Water-based stains dry quickly and generally last four to six years, but theyll eventually peel and require more prep work before recoating. Remove and start over. Do I have to sand it? Strip and brighten to remove. Despite the rain, the deck hasn't come out too badly. I was hoping to apply a second coast this afternoon, or is this too soon? What happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck? You should notice the wood brightening up right away. It became very foggy and had tons of moisture on it. 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. The only downside to a water-based deck stain is high maintenance. If it rains before your stained deck completely dries, the rainwater will soak into the wood's pores and displace the stain. If the surface dried enough to touch and the rain was gentle, you may not have too much of a problem, but a good downpour can spoil your handiwork. What Happens if it Rains on a Freshly Stained Fence? Thank you in advance. Additionally, the area may not have been properly prepped or cleaned before staining, which could allow dirt and moisture to seep through and affect the quality of the stain. Cleaning a deck via pressure washing is one of the most controversial topics in the woodworking community. Wet wood can impact the look of your newly stained deck. I sanded it back when we had a few good sunny days and reoiled. Thanks again for your help. Good Luck! 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. If your stain has been drying for close to 48 hours, this may not happen. Make sure to post pictures. What caused this and how do I fix it? 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. If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. Curing time is a lot longer, but the skim drying is much faster for latex than oil. On the other hand if the stain is still wet and sitting atop the surface, rain can cause separation circles or may completely wash the stain away. Saturate oily rags in water when done to avoid spontaneous combustion. If a bubble remains after the surface dries, however, you'll need to scrape it off and repaint. 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. Because wood absorbs moisture from rain and snow, and when the sun comes out and dries the wood out, the moisture vapor from the wood needs to be able to pass through the stain and escape. We recommend that you use a type of hardwood for your deck. The weather plays a significant role in how quickly the varnish dries and how its looks when it is finished. Apply a finish remover, such as ABR Fast Finish Remover. It happened because Thompsons is a very poor product and should not be used for hardwoods. Stain, therefore, lasts for a long time if it is appropriately applied. 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? Hi Scott, I put on my first coat of Behrs solid wood stain yesterday and finished around 2pm. The type and brand of stain can make a difference as well. -Before asking a question if rain harmed your deck, wait until the rain stops and the water fully dries off the deck or wood. An oil-based stain is the best choice if the deck is going to be directly exposed to wind, rain, and sunlight. I am sure we are fine, but just wanted confirmation that everything is good, so I dont drive myself crazy. Here are seven problems you may encounter on your newly stained deck when it rains: Read on to discover the problems that a downpour can cause before your deck stain dries. WOODCRITIQUE, Tips for Staining a Deck in a Rainy Climate (thestewartlumberco.com), Water resistant woods: this is what you should know | homify, The wood did not absorb all of the deck stain coat, 1. Does that sound right? What happens if it rains on a freshly oiled deck? You may need to remove all and start over. Telltale signs are a damaged appearance and discoloration. If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to displace the stain. Bulky items such as umbrella stands, grills, or planters should really stay off the deck for a week as if the stain is not fully cured, heavy furniture may stick to the stain and peel the stain away if moved. I live in Australia so not familiar with the TWP or Armstrong Clark stains. Fortunately, you can avoid rain damage to a newly-stained deck by using a water seal in rainy climates. If you stain your deck when it rains, you must ensure that it dries before the rain begins. Some woods like Cedar, Cypress, and Redwood have a natural resistance to rotting and therefore are better suited to a water-based stain. Additionally, before staining, the wood should be allowed to air dry for 24-48 hours after it has been cleaned. If the deck is in a high traffic area or provides an access point to the interior of the house, consider how you and others will access the house while the newly-stained deck is drying. Oil-stained decks are a different story since oil needs more time to penetrate the wood. Clean, Strip, or Sand the, Deck Stain Calculator How Much Deck Stain. As you may be aware, moisture in the wood inhibits the stain from properly adhering to the wood, causing a thinner . Just fix it next Spring. (the weather app said no rain) It rained hard for 15 minutes (as we ran around in horror trying to tarp the deck LOL). When I touch the wood its like the stain is wet again. I was planning to apply the 2nd coat of stain sealer today but now itsraining. Stains do vary, so check the label first. 