How Do You Stain a Deck?

A First-time Home Buyer's Guide

First-time Home Buyer's Guide

Q: How Do You Stain a Deck?

A: For first-time home buyers, a quick deck refresh can really make a home feel like your own. All it takes is the right prep and staining to make your deck look gorgeous. Follow this beginner’s wood staining advice guide on how to stain a deck so that you can quickly start to entertain in your new home.

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Step One

Inspect your Deck

First, inspect your deck for any imperfections, such as the following:

Broken screws
Warped pieces of wood
Broken pieces of wood
Nails that are raised above the surface

After you finish inspecting the deck, you may have to remove or fix certain flaws. Repairing may be an option when dealing with broken wood. Make sure broken screws are replaced, raised nails are hammered into the wood and that wood imperfections are remedied.

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Olympic Staining Tip

Always test a small, hidden area, using the same number of coats you will be using on the deck and let it dry so that you can be sure to get the deck stain color you want.

Step Three

Stain the Deck

It's time to move on to staining. First, use standard painter's tape to block off any surface that you don't want the stain to adhere to.

You should use a roller brush or sprayer to apply a steady coat of wood stain. If you see that too much stain has been used in an area, use a roller or brush to smooth it out.

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Please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.

Step Four

Wait for the Deck to Dry

Your deck stain will take about 24 to 48 hours to dry. Read the instructions on the product label to ensure that you're following the directions correctly. The time that it'll take for the stain to dry will depend on the temperature and humidity in your location.

Once the stain is completely dry, you can put your furniture in place and start inviting your friends.

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