. The extent of rain damage depends on some factors, which can include the following: The amount of rain How long the rain lasted The type and quality of your stain (oil-based or water-based) If using wood cleaners and pressure washers doesn't work, you might need to redo the whole thing. As you may be aware, moisture in the wood inhibits the stain from properly adhering to the wood, causing a thinner . After the brightener has done its job simply rinse the deck again for 20 minutes . i just recently re-stained my 1000sq ft. deck. 1. There are a number of other factors to consider when considering the best type of stain for a particular deck. More is not better. It rained about 4 hours later, a quick downpour, and then cleared up. 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 . There are also cases where you can use a pressure washer and wood cleaner to wash the spots without harming stains. Try applying stain in an inconspicuous spot to see if it fixes the rain damage. We hired a local handyman to paint our deck. However, if rain was unexpected or purely unavoidable, there are ways you can manage the effects. Stump Rot: How to Remove a Tree Stump Fast, How to Trap Squirrels: Everything Youve Ever Wanted to Know, How to Sharpen Garden Shears in 6 Easy Steps, Plan your project to take account of optimal weather conditions (preferably in the dryer months of the year), Do your homework regarding the qualities of wood you like and the look you are trying to achieve consider the durability of different woods, and their reaction to staining, Bear in mind the maintenance required for each wood-type you are considering, Consider taking home some stain samples and trying them out on samples of your timber preference, Shop around to get the best deals without compromising on quality, Make sure you have all the materials that you need before you commence your project, Have help on the day so that if it looks like rain, you can speed up the process, Allow more time than is necessary so that you can take account of any unexpected contingencies, Be patient and allow sufficient drying time before applying the second coat, Take time to enjoy your beautiful new or revamped deck. Be sure to apply sealant as soon as the wood . Moisture will get under the surface and cause the paint to bubble and peel. will I need to re prep again? We stained our covered deck with oil based stain. It rained maybe 6-8 hours after we sealed the deck. Applying a second coat requires some precision in the time that elapses between the first and second. Can Deck Stains Be applied with a Roller? Scott and his Deck Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 decks in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. It rained pretty steady for a few hours but never seemed to be a heavy driving rain. It is summer and you are afraid of the first rains.You've just spent hours painting your deck, but now you're wondering if it'll hold up to the weather.This post aims to answer how long you should wait before exposing a freshly stained deck to water.How long does the deck stain have to dry before it. 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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. I pressured washed my deck, let it dry and then used Flood CWF-UV Clear. Deck stains are generally used for preserving and protecting exterior wood. No, it needs airflow and sun to properly cure and dry. Copyright www.deckstainhelp.com 2022 All Rights Reserved. Its been more than 24 hours (more like 36) and it rained this morning and now lighter areas are showing where some of the puddles were. There are one or two probes on the meter that stick into the wood to give you a reading. After washing the wood and rinsing well, mix the brightener up according to the directions. Question is: should we pressure wash and re seal it or is it okay for the upcoming winter? Do it all in the Spring after cleaning the deck again. 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. Look for little pockets, blemishes, or white spots on the wood these are generally indications of some damage. It rained when it wasn't supposed to! Water beaded on surface and it looked perfect. do i need to re-clean and re-apply more wash/prep before applying stain? Identify the tacky or sticky part of the deck, I applied a second coat of color before the first one dried, Commonly used as a top coat of deck stain, Resistant to warping, cracking, twisting, and decay, You can only know if the harvesting was environmentally responsible and has the Forest Stewardship Council trademark, Will blacken if it experiences prolonged exposure to moisture. Can even tell it needs 2. We are in Australia and weather is cool. These pocks and white spots will affect the appearance of your deck. Remove and start over. That depends on the brand of stain and if you or cannot apply another coat after it has cured. I didnt see your recommendations till after I purchased & applied 4 gallons of the Cabot and it had rained on the newly stained deck brining me to your site. And theres a chance of rain after midnight. Thanks for any advice. If you are getting higher readings, the deck needs further air drying before applying the stain. If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to displace the stain. Despite the rain, the deck hasn't come out too badly. If it rains heavily frequently, apply the deck stain once a year. If the surface wasn't dry, or if the rainfall was hard, you will probably have to strip and re-seal. But as we all know sometimes the weather is not so predictable. Should I cover it with a tarp or just leave it alone. Apply with a pump sprayer and let it sit for several minutes. Thank you. Is it safe to apply more stain if needed after it thoroughly dries? I want to know your opinion. You will have to remove all and start over with a better brand of stain for your hardwood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/. If a light recoat does not fix the problem you can also try using a mix of wood cleaner and a pressure washer to see if you can wash the spots out without harming the stain. 