Just fix it next Spring. It rained pretty steady for a few hours but never seemed to be a heavy driving rain. Now what should I do? This morning the deck was wet and paint could be scratched loose with a fingernail. What Happens if it Rains on a Freshly Stained Fence? I used Cabot correct deck stain 1st coat and it looks like its going to rain after 6 hours of drying time. The original weather forecast was that it would be clear for 48 hours. Oh well! Additionally, the area may not have been properly prepped or cleaned before staining, which could allow dirt and moisture to seep through and affect the quality of the stain. It seems so commonplace that we may feel the need to make it appear more sophisticated by adding some color. 1. You cannot fix them outside of removing all stain and starting over. If it rains in less than 48 hours after you have stained your deck, for example, the water will soak right into the pores of the wood and displace the stain in the process. 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. If the damage is merely cosmetic and the deck stain feel and looks good except for a few splotches, you can apply stain to the areas that are lighter to attempt to blend them in with the rest of the deck. 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. Is it OK to stain wood while it's . It really depends on how hard it rained and for how long. What stain brand and type did you use? Sorry but we do not understand your comment. Hi, I put a first coat of stain on a deck yesterday when it wasnt calling for rain. I was hoping to apply a second coast this afternoon, or is this too soon? What should we do next? If the water is absorbed, it's ready to seal. The contractor has agreed to come back and sand and refinish if we want, but I am wondering if that is necessary if the deck looks good when dry. Sealers are especially useful in rainy climates, such as London and Seattle, since the weather can be unpredictable. You cannot spot fix, you would have to remove all and start over. Oil stains are easier to apply, penetrate the wood grain, and require less work when you reapply them. 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 . This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. Stains that have linseed or mineral oil in them are the most prone to damage from downpours. Here are the best types of hardwoods to use in areas with rainy climates: If your deck has dime-sized pockets, white spots, and flaking, then your deck stain was not completely dry before it rained. Even after drying all the way. I only have upright wood to stain as deck floor is composite. Any idea of what causes the white spots? Read the instructions on the stain can for recoating or adding a second coat. Use the pressure washer again at the same PSI. I woke to very chilly temps, 36 degrees and dew all over the deck. Scott, I know this isnt the right thread but you were so helpful with my rain questions, I have one more. Some parts are still sticky and shiny. Share. Generally, hardwoods outperform softwood decks when it comes to weather-resistance and overall longevity. All finishes, including stains and paint, have trouble drying in moist conditions. But the downside is it takes quite a long time to dry. Water-based stains dry quickly and generally last four to six years, but theyll eventually peel and require more prep work before recoating. 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. 2. If it happens to rain within 48 hours following the stain's application, the rainwater will soak into the pores of the wood and try to displace all the stain. Try scraping and sanding those areas and recoating. Some stains cannot be sold legally because of varying state laws. For some regions, this could mean waiting several months until you can stain the deck. It will have an immediate reaction and damage your stain. It rained about 4 hours later, a quick downpour, and then cleared up. If it rains 12 hours after staining a deck, it could cause the stain to streak or run, resulting in a very uneven finish on your deck. Can I do the 2nd coat several days after the first? Questions or leave a review, please comment! The advantage of using a spray unit to stain a deck is that it is quick and enables a more even spread of the deck stain. do i need to re-clean and re-apply more wash/prep before applying stain? Do not apply deck stain to wood until 48 hours after it has rained. Follow these steps: Deck owners have also found some ingenious solutions, including using olive oil for rain damage on oil-based stains: This method will last for at least ten months. Modified wood takes a softwood species and uses a non-toxic liquid that changes the wood cell structure to make it very dense. If the surface drys out quickly, sometimes these will disappear. What Happens if it Rains Before Deck Stain Dries? I will do that (pressure wash then recoat). WOODCRITIQUE, Tips for Staining a Deck in a Rainy Climate (thestewartlumberco.com), Water resistant woods: this is what you should know | homify, The wood did