Dyeing your deck provides fresh color and added protection from the elements as you know. Let’s learn how to stain a deck in just four simple steps for a major style boost.
Firstly, deck stain does more than adding beautiful color to your outdoor space. This coating can also help protect your deck, guarding against damage from water, rot, mold, and other pesky problems. So if you newly built decks, you should generally stain them right away. And existing decks require restaining about every two or three years or at the earliest signs of wear. You’ll know it’s time to stain your deck when drops of water sprinkled on the surface absorb quickly into the wood. If the water beads on top, your deck stain is likely good for another few months.
You can easily customize your deck with the dye that best suits your style, and the choices range from transparent finishes to rich solid colors. Transparent or light-toned finishes highlight the natural color and pattern of the wood with minimal pigments, while translucent dyeing allows you to change the tone of the wood while still revealing the texture. Semi-solid and solid stains cover most or all of the wood grain with color and provide the most durable finish.
No matter which type of finish you choose, look for deck stains and sealants that are waterproof and provide UV protection. External wood stains have an oil-based formula that can penetrate into the wood and take longer to dry, while the water-based version sits on top of the surface and dries faster. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to ensure correct application.
Whether you are dyeing a deck for the first time or polishing an existing dyeing job, these simple steps will help your deck look its best. All you need to do is prepare the wood, wash it vigorously, and apply deck stains. The project is simple, but requires some manual labor and drying time. Follow the instructions below to learn how to dye the deck.
How to dye a Deck
How to dye a Deck
How much time you need to invest in this project depends on the size of your deck. Most can be dyed in a weekend, plus a few days of drying time. Plan to dye your deck when the weather is dry and the temperature is between 50 and 90°F. It takes time for the stain to absorb into the wood before it is completely dry, so please avoid staining your deck in direct sunlight.
What You Need
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Belt or orbital sander
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60- or 80-grit sandpaper
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Broom
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Deck cleaner
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Stiff brush
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Garden hose or power washer
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Painters tape
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Deck stain or paint
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Paint roller
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5- to 6-inch-wide paintbrush
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2- to 3-inch-wide paintbrush
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Clear sealant (optional)
Step 1: Prepare the deck for dyeing.
Before applying any stains or paint, you need to prepare the surface of the deck. Use a belt sander or an orbital sander to lightly sand the deck and work in the direction of the wood grain. Sweep the deck thoroughly to remove any sawdust particles.
Mix a batch of deck cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply it and scrub with a hard brush. Be sure to scrub in the direction of the wood grain to thoroughly clean the surface. Depending on how dirty your deck is, this may be a process you need to repeat to thoroughly clean the wood.
Step 2: Clean the surface vigorously.
After scrubbing the deck, use an electric washing machine to rinse the cleaner. Use a fan or a 40-degree nozzle and be careful not to get too close to the wood. Heavy, direct water pressure can damage the surface of the deck. Let the deck dry completely, this may take 12-24 hours.
Editor’s note: If you don’t have an electric washing machine, you can rent one from your local home improvement store. You can also use a garden hose with a sprayer, which is set on the jet sprayer.
Step 3: Apply stains on the deck.
After the deck is completely dry, use painter’s tape to protect the siding adjacent to the deck of your home. Then use a roller to apply stains or paint. Be careful to avoid spots and streaks. Dye a small part of 3 square feet at a time, then pause with a roller and brush the surface with a large paintbrush. This step eliminates drips and puddles and creates more natural brush strokes. Make sure to apply the stain along the wood grain.
Editor’s note: To make the dyeing process easier, please work with an assistant. Let one person roll on the stain while the other person brushes it.
Step 4: Color the remaining details.
Use a smaller paintbrush to stain the deck railings, main shafts, stairs, skirts, and any other remaining parts of the deck. Make sure to pay close attention to the edges of the plank to avoid collisions between brushstrokes and texture. Let the stain dry 48 hours before walking on it.
Optional: Seal the stained deck.
Most high-quality exterior stains combine pigments with sealants that provide weather protection. If you choose to use simple stains that are not waterproof or UV resistant, apply a transparent sealant to the stained deck. Wait at least 48 hours after dyeing to ensure that the surface is completely dry, and then apply a thin layer of coating using the same roller brush technique described above.
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