How To Stain A Deck In 6 Steps
APPLYING ONE COAT OF DECK STAIN
Read MSDS and TDS at www.earthpaint.net for detailed technical and health information.
1.) Wear protective goggles, clothes, gloves and respirator as deemed appropriate for each project. Cover plants and furnishings. Use a high quality natural bristle brush and roller. Stir thoroughly before using.
2.) Apply to clean dry RAW wood, uniformly, with a brush or roller. As the wood absorbs nourishment it will richen. Use a Brush to go back and forth over the surface to spread product evenly and insure it is not too thick. Keep in mind the wood needs to absorb the deck stain entirely. You will need to adjust your application based on the porosity of the wood.
3.) Keep a wet edge to avoid lap marks.
4.) Occasionally Monitor wood as it absorbs deck stain. Check surface after a couple hours. Make sure there are no runs, drips, uneven areas. Typically the knots and burls accept stain at different rates and need another brushing. On any areas that are too thick go over with a Dry Brush. Brush out the stain to make it look nice and even.
5.) Clean up with Earth Clean and Water. Oil Soaked rags in piles can self ignite. Make sure any oil soaked rags are put in water and not piled up.
6.) Check for drips and flashing before leaving the end of the day. If there is any flashing (shiny spots), back brush them or wipe them off with a rag soaked in Corn or Citrus Solvent. (unless, of course, you are using the Clear 00 System).
General Points of Consideration Before Deck Staining:
BASIC MATERIALS LIST: High Quality Natural Bristlle 3” Brush. Plastic Sheeting to Cover Plants, Long Drop Cloth to Protect Decking Floor While Staining the Rails, Drill Mixer, Stir Stick, Five in One Tool, 35-50-80 Grit Sandpaper, Pole Sander, Hand Sander, 6’ Extension Pole, ⅜ “ nap Roller Sleeve and Handle, Rags, Empty Five Gallon Pail, One Gallon Work Pot, Ladders, Stiff Bristle Scrub Brush, Hose...
THEORETICAL COVERAGE: Rainforest Sealer and Mountain XT- Rough and Dry 250-300 sft / gl. New and Smooth wood 500-800 sft / gl. Weathered, Rough Sawn, Soft and Porous woods may absorb more product and can vary widely from 200-400 sft / gal. Sample pints are recommended to accurately calculate square foot coverage in advance for each project. Old pressure treated decks usually soak up the most product and sometimes require dilution in order to be cost effective for contractors. Deck railings can add up to a significant amount of square footage. These things should be taken into account before ordering product.
PREP: Wash surfaces with Lime Clean Wood and Deck Cleaner. This is a natural, sustainable cleaner made from the mineral lime. It works very well to remove Mill Glaze, Black Mold and Mildew Stains, Algae Stains and prepare exterior wood for staining. Lime Clean Wood and Deck Cleaner opens the wood pores, removes mill glaze, neutralizes tannic acid, insures extractives and contaminants are addressed and that the wood is properly prepared for coating.
DILUTION: None necessary on weathered wood. Use Corn Solvent or Pure Citrus Solvent up to 1 qt / gl. on new wood, unweathered wood, covered porches and non porous hardwoods. Rainforest Sealer is sometimes diluted 1:1 with mineral spirits by contractors looking for a 40% solids deck stain with greater cost effectiveness.
COLORANT: If a tinted product was ordered, your colorant arrived in separate box (pints come pretinted). This colorant container can be poured into the product before stirring. Colorants can be mix and matched to achieve custom colors. Add less color to have less opacity. Add more color to have greater opacity. The greater the opacity the more sunlight protection the wood will have.
STIR: There is a generous portion of Minerals on the bottom of the can. Stir this up with a drill mixer for 3 minutes. Using a stir stick will work as well but takes longer.
