After all the hours you spend building your new deck, you'll want to protect your hard work from the elements. A wood-protecting sealer or stain is a great option. It penetrates into the wood to shield it from damaging UV rays and moisture, without forming a film that can peel over time. If you choose a product with a tint (we used Thompson's WaterSeal in sheer natural cedar tint), you can add a little colour without covering the woodgrain.
Before you begin, check the weather report. Don't apply the sealer if rain is forecast for 24 hours before or after you plan to stain. Also, the air and surface temperature of the deck must be at least 10˚C.
Like all great projects, you need to prepare the wood for finishing
1. Use a pressure-washer to spray away any dirt, mildew, dust, oil or other contaminants from the deck.
2. Be sure to reach all areas you need to stain, including lattice work and all sides of the railing. Let the deck dry for 48 hours. Also, check the manufacturer's recommendations for wood preparation.
Protect your work area
3. Cover ALL plants in the immediate area. Also move any furniture or other items to another location to protect them from drips. Mineral spirits will help remove stains from accidental contact, so have some on hand.
1 Comment
I am sanding and restaining my deck made of white cedar. I do have some mildew and was wondering what mixture to use with the javex and water mix. I have tried numerous stains such as Behr, but nothing stays on the deck. This time I intend to use Thompsons. Thnx in advance Andy