2. 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. washed it down with deck cleaner, scrub brush, and power washer, then applied semi-transparent deck stain (sikkens srd) over old stain. Make sure you use a clean brush and the same stain, both by style and manufacturer. Ok, I researched & noticed you recommend Restore a Deck. You could use a cleaning solution that will help to remove the gray fibers, dirt, mold, mildew, and other impurities deep in the wood. If your newly stained deck gets wet before it dries, you should follow this procedure: If all else fails, you might have to strip the stain off the deck and restain the deck. After a 30-day period, pour some water on your deck. One way to measure if the deck is dry enough for staining is by using a moisture meter to measure the amount of moisture in the wood. Rain on Deck Stain Issues It is best to never stain any exterior wood when inclement weather is forecasted, especially rain. Now the forecast has changed, and rain is expected about 36 hours after staining. Not sure if any of this might be related). Water beaded on surface and it looked perfect. Thank you . I forgot to mention the rails and posts are white. Copyright www.deckstainhelp.com 2022 All Rights Reserved. My wood boards are underneathmy deck and was getting wet so i wiped them with a cloth and propted them up so rain could run down and not rest on. What if it rains within 24 hours of staining a deck? After the brightener has done its job simply rinse the deck again for 20 minutes . Even after drying all the way. Rain on a newly stained deck can ruin it or, at best, create a lot of extra work. New Product Alert TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series! Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993, (as we ran around in horror trying to tarp the deck LOL). The knots always stain lighter in color and that is normal as well. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/. The railing tops, skirt and in-between the boards got their first coat. 2. Not all stains and not all woods respond in the same way. I put down a Thermory kiln dried spruce deck, and am ready to coat it with their Cutek wood protecting oil. No, it does not go away. The deck stains that require you to hose off the deck after application are usually the most water-resistant. Softwood is a category of faster-growing species, often including evergreens and conifers such as Pine, Fir, Spruce, and Cedar. Whether they changed the formula (I suspect they did) or wether it just could not take any more stain, it needed to be stripped and sanded. White spots. 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). Most areas seem to be fine but there are some white marks and just one board that has some bubbles as shown in the picture. This will ensure the final finish of your coating will look amazing and last longer. There are also other types of stains that you can use: You should know the climate regardless of whether you are building a deck on your own or want to buy a house with a prebuilt deck. 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. Do I have to wait for them to dry to recoat.? Charleston, South Carolina Lots, See this for new wood tips and what we suggest:, I am sorry but you really have no idea what. Most likely okay. See pictures attached. Forty-eight hours gives your structure enough time to dry, promoting stain adhesion to the surface. Try a gallon of the same color in another brand of quality solid stain. Im so afraid of the latter. Its behr semi Do you think I can chance it if the rain is supposed to start about 10 to 12 hours from now? Much will depend on the outside temperature, the stain being used, and decking material. Use the pressure washer again at the same PSI. To fix, remove all and start over. No, it needs airflow and sun to properly cure and dry. You should apply stain to your deck when there is no rain in the forecast. Thanks! If it did, you'll need to sand some, and possibly re-coat. A sealer can be applied within 4 hours of a stain and offers four years of protection. 5 Design Ideas to Screen in a Deck Without a Roof, How to Remove Rust-Oleum Restore from Deck or Concrete Patio, 9 Creative Ideas to Repurpose Old Deck Railings, How to Reinforce a Deck for a Hot Tub (Explained), 7 Problems with Rain on a Newly Stained Deck (& How to Fix it), How Long Deck Stain Needs to Dry (7 Things You Should Know), Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Advertise. Conventional Wisdom says if you've got 4-6 of good dry-time, you should be OK The paint and humidity will affect this, as will the amount of rain and splash-back, and the vertical vs. horizontal surfaces etc. This will no doubt depend on your experience, the size of the deck, and the tools you have available for use. All stain and prepping manufacturer directions were followed with our reviews and ratings. This is called leaching. I applied first coat to all of my wood yesterday and it looks great so farits been about 17hrs drying but this morning it was still a little oily. After it's been washed, let the wood dry for at least a couple of days. Hello, similar story to others here: I think unexpected rain might have messed up the deck seal we applied. It looks like the rain has washed of most of the oil. Will hit the deck work on a stained deck with black mould on it. The length of time needed to ensure a stain is dry before using the area cannot be easily answered without first outlining the number of variables in the equation. After the rain the sun came out and the deck dried. Hey Scott thnx! Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12-24 hours of rain being forecast. The result will be a splotchy surface and not an even one. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Decks.com recommends that you use a high-quality water-based stain. So what do you do if it does rain shortly after staining? It seems so commonplace that we may feel the need to make it appear more sophisticated by adding some color. When a surface is not clean, stains and other finishes have trouble sticking and may end up peeling. Strip and brighen for prep and then use a better brand of deck stain as well. Moisture can settle into the pores of even treated wood. Unfortunately I came across your website after the fact! We started using the table. Feel the deck slats to determine if they are still hot, and wait for them to cool if they are. Because it forms a coating, it takes several hours to dry, and during that time, the sealer is vulnerable. Apply stain only at the proper temperature. I woke to very chilly temps, 36 degrees and dew all over the deck. If you use an oil-based stain, make sure you dispose of these things thoughtfully as they can become a fire hazard. The 100% acrylic finish formula can be applied in just one day, and the end result enhances the wood's natural beauty while providing extra durability. When it rained really hard over the weekend the water seemed to seep into the stain and it created a yellow kinda film on the top that I could scrape off with my finger nail. now it looks like rain might start in a about 12 hrs, chance increasing over next 2 days. You cannot fix them outside of removing all stain and starting over. After it dries out, can I put plastic over it and apply a second coat tomorrow, or do I have to wait longer due to the dew? If this happens, it ruins the appearance of the deck and damages the stain. Is there a mineral spirits product you would recommend? My question is can I safely do a second light coat in the fall four months later? Had deck stained just over 24 hours ago. Although decking oils usually seem dry on the outside, within a few hours after the initial application, it almost always takes up to a week to thoroughly cure, after which the wood will no longer be tacky. It should have had 2. One of my favorite parts of my job is inspecting decks and patios. Hey Scott I just stained my deck w Cabot Australian. It was not fully cured before the rain came. Would another coat fix this? Pressure wash off the blotches and then lightly recoat all. He said it would rain the next day but wouldnt be a Problem. Try Restore A Deck Stain in semi-transparent or TWP Semi-Solid, Stain/sealer suggestion would be much appreciated! If the deck was dried for 4 to 6 hours using the water-based stain, it may not get too much damage from the rain. Hard to say what will happen in the future as this stain brand and type is prone to peeling anyhow. None of the solid stains have a gloss and are matte with no shine so the washability of it will be the same. If it feels tacky to the touch (a little sticky but not wet), then you can apply the second coat. Live in SC where we have quick hard rains every other day to relieve the heat. Some of the most popular choices for decking boards are pressure treated woods or modified wood. The forecast has now changed with a 70% chance of thunderstorm tomorrow, starting about 48 hours after I finished. It is not a good idea to apply deck stain in full sun but wait until the sun has passed over your deck. Try scraping and sanding those areas and recoating. Advantages to Having a Two-Toned Deck in 2023. How many dry days does it take to stain a deck? my time is limited to have time. Is it safe to apply more stain if needed after it thoroughly dries? Deck stain was applied yesterday. Will it adhere or will it just sit on top and flake. At best, create a lot longer, but just wanted confirmation that everything good... 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