APPLICATION TEMPERATURE: 45-90F. (70-80F is ideal for faster drying). Our natural deck stain products are not freeze sensitive and can be applied as low as 32F however, this will slow drying significantly. Mountain XT and Rainforest Sealer can be applied in the winter. When applied in direct HARSH sunlight some tiny bubbles may appear from moisture escaping from the wood. This is normal and can be brushed out if the finish is still wet or wiped off when dry.
AVOID FLASHING: Areas that do not penetrate fully will be have more shine. Avoid this. Simply add 16 -32 oz per gallon of our Corn Solvent or Pure Citrus Solvent to Mountain XT and then apply. Product will now soak in properly. If you are applying a top coat of Mountain XT Clear 00, then it is ok to go over the shiny spots, provided they are thin and dry. Do not apply a top coat over puddles or thick wet areas.
THEORETICAL DRY TIME: Stains are generally dry overnight or in 24-72 hours. Slow drying aids flexibility and long term durability. Dries to touch in 24 hours @ 75F & 50% R.H. Typically recoating can be done after overnight dry but Colorant, Surface Porosity Rain, Humidity and Coldness WILL significantly slow drying.
DRYING AND RAIN: Allow the wood to dry sufficiently after washing with Lime Clean. 3 dry days is typical after washing and before coating. Most wood will dry overnight after coating but some woods dry slowly. Climate affect dry time as well. Once the stain is applied 24-72 hours of dry weather is best to allow the product to dry. Weather does not always cooperate with deck staining. It can be helpful to keep in mind that the most important thing is to have dry wood before you apply the stain. As long as the wood fibers are dry first they will soak up the stain and be protected. If light rain occurs after the stain is applied this typically does not result in damage. If a relentless downpour occurs for many hours or it rains for days, occasionally a whitish haze could appear. This almost always disappears in a number of days upon drying. If for some reason this doesn’t disappear as the deck dries, remove affected area and apply a freshen up coat. Rain normally will not remove Rainforest or Mountain XT. Any rain induced hazing is simply topical and can be easily fixed with a freshen up coat.
CLEAN UP: Earth Clean and water.
MAINTENANCE: Wash once or twice a year with a hose or pressure washer. Use Earth Clean as needed. Every spring inspect surface. If areas are worn or weathered wash with Lime Clean and apply a freshen up coat of stain.
MOISTURE CONTENT: Wood contains moisture content. If high moisture content is trapped rot can occur. Water vapor will leave wood slow and even, reducing splitting and warping when one coat of Mountain XT or Rainforest is applied. One coat is breathable. When wood is breathable the mosture can exit safely. Two or more coats can create a film which is not breathable. This will trap moisture. Do not apply two or more coats to wood above 18% moisture content. If you have high moisture content apply one coat this year and in 1-3 years apply one or more coats.
Background on Maintaining Deck Stain Over the Years.
Surface Density: If this is your first time using an Earthpaint Wood Finish please take a few minutes to understand the basic principle of Surface Density that our formulas are based on. This applies to wood getting One Coat of Stain.
Our formulas contain the highest possible amounts of solids content that we can fit in them. We add the maximum amount of resin to increase surface density of the coated wood fiber. This means we seek to achieve fully saturated wood fibers in their driest most absorbent state. We achieve this partially with high density resin content. The coated wood becomes saturated with high resin content. Future maintenance coats will bolster this and sure up the wood fiber even more and provide a petrification effect. The surface will be so dense with resin that it hardens much more than if your stripped the coating and applied a new coat. This makes future maintenance less frequent and less labor intensive. This is why its important to make sure the wood fully absorbs the coating and to keep up with the maintenance, particularly after the first application.
We optimize the coatings for the most common wood types but all wood is different. For this reason you should do a test before beginning the job.
APPLYING ONE COAT OF DECK STAIN
Read MSDS and TDS at www.earthpaint.net for detailed technical and health information.
1.) Wear protective goggles, clothes, gloves and respirator as deemed appropriate for each project. Cover plants and furnishings. Use a high quality natural bristle brush and roller. Stir thoroughly before using.
2.) Apply to clean dry RAW wood, uniformly, with a brush or roller. As the wood absorbs nourishment it will richen. Use a Brush to go back and forth over the surface to spread product evenly and insure it is not too thick. Keep in mind the wood needs to absorb the deck stain entirely. You will need to adjust your application based on the porosity of the wood.
3.) Keep a wet edge to avoid lap marks.
4.) Occasionally Monitor wood as it absorbs deck stain. Check surface after a couple hours. Make sure there are no runs, drips, uneven areas. Typically the knots and burls accept stain at different rates and need another brushing. On any areas that are too thick go over with a Dry Brush. Brush out the stain to make it look nice and even.
5.) Clean up with Earth Clean and Water. Oil Soaked rags in piles can self ignite. Make sure any oil soaked rags are put in water and not piled up.
6.) Check for drips and flashing before leaving the end of the day. If there is any flashing (shiny spots), back brush them or wipe them off with a rag soaked in Corn or Citrus Solvent. (unless, of course, you are using the Clear 00 System).
General Points of Consideration Before Deck Staining:
- Make a completed sample board for approval before staining the deck.
- Make sure your chosen method of application allows the product to soak fully into the wood you are coating. If you see shiny spots after 24 hours: Add 16 -32 oz per gallon of Pure Citrus Solvent. This will help it soak in deeper.
- Dry Brush Excess Before Leaving Job, Use a dry brush to catch drips or to spread out thick areas. Rebrush knots, board ends and thirsty areas that soak up the product faster than other areas.
- Put Oil Soaked Rags in Water do not leave piled up.
- Clean up with Earth Clean and Water.
BASIC MATERIALS LIST: High Quality Natural Bristlle 3” Brush. Plastic Sheeting to Cover Plants, Long Drop Cloth to Protect Decking Floor While Staining the Rails, Drill Mixer, Stir Stick, Five in One Tool, 35-50-80 Grit Sandpaper, Pole Sander, Hand Sander, 6’ Extension Pole, ⅜ “ nap Roller Sleeve and Handle, Rags, Empty Five Gallon Pail, One Gallon Work Pot, Ladders, Stiff Bristle Scrub Brush, Hose...
THEORETICAL COVERAGE: Rainforest Sealer and Mountain XT- Rough and Dry 250-300 sft / gl. New and Smooth wood 500-800 sft / gl. Weathered, Rough Sawn, Soft and Porous woods may absorb more product and can vary widely from 200-400 sft / gal. Sample pints are recommended to accurately calculate square foot coverage in advance for each project. Old pressure treated decks usually soak up the most product and sometimes require dilution in order to be cost effective for contractors. Deck railings can add up to a significant amount of square footage. These things should be taken into account before ordering product.
PREP: Wash surfaces with Lime Clean Wood and Deck Cleaner. This is a natural, sustainable cleaner made from the mineral lime. It works very well to remove Mill Glaze, Black Mold and Mildew Stains, Algae Stains and prepare exterior wood for staining. Lime Clean Wood and Deck Cleaner opens the wood pores, removes mill glaze, neutralizes tannic acid, insures extractives and contaminants are addressed and that the wood is properly prepared for coating.
DILUTION: None necessary on weathered wood. Use Corn Solvent or Pure Citrus Solvent up to 1 qt / gl. on new wood, unweathered wood, covered porches and non porous hardwoods. Rainforest Sealer is sometimes diluted 1:1 with mineral spirits by contractors looking for a 40% solids deck stain with greater cost effectiveness.
COLORANT: If a tinted product was ordered, your colorant arrived in separate box (pints come pretinted). This colorant container can be poured into the product before stirring. Colorants can be mix and matched to achieve custom colors. Add less color to have less opacity. Add more color to have greater opacity. The greater the opacity the more sunlight protection the wood will have.
