Backyard Patio Prep: Staining Your Deck

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Staining your deck to have that fresh, new look is just what you need to get into the spring and summer mood. Here are some tips for staining like a pro:

Having spent my entire adult life working with paints and stains, I've seen many homeowners who end up dissatisfied with their deck staining projects. Either it didn’t look as good as they thought that would, or it didn't last as long. Following these steps will help guarantee a great looking, long-lasting result.

Step 1: Take your Time

With every step of the staining process, take your time. When the project is completed and your tools are cleaned and put away, nothing will have had a greater impact on the quality of the job. Here's a few tips before you get started. Take your time to allow new pressure treated lumber to weather for a few months and dry out before staining it. Allow stain strippers to be left on the surface long enough to break down old finishes before you rinse it off. Take your time to prevent overspray and spills on non-target surfaces and wait to start your project until the weather forecast is favorable.

Step 2: Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

Preparation is key to the final results. All wood needs to be cleaned well before staining, whether it’s a brand new deck, or an older deck that’s been out in the weather and needs to be re-stained. Brand new lumber needs to be cleaned to remove “mill scale”. Mill scale is a crushing of the grain that takes place during the milling process. If it's left un-cleaned, it can prevent wood stains from properly penetrating into the wood surface.

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