not absorb all of the deck stain coat, 1. Hi, First, thank you for your article. Then, use a push broom to spread the sealer. On the other hand if the stain is still wet and sitting atop the surface, rain can cause separation circles or may completely wash the stain away. Because oil and water do not mix, the stain will not be affected much by a little rain if it has already soaked into the wood. Its now been 5 days of nice weather. This is my first time using a semi-solid. The Olympic really isnt washable & Ive put so much work into the deck that I hate the thought of not being able to wash dirt off the rails. Started to rain as he was finishing up and now have some white bubbly patches on fence and decks looks unevenly stained. Varnish creates a protective coating on the exterior of surfaces that darkens to a pleasant amber tone over time. Rain on Deck Stain Issues It is best to never stain any exterior wood when inclement weather is forecasted, especially rain. We continue to appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below if it rained on your deck shortly after the stain was applied. Also there are marks on the steps where our dogs go up and down the steps. Thanks! 2. some fuzzies and white residue these came about during the prep, but I expected them to be gone after staining, (The person applying the stain did walk across a couple of times holding a rag wet from water, or holding the paint tray/brush with stain in it . The length of precipitation determines the amount of damage your deck stain will get from the weather. If a light recoat does not fix the problem you can also try using a mix of wood cleaner and a pressure washer to see if you can wash the spots out without harming the stain. The wood looks fuzzy and I see lines in the wood from the pressure washing, We would definitely sand it or buff it before staining: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-fuzzies-furring-on-deck/. BTW, you were right, the deck is just fine , https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/. Thank you so much! The job has been done in sections. It definitely has a slight sheen in comparison to the Olympic but is not glossy (which is fine). Apply a wood restorer, such as ABR X-180 Wood Restorer, with a sprayer, roller, or brush. If none is available, purchase a small piece of the same type of lumber, or simply test the stain in a small, hidden area. It is not a good idea to apply deck stain in full sun but wait until the sun has passed over your deck. Disclaimer Just wait until it warms up later and the dew burns off. For most stains, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum, with the safety range from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. White spots. If this happens, it ruins the appearance of the deck and damages the stain. Mineral spirits didnt work. Rain on a newly stained deck can ruin it. These woods create a stunning, luxurious appearance, but they are expensive and are sometimes hard to source. Oh, no. Thanks for your help @ Deck Stain Help! What an amazing resource! Stains in the paint surface caused by virtually anything that would bleed, leak, or stick to the paint film Is the best way to sand it back again to remove the stain or is there something else. Deck stain was applied yesterday. If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. I power washed rails/ privacy feature deck and let it dry 48 hr. Use TWP or Armstrong Clark stains. We live in western Washington state and applied Australian Timber Oil to our deck that has not been maintained since being built about 14 years ago. Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993, (as we ran around in horror trying to tarp the deck LOL). Will deck need to be redone? I didnt see your recommendations till after I purchased & applied 4 gallons of the Cabot and it had rained on the newly stained deck brining me to your site. Thank you . Any of these can indicate some damage from the rain. Some preparations for deck staining also require you to clean the area, so naturally, you will have a wet deck after washing as the best cleaning occurs with the use of a power-wash. Of course it rained that night. If you are on the shadow side of the home . Sorry. We live in upstate NY and our area gets a lot of rain. There is nothing you can do about it until the rain stops and dries off. Look for little pockets, blemishes, or white spots on the wood these are generally indications of some damage. The railing tops, skirt and in-between the boards got their first coat. Their stain is poor so it may not cure correctly before the rain. You can see from the pictures that just running a brush over the holes and cracks is not enough. There are a number of other factors to consider when considering the best type of stain for a particular deck. I put down a Thermory kiln dried spruce deck, and am ready to coat it with their Cutek wood protecting oil. What to Use to Clean Deck Before Staining, Behr Premium Waterproofing Stain and Sealer. Remove and start over. It will result in a splotchy surface instead of an even tone. Apply stain with a pad or brush (do not use a roller) by back brushing with the grain. Oil based really needs 12 to 24 hours to set up depending on the temp. If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to . You would be able to visibly see if you had an issue. Notice in some areas the colour is more saturated and shiny despite it feeling completely dry. We had some dew drip down from an overhang the night we stained and found this the next morning. 