Q: How Do I Stain My Gazebo?
A: Looking for wood staining advice? Staining a gazebo adds a fresh touch of curb appeal to your exterior, and also protects your structure from the weather. Here are five quick and easy wood stain steps you can take to get your wooden gazebo looking fabulous — and keeping it that way.
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Step 1
Check the Wood
The first step in staining a wood gazebo is to check the wooden surface to which you will be applying the wood stain.
You should look for anything sticking out from the wood, such as nails, staples, rough edges, etc. Any abnormalities sticking out from an otherwise smooth surface will drastically hinder the staining process and affect the look of the end result.
Fix any defects you find, by hammering or sanding.*
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* WARNING! If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint, you may release lead dust or fumes. LEAD IS TOXIC. EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST OR FUMES CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE. Wear a properly fitted NIOSH-approved respirator and prevent skin contact to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by contacting USEPA National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead. Follow these instructions to control exposure to other hazardous substances that may be released during surface preparation.
Step 2
Wash the Gazebo
Making sure the wood is completely clean and ready for staining is the next step in preparing the wood. You can do this by using a wood cleaner like Olympic® Premium Deck Cleaner.
If you have previously stained wood, dark cedar and redwood, we recommend Olympic Premium Deck Brightener & Wash as it is a gentler cleaner that is better for these more sensitive surfaces.
Simply apply the cleaner, scrub, and wash it away. Afterwards, let the wood completely dry before staining.
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Please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.
Olympic Staining Tip
Always test a small, hidden area, using the same number of coats you will be using on the gazebo and let it dry so that you can be sure to get the wood stain color you want.
Step 3
Apply the Stain
You can use a brush or roller to apply wood stains. Either method will work fine and you may want to use both. Now that the wood is properly prepped, you can begin staining your gazebo.
During the application it is important to apply the wood stain evenly throughout the entire project. Leaving a thicker coat in one spot can cause a disproportionate tone on the wood. If you added too much in a certain area, try to spread the stain out to even out the overall coverage.
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Please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.
Step 4
Allow the Stain to Settle
Once you have evenly applied the stain to the wood, the next thing to do is give the stain time to settle in before walking on it. It is a common rule of thumb to let the stain dry for 24-78 hours, although you should follow the specific wood stain product recommendations.
Please keep in mind that your local humidity or temperature can affect this time frame as well, so judge accordingly.
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Step 5
Maintain Your Gazebo
To keep your gazebo looking freshly coated all year long, make sure to keep up with maintenance and clean your wood once or twice a year.
Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner or Olympic Premium Deck Brightener & Wash will keep the gazebo's stain fresh and clear of any dirt or grime buildup.
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