STIR: There is a generous portion of Minerals on the bottom of the can. Stir this up with a drill mixer for 3 minutes. Using a stir stick will work as well but takes longer.
APPLICATION TEMPERATURE: 45-90F. (70-80F is ideal for faster drying). Our natural deck stain products are not freeze sensitive and can be applied as low as 32F however, this will slow drying significantly. Mountain XT and Rainforest Sealer can be applied in the winter. When applied in direct HARSH sunlight some tiny bubbles may appear from moisture escaping from the wood. This is normal and can be brushed out if the finish is still wet or wiped off when dry.
AVOID FLASHING: Areas that do not penetrate fully will be have more shine. Avoid this. Simply add 16 -32 oz per gallon of our Corn Solvent or Pure Citrus Solvent to Mountain XT and then apply. Product will now soak in properly. If you are applying a top coat of Mountain XT Clear 00, then it is ok to go over the shiny spots, provided they are thin and dry. Do not apply a top coat over puddles or thick wet areas.
THEORETICAL DRY TIME: Stains are generally dry overnight or in 24-72 hours. Slow drying aids flexibility and long term durability. Dries to touch in 24 hours @ 75F & 50% R.H. Typically recoating can be done after overnight dry but Colorant, Surface Porosity Rain, Humidity and Coldness WILL significantly slow drying.
DRYING AND RAIN: Allow the wood to dry sufficiently after washing with Lime Clean. 3 dry days is typical after washing and before coating. Most wood will dry overnight after coating but some woods dry slowly. Climate affect dry time as well. Once the stain is applied 24-72 hours of dry weather is best to allow the product to dry. Weather does not always cooperate with deck staining. It can be helpful to keep in mind that the most important thing is to have dry wood before you apply the stain. As long as the wood fibers are dry first they will soak up the stain and be protected. If light rain occurs after the stain is applied this typically does not result in damage. If a relentless downpour occurs for many hours or it rains for days, occasionally a whitish haze could appear. This almost always disappears in a number of days upon drying. If for some reason this doesn’t disappear as the deck dries, remove affected area and apply a freshen up coat. Rain normally will not remove Rainforest or Mountain XT. Any rain induced hazing is simply topical and can be easily fixed with a freshen up coat.
CLEAN UP: Earth Clean and water.
MAINTENANCE: Wash once or twice a year with a hose or pressure washer. Use Earth Clean as needed. Every spring inspect surface. If areas are worn or weathered wash with Lime Clean and apply a freshen up coat of stain.
MOISTURE CONTENT: Wood contains moisture content. If high moisture content is trapped rot can occur. Water vapor will leave wood slow and even, reducing splitting and warping when one coat of Mountain XT or Rainforest is applied. One coat is breathable. When wood is breathable the mosture can exit safely. Two or more coats can create a film which is not breathable. This will trap moisture. Do not apply two or more coats to wood above 18% moisture content. If you have high moisture content apply one coat this year and in 1-3 years apply one or more coats.
Background on Maintaining Deck Stain Over the Years.
Surface Density: If this is your first time using an Earthpaint Wood Finish please take a few minutes to understand the basic principle of Surface Density that our formulas are based on. This applies to wood getting One Coat of Stain.
Our formulas contain the highest possible amounts of solids content that we can fit in them. We add the maximum amount of resin to increase surface density of the coated wood fiber. This means we seek to achieve fully saturated wood fibers in their driest most absorbent state. We achieve this partially with high density resin content. The coated wood becomes saturated with high resin content. Future maintenance coats will bolster this and sure up the wood fiber even more and provide a petrification effect. The surface will be so dense with resin that it hardens much more than if your stripped the coating and applied a new coat. This makes future maintenance less frequent and less labor intensive. This is why its important to make sure the wood fully absorbs the coating and to keep up with the maintenance, particularly after the first application.
We optimize the coatings for the most common wood types but all wood is different. For this reason you should do a test before beginning the job.