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. According to stain manufacturer Behr Corporation, you should avoid staining a deck for at least 24 to 48 hours after the deck gets wet. After a forecast of no rain, we had a random really hard 1 hour rain about 22 hours after 2nd coat was applied. Read the instructions on the stain can for recoating or adding a second coat. Explanation: Rain. Apply with a pump sprayer and let it sit for several minutes. Keep pads and rags handy to mop up spills and drips as they happen. It is also extremely important to prep the wood before staining with an oxalic acid wood conditioner, this will remove mill glaze and open the pores of the wood to accept a stain. In 1993 he started his first company called Oakland Pressure Wash specializing in exterior pressure washing and deck staining. It will peel shortly. It also pays to factor in the drying time between a first and second coat and of course, how long it is likely to take to apply the stain. Applied one coat and let it dry in shade 3 days(73 hours). As they are garden boxes and I will be planting vegie and herb plants in them, so are these stains food safe or will they leach into the soil and contaminate whatever plants are sown in them. What happens if it rains on a freshly oiled deck? . After baking in the 90 degree sun I tested again at 1PM. Wet wood can impact the look of your newly stained deck. Pressure wash off the blotches and then lightly recoat all. Most areas seem to be fine but there are some white marks and just one board that has some bubbles as shown in the picture. Thank you. The first pic is about 3 hours after the second coat (no rain) and the second pic with more shade is 24 hours after the heavy rain (50 hours after 2nd coat). With a moisture meter, you are looking for a reading between 12-15% or less. Thank you so much! 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. This is called leaching. Be careful not to use a light stain if your deck was previously covered with a dark stain. It is now very solid paint, dry to the touch, but slightly tacky if I leave my hand on the hot deck for a minute, and appears to have no bubbles or flaws. Conventional Wisdom says if you've got 4-6 of good dry-time, you should be OK The paint and humidity will affect this, as will the amount of rain and splash-back, and the vertical vs. horizontal surfaces etc. Have read that Linseed or tung oil is best for this purpose any info would be gratefully appreciated. They asked about a porch that has a roof. Dont cover it. I pressured washed my deck, let it dry and then used Flood CWF-UV Clear. The average is 4-12 hours but can be longer. In cooler weather or during periods of high humidity, you will need to wait even longer than this. We cleaned it and pressure washed it first and allowed it to dry. Be sure to apply sealant as soon as the wood . Questions or leave a review, please comment! All the products he suggests through this site are sold through online sites and in retail stores, allowing the consumer to choose their own means of purchase. Deck Stain Essential#2: Prepare new wooden decks differently than old ones before finishing. Try scraping and sanding those areas and recoating. It depends on the stain brand and how fast it dries. It depends on how hard it rained and for how long. I only have upright wood to stain as deck floor is composite. There were patches after the water dried. Thanks! Thank you for the speedy reply and helpful information! How Many Days After it Rains Should You Apply Deck Stain? Note on Help with Rain on your Deck Stain. Oil-based deck stains need 12-24 hours to dry and will receive more damage overall than water-based stains. Not all stains and not all woods respond in the same way. Strip and brighten to remove. Im so afraid of the latter. My team and I started this site to share this journey. 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. Staining a wet deck may also result in an uneven finish. Happy decorating! There are also cases where you can use a pressure washer and wood cleaner to wash the spots without harming stains. After it's been washed, let the wood dry for at least a couple of days. How many dry days does it take to stain a deck? More is not better. This proved to be very time-consuming because I wanted to make sure all the nail holes and cracks were filled. live in midwest and cold weather weather next . Is there a more washable option for me? All stain and prepping manufacturer directions were followed with our reviews and ratings. Heres pic of white blotches and some still wet after 24 hrs. If the water is absorbed, it's ready to seal. Hi, I put a first coat of stain on a deck yesterday when it wasnt calling for rain. Scott, I know this isnt the right thread but you were so helpful with my rain questions, I have one more. 2. Wet wood will affect the look of your newly stained deck. 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 Rained this morning and feels wet to touch and coloring looks as though I just applied the stain. Meanwhile, the stain itself can look splotchy, it can flake, and there may even be bubbles on the surface. I started staining my deck rails and spindles today. Thank you What happens if it rains on fresh stain? Clean the deck using a pressure washer set at 600-800 PSI and hold the nozzle at 40 degrees to avoid stop and start marks. Most likely okay. Will a Clear Sealer Prevent Graying on Deck? 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. You cannot assess until the rain water dries off. 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 . Deck stain differs from paint in a major way: Stain soaks into bare wood's pores to become part of the top layers of wood, while paint simply sits on top of the wood. Fortunately, there are many different ways to avoid and fix this problem. Find the Right Wood Stain for Your Project. These pocks and white spots will affect the appearance of your deck. It rained when it wasn't supposed to! its water base semi trans.should I chance. Hey! Hard to say. Softwoods are typically treated with preservative chemicals and are a more economical choice initially though they will need annual maintenance to maximize the life of a softwood deck. What happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck? It still has patches and now has white marks on some boards. That depends on the brand of stain and if you or cannot apply another coat after it has cured. Send pictures after the rainwater has dried off for help on how to fix. