Tips for Staining a Deck
The most common problem that do-it-yourselfers encounter when working on a
project is that they are not knowledgeable of certain techniques. Many assume
that just by looking at an instruction manual or a DIY handbook, they will be
able to achieve the "look" as shown in the pictures.
For instance, when a wood staining job is undertaken, many people believe that
more is better. This is actually not the case, as majority of deck finishes tend
to penetrate deep into the wood. Excessive application of these chemicals would
result in a buildup of material that would eventually lead to the formation of
an unsightly film. This film may even crack or peel over time and will be very
difficult to repair.
Over-application of water-repellant products can also result in an overly sticky
and waxy shell. When these are applied one after the other, the stickiness would
be difficult to get rid of as the layers have not been dried enough.
Preparing the deck surface for staining
The durability of your new deck finish will be determined by how well you have
primed and prepared the wooden deck surface. Ensure that the surface has been
thoroughly cleaned and dried. Check for mildew and grime that has made their way
into the crevices, and remove them all, too.
Guidelines for applying stains
First, mix all the cans of chemicals to insure uniformity in color. Although you
are using factory-mixed color, you still should go through this step, as even
these can be tinted differently from batch to batch.
Take a 5-gallon paint and fill it with approximately four gallons of stain.
Using a mixing paddle, stir the mixture and regularly agitate it during
application. Before starting on the actual work area, test a small amount of the
stain on a corner of the deck to confirm if it's really the color you're looking
for.
When you reach the one-gallon level, add another gallon if required. Don't wait
for the chemicals to get totally used up before adding another batch. This
prevents obvious demarcations in color where the new batch has been applied. |
