Thus it is best to apply stain when it is overcast but not rainy. I power washed & sealed this table with Thompsons Water Seal (oil based/clear). The aftermath is an unsightly mess of splotches, flaking, and peeling coats of stain. To fix, remove all and start over. The 7 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings Find the Best Wood Deck Stain: Top-Rated Products Best Deck Stain and Sealer 2023 4.9/5 (20), Deck Stains: Different Types for 2023 4.8/5 (782). do i need to re-clean and re-apply more wash/prep before applying stain? If you use an oil-based stain, make sure you dispose of these things thoughtfully as they can become a fire hazard. But this also assumes optimal drying conditions, such as a sun-facing deck. Use extra fasteners to hold it before removing the clamp.". If you wait more than 2 weeks, you should redo the prep. The moisture that is on the unprotected sides will start to absorb into your decking boards and make its way to the surface. Decks can be built out of a variety of different materials. Dew, rain, or very high humidity penetrated after latex paint drieda common problem if the latex paint was of lower quality or if the substrate surface preparation was inadequate. Typically, pine is the cheapest lumber you can buy and its light color can make it seem like a blank canvas. It is best to leave the deck for as long as you can, but at least wait 12-24 hours and test the deck with bare feet first. Laurie Jones. Just apply where people touch such as the top of the railing. The choice between hardwood and softwood is the first thing to consider. i have treated my deck of old boards with cleaner and water sealer. Oh and I do plan to use one of your recommended brands when we redo next spring. All stain and prepping manufacturer directions were followed with our reviews and ratings. Softwood is a category of faster-growing species, often including evergreens and conifers such as Pine, Fir, Spruce, and Cedar. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. 2. If you are getting higher readings, the deck needs further air drying before applying the stain. Instructions for varnish tell you not to do the project on a rainy day. Any idea why the lines are there and how to fix it? What Happens if it Rains Sooner? Care must be taken though not to over-apply the stain as this can cause other issues like flaking and peeling. A solution is to use a bar clamp. 1. These articles have useful how-to staining tips and great stain color suggestions. Is this ok? Answer: Yes. If the damage is merely cosmetic and the deck stain feel and looks good except for a few splotches, you can apply stain to the areas that are lighter to attempt to blend them in with the rest of . So what do you do if it does rain shortly after staining? Hello! The use of a quality wood cleaner and pressure washer or scrub brush is necessary to remove all the contaminants like dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and graying. Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12-24 hours of rain being forecast. Because it forms a coating, it takes several hours to dry, and during that time, the sealer is vulnerable. Is it safe to apply more stain if needed after it thoroughly dries? If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to . Right away after cleaning is when to apply brightener. It was not fully cured before the rain came. He has become an authority in the deck restoration industry and has contributed to numerous wood restoration forums and informative sites. Here they are. It depends on the stain brand and how fast it dries. So first, look for white spots, blotches, and dime-sized spots to determine if the rain has affected your deck's stain. It should have had 2. No. There was actually a grill there with wheels that they moved, so that would make perfect sense. I think you would be wasting your money and time but I suppose you could test it. This is first and foremost a help site from our experience as wood restoration contractors. What to do about the fuzzies and white residue Will this go away on its own in a few weeks? The while looks like sap leeching out. Now that its dry it looks like there are some dry spots near the knots in the wood do you think I should apply another coat of the stain? I planned to stain it tomorrow with TWP 1500 Cedartone. You cannot spot fix, you would have to remove all and start over. It needs 12-24 hours depending on the location to dry well before it starts to rain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. Do you have questions about staining your wood deck or other wood surfaces? Rain on a newly stained deck can ruin it. 1. Question is: should we pressure wash and re seal it or is it okay for the upcoming winter? If you are using latex, if you can get it on for 4 to 6 hours before a light rain, it will have dried enough to survive without spotting. The age of the wood and type of timber being stained will also be a consideration. Due to the windows of weather opportunities between rains and needing the boards dried before sanding, I could only manage one coat on each section. Adding more does not always work as well and can create issues with over-application. You cannot apply a deck stain over a deck sealer. Do I have to wait for them to dry to recoat.? Telltale signs are a damaged appearance and discoloration. If it did, you'll need to sand some, and possibly re-coat. If the damage is merely cosmetic and the deck stain feel and looks good except for a few splotches, you can apply stain to the areas that are lighter to attempt to blend them in with the rest of the deck. Thinking I should hold off on the 2nd coat, hope the first