How To Stain a Deck

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Welcome to Lowe's

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Steps

Difficulty

Easy

Time Required

3hours

Estimated Cost

$$$

Dark stain being applied to a wood deck with a brush

What You Need for This Project

Tools

Brush

Bucket

Paint Brush

Pressure Washer

Roller Brush

Scraper

Sprayer

Materials

Deck Wash

Sandpaper

Mineral Spirits or Paint Thinner

Oil-Based Wood Stain

Paint or Stain of Your Choice

Plastic Drop Cloths

Deck Staining Step-By-Step

step one

Easy Test Before you Start

To test your deck's ability to deter water absorbance, perform a simple water test by putting a small amount of water in a few areas of the deck. If after a couple minutes the water soaks in, the wood is ready to be stained. If the water is repelled and just lays on the surface, your sealer is still working and you would need to strip and sand prior to restaining.

step two

Clean Your Deck

It's important to remove all dirt and contaminants from the surface of the wood to ensure stain penetration and maximum durability. Cleaning the deck prior to staining is critical for a beautiful long-lasting finish.

step three

To Sand or Not to Sand?

If the wood has never been coated previously, it is always good practice to sand the surface. This ensures the stain will properly soak into the wood and have a nice uniform finish. If you have previously stained your deck, you can place a piece of tape on the deck and see if wood fibres pull off onto the tape. If that happens then it is time to sand again.

step four

Apply the Stain

The best method to apply stain is by brush. This ensures that the stain is applied evenly and has a nice uniform finish. If you choose to roll or spray, always make sure you back-brush.

step five

Pro-Level Tips

It's not all about slapping on the stain. There are steps you should take to ensure the end result is the best looking deck possible. Check out this video to help you define your staining strategy.

Ready To Go?

Now that you know everything there is to know about staining your deck, and you're ready to revitalize it back to how it was when it was first installed, we have everything you need to do just that. Our in-store pros are also at your disposal if you have any questions beyond this deck staining how-to guide. What type of stain do you need? What works best with your type of deck? Feel free to come in and ask because we are here to help.

How To Terms

Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes, and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors, or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures.