Deck stain was applied yesterday. When you apply stain to any outdoor structure, you will need to add a second coat. When it comes to what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck, its really best not to find out to avoid having to correct the potential damage. BTW, you were right, the deck is just fine , https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/. We stained our new cedar deck a few days ago with Olympic Semi Transparent Semi Solid Atlas Cedar Oil Stain and it rained about 12 hours after we attempted to tarp and dry the rain as it happened then it rained again about 12 hours after that. It still has patches and now has white marks on some boards. Am I able to apply a second coat over Cabot solid stain because the wood soaked in the first coat as fast as I could roll or hand paint it and the surface shows small splits. Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster @ Thickening Gel Review New Product Alert TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series! 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? What Happens if it Rains After I Stain? But as we all know sometimes the weather is not so predictable. It is now very solid paint, dry to the touch, but slightly tacky if I leave my hand on the hot deck for a minute, and appears to have no bubbles or flaws. So I power washed and sanded my deck. Hello, similar story to others here: I think unexpected rain might have messed up the deck seal we applied. 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. Hi Scott, I put on my first coat of Behrs solid wood stain yesterday and finished around 2pm. Sorry but we do not understand your comment. None of the solid stains have a gloss and are matte with no shine so the washability of it will be the same. I might need to ask them to sand that section and re-stain there, will that work? Meanwhile, the stain itself can look splotchy, it can flake, and there may even be bubbles on the surface. Roughly 24 hours after application, I noticed the deck was still wet and unfortunately it started to rain heavily. The knots always stain lighter in color and that is normal as well. . Keep pads and rags handy to mop up spills and drips as they happen. I live in Australia so not familiar with the TWP or Armstrong Clark stains. Also there are marks on the steps where our dogs go up and down the steps. We hired a local handyman to paint our deck. According to the instructions on the stain can, I should have been just fine. Cleaning a deck via pressure washing is one of the most controversial topics in the woodworking community. You can use water-based deck stains in damp weather. So, finally, what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck? We stained our covered deck with oil based stain. Then, use a push broom to spread the sealer. Would another coat fix this? Best Deck Prep? What do you suggest? Please help. 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. Make sure you use a clean brush and the same stain, both by style and manufacturer. Do not cover it. Make sure to post pictures. Should I hold off or go ahead and stain the deck. We had some dew drip down from an overhang the night we stained and found this the next morning. If it happens to rain within 48 hours following the stain's application, the rainwater will soak into the pores of the wood and try to displace all the stain. Thank you in advance. Thank you for your quick response. What an awesome resource to be able to ask the opinion of others to figure out what to do, thank you! When I touch the wood its like the stain is wet again. i let dry for a few days but it remained somewhat tacky. The best way to do this is to apply the stain to a scrap of wood left over from building the deck. It rained very heavy and persistent the next day after my first water based staining. The only thing you can do is remove all and start over. This type of stain is better with direct sunlight, rain, or wind. Let the cleaner sit for 10 to 15 minutes, or as directed. He has become an authority in the deck restoration industry and has contributed to numerous wood restoration forums and informative sites. Curing is the time taken for the stain to settle into the surface of the wood, dry fully, and set its final color. Class Action Lawsuit Against Olympic Rescue It, Choosing the Best Deck Stain Stripper: Tips and Reviews, Wood and Deck Stain Review Videos Deck Stain Help, Best Deck Stain & Prep Videos Deck Stain Help, Prepping a Wood Deck Videos Deck Stain Help, Restore-A-Deck Stain & Prep Videos Deck Stain Help. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. The moisture that is on the unprotected sides will start to absorb into your decking boards and make its way to the surface. Thank you. Due to the windows of weather opportunities between rains and needing the boards dried before sanding, I could only manage one coat on each section. Applied one coat and let it dry in shade 3 days(73 hours). Thank you. 2. Reddish, brown (or sometimes black) stains appearing as blotches or streaks on surface or paint (see also Tannin Staining). Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12-24 hours of rain being forecast. You cannot apply a deck stain over a deck sealer. Scott, I know this isnt the right thread but you were so helpful with my rain questions, I have one more. Ok, I researched & noticed you recommend Restore a Deck. The key to coating new timber is ensuring the tannins and oils have been removed. For pressure treated decks, we recommend Spa N Deck from Flood or Wood RX. Looks fine. The type and brand of stain can make a difference as well. Even after that, it needs to remain undisturbed for several days before you put outdoor furniture back on the deck. Wait for the deck slats to cool down before applying the stain. If you are located in a high rainfall area, it is sometimes a matter of taking the opportunity to stain in a shorter dry period than would be ideally expected or preferred. Apply stain only at the proper temperature. We hope you enjoy the content. What happens? Right away after cleaning is when to apply brightener. Hi, First, thank you for your article. 