How to Stain a Previously Stained Deck

Posted by krestin on May 26th, 2019

If you are looking to add character and some warmth to your patio furniture, then you should get a stained deck.

But to get a nice stained deck, there are some tips you need to know since it depends on numerous factors: exposure, the quality of your materials, what do you use it for, climate and application. They all affect how long your exterior stain job would last; the staining may last somewhere from five to fifteen years. And if you're dealing with a deck that is already stained and just needs some updates, then your opportunities of knowing what to do will increase.

We provided some tricks and tips to help you with your work.

Step Number One: Preparation

Take a look at the physical condition of the deck, to check if it needs any repairs. And then decide if you will re-stain the floor with the same old stain color, or use another one, you can go for either a lighter stain or a darker one.

The choice of color you opt for doesn't really matter, you need to prepare the deck's surface perfectly so it would be ready to get the new stain.

If the surface of the deck you are working on is small you can scrub the deck by hand; if it is large, you can use an automatic washer.

Power Washers:

Almost every power washer has a built-in detergent container, so you can simply fill it with some deck cleaning product, just make sure you follow the instructions provides and find a detergent that goes well with your deck's material. This will ensure every trace of dirt, stains, and mildew gets cleared off the surface.

Manual Cleaning:

Make a solution mix of deck cleaning detergent and clean water, all while following the instructions, then apply while using a new brush. Make sure you get every area done and rinse it with water.

After you finish, let it rest until the wood is completely dry. And then get to applying the second coat of stain.

If you're using some oil-based stain, let it dry for three days, and if it's a water-based stain, one or two days are enough.

Step Two: Choose the Color of Your Stain

The wood stain for exterior furniture can be either a semi-transparent or a solid finish, and to know what type you should use, you need to check what kind of stain is used on your deck.

The semi-transparent stain provides a natural look and makes the wood naturally shiny, while the solid stain is opaquer.For more detail visit mechanopedia

However, staining a previous stain, you need to choose the perfect stain based on your current finish

If your last staining is:

• Light stain - You can either opt for a light stain similar to the old one or a darker one, and you don't need to go through any additional preparation.
• Dark stain- You need to sand the wood in order to get rid of the old staining if you're aiming for a lighter color.
• Semi-transparent stain - Just use some solid stain or the same kind of old stain to cover the existing staining.
• Solid stain - You need to cover it with a second coat of solid finish.

Step Three: Application

The process is simple, first, apply a tiny amount of stain in a small unnoticeable area to test it, if the deck ends up with a protective finish, then follow these tips:

• Work in small sections.
• Allow the first coat to dry correctly before adding the second one.
• You need to work on achieving long and smooth strokes, so use a paint pad or a roller or even a brush and apply your stain slowly.
• To avoid pooling and mediocre stain work, apply a thin coat one at a time.