holds up well, and then do a 2nd when there is less likelihood of rain. If it does not cure and dry on its own in a few weeks then you will have to remove it fully and start over. We live in western Washington state and applied Australian Timber Oil to our deck that has not been maintained since being built about 14 years ago. Thank you so much! Wait for the deck to dry completely and the forecast to indicate no rain before refinishing or touching up the stain on the deck. They pressure washed, sanded, then stained with Cabot Australian Timber Oil. The pics show it several days after staining was done. For pressure treated decks, we recommend Spa N Deck from Flood or Wood RX. Not sure if any of this might be related). Am I able to apply a second coat over Cabot solid stain because the wood soaked in the first coat as fast as I could roll or hand paint it and the surface shows small splits. Is it OK to stain wood while it's . Curing time is a lot longer, but the skim drying is much faster for latex than oil. Make sure to post pictures. Pressure wash off the blotches and then lightly recoat all. Softwoods are typically treated with preservative chemicals and are a more economical choice initially though they will need annual maintenance to maximize the life of a softwood deck. Decking stain differs from paint in a significant way: Stain soaks into the bare woods pores to become part of the top layers of wood. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. Would that be more washable than the Olympic stain? One of the worst things in the world is to have your deck rained on before the new stain dries. I used Cabot correct deck stain 1st coat and it looks like its going to rain after 6 hours of drying time. Explanation: If rain is in the forecast we will hold until a better time to apply sealer, however if it rains after sealer is applied and it has been warm and at least 3 hours, it usually will be fine. Handyman used messmers oil for ipe deck. Be sure to apply sealant as soon as the wood . If you have to apply deck stain, do it after the sun has passed over your deck and is no longer directly beating on it. What caused this and how do I fix it? White spots. Thanks in advance for your advice! While a light rain will not affect it, a heavy downpour may result in extensive damage. Try applying stain in an inconspicuous spot to see if it fixes the rain damage. Water-based stains dry quickly and generally last four to six years, but theyll eventually peel and require more prep work before recoating. You can apply this afternoon. Some stains can handle rain shortly after being applied better than others. You cannot assess until the rain water dries off. What do we do.. thanks for your help!! All finishes, including stains and paint, have trouble drying in moist conditions. Thank you for the speedy reply and helpful information! What happens if it rains on freshly stained decks? Is there anything I can do to get rid of the sticky parts to keep excess dirt and grime from collecting over the winter? Thank you. Dont cover it. Deck seems to have oil mixing with the rain. When I touch the wood its like the stain is wet again. Thank you so much for your help. DeckStainHelp.com Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | About DeckStainHelp.com | Trusted Articles | Community Forum, 17 hours ago by Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993, 21 hours ago by Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993. It rained when it wasn't supposed to! If the stain is peeling or flaking off because of rain, you will have to sand the deck to remove the peeling stain and begin the entire process again. Class Action Lawsuit Against Olympic Rescue It, Choosing the Best Deck Stain Stripper: Tips and Reviews, Wood and Deck Stain Review Videos Deck Stain Help, Best Deck Stain & Prep Videos Deck Stain Help, Prepping a Wood Deck Videos Deck Stain Help, Restore-A-Deck Stain & Prep Videos Deck Stain Help. The stickiness could have happened for many reasons: If you remember doing any of these, you can take the following steps: Rain will damage your deck and alter the stain if the stain does not have enough time to dry. Thanks for your quick reply. Thanks again for your help. Looks fine. If it rains in less than 48 hours after you have stained your deck, for example, the water will soak right into the pores of the wood and displace the stain in the process. Within 2 hours of staining the deck it began to downpour. It is also extremely important to prep the wood before staining with an oxalic acid wood conditioner, this will remove mill glaze and open the pores of the wood to accept a stain. Water beading and drying on the deck will cause these marks. Some woods like Cedar, Cypress, and Redwood have a natural resistance to rotting and therefore are better suited to a water-based stain. What should we do now? Forty-eight hours gives your structure enough time to dry, promoting stain adhesion to the surface. However, you can fix some of these damages using a second coat. Once you are within the time frame recommended for a second coat try applying the stain in an inconspicuous spot to see if it fixes the rain damage. The length of precipitation determines the amount of damage your deck stain will get from the weather. What Happens if it Rains Before Deck Stain Dries? I waited a full day (recommendations on the can say not to apply within 24hrs of rain) after and put some more water on the area and got the same pinkish look under the sun, but the wet deck out of the sun (second picture) looks normal . 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what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck