How many dry days do you need to stain a deck?

Most oil-based stains must dry for at least 12 hours before they are exposed to any moisture/rain; however, Ready Seal

Ready Seal

Ready Seal® Stain and Sealer for Wood is an oil-based, semitransparent stain and sealer in one. It is a unique blend of oil, quality resins and finely ground pigments that penetrate deeply to protect and preserve the wood from the elements.

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Ready Seal® Stain Technical Data Sheet

, if properly applied to prepped and dried wood, can get wet within a couple of hours, and it won't wash away. Oil-based stains will generally take 24-72 hours to fully cure.

How do I know when my deck is dry enough to stain?

Another way of checking if your wood is ready for stain is to pour a little water on the wood. If the water beads up, the lumber still too wet to be stained or painted. If the water is absorbed into the wood easily, it's ready to be sealed or stained.

How long should you let a deck dry before staining?

In perfect drying conditions, 48 hours is enough for the wood to get to where it needs to be before staining. Decks that don't get much sun should be given an extra day to dry out. If after a day or two the wood still looks wet or there are soft spots, give it more time to dry out.

Can I stain my deck in one day?

Most can be stained in one weekend, plus a few days of dry time. Plan to stain your deck when the weather is dry, and the temperature is between 50 and 90°F. The stain needs time to be absorbed into the wood before it dries thoroughly, so avoid staining your deck in direct sunlight.

What if it rains 12 hours after staining deck?

If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off.

Ideal Conditions to Stain Your Deck

Is it better to stain a deck in the morning or evening?

Don't apply your deck stain in the direct sun; choose morning or evening hours, or a time of day when your deck has shade. Morning application can be a safer choice to help avoid any contact with dew that sets in overnight. Don't apply more stain than the wood can absorb.

What is the best temperature to stain deck?

The ideal temperature range for application is between 50 and 80 degrees and it is important to choose a day when no rain is expected for 24 hours.

What month is best to stain a deck?

Because you want to wait for days that aren't excessively hot or humid, the best times to apply deck stains are in the late spring and early fall, when the weather is moderately warm and dry.

Does a new deck need 2 coats of stain?

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.

Can you walk on a stained deck the next day?

Keep off Newly Painted or Stained Deck

In average conditions, your paint or stain will be dry to the touch within 1-2 hours, but you should not walk on it for probably 4-6 hours. In cooler weather or during periods of high humidity, you will need to wait even longer than this.

Is it OK if it rains after staining deck?

If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off.

Does deck stain dry faster in the sun?

If you stain your deck in the summer, make sure you do it out of the direct sunlight. Applying a deck stain in direct sun will cause the stain to dry to quickly and can result in premature stain failure. In the summer, stain your deck in the morning or evening so the deck surface isn't too hot.

Can I stain my deck over 2 days?

The larger your deck is, the longer your deck staining project will take. A safe estimate for a moderately-sized deck is 1-2 days. If you have an existing deck that is in need of a good power washing, it is safe to add at least an extra day on to your total project time.

Is it better to brush or roll stain on a deck?

The first and most obvious reason to roll on deck stain as opposed to brushing it on is that the former allows you to cover a much larger surface area in less time. Rollers are wider, more efficient, and easier to operate. Additionally, using a roller helps you achieve a smoother finish.

Can you stain a deck too much?

With staining, you'll know if you've over-applied your deck stain because there will be sticky patches or puddles that just aren't drying—the wood has absorbed all it can, so the remaining stain has nowhere to go.

How can I dry my deck fast?

If humid conditions exist, you should give the deck at least another 48 hours beyond normal drying time to allow the wood to dry out. In addition, bright days with plenty of sun and direct warmth speed up the drying process to the minimum of 24 to 48 hours.

How much will 5 gallons of stain cover?

How many square feet will 5 gallons of deck stain cover? With 5 gallons of deck stain, you can cover around 875 ft² of deck area. This result is an approximation — it depends on the type of wood and the number of coats you plan to apply.

Can you just seal a deck and not stain it?

A: It's really up to you. Just staining the deck will give you the color you want, although in high-traffic areas the stain could wear away quickly. Many deck companies recommend using a combination stain/sealer product, which is basically a sealer with pigment added.

How long should you not walk on a deck after staining?

In most cases a full body stain or acrylic deck finish will be dry to touch within an hour in dry, hot weather. After two hours you could take a chance and walk on it with shoes, though I'd recommend barefoot. After about 4 hours you should be able to safely walk on your deck.

How long after pressure washing can I stain my deck?

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.

What deck stain dries the fastest?

Ronseal Quick Drying Decking Stain makes your deck look great without taking all day to do it. Unlike other stains, there's no need to strip back each year, simply clean the deck and reapply. It can be recoated in just 15 minutes!

Is it better to stain a deck light or dark?

Darker Color Stains Will Last Longer. The more pigment in the stain formula, the more it will protect against sun damage. For example, a completely clear wood stain will provide no UV protection at all.

Can I use a roller to stain my deck?

Rollers are a great way to apply wood stain as well for the speed at which you can apply the stain. However, when using rollers can be a disadvantage when you have hard to reach areas. If you are going to use a roller to apply your stain, make sure to have a brush as well for those hard to reach areas.

What happens if you stain deck too early?

If you stain pressure-treated wood too soon, the stain will be unable to fully penetrate the wood, and you will not get the protective benefits of the stain. What is the best stain for pressure-treated wood? An oil-based stain is the best for pressure-treated wood.

Is it OK to stain deck in the fall?

Fall is the perfect time to take on the task of staining your deck. Not only will you not roast in the sweltering summer temperatures, but the cooler fall weather is ideal for staining. Most deck stains recommend that they be used when outdoor temperatures are above 50 and below 90.