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. I did 2 coats of Behr premium waterproof 100% acrylic which says rain resistant in 4 hours. If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. Hi, I put a first coat of stain on a deck yesterday when it wasnt calling for rain. There were patches after the water dried. This morning the deck was wet and paint could be scratched loose with a fingernail. I applied first coat to all of my wood yesterday and it looks great so farits been about 17hrs drying but this morning it was still a little oily. The age of the wood and type of timber being stained will also be a consideration. Thank you. Fortunately, there are many different ways to avoid and fix this problem. The lighter spots are where the yellow film forms when its wet. I was hoping to apply a second coast this afternoon, or is this too soon? This will ensure the final finish of your coating will look amazing and last longer. Wet wood can impact the look of your newly stained deck. Deck Stain Essential#2: Prepare new wooden decks differently than old ones before finishing. it might be 3-4 wks before I will have time to stain again. Or you can try lightly sanding the rain spots and recoating. Work one of the stops into the gap between two straight boards and place the other stop on the edge of the warped board, then tighten the clamp to draw the warped board into place. He used a Sherwin-Williams product. Answer: Yes. 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. Contractor thinks more stain, I had to stop them and ask them to go get educated before doing anything. No. It will make it worse and it will peel. Oil-based stains penetrate the wood quite deep and stay longer. 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? The Cutek says not to use if wood contains more than 17% moisture, but I dont have a gauge, and really need to do it today. You cannot assess until the rain water dries off. The next step is sanding, but make sure there is no chance of rain. 2. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. Our deck is Huge over 600sf not including the front porch deck and one by a pond. Cleaning a deck via pressure washing is one of the most controversial topics in the woodworking community. 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. We live in western Washington state and applied Australian Timber Oil to our deck that has not been maintained since being built about 14 years ago. This depends on the brand and type of stain being used as they do not all have the same instructions.? Sorry to ask more questions the contractor had the crew pressure wash the stain off the wood instead of sanding. Thank you in advance. 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. Thanks so much I never thought this would be a problem till someone said you cant get bleach on stain decks. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. Spray a small section of deck railing and balusters with deck cleaner, using the garden sprayer. Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12-24 hours of rain being forecast. Many customers who have this experience say that the deck stain is sticky and not solid. Some of these methods are labor-intensive, while others do not take much time. I started staining my deck rails and spindles today. If this happens, it ruins the appearance of the deck and damages the stain. Note on Help with Rain on your Deck Stain. Could I put a clear sealing coat over the whole thing and then it will all just be shiny : ). Do a tape test and absorption test on your wood before staining, this will ensure the wood is porous and free of loose wood fiber. The weather is one thing we cannot control, but it does pay to listen to the forecasts and perhaps err on the side of caution when undertaking to stain your deck. Fortunately, most of this damage can be avoided by simply staining the deck when there is no rain in the forecast. Some preparations for deck staining also require you to clean the area, so naturally, you will have a wet deck after washing as the best cleaning occurs with the use of a power-wash. This type of stain is better with direct sunlight, rain, or wind. Nothing you can do right now. Right away after cleaning is when to apply brightener. If you do not let the deck dry sufficiently before staining, you will trap moisture in the wood underneath the new coat of stain. The 100% acrylic finish formula can be applied in just one day, and the end result enhances the wood's natural beauty while providing extra durability. Remember, no rain 24 hours before you apply stain and no rain 24 hours after the staining project. 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