Use a paintbrush and move in long, even strokes. #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain for Decks. Hopefully, this post will help in your decision-making process, answer some questions and provide information on the best way to prep your deck before staining. Read on to see what these avid DIYers recommend. If you have a large deck, work in small sections to make sure the area stays wet at all times. Rust-Oleum 313835 Varathane Weathered Wood Accelerator. 2. Pressure washing will help to "prep" the surface to help with whatever you are going to put done. Clean the deck. A deck cleaning solution is a great option to help remove tough, stuck-on oils and grime, though you can pressure wash . By sanding before applying a fresh coat of stain, you are ensuring the stain will adhere to the wood well, and last for years . Sarah Barganier on Jul 21, 2017. Be sure to apply sealant as soon as the wood . Can You Stain Over Wood Deck Paint? The deck needs to be incredibly clean before the staining can begin. What Are The Best Stain Colors For My Deck? How To Sanding After Pressure Washing Deck. Here, a detail sander or even sanding by hand may be necessary to get to all areas, but again, do not sand to a smoothness that will prevent the stain from penetrating. Deck Cleaning and Staining - Washing the Deck. In the backpack pump sprayer, mix a one-to-one ratio of biodegradable wood cleaner to water. Sweep Down the Deck. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Krud Kutter Pressure Washer Concentrate. Cleaning and restaining a deck. One of the main reasons the professionals don't recommend staining wood decks is because of the amount of time and energy involved. Wood Stain Colors to Spice up Your Summer. Always start with a thoroughly clean surface area before attempting any other covering on a deck or patio. What to Use to Clean Deck Before Staining. Kay on Jul 22, 2017. The bleach that most are referring to when asking if it is safe on wood, is generally . The Spruce. BEST FOR PRESSURE WASHER: Karcher . Once your deck is clean, give it time to dry completely, then apply a sealer to keep it looking good for another year. Rinse the Deck with a Pressure Washer. Treat stains with oxygen bleach paste. Check out the washer's manual option to fix a proper spray pattern for your wooden deck. You can also clean mold from decking, remove moss from your deck, and clean algae from wood with our deck cleaners and brighteners: Messner's Cleaner and Brightener or the DeckWise Wood Deck Cleaner and Brightener. Attach a paint pad to the paint pole and make sure it's tight and secure. In stock and ready to use . Get a plastic bucket of 5-gallon capacity. The tip for a beautifully stained new deck is the first step, letting the deck weather before applying the cleaner, wood brightener, and stain. Apply the solution to the algae or mildew. Tips on painting or staining your deck. How to Clean a 10-Year-Old Front Deck Before Painting It. The oxygenated deck cleaners are concentrated powders that are mixed on-site with water. Blow it off with an air hose and use a mild detergent-based cleaner, preferably biodegradable. Should You Pressure Wash a Deck Before Staining? Cleaning a Deck Before Applying Stain. Then use a brush to apply the cleaner to your deck. Power washing a deck before staining will allow the wood to absorb the stain better and deeper. [Composite & Maintenance] : Requires no painting or staining. Take the extra time before applying your fresh wood stain to clean your deck. You must allow the cleaner to soak on the surface of the deck for up to 10 minutes before scrubbing. These cleaners contain sodium percarbonate, which is an EPA registered active ingredient for removing mold and mildew. On railings, use 80- to 100-grit sandpaper, and take pains to sand all surfaces and crevices. BEST WATER PROTECTION: Seal-Once Marine Premium . When using a deck cleaner, you'll need to first sweep the deck off to remove any loose debris and dust. Pour the stain into a paint-pad tray. Product Type: Powdered deck cleaner concentrate. Scrub your deck with a mop that has stiff, hard bristles. The best deck cleaner for mold on decks is an oxygenated deck cleaner. If the stain remains, repeat the soak and scrub. Apply the product. Stripping: Stripping removes old sealant . Scrub the wood surface with a stiff-bristle brush to remove loosened dirt and grime. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: SaverSystems #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Stain. Wait at least 2-3 days for the wood decking to fully dry before applying any deck stain or paint. Apply the solution as instructed above. Before you apply stain, make sure the surface is clean (no dust, dirt, wood fibers or grease), dry and free from mildew. Expect to pay $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot for a deck power wash and stain service. 4. Editors' Picks: Deck Stains for Weathered Wood in 2022. But, before you can apply a stain, you need to prepare your deck to accept it. In short, yes. Preparing to Wash. Just wash with soap, water and soft bristle brush or sanding sponge. When a deck is brand new usually the lumber is still very "green" and has high moisture content. Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner will help you easily remove dirt, build-up, algae and mildew. Here are four great wood stain colors that will really get your friends and family talking. "For example . Rinse off the deck cleaner and let the deck fully dry before moving on to the next step. As it penetrates the wood, it removes dirt, mildew, algae, mold, leaf marks, and other stains. Make sure the deck is completely dry and dust free, befoe staining. Woodrich EFC-38 wood cleaner was designed to clean and prep all exterior wood. Start by sweeping the deck with a broom to remove all loose debris, such as leaves and dirt that are sitting on the surface of the wood. We highly recommend using a deck cleaner when prepping your deck for a new coat of deck stain. Do I need to wash my deck before staining? An all-purpose deck cleaner with basic detergents will work for general dirt and grime. . DEFY Extreme 1 Gallon Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Stain. Let the bleach solution sit on the stain for 15 minutes, then scrub with a brush and rinse. Feel free to also submit a comment below. Woodrich EFC-38 Wood Cleaner. 