Thanks so much I never thought this would be a problem till someone said you cant get bleach on stain decks. Now the forecast has changed, and rain is expected about 36 hours after staining. No, it does not go away. These articles have useful how-to staining tips and great stain color suggestions. We had a contractor stain our new cedar deck and he used Sherwin-Williams semi-transparent Super Deck with two coats. Oil-based stains penetrate the wood quite deep and stay longer. A good rule of thumb is to lightly touch the portion that has been stained. Hi Scott, I used Thompsons wasterseal stain and sealer all in one semi-transparent for a deck. This post was updated on November 5, 2022. Try Restore A Deck semi-transparent stains. Oil based really needs 12 to 24 hours to set up depending on the temp. You can apply this afternoon. Keep off Newly Painted or Stained Deck. Here are seven problems you may encounter on your newly stained deck when it rains: Read on to discover the problems that a downpour can cause before your deck stain dries. 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. 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. Varnish creates a protective coating on the exterior of surfaces that darkens to a pleasant amber tone over time. 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. Stains in the paint surface caused by virtually anything that would bleed, leak, or stick to the paint film For most stains, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum, with the safety range from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Clean, Strip, or Sand the, Deck Stain Calculator How Much Deck Stain. Look for little pockets, blotches, or white spots normally the size of a dime. It will make it worse and it will peel. DO saturate all end grains. BTW, you were right, the deck is just fine , https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/. Just apply where people touch such as the top of the railing. Fortunately, you can avoid rain damage to a newly-stained deck by using a water seal in rainy climates. Leave it as a flat sheen. It probably will not blend if you spot apply. 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? 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 the deck. If you are on the shadow side of the home . (the weather app said no rain) It rained hard for 15 minutes (as we ran around in horror trying to tarp the deck LOL). Wait to stain the deck until the weather forecast indicates that it will not rain for at least 48 hours. Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12-24 hours of rain being forecast. The use of a quality wood cleaner and pressure washer or scrub brush is necessary to remove all the contaminants like dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and graying. Thank you 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 . When you apply stain to any outdoor structure, you will need to add a second coat. If your newly stained deck gets wet before it dries, you should follow this procedure: If all else fails, you might have to strip the stain off the deck and restain the deck. 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. Plan to clean small areas at a time so that you can scrub and rinse all of the wood before the deck cleaner dries. All finishes, including stains and paint, have trouble drying in moist conditions. Thank goodness its on the railings. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. Hello, similar story to others here: I think unexpected rain might have messed up the deck seal we applied. 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. Southern Utah Sealcoating LLC. Some of these methods are labor-intensive, while others do not take much time. You may need to remove all and start over. How Long Should You Wait Before Staining a New Deck? Ask Deck Help Questions & Post Product Reviews! . After it dries out, can I put plastic over it and apply a second coat tomorrow, or do I have to wait longer due to the dew? I was going to put on 2nd coat today but then it will only be about 36 hours before it might get rained on. We recommend this type of stain because it is breathable, has a low odor when you apply it, is mildew resistant, and provides a non-slip surface. More is not better. 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. do i need to re-clean and re-apply more wash/prep before applying stain? Try Restore A Deck Stain in semi-transparent or TWP Semi-Solid, Stain/sealer suggestion would be much appreciated! Any idea of what causes the white spots? 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. Forty-eight hours gives your structure enough time to dry, promoting stain adhesion to the surface. now it looks like rain might start in a about 12 hrs, chance increasing over next 2 days. You should be fine. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off. A light drizzle most likely wont hurt anything but a good downpour can be a different story. You would be able to visibly see if you had an issue. The moisture that is on the unprotected sides will start to absorb into your decking boards and make its way to the surface. Hard to say what will happen in the future as this stain brand and type is prone to peeling anyhow. If the deck you intend to stain is covered in a previous coating of paint or stain, certain steps should be taken to achieve a new protective, even layer. 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? Is there anything I can do to get rid of the sticky parts to keep excess dirt and grime from collecting over the winter? Strip it and redo it with a proper wood stain, not straight oil. Questions or leave a review, please comment! I used Sherwin Williams Super Deck in semi-solid. It will probably have issues if you apply more, especially with the SW brand. Laurie Jones. Can I use a oil based stain and cover the deck with a large tarp to protect it? It rained very heavy and persistent the next day after my first water based staining. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. n (tried in may, power washed then rained forever and then got too hot forever). Rain will damage the finish of any wet sealer with linseed oil or mineral oil in it. Hardwood has a natural hard grain and is moisture-resistant. I am sure we are fine, but just wanted confirmation that everything is good, so I dont drive myself crazy. Our deck is Huge over 600sf not including the front porch deck and one by a pond. No, you would have to remove it and then use a proper stain. Leaves are falling here in Ny and its starting to get cold. it might be 3-4 wks before I will have time to stain again. However, if rain was unexpected or purely unavoidable, there are ways you can manage the effects. The pictures are from 1:00 today, they show the edge of the stain that was painted last (Id run out of stain) and the decks entire surface. Try a gallon of the same color in another brand of quality solid stain. 