How To Stain Your Deck

Getting Ready for BBQ Season

Staining your deck is a simple and rewarding DIY project that can reimagine a tired or outdated backyard and enhance the existing beauty of your exterior. Follow these easy steps for best results.

Read on, watch the video, then download this handy how-to guide for when you’re ready to start.

Step 1: Prep

Proper preparation is THE MOST important part of a great finish. About 95% of finish failures are due to improper preparation. Stains require a clean, sound surface to penetrate – free of dirt, dust, grease, mildew, loose wood fibres, and mill glaze. Work with a cleaner that’s made for this very purpose. Read How to Prep a Deck for Staining to see the cleaning products right for your job.

Sand with 80 grit sandpaper to remove any unwanted stains or marks. For new wood, sanding removes the mill glaze that’s added during the manufacturing process. For older woods, it helps reach the healthy wood surface that’s needed for proper penetration.

Step 2: Choose the Stain & Colour

Choose the right stain for your project. Oil or Water Based? Transparent or Solid? Trendy or Traditional colour? Read Choosing the Right Exterior Wood Stain to help you select the stain best suited for your project.

Step 3: Weather Check

It can take up to 48 hours for exterior stains to dry, check your product to determine dry time and choose your project days. Lap marks can occur if the stain dries too quickly, so avoid staining in direct sunlight.

Step 4: Ready, Set, Stain!

Use a roller or extra wide stain brush with a threaded handle to stain horizontal deck boards. If using a roller, be sure to back brush to work the stain into the wood and between the boards. Staining is best done with a partner to avoid lap marks; one person rolls and the other back brushes. Always stain following the direction of the boards and stain just a few at a time for uniform drying.