3 Simple Steps for Staining Your Deck

Every deck owner will eventually need to apply a stain—whether it’s the first coat or the tenth. On average in Australia, outdoor decking needs a fresh coat every 12 to 18 months, depending on the weather, exposure to the elements, and location.

If you are about to take a well-earned arvo off to freshen up your deck, here are 3 simple steps to make the process a little less stressful and a lot more successful!

1. Oil or Water-Based Coating?

First, you need to decide what type of stain you want to apply to your timber. The two main choices are oil-based and water-based.

If your deck has an existing coating and you are applying a fresh one to increase protection, it is VERY important to know what is already on it. You should never apply an oil-based coating over a water-based one, and vice versa. They will not bond well to each other, which decreases the life and durability of the stain.

If you have a brand-new deck, there are a couple of factors to consider:

• Water-based stains generally have a brilliant initial finish, giving a glossy, furniture-like look. They also dry much quicker, giving you the opportunity to apply a second coat on the same day. However, they can sometimes wear a little faster than oils, meaning less time until another coat is needed.
• Oil-based coatings are easier to apply and penetrate deeply, but the drying time is much longer. You will need to wait a minimum of 24 hours before applying your second coat.

2. Choose Your Equipment!

Typically, the go-to tool for applying stain is a lambswool applicator. This is a fluffy pad that connects to a pole, allowing you to easily spread the coating onto the deck. You can grab one at any good hardware store for about $15, and it is the perfect choice for applying oil-based coatings.

However, if you are applying a water-based stain, there are better options—namely, Teflon decking pads. These are rectangular and neater, and they can be handheld or attached to a pole. Neatness is the name of the game when applying water-based coatings, so this is a brilliant tool.

For both stains, you will also want a small brush for “cutting in” where the deck meets a wall, door, post, or any other object you don’t want to splodge stain all over.

3. Application Technique

• Water-Based Coating: This is, unfortunately, the trickier of the two to apply. It dries incredibly fast, so you don’t want to leave a board half-stained, or it will dry and leave a permanent lap mark on the deck. The best method is to cut in 2 or 3 boards with your brush, and then coat the entire length of those boards as smoothly and quickly as possible, trying to stay within the lines. When reloading your pad, you must do it ASAP and keep a “wet edge” so there is no time for it to dry halfway through. Repeat this process for the entire deck.
• Oil-Based Coating: Because oil dries a lot slower, there is less chance of permanent marking. This is great news for first-timers! Take your time and cut in with a brush within a chosen section. Once that is done, you can fill in the middle with your lambswool applicator. Then, choose a new section and do it all again. It is a quicker, easier application than water-based stains. On the downside, it has a stronger odour and takes a full day to dry.

Good luck and happy staining!