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. Read the instructions on the stain can for recoating or adding a second coat. Thanks for doing this. Should we try and add more stain to these spots, sand the boards down and stain them again, or something else? According to stain manufacturer Behr Corporation, you should avoid staining a deck for at least 24 to 48 hours after the deck gets wet. My question is can I safely do a second light coat in the fall four months later? Would another coat fix this? Rain on a newly stained deck can ruin it. When to Stain a New Deck: How Long Should You Wait? Will deck need to be redone? However, you shouldn't attempt to seal pressure-treated wood that's already been stained. Hi, I put a first coat of stain on a deck yesterday when it wasnt calling for rain. Rain on a newly stained deck can ruin it or, at best, create a lot of extra work. Question is: should we pressure wash and re seal it or is it okay for the upcoming winter? One more question if I may, could something else have caused this condition or is it rain water for sure? My team and I started this site to share this journey. Copyright www.deckstainhelp.com 2022 All Rights Reserved. What an awesome resource to be able to ask the opinion of others to figure out what to do, thank you! The advantage of using a spray unit to stain a deck is that it is quick and enables a more even spread of the deck stain. 2. I would not worry about it. White spots. 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 planned to stain it tomorrow with TWP 1500 Cedartone. Once you are within the time frame recommended for a second coat try applying the stain in an inconspicuous spot to see if it fixes the rain damage. Adding more will not fix it. No. 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. Can I do the 2nd coat several days after the first? These pocks and white spots will affect the appearance of your deck. Repair and Prevention . Telltale signs are a damaged appearance and discoloration. Scotts eCommerce sites do sell many top brands he endorses and if you appreciate any of the help he has offered then feel free to purchase from one of them. What is the best stain/sealer for my newly built white pine shed? 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. If you use an oil-based stain, make sure you dispose of these things thoughtfully as they can become a fire hazard. will I need to re prep again? The stain was applied to garden boxes not decking so is the procedure the same as decking.. Some woods like Cedar, Cypress, and Redwood have a natural resistance to rotting and therefore are better suited to a water-based stain. So what happens now.? Or you can try lightly sanding the rain spots and recoating. I think you would be wasting your money and time but I suppose you could test it. It rained day before yesterday ( a midnight torrent), was dry yesterday and today (sunny) do you think Im good to go? If you wait more than 2 weeks, you should redo the prep. After a forecast of no rain, we had a random really hard 1 hour rain about 22 hours after 2nd coat was applied. We are in Australia and weather is cool. My thought was it would match nicely however with 10 people living here it became very obvious that the flat stain holds fingerprints very very well. 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. 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. For pressure treated decks, we recommend Spa N Deck from Flood or Wood RX. 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. Driveway. None of the solid stains have a gloss and are matte with no shine so the washability of it will be the same. This can be done through a natural weathering process or by applying commercial timber preparations. Supporters of this cleaning technique say it is the best way of reaching deep into the wood, allowing you to remove stubborn stains and dirt . If you are staining a newly-installed deck, you probably dont need to power wash it. But this also assumes optimal drying conditions, such as a sun-facing deck. 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. Then we had a hard rain about 3 weeks after staining and now have water spots. Thank you. Generally, hardwoods outperform softwood decks when it comes to weather-resistance and overall longevity. Answer: Yes. Answer: It depends on the amount of rain. If a bubble remains after the surface dries, however, you'll need to scrape it off and repaint. Rained this morning and feels wet to touch and coloring looks as though I just applied the stain. What happens if it rains on freshly stained decks? Deck Stain Essential#1: Sand or pressure wash-and-sand before applying anything. Advantages to Having a Two-Toned Deck in 2023. My deck has milky places all over it after the first rain after staining Remove and start over. 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? Whats next ? Apply stain with a pad or brush (do not use a roller) by back brushing with the grain. Here are seven problems you may encounter on your newly stained deck when it rains: Rain can ruin decking Rain can cause damage when the deck stain is not dry Problems with wet deck stains Water stains on newly stained deck Rain damage to deck wood or stain Best stains for a rainy climate Best types of deck wood in a rainy climate Use the pressure washer again at the same PSI. Explanation: Rain. 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. Oil-based stains typically dry in 12 to 24 hours and need at least 48 hours before it starts to rain. 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. Instructions for varnish tell you not to do the project on a rainy day. If the water is absorbed, it's ready to seal. Photos attached. Pressure Wash the Stained Deck. Is the best way to sand it back again to remove the stain or is there something else. After the rain the sun came out and the deck dried. That depends on the brand of stain and if you or cannot apply another coat after it has cured. Is that a problem? 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