Should you pressure wash deck before staining?

There is a common misconception that just pressure washing a deck prior to staining is all you need to do in order to prep your deck for stain. Pressure washing can help, but if you want your stain to last, using a good deck cleaner and brightener on the deck prior to pressure washing will provide you the best result.

Should you power wash before staining a deck?

Taking your time is key to power washing a deck successfully. Now that the wood has been cleaned and stripped of grime, you can sand it and apply your stain of choice. Power washing a deck before staining will allow the wood to absorb the stain better and deeper.

What happens if you don't clean deck before staining?

But don't just slap a coat of stain on in a hurry — you'll need to clean your deck before staining it. If you stain a deck without cleaning and prepping it first, the results will look blotchy, uneven, and, well, amateur. Any time you save skipping the cleaning stage, you'll spend twice over repairing the botched job.

What is the best way to clean a deck before staining?

How long after pressure washing deck Can you stain?

The short answer is 48 hours. You should wait at least two days after pressure washing your deck before you consider staining it, to give time for it to dry. Now let's talk about specifics. Cleaning your deck is an all important first step in the staining process.

How To Clean And Stain A Deck

Does power washing damage a deck?

If you have timber deck boards, a power washer's pressure may cause splintering and damage to the timber fibers. If the timber surface already has some splintering, pressure washing will only exacerbate the issue.

What if it rains after I power wash my deck?

Rain really will not hurt unless the deck is wet when you seal it. If wet when sealed depending on the type of sealer it may be ok (water based) or with oil based it will not adhere as well.

Should you power wash or sand a deck first?

DO sand your deck before sealing. It can take up to 48 hours for the deck to fully dry. At that point, lightly sand the surface to remove splintery or fuzzy patches caused by pressure-washing the deck. A pole sander with 80-grit sandpaper will suffice; a power sander is overkill.

How do you prepare wood before staining?

Sand Thoroughly

The best way to stain wood is to prepare the wood surface by sanding it with a sanding block or orbital sander. Sandpaper with a lower grit number will make wood rougher, allowing more stain to absorb and creating a darker color.

How do you clean weathered wood before staining?

Wet the wood surface and apply the BEHR PREMIUM^® All-in-One Wood Cleaner with a pump sprayer. Wait 15 minutes then scrub the wet surface with a stiff bristled brush. Rinse the wood surface thoroughly. Once the surface has completely dried, you're ready to coat with a BEHR stain or finish product.

Do I have to clean wood before staining?

You need a smooth surface with no blemishes because stain will highlight scratches and dings in the wood. Always sand down to clean wood (if you have enough meat left of the wood) before applying any stain.

How many coats of stain should you put on a deck?

We always recommend two coats of stain for any wood project, but you should only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain. The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much as the wood can absorb.

When should I power wash my deck?

Frequency. Most home maintenance contractors recommend power washing your deck once a year. An annual wash will keep your deck in optimal condition, cutting down on accumulation of dirt, mildew, or algae growth.

Do you have to remove all old stain before restaining a deck?

You do not ALWAYS have to strip off old stains when staining a previously stained deck if you are applying the same stain type, color, and brand as the old one. Since deck stains penetrate deep into the wood, they prevent moisture buildup and protect your deck from mold UV rays and rot.

Is it better to stain wood with a brush or rag?

The best way to apply stain is with a lint free rag and wiping it into the grain of the wood. Using a lint free rag is the best way to apply wood stain because it is great for controlling the amount of stain that is applied and for removing any excess stain.

Can you stain over stain without sanding?

Can you restain wood without sanding? While some light sanding may be advised for almost all stain projects, it is possible to avoid heavy sanding and stripping of existing stain. Using a gel stain means that you can avoid the heavy sanding and stripping usually required by traditional staining projects.

Should I sand my deck before staining?

Sand the Deck

If you plan to stain the deck, sand the surface before application to make the wood better absorb the coating. Use an orbital sander to remove any old gloss and smooth out any rough areas on decking boards. You may need to use a sanding sponge on the railings or balustrades.

Can you use a pressure washer surface cleaner on a wood deck?

Surface Cleaning Your Deck

High-pressure surface cleaners can easily remove dirt and debris from the surface layer of your deck. Power washing is one of the fastest ways to clean a wood deck, but it's important to be careful, as you can ruin your deck without taking the proper precautions.

Do I need to sand my deck after power washing?

Deck sanding – this task is essential when it comes to the maintenance of your deck, especially after cleaning it or before staining/sealing it.

Do you need to sand after pressure washing?

After pressure cleaning, sometimes sand is blasted out of place. Re-sanding is recommended where necessary. Most people think that the sand needs to come all the way to the surface. Sand is securing the pavers together and does not need to be seen to do its job.

How long should a deck dry before staining?

After a deck has been power washed it will have some retained moisture within the wood. It's important to let the wood dry thoroughly so none of the water that soaked into the wood gets trapped under the stain. In perfect drying conditions, 48 hours is enough for the wood to get to where it needs to be before staining.

How much to pressure wash and stain a deck?

$450 – $1,000 Average Total. The average cost to power wash, stain, and seal a deck is $1.57 to $4.04 per square foot. A 12x12 deck costs $226 to $582 to stain when paying someone, or $59 to $176 to stain it yourself.

How do you clean pressure treated wood before staining?

Wash the Wood

Allow it to dry before staining. Wash the pressure-treated wood with a deck cleaner, scrubbing the wood surface with a brush while wet. Use a pressure washer if the wood has tough stains. Allow the wet cleaner to soak into the wood for about 10 minutes or to manufacturer's directions.