If the coat is flaking off or peeling, the chances are that the rain hit it too soon after application. Unfortunately, you cannot mend this kind of damaged coat. Instead, you will have to sand it down and strip it from your deck, then go over the entire process again.
If you can only see a few imperfections around the place, the damage is minimal and merely cosmetic. You can mend this damage by applying a second layer of the same stain to the affected areas. The first thing to do is read the label on the stain container for instructions on applying an additional coat of the stain. Also, you will want to wait for the deck to be completely dry before attempting to apply the correcting layer of stain.
Do not apply stain if the forecast indicates rain before 24 to 48 hours. Once the situation has satisfied these conditions, start applying the stain in an inconspicuous area before touching up the entire deck.
While doing this touchup, keep in mind that oil-based stains will need more time to absorb the wood. In some cases, you will have to wash the wood with a pressure washer to strip the damaged layer before recoating it.
Now, there are instances where your newly stained deck may not be dry enough to weather the sting of rainfall even after the recommended 48 hours. It is important to know these instances to tell when your deck stain will take longer to cure; plan your woodworking project accordingly. If you look at the labels on different deck stains, you will notice different recommended drying times.
This is because the products used to make different wood stains behave differently, making some stains cure sooner than others. Unlike oil paint or stain, water-based stains are one group of deck stains that will take less time to cure and prepare for the rains. The water in these stains can evaporate much quicker and leave the deck dry in a matter of hours after application. If you paint or stain your deck with an oil-based product, you can expect it to take more time to prepare for use and rainfall.
This is because these stains are denser and generally take longer to dry compared to water-based stains. For this reason, it is a good idea to check and pay attention to the type of stain you intend to use. Make this decision as part of your planning process. Notice that the drying process that stain undergoes technically involves the stain settling into the wood grain and not drying away.
For this process to happen, the pores inside the wood need to be open to accommodate the stain. Unfortunately, moisture tends to occupy much of these pores when the wood is new, leaving little room for the stain to enter during the curing process. Therefore, when you paint or stain new wood with high moisture content, the stain will struggle to get absorbed into the wood. Consequently, the stained deck will often take longer to cure, whether using a water-based stain or oil-based.
Experts recommend waiting for at least six months before staining a new deck. During this period, the wood will shed off much of its moisture and be in a position to cure better when you finally stain it.
Before staining a deck, it is best to allow the wood to air dry for at least 24 to 48 hours. This is because rainwater has the same effect on the stain as new wood. When it rains, the rainwater seeps into the pores inside the wood. Since wood stain needs the space inside these pores to cure, having rainwater occupy these pores will leave the stain with little room in the wood pores, which may prolong the drying process.
Curing involves stain settling on the wood surface and into its pores, drying thoroughly, and setting its final color. The roomier the pores are, the more seamless this process will be. Wood stain manufacturer Behr Corporation warns against staining a deck too soon after it rains before 48 hours elapse.
According to this company, the dampness in the wood will keep the stain from adhering to the deck correctly. The result is a thinner final coat of stain that can easily wash off after only a few incidents of a downpour. If you stain or paint a wet deck after it just rained, the stained deck is likely to take a while longer to dry. Your deck stain will cure better if the wood is porous—the more porous the wood, the better the pace at which your wood stain will cure.
Woods such as cedar, oak, ash, and chestnut are generally more porous and will stain better than the less porous hardwoods. Check out stains for cedar siding. This means that a deck made of hardwood will likely take longer to dry enough to withstand rainfall than an oak wood structure.
Your deck could be made of softwoods that have been pressure treated to make them resilient against biological agents of deterioration such as wood-boring bugs, rot, and fungus. Usually, this is a way to afford a durable decking at a cost lower than that of hardwoods such as Teak, Cherry, and Tigerwood. That being the case, newly treated wood will need time to dry after constructing the deck or following an annual maintenance pressure treatment.
Deck staining is not recommended immediately after this kind of treatment. If you apply the stain to a new pressure-treated deck, you can expect it to take longer to dry. Most woodworkers, homeowners, and painters will tell you that it is a bad idea to consider staining your deck within hours of rain being forecast. Much as I discourage you from applying stains when it is about to rain, I also know that the weather is unpredictable.
So what do you do when it rains with 12 hours of staining? You can do less once it has started raining, so you will have to wait until the rain ceases. Drizzles or light rains will likely not affect your deck in any way. In the events of heavy downpour, expect to see great levels of damages. Pay close attention to little pockets, white spots, and blotches that are present on your deck.
In most, if not all cases, the spots on your surface after the rains are in the size of a dime. They indicate damage from the rain. One way of doing away with the spots is by the use of a light recoat. In case this does not help fix the issue, you can try another way, which involves the use of wood cleaner and a pressure washer to clean the surface without necessarily damaging the stain on the deck. Additionally, you can go the sanding way to remove the spots.
Use a wood sander for sanding the spots then follow it with the recoating lightly. Even as you do the recoating, ensure that you do not over apply the stain to avoid issues such as peeling or flaking of the finish. If all the methods that I have stated above are not helping you remove the spots from your deck, you should consider stripping the entire structure and start over again. Staining the deck, as you already know, is vital to help prolong its service life.
Many homeowners still find it a big deal to stain their structure and, in the process, incur extra costs hiring professional deck stainers. Well, staining the deck is not as complicated as you might imagine. Below are some of the critical steps involved in the staining of the deck for a perfect finish. Gallons of top quality deck stains Depending on the size of your deck. Even as you sweep clean your structure, ensure that you are working on a clear sunny day with no forecast for rain, at least for the next 48 hours.
Sweep your surface using the broom; if you are working with a new deck, sweeping alone is enough to clean the surface. However, in the case of an old deck, you will need to use a pressure washer. Maximum pressure of psi would do; however, you choose and can still decide to use a pressure lower than that provided it is working for you.
It is key that when you want to stain your deck, you decide and make it clear of the areas on your deck that you want to start your stain and where you shall stop.
The length of time needed to ensure a stain is dry before using the area cannot be easily answered without first outlining the number of variables in the equation. Not all stains and not all woods respond in the same way. From a purely technical perspective, the process that occurs through staining is more of a curing process than an actual drying process.
Curing is the time taken for the stain to settle into the surface of the wood, dry fully, and set its final color. Wood stain essentially cures itself. Stain cured under wet or otherwise unsuitable conditions may become contaminated, discolored, or develop mold. Additionally, before staining, the wood should be allowed to air dry for hours after it has been cleaned.
It also pays to factor in the drying time between a first and second coat and of course, how long it is likely to take to apply the stain. This will no doubt depend on your experience, the size of the deck, and the tools you have available for use.
Undercover decks will take longer to dry in certain conditions, so allow for this when planning the project and when to use your deck after staining. The kind of weather the outdoor deck will be exposed to also plays a factor in determining the best stain-base for your project. An oil-based stain is the best choice if the deck is going to be directly exposed to wind, rain, and sunlight. Deck stains are generally used for preserving and protecting exterior wood.
They provide water repellency, UV protection, reduce fungal growth, and enhance the natural beauty of the wood. If the deck you intend to stain is covered in a previous coating of paint or stain, certain steps should be taken to achieve a new protective, even layer.
Although it may be challenging to establish what the previous layer is, it will help decide whether to choose an oil-based or water-based stain. Stain, therefore, lasts for a long time if it is appropriately applied.
Rain on a newly stained deck can ruin it or, at best, create a lot of extra work. Stain penetrates the wood best when the wood is cool and dry. The key to coating new timber is ensuring the tannins and oils have been removed. This is called leaching. This can be done through a natural weathering process or by applying commercial timber preparations.
This will ensure the final finish of your coating will look amazing and last longer. It is not a good idea to apply deck stain in full sun but wait until the sun has passed over your deck. Wait for the deck slats to cool down before applying the stain.
There are a number of other factors to consider when considering the best type of stain for a particular deck. The age of the wood and type of timber being stained will also be a consideration. Some woods like Cedar, Cypress, and Redwood have a natural resistance to rotting and therefore are better suited to a water-based stain.
The choice of stain will also be influenced by the preference for an oil-based or water-based stain. These different options will provide different results and will require variations in handling. Some stains cannot be sold legally because of varying state laws. When possible, test the stain on an inconspicuous section of the decking.
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