own research, read articles, and watch how-to videos to educate yourself on what is best for your wood deck. The plethora of resources that are available in 2018 will help you tackle your wood stain project from the right direction. Feel free to browse deckstainhelp.com or Google the brand of your stain for specific tips about the deck stain of your choice. Staining a New Deck Tips for 2018 was last modified: April 17th, 2018 by…

Update for 2018: PPG Timeless Deck Stain Review The PPG Timeless Deck Stain was introduced last year into Home Depot. The product is actually the exact same thing as the Olympic Elite Wood Stain, just relabeled for Home Depots use. The review below is a repeat of our testings of the Olympic version. PPG Timeless Advanced Stain + Sealant in One is a deck and wood stain that is ideal for bringing the rich look of interior wood to exterior wood surfaces such as decks, doors, furniture, and trim. Delivering more pronounced color while still enabling wood grain and texture to show, it provides luxurious appeal with a beautiful satin sheen finish. Formulated with both stain and sealant combined, this protective coating offers lasting defense against UV damage, mold, mildew, warping, cracking and more, helping retain your wood’s natural beauty over time. This is for the 550 VOC versions that is an oil-based stain. They also carry a 250 VOC version,…

When to use a Deck Stripper vs a Deck Cleaner One of the biggest rookie mistakes that we often see, is someone applying a stain to a deck that has not been properly prepped. When you’ve stained a deck a few times before, you come to learn that dirt, mildew, mold or graying should not be present when you apply the stain or it will end in disaster. Only a clean, well-prepared surface is able to correctly absorb the stain and allow it to perform just like you want and need it to. An added bonus of cleaning the wood thoroughly before undertaking staining is that it will look even more beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. We have different products that we recommend to get the job done: “Deck Stripper” or a “Deck Cleaner.” They are both designed to properly prep the wood and clean it thoroughly before staining begins. When to use a Deck Stripper vs a Deck Cleaner was…

Your Deck is not a hardwood floor and should not be shiny or excessively sanded smooth. We have had people write in and ask if they should apply polyurethane to an outdoor deck. The notion of having a beautiful shiny, smooth finish like an indoor wood floor on your outdoor deck may seem appealing to some of you, but it is not practical. You should not apply polyurethane to an outdoor deck surface for several reasons. Rain and harsh UV rays from the sun will penetrate the polyurethane cause it to fail quickly, leaving the wood susceptible to weathering. The polyurethane will eventually blister and peel on exterior wood. Those who have experienced a peeling or blistering deck knows how much of a nightmare it is to fix, as heavy sanding will be involved in the removal. Tags: shiny deck stains, polyurethane deck…

Applying a Deck Stain to Damp Wood on the same day as prep? We here at deckstainhelp.com have been receiving inquiries asking how best to apply a deck stain to damp wood. This is a newer concept, as before, stains could only be applied to dry wood that has been prepped with a waiting period of 2-3 days after prep. So far, the only stain that we have tested that can be applied to damp wood is Restore-A- Deck Wood Stain. We recommend you follow this protocol for applying stain to damp wood: Properly prep your wood surface with correct prep products. Prepping is always the key to the stain’s longevity. Any questions on how to prep, please see our extensive articles in the main menu. Wait 2-4 hours after the prep to let the wood dry somewhat. The RAD stain can be applied to damp wood but not to visibly soaking wet wood. Start with vertical surfaces first, such as…

What are the Best Water Based Deck Stains in 2018? We here at deckstainhelp.com hear about the best deck stains directly from thousands of consumers. Water-based deck stains have skyrocketed in popularity over the last 4 years, due in part to the crackdown on environmental regulations. Individual states are adopting lower VOC laws that cause less stress on the environment and are easier to clean up. Water-based stains tend to abide by these stricter VOC regulations, so they are a good choice if this is a priority for you. The two highest rated water-based deck stains are Restore-A-Deck and Defy Extreme. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is a new stain that comes in 4 different semi-transparent finishes and is designed to penetrate deep into wood pores for maximum protection and longevity. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain protects wood from harmful UV rays and mildew growth caused by water penetration. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is safe to use, has a low odor, and is easy to…

When Your Deck Stain Turns Black from Tree Pollen, what happened and how to fix? You’ve followed all the steps to ensure your deck stain project has a beautiful finish. You properly prepped it, allowed for it to dry before staining (unless you used Restore-A-Deck), then stained it meticulously in a beautiful semi-transparent finish. However, you are left with black mildew spots on the finished wood surface down the road. How did this happen? We hear complaints about this problem within our community, and we’ve seen it with our own eyes when we survey wood decks. One thing you may have not considered is whether the deck is near a pollinating tree. Tree pollen can fall on a drying oil-based deck stain project and promote the growth of mildew which causes the black specks or spots. To prevent this, make sure you start your wood stain project when your trees are not going through their peak pollination phase if using…

Staining a Deck in the Spring 2018 Tips With the spring thaw comes the resurface of your wood deck. It’s been a tough winter for your deck with temperatures ranging from brutally cold to near-spring warm in a matter of a few days throughout the winter season. With all this stress on the wood, it may be time for you to treat your wood deck to a fresh coat stain. It is exciting when the weather starts to warm up and you have the urge tackle your deck stain project at the first sign of spring. However, this might be a bad idea. Stop yourself before you run to the store or your web browser to buy your deck stain supplies. Make sure you take a look at the long-term forecast and make sure it won’t rain for the next 48 hours at least and temperatures won’t drop below 50 degrees F. Also, watch out for pollen levels in the…