2. EFC-38 is safe to use and makes an excellent tool for wood preparation prior to applying a wood coating. Mix water, detergent, and bleach inside it. Please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application . After a 30-day period, pour some water on your deck. Let the deck dry for two to three days before applying any stain, if possible. 6. Consider Legacy Painting Typically for cleaning wood, the sodium percarbonate cleaners fair much better than sodium hypochlorite bleach. Sanding a wood deck provides a clean, smooth surface and removes any splinters or rough patches. There are many ways to prep the surface before paint or staining, and our highly trained Pressure Washing crews are here to let you know the best methods. "Wood has pores, like concrete or our hands," Amabile says. This involves thorough cleaning and sanding. Before you even clean your deck, purchase the stain. Rinse your deck thoroughly using a garden hose or pressure washer and allow the deck 48 hours to dry, as stated earlier in this post. Apply a Wood Cleaner. Although you do not need to remove the stain, you do need to clean the deck first. Firstly, follow the manufacturer's instructions to set up. 8 Deck Staining Mistakes Most DIYers Make - Bob Vila. Now switch to the deck brightener and put the 40-45 degree tip on the wand and change the pressure to 1000 psi. Power wash your cedar deck like you did with the deck stripper, starting with the railings and bannisters first. Hiring a Deck Staining Contractor. What is the best way to clean a stained deck? Cleaning a deck before staining it is an easy task that many people avoid for . Let dry for a few days before any staining. BEST PRE-STAINING: Defy Wood Brightener. Then apply a layer of the deck cleaner to the deck. Find Out with 320+ Help Articles and . However, when wood is wet, the fibers rise to the surface, resulting in a rough surface. It's a critical first step for a beautiful, long-lasting finish. Allow your deck to thoroughly dry before you stain. A power wash deck before staining should not damage the wood or etch or dissolve the softwood fibers. When to Stain a New Deck: What Is the Best Time? deck, docks or fire pits. All of the top 3 deck cleaners we rated contain a blend of sodium percarbonate and special buffers that are designed to work on exterior wood. If the water is absorbed, it's ready to seal. Check the Wood for Old Stain and Other Issues. Hello deck pros - Question about the procedure on properly staining a deck. Thoroughly sweep the deck to remove all leaves and other debris. Photo: Amazon.com. When hiring a quality deck staining company to restore your deck or apply stain to a new deck, ask them about their process. Deck brightener doesn't need to be washed away after, but you should rinse your siding again. It's important to know whether sanding or power washing will yield the best results to properly stain. Allow the cleaner to set for approximately 15 minutes. Before sanding, make sure the wood is dry. Easy to Clean and Maintain - Unlike other wooden chairs, our Adirondack chairs require no special maintenance, no paint or stains, just soap, water and a soft brush or sand . If you want a great-looking deck, professional contractors recommend following these steps: Sweep the deck clean with a broom, Brush the deck to remove any dirt or grit. It's best to start with the railings and other vertical elements and work your way down. If you don't let the deck dry adequately before staining it, the water that the deck absorbed will push up the stain in about a week. Jason Niu Member. I would give the deck a light sand beforehand, then sweep and wash the deck afterwards. Inspect the Deck. Staining a deck will lead to less work in the future. BEST FOR PRESSURE-TREATED: Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent Wood Stain. - Legacy Painting . Then power up the machine and spray solution from top to bottom of the deck. Pour the mixture onto the stained decking, and allow it to soak into the wood for about 15 minutes. Step Four: Stain Deck Railings and Other Raised Parts. Schedule Your Pressure Washing Appointment Today! We'd also recommend using a deck brightener before staining your deck, though this step isn't required. Vacuum the railings thoroughly. Take the proper steps early in your staining project to enjoy the lasting benefits of a freshly refinished deck. Use a garden hose to wet down the entire deck. Now use low-pressure soap-dispensing nozzle and add the solution in the required manner. "The most important thing is to look at the preparation instructions on your stain to identify the right product to clean the deck before staining," advises Fuller. Soap and Water Mix one cup of liquid dish soap or laundry detergent in a bucket of warm water. Wash away the residue with a hose or pressure washer, using low to moderate pressure. The stain you choose will determine the best method to clean your deck. 5 Best Deck Stain for Weathered Wood Reviews. BEST OVERALL: Star brite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner. You need one-quart household bleach (also known as sodium hypochlorite solution), a one-three cup of powdered laundry detergent, and three quarts lukewarm water. Step 1: Pick the right stain type. Where to Buy: Online only. Liberally apply cleaner using a roller or pump sprayer (wear protective equipment to avoid contact with skin and eyes). They contain bonus surfactants that aid in boosting the total . STEP 3: Add deck cleaning solution to the pressure washer. 1. Apply stain to the deck boards. To treat a stubborn stain, mix just enough warm water with a small amount of powdered oxygen bleach to make a paste . Best Prep Methods Before Deck . Raised fibers on handrails can cause splinters. Spray the wood cleaner solution onto the deck and railings, then wait 10 minutes. If it beads up, the wood is still too wet to seal. Deck cleaners, such as the Wood Deck Cleaner and Brightener by DeckWise or the TimberTech Deck Cleaner, will lift and remove any . Original Post: Question About Deck Staining Procedure. Stains don't generally last more than a year. Apply stain to vertical sections.