Precision Staining | A Beginner’s Guide to Stain a Fence: Step-by-Step Instructions

A Beginner’s Guide to Stain a Fence

Josh Richards • Sep 23, 2022

Fence Staining

1. Check the Forecast2. Wear Protective Gear3. Materials Needed4. How Much Deck Stain Do You Need?5. Start by cleaning the deck.6. Wait until it's dry.7. Stain the railings and deck spindles too8. Apply the stain smoothly9. Stain the railings and deck spindles too10. Stain between deck boards11. Apply coats as needed over 48 hours12. Choosing Stain Consider.13. Conclusion
This post may contain affiliate links; however, we don’t earn from qualifying purchases, we recommend these products based on industry’s expert choice and customer reviews. Congratulations! You have a deck to Stain. That’s great news, because a deck is a beautiful addition to your or your client’s home that adds value and can be the central hub of outdoor living activities.
Staining your deck the first time might sound daunting. But, with the proper preparation and the right guidelines for wood staining your deck will be secured and beautiful restored.

You can learn to stain your deck easily following these simple steps mentioned below.

Check the Forecast

Make sure it's not going to rain within the next 48 hours. Rain can wash away stain and cause a mess. If you're staining in cold weather, allow yourself plenty of time for drying and curing. Best time to do staining is the summertime when temperature is high and humidity level is low, so that your wood won't be exposed to moisture. If there's any chance of unpredictable rainwhile staining it, cover it with plastic sheeting or tarps so that no water gets on the surface of your boards.

Wear Protective Gear

With so many different types of sandpaper available, it can be challenging to know which one to use for your project. The best type depends on the material you're working with and the desired results.

Materials Needed

Stain - Decks can be stained with semi-transparent stain for wood. These types of products permit the grain and natural character of wood to be visible and let the wood breathe naturally and are easily removed and cleaned.

Brushes - You’ll need assorted paint brushes

Rags - We recommend using old rags instead of paper towels because they will hold up better and be much more absorbent.

Drop cloths - You don’t want to ruin any furniture or floors, so make sure to cover them up before staining your deck. If you don’t have any drop cloths on hand, a tarp will work just fine as well.

Still confused, what material is best for you? Contact Now for more information

How Much Deck Stain Do You Need?

The amount of deck stain you need depends on the size of your deck and how many coats you have to apply.
To get an accurate estimate, measure the length and width of your deck and use this formula:
Length x Width = Square footage
If your deck measures 10 feet by 20 feet, the square footage is 200 square feet. If you want to be sure to have enough stain for two coats, multiply the square footage by 2 to get 400 square feet total. You'll need a gallon for every 400 square feet of decking.For example, if you have a 450 square foot deck that needs two coats, buy three gallons of stain.

Start by cleaning the deck

For a smooth Finish

Start by cleaning the deck with a pressure washer. If you don't have one, rent one from your local home center or hardware store. You'll also need sandpaper and a painter's pole sander.
Pressure wash your deck to remove loose paint and dirt, which can cause problems later on during staining and sealing. Use a brush attachment to scrub away stubborn stains or mildew growth.
If you're staining over an existing deck finish (such as an oil-based stain or sealer), use a wood stripper to help remove it all at once before applying the new finish.
Note: Before applying stain, ensure that the wood surface is clean means no dust or dirt, wood fibers or greas is present. Wood should be dry, and free of mildew and molds. If the surface is not clean, stain and other finishes may not adhere and can end up peeling. If you want to learn more on “how to clean and prepare you deck for Staining”.

Wait until it's dry.

The first thing to do is to wait until it's dry. If you don't, the stain will sink into the wood, which will make it look blotchy and uneven.Once the deck is dry, apply a clean rag dipped in mineral spirits and wipe off any dirt or debris on the surface of the wood. Then apply a pre-stain conditioner with a brush or roller. This helps prevent the wood from absorbing too much stain, which can cause streaking and color differences between boards.You'll want to allow this conditioner to sit for at least an hour before applying your stain. The longer it sits, the better it works — but don't let it sit too long or it will leave streaks in your finish coat.Note: If you have an oil-based stain, be sure to use latex gloves so as not to get stains on your hands.