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. One of my favorite parts of my job is inspecting decks and patios. 2. You assess it then if it needs to be fixed or not. Now, 3 weeks post stain, had a heavy rain a couple days ago. Never apply a deck stain to unprepped wood. (No rain in the forecast now). Forty-eight hours gives your structure enough time to dry, promoting stain adhesion to the surface. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off. It rained about 4 hours later, a quick downpour, and then cleared up. About 4 hours after application some unexpected rain came in. Roughly 24 hours after application, I noticed the deck was still wet and unfortunately it started to rain heavily. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off. There are also other types of stains that you can use: You should know the climate regardless of whether you are building a deck on your own or want to buy a house with a prebuilt deck. Hey Scott I just stained my deck w Cabot Australian. This means applying the stain on a day when rain is not forecast for at least 48 hours. It might be difficult to wait to stain the deck, but it will prevent hours of extra work. Leave it as a flat sheen. Dew, rain, or very high humidity penetrated after latex paint drieda common problem if the latex paint was of lower quality or if the substrate surface preparation was inadequate. It started raining this morning and now its going to rain all day. But, what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck? Share. Here they are. Repair and Prevention . Feel the deck slats to determine if they are still hot, and wait for them to cool if they are. Cleaning a deck via pressure washing is one of the most controversial topics in the woodworking community. Staining - Water, Smoke, Etc. Thanks again for your help. We hope our guide to what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck has been helpful! Water is doing what the paint should do. Thank you. Sap seeping out has nothing to do with the rain. Whether they changed the formula (I suspect they did) or wether it just could not take any more stain, it needed to be stripped and sanded. Painting a deck is never a good idea unless you can paint all sides of your decking boards. The length of time needed to ensure a stain is dry before using the area cannot be easily answered without first outlining the number of variables in the equation. Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993, (as we ran around in horror trying to tarp the deck LOL). After the rain the sun came out and the deck dried. 5 Design Ideas to Screen in a Deck Without a Roof, How to Remove Rust-Oleum Restore from Deck or Concrete Patio, 9 Creative Ideas to Repurpose Old Deck Railings, How to Reinforce a Deck for a Hot Tub (Explained), 7 Problems with Rain on a Newly Stained Deck (& How to Fix it), How Long Deck Stain Needs to Dry (7 Things You Should Know), Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Advertise. Thank you so much for your help. If none is available, purchase a small piece of the same type of lumber, or simply test the stain in a small, hidden area. Undercover decks will take longer to dry in certain conditions, so allow for this when planning the project and when to use your deck after staining. Just wait a few days for it to fully dry and cure and then assess if any damage or not. Finished up for the day at 6pm. What an amazing resource! There are a number of other factors to consider when considering the best type of stain for a particular deck. The table ow has water spots all through the water sealer. It was starting to cure last night. New Product Alert TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series! washed it down with deck cleaner, scrub brush, and power washer, then applied semi-transparent deck stain (sikkens srd) over old stain. If washing or sanding and recoating doesnt fix the problem, it will be necessary to strip off the stain with a stain stripper and start over again. Assuming ill Have to re do but is there a chance after it dries it will cure and be okay? What to Use to Clean Deck Before Staining, Behr Premium Waterproofing Stain and Sealer. Oil-based stains penetrate the wood quite deep and stay longer. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off. Durable Quality That Lasts - DEFY Extreme wood stains are made with the highest quality resins available that have better resistance to fading and darkening. 2. If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to . When applying stain, a pad, brush, roller, or rag can be used to apply the stain. The sections under the roof seemed to fair okay and are dry but the sections that got rained on are still kinda tacky. Thanks for your quick reply. What stain brand and type did you use? i just recently re-stained my 1000sq ft. deck. Although it seems obvious, remember that this second coat will be the one that stands out the most, so you want to have a smooth finish. You cannot do much until it stops raining once it starts. Mineral spirits didnt work. Clean, Strip, or Sand the, Deck Stain Calculator How Much Deck Stain. Telltale signs are a damaged appearance and discoloration. I was applying the stain in partly-cloudy conditions (sometimes sun, sometimes cloud), temps in the high 70's (mid-20's in metric), humidity probably around 50-60% as is typical all spring/summer/fall long here. Spray a small section of deck railing and balusters with deck cleaner, using the garden sprayer. For some regions, this could mean waiting several months until you can stain the deck. It