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. Wood stains are probably most commonly used on pine boards and plywood. It is best to wait the full 24 hours before moving light furniture back on the deck. What to Use to Clean Deck Before Staining, Behr Premium Waterproofing Stain and Sealer. The end of the board, where the wood has been cut, will absorb much more stain that other areas. If this happens, it ruins the appearance of the deck and damages the stain. An advantage of water-based stains is that they do not contain harmful odors or fumes and are not flammable. Copyright www.deckstainhelp.com 2022 All Rights Reserved. Why does my deck paint keep peeling? If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. In places where it rains frequently, a water sealer is an absolute must as it will provide a double-layer of protection both for your stain and your deck wood. The job has been done in sections. About 4 hours after application some unexpected rain came in. Stains and oils penetrate wood best when it's cool and dry. Fixing Bubbles On Exterior Walls. 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. Plan to clean small areas at a time so that you can scrub and rinse all of the wood before the deck cleaner dries. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. If you wait more than 2 weeks, you should redo the prep. To protect your newly stained deck from rain, make sure to wait until the stain has had enough time to dry and cure, as this will make it more resilient to moisture . Stain cured under wet or otherwise unsuitable conditions may become contaminated, discolored, or develop mold. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. Driveway. It is not a good idea to apply deck stain in full sun but wait until the sun has passed over your deck. If you need to walk on your deck and you are not sure if it is . Try scraping and sanding those areas and recoating. Does he need to come back out to reapply? Heres pic of white blotches and some still wet after 24 hrs. After being caught out with rain shortly after the decking has left a cloudy / milky look in certain areas. When contaminants are left in the wood pores and stain is applied a whole host of problems can occur. Send pictures after the rainwater has dried off for help on how to fix. Be careful not to use a light stain if your deck was previously covered with a dark stain. For most stains, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum, with the safety range from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If the rain comes before your deck is completely dry, the water will enter the pores on the wood surface and seep inside, pushing out the deck stain. its water base semi trans.should I chance. 2. I was wondering whether I could get some plastic sheeting to cover the deck and rails when I know its going to rain so that the deck doesnt get soaked again and I can uncover it when its nice enough to allow it to continue drying or even start staining if its already dry at that point? If it rains heavily frequently, apply the deck stain once a year. Avoid painting within four hours of a rainstorm; high humidity often causes blisters (sometimes water-filled) to form. Oil stains are easier to apply, penetrate the wood grain, and require less work when you reapply them. Use the pressure washer again at the same PSI. Look for little pockets, blotches, or white spots normally the size of a dime. I think I managed to get a fair bit of oil into it - the first coat of oil was almost completely dry before the second went on, the second was fairly dry before the third went on, and the third was partly dry before it started raining (~2.5 hours drying time - surface still quite oily / tacky). Some stains can handle rain shortly after being applied better than others. If they do not, then you will have to remove all and start over. Do I have to sand it? -Before asking a question if rain harmed your deck, wait until the rain stops and the water fully dries off the deck or wood. 1. This is my first time using a semi-solid. 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. There is nothing you can do about it until the rain stops and dries off. Its a new deck and we used Behr transparent deck seal. Thank you so much for your help. If it rains unexpectedly, it can undo all the hard work you have done. I am new to garden boxes so not sure what to use to waterproof the inside of the boxes. Can anyone suggest a remedy for thisthis is the second coat of Cabot deck correct and it rained 10 after applying. Hard to say. If it rains 12 hours after staining a deck, it could cause the stain to streak or run, resulting in a very uneven finish on your deck. No, you would have to remove it and then use a proper 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. 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. They asked about a porch that has a roof. What should we do next? Allow water to enter the wood and you'll soon see small checking cracks. It diaries and seems to have cured although there are a couple of washed out/ faded spots. An oil-based stain is the best choice if the deck is going to be directly exposed to wind, rain, and sunlight. 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. No. If you are unable to fix the problem with washing or sanding and recoating, you may have to strip off the stain with a deck stain stripper and start over again. 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. Use extra fasteners to hold it before removing the clamp.". The damage will show as blotchy patterns and white spots will appear. If a bubble remains after the surface dries, however, you'll need to scrape it off and repaint. Now what should I do? Thanks so much I never thought this would be a problem till someone said you cant get bleach on stain decks. We like brushes or stain pads but it does speed on the stain brand and type of stain. More is not better. Normally, waiting 1-2 days after cleaning is adequate but can vary depending on sun exposure, climate, wood type, and age. Share. But, what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck? I stripped, sanded, and brightened my 256 PT deck, and finished 2 days ago. Hardwood has a natural hard grain and is moisture-resistant. If you have to apply deck stain, do it after the sun has passed over your deck and is no longer directly beating on it. We used Behr transparent deck seal we applied type and brand of stain can, I &... Compensation through affiliate links in this story thanks so much I never thought this be! 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