Apply the stain smoothly

Use a wide brush or roller to apply the stain along the deck grain. Use a 3- or 5-inch brush for large areas and a 1- or 2-inch brush for tight corners and small spaces. If you have a lot of deck, you can use a sprayer to spray on the stain, but be sure to cover all surfaces with plastic sheeting first.Rolling on stain is faster than brushing and gives you more control over where you're applying it. When rolling on stain, use a good quality roller cover that will not leave lint behind. Spray water on the deck to keep it damp before applying the stain. Keep the can/tray about 12 inches from the surface for application and make sure you are using enough pressure to get an even coat of stain onto your wood decking material.

Stain the railings and deck spindles too

Staining railings and decks is for a detailed and fine finish. While staining deck spindles are considered to be more challenging than staining the floor there are some guidelines that can help make this task run smoothly and ensure a perfectly even application of stain.

Stain the railings and deck spindles too. It’s easy to forget about these parts, but if you want your deck to look its best, you need to stain these areas as well.

Use a power washer on the surface of your deck if possible. This will help remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated over time. You may also want to use a brush attachment for this step so that you can get into all those nooks and crannies where dirt tends to hide away.

After using the power washer on your deck, apply a preservative sealant immediately afterward. This will help protect the wood from future damage caused by moisture and sun exposure while also making it easier to clean off any dirt that might accumulate later down the road.

Stain between deck boards

If there are any cracks or holes in your deck surface, fill them in with wood putty. This will allow the stain to penetrate properly and prevent it from seeping into cracks and holes that would detract from the appearance of your deck when you're finished.

Stir up your stain thoroughly with a paint stick or stirring stick before applying it to the wood. If you don't stir the mixture well enough, you could end up with streaks on your deck boards as different parts of different batches of stain dry at different rates. Stirring well ensures that all parts of the deck get an even coat of stain so that no streaks appear on your finished product.

Use an old paintbrush (or disposable painter's brush) to apply the stain evenly over all surfaces, being careful not to miss any areas where water can collect and cause mold or mildew growth later on down the line

Apply coats as needed over 48 hours.

The main reason for applying a coat of paint over 48 hours is to allow the previous coat to dry completely. In theory, you can apply as many coats as needed over this time period, but I would recommend two coats at the most.

If you want to do more than two coats, then you will need to wait longer between coats (i.e., 48 hours between each coat). The longer you wait, though, the harder it will be for you to get a smooth finish on your walls because the paint will begin to dry out and wrinkle.

The best way to paint over 48 hours is to use a roller with a long nap and roll on your first coat in the morning. Then let it dry for 24 hours and apply another coat of paint in the evening or early morning before work.

Note: Staining a deck is not difficult, but you need to plan for lots of drying time between coats. The process can take up to two days if you allow the stain ample time to dry before applying the next coat.

Choosing Stain Consider..

Cost: The cost of staining a deck is more affordable than replacing it with a new one.Durability: Stained decks are more durable than painted decks because they don't crack, peel or blister like painted decks do.Beautiful color: There are many beautiful colors available for staining wood decking. You can choose from natural wood tones or bright colors to suit your style preferences.Note: It's difficult to match color from one batch to another: Stains vary from brand to brand, and even within brands, depending on how long they've been sitting in storage before being used for your project. Also, because each piece of wood has its own grain pattern and coloration, it's hard to match the same stain from one batch to another batch of wood no matter what brand or manufacturer you use. You could end up with an entire deck that looks different than another section of your deck even though both sections were stained with the same color! If this seems tricky you must seek expert advice.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned how to stain a deck, we hope you can take some time to implement the staining process, enjoy your hard work and relax! If you have any questions about deck stain in particular or other DIY projects around the house, leave us a comment or check out our other articles.

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