looks good and the rain did not harm it. Hi Scott, I put on my first coat of Behrs solid wood stain yesterday and finished around 2pm. In many cases, light precipitation or drizzle will not cause issues. Tiny zinc particles dispersed throughout the stain reflect damaging UV rays, preventing premature graying and color loss. Water beading and drying on the deck will cause these marks. The damage will show as blotchy patterns and white spots will appear. How long does wood stain take to dry? You cannot spot fix this and you will need to add some gutters or it will continue. -Before asking a question if rain harmed your deck, wait until the rain stops and the water fully dries off the deck or wood. Much will depend on the outside temperature, the stain being used, and decking material. If the surface drys out quickly, sometimes these will disappear. If the deck is in a high traffic area or provides an access point to the interior of the house, consider how you and others will access the house while the newly-stained deck is drying. Rain damage to your newly-stained deck is easily avoidable. In addition to aesthetic defects, there may also be moisture damage, which might require you to replace the entire deck. Opaque latex stains generally last longer than semi-transparent versions. These articles have useful how-to staining tips and great stain color suggestions. If you do not let the deck dry sufficiently before staining, you will trap moisture in the wood underneath the new coat of stain. The effect is worse if it does rain shortly after you apply the wood stain. I used Sherwin Williams Super Deck in semi-solid. 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. I would not worry about it. Can I spot stain the areas washed out or just give the entire deck a second coat? 25 Useful Outdoor Toy Storage Ideas to Keep Your Family Organized! Laurie Jones. 1. Apply it until it completely darkens the deck. Would you consider Cabot a quality brand? Dime-shaped pockets, stains, and white spots are all signs of water damage. What happens if it rains on fresh stain? Thanks for any advice. 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. The choice of stain will also be influenced by the preference for an oil-based or water-based stain. The stain was applied to garden boxes not decking so is the procedure the same as decking.. 2. Sorry. Contractor thinks more stain, I had to stop them and ask them to go get educated before doing anything. What happens if it rains after you stain your deck? When the solvent evaporates, all that remains is the pigment and the oil that is. The Behr is very poor. All wood surfaces need to be cleaned correctly prior to staining. It has been a grueling job for one woman with a power washer, a belt and palm sanders. I oiled our new deck last month with Intergrain universal timber oil. What do I do? 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 . Unfortunately I came across your website after the fact! Rain will damage the finish of any wet sealer with linseed oil or mineral oil in it. What happens? 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. It was several days so I dont know what could have caused it . 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. Use TWP or Armstrong Clark stains. Modified wood takes a softwood species and uses a non-toxic liquid that changes the wood cell structure to make it very dense. The moisture that is on the unprotected sides will start to absorb into your decking boards and make its way to the surface. 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? One way to protect your wood deck and its finish is to keep standing water and, at this time of year, snow off the deck as best you can. Can these spots be sanded and recoated? I might need to ask them to sand that section and re-stain there, will that work? What an awesome resource to be able to ask the opinion of others to figure out what to do, thank you! This is not the right answer. I took your advice and tested the Cabot solid stain in white over the existing stain. Southern Utah Sealcoating LLC. In average conditions, your paint or stain will be dry to the touch within 1-2 hours, but you should not walk on it for probably 4-6 hours. The blotches and then used Flood CWF-UV Clear rained on are still kinda tacky can cause a blotchy flaky... Much until it stops raining once it starts wet after 24 hrs later, a pad, brush,,. 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Is composite flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat assess it then it... Around in horror trying to tarp the deck using a pressure washer and wood cleaner to the. Wood to stain as deck floor is composite later, a belt and palm sanders solid in! Specializing in exterior pressure washing is one of my favorite parts of my favorite parts of my job is decks. Will not cause issues is there a chance after it & # ;. Promoting stain adhesion to the surface okay and are dry but the sections that got rained on are hot! Brand of stain for a reading between 12-15 % or less the fact have! Nail holes and cracks were filled cleaner to wash the spots without harming stains does shortly. Read that Linseed or tung oil is best for this purpose any info would be appreciated... Cleaned correctly prior to staining, I know this isnt the right thread but you were so helpful my... The procedure the same way all woods respond in the woodworking community asked about porch. Forecast for at least 48 hours one coat and let it dry and and! Water sealer be influenced by the preference for an oil-based or water-based stain damaging UV,! Woodworking community the unprotected sides will start to absorb into your decking boards be very time-consuming because wanted. Again at 1PM stain reflect damaging UV rays, preventing premature graying and loss. 1 hour rain about 22 hours after application some unexpected rain came in this can a. Stain adhesion to the surface is never a good idea unless you can a. Some gutters or it will continue of no rain, we had a random really hard 1 rain...