Tag:

deck stain failure

What is the Best Deck Stain?

by Deck Stain Help 03/07/2018

Update for 2019 on What is the Best Deck Stain: This is the updated version of our most popular article on DeckStainHelp.com. We help by guiding consumers in finding a high quality and low maintenance deck stain based on a series of questions. This article alone has had over 17,000 Q&A questions and over 500 Star Rating/Reviews to date. We will be updating this article by including some answers to our most popular questions.

Please visit our updated article here: The Best Deck Stains?

What is the Best Deck Stain?

This is the most popular question that deck owners have. Unfortunately, there is not a “best” deck stain out there. There are products that are better than others, but there is not one that will outperform every other stain.

A better way to approach this common question is to ask, “what is the best stain for my deck and it’s environment”? Just because a deck stain performs well in the Northeast part of the country does not mean it will perform well in the high altitudes of Arizona. There are also VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Laws the come into effect for different parts of the country. This may limit what is available in your state. For example, TWP 100 Series cannot be used in 17 states that have a low VOC content of 250.

To understand a deck stain and its potential longevity, we should first look at the main reasons deck stains fail:

UV rays from the sun will damage the wood resulting in degradation of the wood cell structure. This will break down the stain while causing the wood to oxidize (turn gray).
Water, snow, and ice will cause damage to the wood by breaking down the exposed cellular structure.
Freeze/thaw will expand and contract the wood resulting in the stain “bond” with the wood cells to fail.
Mold, mildew, and algae will leave the wood unsightly/dirty and can result in rotting.
High traffic areas will leave “wearing” patterns.
The previous stain used was of low quality or applied poorly.
The Stain was not applied properly or the wood was not prepped properly prior to application. Bad prep is the number one reason stains prematurely fail!

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Deck Stain Failed? Who to Blame?

by Deck Stain Help 06/07/2018

Peeling Deck Stain

Deck Stain Failed? Who to Blame, the Stain? Or the Person who Applied the Stain?

There is nothing worse than going through the time-consuming process of applying a stain just to see that it is peeling a few months later.

This a common query and occurrence for many exterior wood deck owners. You love your garden and deserve to enjoy it. Nobody wants to see an unsightly, peeling deck so today we will be looking at who is the main culprit – the stain or the person who applied it?

Potential human errors

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The Great Deck Stain Lie – Why Multi-year Warranties are BS

by Deck Stain Help 06/01/2018

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.

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Why is the Deck Stain still sticky?

by Deck Stain Help 05/10/2018

Sticky Deck Stain

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.

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Re-staining an Old Deck

by Deck Stain Help 03/09/2018

Update 2018 for Re-staining an Old Deck

We here at DeckStainHelp.com thank you for your continued support. Without you, we wouldn’t be the internet’s number one reference for all things wood deck restoration related. See below for tips on how to treat and stain an old deck. As always, we appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below.

Old Deck Stain

Bringing an old deck back to life can be very rewarding. But like any rewarding venture, the task can be daunting. With the right knowledge, however, it can be well worth the effort. A restored deck can give your home’s exterior a much-needed facelift not to mention raise your home’s curb appeal and value.

Re-staining an old deck requires a few tools. A pressure washer is very helpful but a scrub brush can also be used. Pressure washers can be rented if you do not own one. Before re-staining an old deck, the surface needs to be clean. A good wood cleaner will go a long way in aiding the cleaning process. A quality deck cleaner will loosen dirt, grime, and graying making them easier to remove with the pressure washer or scrub brush. It will also rid the old deck of mold, mildew, and algae. The idea is to reveal clean bare wood so the new deck stain will perform properly.

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It Rained Shortly After Staining. What to do?

by Deck Stain Help 03/10/2018

Update for 2018: It Rained Shortly After Staining. What to do?

We continue to appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below if it rained on your deck shortly after the stain was applied. Any pictures of your deck stain project will help.

It is best to never stain any exterior wood when inclement weather is forecasted, especially rain. Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12-24 hours of rain being forecast. But as we all know sometimes the weather is not so predictable. So what do you do if it does rain shortly after staining?

You cannot do much until it stops raining once it starts. After the rain has passed and the deck has dried take a closer look. It really depends on how hard it rained and for how long. 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 shortly after being applied better than others.

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Best Deck Stain Strippers

by Deck Stain Help 03/10/2018

Update for 2018: Best Deck Stain Strippers

Those who are familiar with the deck staining process are aware that you must properly prep your deck before staining for beautiful results. In this article, we discuss the best deck strippers on the market. We always appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your deck stain projects.

Prior to staining a wood deck, it is necessary to properly clean the wood for the best results. Removing all the dirt, mold, mildew, and graying will help the new deck stain to penetrate better and last longer.

