This post was updated on April 22, 2024
Why is my deck stain peeling?
Deck stain peels because it did not penetrate deeply enough into the wood. There are three main culprits:
- The most common reason that deck stain peels is that a solid deck stain or clear sealer was used. These form a film over the surface of the deck that cracks and peels with wear.
- Overapplication of solid deck stains can cause peeling within a few months or even weeks. Semi-transparent deck stains can also peel when overapplied.
- The last reason that your deck may be peeling is improper prep before applying the stain. You must apply deck stain to a clean and prepared surface or it will not penetrate properly into the wood, causing peeling.
Once the deck stain peels it must be stripped and reapplied.
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How to apply deck stain with deck stain peeling?
Make sure that you apply the deck stain with appropriate tools like brushes, sprayers, or deck applicators. Do not use too much stain and distribute it evenly. Rollers can work with solid stains, but they also make it easy to overapply and cause deck stain peeling.
How to prep deck with deck stain peeling?
Proper prep is important to ensure that the deck stain can penetrate and seal the wood. Proper deck prep includes stripping off the old stain, cleaning the deck, and spot sanding any stubborn spots. This should be done before staining so that it does not peel.
More information on how to stain a deck
- Will a Deck Stain Peel?
- Remove Deck Stain When Reapplying
- How To Remove a Solid Color Deck Stain
- Best Deck Stain and Prep Videos
- Do I Prep After Sanding a Deck?
- How to Reapply a Solid Deck Stain
