Exterior Painting Kennett Square, PA: Steps You Need to Stain Your Deck.
Are you planning to repaint or have your exterior deck refinished in Kennett Square, PA?
When the prevailing condition improves, and the warm weather prevails, refinishing your deck makes a lot of sense.
Wait for 2 to 3 days following a downpour before starting the work, in order to give the wood time to dry properly;
Leave enough time after or before the evening and morning dew, always to allow time for the wood to dry.
The aim is to ensure optimum penetration of the stain into the wood;
Do not apply the stain in direct sunlight. Instead, wait until the work surface is in the shade.
If you’re planning to re-stain your deck, here are the important steps you need to keep in mind for the best results.
Wood Cleaning
The preparation of the work surface is an essential condition for the success of your work.
First of all, you must inspect the deck to locate and repair any holes, badly driven nails or screws, and other visible splinters.
Then the surface must be cleaned to dislodge any dirt that could interfere with the work. You can use a pressure washer, which will make your cleaning easier, but be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this may damage your wood.
If you can’t get your hands on this type of machine, you can opt for a hardware store wood cleaner that you can apply with a finishing sprayer, which you can then rinse with plenty of water using a garden hose.
If your patio is only 1 or 2 years old and has never been painted or stained before, a simple wash is enough.
Otherwise, stripping using specialized products is required, always to ensure the sustainability of the work.
Wood Sanding
There are two ways to go about sanding your deck. The first is to sand manually using an electric sander and 80 to 120 grit sandpaper.
The second is to rent a floor sander from a tool rental center, which will save you a lot of time and energy.
Sanding will promote good penetration of the stain into the wood and thereby ensure prolonged protection of your deck.
The Application
After you are assured that the weather conditions will be favorable and that the choice of tools and stain matches your needs, the application can begin.
Spread the stain in the direction of the grain of the wood, regardless of the tool used. Pay special attention to holes, cracks, and ends of the boards, making sure to completely saturate them with the stain.
After waiting 6 to 24 hours for the stain to dry perfectly, you can apply a second coat if needed.
However, it is advisable not to apply too many coats of the stain, as this promotes flaking over time.
There are several types of stains available from as many different companies.
Most products are equivalent, but some types are more labor-intensive than others since they require the application of layers of protective sealant.
The stains are usually available in three different finishes:
• The transparent stain keeps the grain of your wood but requires almost annual maintenance.
• The semi-opaque stains the wood slightly and requires maintenance every two years.
• Opaque stain completely masks the finish of your wood, but it only requires maintenance every three years or so.
Use a synthetic fiber brush since the bristles allow better uniformity in the application. The use of a roller does not give as good a result since it cannot reach all the openings of a deck.
A brush handle can be used to avoid working on your knees. It is also strongly recommended to wear plastic gloves since the dye tends to penetrate the skin pores very easily.
Drying
Drying is a crucial step in obtaining a satisfactory result.
The surface should not be walked on for 24 to 48 hours after application.
The product must be allowed time to penetrate the wood well. Otherwise, unwanted stains could appear.
The Bottom Line
If your deck is looking a little worn out but still physically intact, you don’t have to replace or tear down anything, our team at Left Moon Painting can help.
At a fraction of the cost of replacing, we can re-stain your deck to a brand new look.
We have years of experience doing exterior residential repainting services in Kennett Square, PA, and West Chester, PA.
If you would like to give us a try, request a FREE estimate below to get started or call us at (484) 757-5295 for more information.
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