When dealing with a deck that has an old failing deck stain on it, a simple wood cleaning is not enough. In this case, a deck stain stripper must be used to emulsify and soften the old stain so it can be removed more easily. Wood stain strippers are more aggressive than a typical wood cleaner.

Some of the best deck stain strippers that we have found contain a mixture of Sodium Hydroxide and other surfactants and typically come in a concentrated powder formula. Once mixed with water they can be applied using a pump sprayer.

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My Deck Stain Turned Black

by Deck Stain Help 03/11/2018

Update for 2018: My Deck Stain Turned Black

We appreciate when people write in and ask for advice when something goes wrong during their deck staining projects. Today we talk about what causes your deck to turn black after a year or two and what to do to get rid of the problem. We appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your deck stain projects.

Black Deck Stain

Why Did Your Deck Stain Turn Black?

Many things can happen to a deck stain when it is not applied or maintained properly. The biggest reason for a deck stain turning black is mildew. All wood surfaces need to be cleaned correctly prior to staining. The use of a quality wood cleaner and pressure washer or scrub brush is necessary to remove all the contaminants like dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and graying.

When contaminants are left in the wood pores and stain is applied a whole host of problems can occur. Mildew can begin to grow underneath the deck stain, which causes discoloring. This can also lead to rot and decay because if there is mildew there is also moisture present.

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Why Deck Stain Cannot be Shiny

by Deck Stain Help 03/11/2018

Update 2018 for Why Deck Stain Cannot be Shiny

We here at DeckStainHelp.com are proud to be the internet’s number one reference for all things wood deck restoration related. As before, we do not recommend the use of polyurethane stains on outdoor decks. We always appreciate your input and questions, so feel free to leave a comment below.

Peeling Deck Varnish

Unlike some wood stain finishes on hardwood floors that have a reflective or shiny finish, most exterior deck stains are not meant to be shiny. A deck stain works best when it is applied to a clean wood surface. This allows the deck stain to penetrate deep into the wood pores to ensure a solid wall of protection against sun and water damage. The amount of deck stain that is applied depends on different factors like wood age, condition, and porosity. Not all wood surfaces will absorb the same amount of deck stain when they are being refinished.

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What is the Worst Deck Stain?

by Deck Stain Help 03/10/2018

Update 2018 for What is the Worst Deck Stain?

We here at DeckStainHelp.com are proud to be the internet’s number one reference for all things wood deck restoration related. If you have had a negative experience with deck stains, you have come to the right place to warn people. We are always looking for ways to engage with our readers, so we appreciate your input and questions by leaving a comment below.

Have you had a bad experience with a decking stain?

Our most popular article, “What is the Best Deck Stain” has become the #1 article for consumers on the Internet for deck stain questions and answers. We have decided to create an article based on negative consumer feedback and experiences with decking stains.

We are looking for bad experiences with a particular brand of decking stain.

Please include:

1. Brand of Deck Stain

2. Type of Deck Stain (i.e. Solid, Semi-Transparent, Transparent, Semi-Solid)

3. Location and date applied

4. How long did it take for the stain to fail and how did it fail? (Peeling, Turned Black, Mold, Etc)

5. A brief description of your overall negative experience.

Note: This is mostly for fun and to allow you to vent your frustration!

401 comments

Apply Polyurethane to A Deck?

by Deck Stain Help 03/13/2018

Update 2018 for Apply Polyurethane to A Deck?

Welcome to DeckStainHelp.com, the internet’s number one reference for all things wood deck restoration related. As before, we do not recommend the use of polyurethane stains on outdoor decks. We always appreciate your comments and questions, so feel free to leave one below.

Should I Apply Polyurethane to a Deck?

Selecting a deck stain or sealer is a vital step when finishing your deck or when your deck is in need of being recoated. Wood decks are exposed to severe weather conditions and need to be protected with the correct type of wood sealant.

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How To Change from Water Based to Oil Based Deck Stains

by Deck Stain Help 03/13/2018

Update 2018 for How To Change from Water Based to Oil Based Deck Stains

DeckStainHelp.com continues to be a trusted source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics throughout 2018. Water-based stains and oil-based stains have their advantages and disadvantages. If you wish to change from a water-based to oil-based deck stain, or vice versa, here are some suggestions. Any questions? Ask below!

How to Change From Water Based to Oil Based Exterior Decking Stain and Vice Versa

The longevity of a deck or other exterior wood structure depends highly on how well it is maintained. A wood surface left alone or neglected will not last long in the harsh environment. Wood needs to be sealed and protected from moisture, UV rays, mold, mildew and such contaminants that will cause rot and decay. The most common types of wood protectants are oil and water based.

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