Apply stain only at the proper temperature. Finished up for the day at 6pm. Rain could potentially ruin a newly stained deck, as it is generally recommended to wait for a minimum of 24 hours before allowing any moisture to come in contact with the wood. Normally, waiting 1-2 days after cleaning is adequate but can vary depending on sun exposure, climate, wood type, and age. 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. The pics show it several days after staining was done. Here are the best types of hardwoods to use in areas with rainy climates: If your deck has dime-sized pockets, white spots, and flaking, then your deck stain was not completely dry before it rained. 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. This proved to be very time-consuming because I wanted to make sure all the nail holes and cracks were filled. The nature of wood, when exposed to water and humidity, is to swell and expand. The first week the table looked fantastic. Deck stains are generally used for preserving and protecting exterior wood. One of my favorite parts of my job is inspecting decks and patios. Softwoods are typically treated with preservative chemicals and are a more economical choice initially though they will need annual maintenance to maximize the life of a softwood deck. How to repair the effects of rain on a freshly stained deck? Water-based stains dry quickly and generally last four to six years, but theyll eventually peel and require more prep work before recoating. Yeah it hasn't stopped raining all day except for about a half hour break in it when I ran out there and removed all the standing water on the deck and then covered it up with a tarp. Rinsed it off with the hose. The big task of staining your deck either for the first time or maintaining the quality of your existing deck should be a planned venture. Having rain stained on your newly varnished deck is unfortunate, although this can be a typical encounter. How many dry days does it take to stain a deck? I would not worry about it. We live in upstate NY and our area gets a lot of rain. In average conditions, your paint or stain will be dry to the touch within 1-2 hours, but you should not walk on it for probably 4-6 hours. The first pic is about 3 hours after the second coat (no rain) and the second pic with more shade is 24 hours after the heavy rain (50 hours after 2nd coat). When possible, test the stain on an inconspicuous section of the decking. Hey! Is that a problem? Rain on a newly stained deck can ruin it. No, it does not go away. Any pictures of your deck stain project will help. We recommend that you use a type of hardwood for your deck. A light drizzle most likely wont hurt anything but a good downpour can be a different story. Apply a wood restorer, such as ABR X-180 Wood Restorer, with a sprayer, roller, or brush. (the weather app said no rain) It rained hard for 15 minutes (as we ran around in horror trying to tarp the deck LOL). I started staining my deck rails and spindles today. Im get overwhelmed with all the information Im reading. Of course it rained that night. As the rain falls, the displaced deck stain may wash away from the surface. This was posted as an answer to question. Hired a company to paint house and stain deck. A perfect forecast for staining would be 24-48 hours with no chance of rain. If any rainy weather occurs during this period you might need to wait another 24 hours after rain until the deck dries completely. But this also assumes optimal drying conditions, such as a sun-facing deck. I sanded it back when we had a few good sunny days and reoiled. 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. They are indications of damage. It looks awful, splotchy and scaly. If it feels tacky to the touch (a little sticky but not wet), then you can apply the second coat. 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. Fixing Bubbles On Exterior Walls. If you live in an area with a rainy climate, such as Seattle or London, a water-based, mildew-resistant, low-pigmented stain is the best to use. Or you can try lightly sanding the rain spots and recoating. 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. So obviously, I'd want to wait another week after any rain for the deck to dry, but if I am trying to plan when to clean my deck, should I try to avoid any rain between 1 and 3? When considering what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck, you will have to keep in mind that there may be some reparations to make. It also pays to factor in the drying time between a first and second coat and of course, how long it is likely to take to apply the stain. Advantages to Having a Two-Toned Deck in 2023. Take in consideration that wood and deck stain results may differ due to prepping procedures, different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, natural weathering, etc. Plan to clean small areas at a time so that you can scrub and rinse all of the wood before the deck cleaner dries. It may be possible to fix some of these blemishes with a second coat. Thank you. Avoid painting within four hours of a rainstorm; high humidity often causes blisters (sometimes water-filled) to form. Try Restore A Deck Stain in semi-transparent or TWP Semi-Solid, Stain/sealer suggestion would be much appreciated! I painted using Cabot solid stain over semi- transparent which was applied 2 years ago to a deck which had been left untreated for 3 years (the deck is about 5 years old). What do you recommend? This post was updated on November 5, 2022. It was overnight so I couldnt tell how hard it rained but there was water pooled on the deck the next morning. Questions or leave a review, please comment! This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. We like brushes or stain pads but it does speed on the stain brand and type of stain. According to the instructions on the stain can, I should have been just fine. It rained very heavy and persistent the next day after my first water based staining. I was hoping to apply a second coast this afternoon, or is this too soon? 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 . Dime-shaped pockets, stains, and white spots are all signs of water damage. Within 2 hours of staining the deck it began to downpour. What to Use to Clean Deck Before Staining, Behr Premium Waterproofing Stain and Sealer. Use the pressure washer again at the same PSI. See pictures attached. Thanks for your help! Hard to say what will happen in the future as this stain brand and type is prone to peeling anyhow. Oil stains are easier to apply, penetrate the wood grain, and require less work when you reapply them. 2. Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck? Do you think the rest of the deck will be ok to put the second coat on after everything thoroughly dries and I can just sand and start over on the board with the bubbles? After baking in the 90 degree sun I tested again at 1PM. New Product Alert TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series! Hi, I put a first coat of stain on a deck yesterday when it wasnt calling for rain. Answer: It depends on the amount of rain. This helps to ensure that the first coat will soak into the. The length of precipitation determines the amount of damage your deck stain will get from the weather. BTW, you were right, the deck is just fine , https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/. The next step is sanding, but make sure there is no chance of rain. Thanks again for your help. When contaminants are left in the wood pores and stain is applied a whole host of problems can occur. I waited a full day (recommendations on the can say not to apply within 24hrs of rain) after and put some more water on the area and got the same pinkish look under the sun, but the wet deck out of the sun (second picture) looks normal . Use TWP or Armstrong Clark stains. It will probably have issues if you apply more, especially with the SW brand. Despite the rain, the deck hasn't come out too badly. I am new to garden boxes so not sure what to use to waterproof the inside of the boxes. Keep off Newly Painted or Stained Deck. Do you have questions about staining your wood deck or other wood surfaces? But, what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck? Or you can use a deck stain sprayer. Rained this morning and feels wet to touch and coloring looks as though I just applied the stain. Deck Stain Essential#2: Prepare new wooden decks differently than old ones before finishing. 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). The sections under the roof seemed to fair okay and are dry but the sections that got rained on are still kinda tacky. If they do not, then you will have to remove all and start over. The kind of weather the outdoor deck will be exposed to also plays a factor in determining the best stain-base for your project. This is called leaching. You wouldn't manage your teenager the same way as your elderly parents. It will result in a splotchy surface instead of an even tone. 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. You cannot do much until it stops raining once it starts. Scott and his Deck Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 decks in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. Stain becomes sticky on a wooden surface because it doesn't have a binder, such as you find in paint or varnish. 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. Tropical hardwood decking is so dense that it doesnt accept stain very well, but a penetrating option specifically formulated for use on hardwood decking could be considered. This is not the right answer. What stain brand and type did you use? If a light recoat does not fix the problem, try using a mix of wood cleaner and a pressure washer to see if you can wash the spots without harming the stain. Find the Best Wood Deck Stain: Top-Rated Products, Armstrong Clark Wood Deck Stain Review 2023, TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series Wood and Deck Stain Review, Choosing the Best Deck Cleaner: Reviews and Recommendations, Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster @ Thickening Gel Review, Choosing the Best Deck Stain Stripper: Tips and, Restore-A-Deck Deck Stain Stripper Review, Behr Premium Stain and Finisher Stripper Review, Behr Deckover, Olympic Rescue-It, Rust-Oleum Deck Restore , Class Action Lawsuit against Rust-Oleum (Rock Solid) Deck, Rust-Oleum Deck Restore (Rock Solid) Review Updated 2023, Olympic Rescue It (Max Resurfacer) Review 2023, Synta (Rust-Oleum Rock Solid) Deck Restore Stain Review, Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain for Exotic Hardwoods Review, Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods Stain Review, Flood Pro Series Solid Color Stain Review, Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Solid Color Stain Review, The 7 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings, Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Reviews 2023, Best Semi-Solid Wood and Deck Stain Reviews, Staining A New Deck: Best Brands for 2023. It is best to never stain any exterior wood when inclement weather is forecasted, especially rain. After it's been washed, let the wood dry for at least a couple of days. Copyright www.deckstainhelp.com 2022 All Rights Reserved. Answer: Yes, if the stain has not fully dried or cured, it may permanently damage the deck stain. I oiled our new deck last month with Intergrain universal timber oil. Try applying stain in an inconspicuous spot to see if it fixes the rain damage. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. Look for little pockets, blotches, or white spots normally the size of a dime. Water seeped into the wood, no beading. This can be done through a natural weathering process or by applying commercial timber preparations. Its behr semi Do you think I can chance it if the rain is supposed to start about 10 to 12 hours from now? Any idea why the lines are there and how to fix it? They asked about a porch that has a roof. Thank you so much! 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. The average is 4-12 hours but can be longer. Personally I am liking a brush. Guide for 2021 (owntheyard.com), How Long Does Deck Stain Need to Dry Before it Rains? 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. That depends on the brand of stain and if you or cannot apply another coat after it has cured. Explanation: If rain is in the forecast we will hold until a better time to apply sealer, however if it rains after sealer is applied and it has been warm and at least 3 hours, it usually will be fine. Hi, First, thank you for your article. This will no doubt depend on your experience, the size of the deck, and the tools you have available for use. do i need to re-clean and re-apply more wash/prep before applying stain? After the rain has passed and the deck has dried take a closer look. We had a contractor stain our new cedar deck and he used Sherwin-Williams semi-transparent Super Deck with two coats. What to do about the fuzzies and white residue Will this go away on its own in a few weeks? Pressure wash off the blotches and then lightly recoat all. Instructions for varnish tell you not to do the project on a rainy day. Now what should I do? Happy decorating! Would it be safe to apply another coat of R.A.D or Cabot over the existing 2 coats of the Olympic which were applied 3 days ago? Of course, theres nothing best to do except to prevent it. Hi Scott, I put on my first coat of Behrs solid wood stain yesterday and finished around 2pm. Dont cover it. Ill attach pics of the dry deck. Even after drying all the way. 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