What to Do Before Staining Your Deck or Fence
A new deck or fence is a great addition to any home. They provide extra space for entertaining, give your home some extra curb appeal, and can even increase your property value. But a mistake we see many people make is rushing into the staining process without taking the proper steps first.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Ethan, The Honest Carpenter, to guide you on how to prep your new deck or fence for staining.
When Should You Stain Your New Fence or Deck?
You should let it dry (also known as “letting it weather”) for about 30 days. Waiting longer than thirty days can lead to your newly installed fence or deck warping from getting too hot and overly drying. If you are approaching the thirty-day mark on your deck and fence installation, keep reading for the next step.
The “Soft Wash” Process
A mistake we see commonly is prepping your new deck and fence with too high of water pressure. This causes wood damage and can inject too much water, which can lead to too much water or stain failure on your fence.
To avoid this we recommend using a light pressure tip and following the “soft wash” process.
Apply the Cleaner
To start, you’ll need a quality liquid cleaner like Sherwin Williams Superdeck Revive. This product contains oxalic acid, which will help scour and clean your fence or deck. It is designed to remove stains from dirt, mildew, algae, weathered wood, tannin extracts, nail bleed, and even mill glaze!
Sherwin Williams recommends Revive for use on:
- New or uncoated cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated lumber and surfaces treated with Stain and Sealer Remover
- Redwood, cedar, and other resinous woods
Rinse the Cleaner
Once you’ve applied the cleaner, let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with a hose or a pressure washer with a rinse tip. And that’s it! After completing this simple process, your fence or deck will be ready to stain. Be sure to follow all of the instructions on your chosen stain product, and enjoy your beautiful new space!
Ready For Stain
Staining your new deck fence is an important part of protecting your investment. Following this soft wash process to prep, your surface will help extend the life of your deck or fence by protecting it from the elements. You are just a few steps away from a properly prepared fence and deck that is clean and stain-ready! Plus, it’ll help to ensure that your stain is able to go on evenly and looks great!
The fence we washed and stained was installed by Powers Fence Co., a Raleigh fence contractor and one of our trusted partners!
As always, if you are local to the Raleigh area, and would like to hire a pro to check deck or fence staining off your to-do list, we’d love to help! Head over to our contact page to book a consultation with us!
