How To Apply Stain

How to apply stain to your deck or patio

How To Apply Stain

How To Apply Stain

How To Apply Stain

Learn how to apply deck stain to your deck or patio the easy and right way with our how to stain a deck guide below!

How To Apply Stain - Step 1: Choose Your Wood Stain
How To Apply Stain - Step 1: Choose Your Wood Stain
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Step 1: Choose Your Wood Stain

How To Apply Stain

How To Apply Stain

Step 1: Choose Your Wood Stain

Choosing the right Wood Stains can make or break your wood staining project. Before you apply your wood stain you need to think about the overall theme of your existing exterior decor, as well as the look you are going for.

With so many Wood Stains to choose from, here are some general suggestions on how to highlight your wood when getting ready to apply stain:

  • Wood stain colors should complement the surrounding landscape 

  • Wood stains should match other exterior wood surfaces, like a shed or your patio furniture

  • Use a neutral wood stain color that looks good with any background or décor  


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How To Apply Stain - Step 2: Clean Your Wood Before Applying Stain
How To Apply Stain - Step 2: Clean Your Wood Before Applying Stain
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How To Apply Stain

Step 2: Clean Your Wood Before Applying Stain

Next, you'll need to clean the wood surface you are planning to apply stain to. The cleaner your wooden surface, the better and more consistent your wood stain will look. For first timer's who have not applied stain before, use a deck cleaner like Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner to remove dirt and stains from your wood that may have been caused by mildew, algae or mold.

After you apply the wood cleaner, scrub your deck with a mop that has stiff, hard bristles. Once you've scrubbed the deck, wash away the residue with a pressure washer, using low to moderate pressure. Allow your deck to dry before moving on to the next step of this How To Apply Stain guide.

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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.

How To Apply Stain - Step 3: Applying The Stain To Your Wood
How To Apply Stain - Step 3: Applying The Stain To Your Wood
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How To Apply Stain

Step 3: Applying The Stain To Your Wood

If you are staining your deck or wood surface with a clear wood sealant, a wood toner, or a semi-transparent wood stain, apply one thin coat with a high-quality brush or sprayer.

For solid color wood stains, apply two thin coats with a paint brush or a paint roller. To ensure that you do not get lap marks with solid color wood stain, apply it to just a few of your deck's boards at a time and keep a wet edge so that the stain blends well.

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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.

How To Apply Stain - Step 4: Backbrushing
How To Apply Stain - Step 4: Backbrushing
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Step 4: Backbrushing

How To Apply Stain

How To Apply Stain

Step 4: Backbrushing

Now that you have applied stain to all of the major surfaces of your wood it is time to backbrush. Backbrushing is the act of forcing the brush or roller a bit rougher into the surface so that all parts of the wood, including the joints, edges, seams, and ends get the same coverage of wood stain as the flat areas of your deck.

How To Apply Stain Tip: By pushing the stain-coated brush in between each board you are making sure there are no areas visibly uncolored by the stain product.

Once you have completed backbrushing, allow your deck to fully dry before moving any furniture onto the surface. Now that you have finished your deck, you can enjoy. Check out our other wood stain tips for more info for your next wood staining project.

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