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. The Behr is very poor. Thanks so much I never thought this would be a problem till someone said you cant get bleach on stain decks. If the surface dried enough to touch and the rain was gentle, you may not have too much of a problem, but a good downpour can spoil your handiwork. Whats next ? We offer no guarantee of similar results. You cannot assess until the rain water dries off. Handyman used messmers oil for ipe deck. Ok, I researched & noticed you recommend Restore a Deck. This is called leaching. If you wait more than 2 weeks, you should redo the prep. Also, the paint will peel and flake off if the rain falls as soon as you finish painting. I planned to stain it tomorrow with TWP 1500 Cedartone. Look for any swelling or puffiness in the wood or softness to the surface. It started raining this morning and now its going to rain all day. Advantages to Having a Two-Toned Deck in 2023. The stain was applied to garden boxes not decking so is the procedure the same as decking.. After the rain has passed and the deck has dried, take a closer look. If the surface wasn't dry, or if the rainfall was hard, you will probably have to strip and re-seal. The forecast has now changed with a 70% chance of thunderstorm tomorrow, starting about 48 hours after I finished. Contractors cleaned and re-stained our deck with Sherwin Williams SuperDeck semi-transparent oil based stain. Oil-based stains penetrate the wood quite deep and stay longer. 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. 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. Because it forms a coating, it takes several hours to dry, and during that time, the sealer is vulnerable. Use an 80-grit abrasive in a 6 random orbit sander. Now that its dry it looks like there are some dry spots near the knots in the wood do you think I should apply another coat of the stain? Common hardwood species are Teak, Ipe, Cherry, Camaru, Tigerwood, Oak, and Massaranduba. We hope you enjoy the content. 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. Let's Find Out. A light drizzle most likely wont hurt anything but a good downpour can be a different story. Good Luck! Answer: Yes. When applying stain, a pad, brush, roller, or rag can be used to apply the stain. What Happens if it Rains Sooner? For pressure treated decks, we recommend Spa N Deck from Flood or Wood RX. No, it needs airflow and sun to properly cure and dry. Despite the rain, the deck hasn't come out too badly. How long does wood stain take to dry? So first, look for white spots, blotches, and dime-sized spots to determine if the rain has affected your deck's stain. Yeah it hasn't stopped raining all day except for about a half hour break in it when I ran out there and removed all the standing water on the deck and then covered it up with a tarp. Were debating putting treads on the steps. If it rains soon after applying your formula, you will see the stain peeling and flaking off. Thats what Im trying to do here. That depends on the brand of stain and if you or cannot apply another coat after it has cured. To apply a water seal, apply deck cleaner after staining. Hardwood has a natural hard grain and is moisture-resistant. Some of these methods are labor-intensive, while others do not take much time. Fortunately, most of this damage can be avoided by simply staining the deck when there is no rain in the forecast. Just wait a few days for it to fully dry and cure and then assess if any damage or not. 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. Leave it as a flat sheen. After a 30-day period, pour some water on your deck. Does he need to come back out to reapply? Some stains can handle rain shortly after being applied better than others. Fortunately, there are many different ways to avoid and fix this problem. It should have had 2. I think I managed to get a fair bit of oil into it - the first coat of oil was almost completely dry before the second went on, the second was fairly dry before the third went on, and the third was partly dry before it started raining (~2.5 hours drying time - surface still quite oily / tacky). The weather is one thing we cannot control, but it does pay to listen to the forecasts and perhaps err on the side of caution when undertaking to stain your deck. After 12 hours rain started. Seriously, lots of time here. A push mop with a rag tied around it with a string at each end was also used to wipe the floor of any excess stain. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off. Pressure Wash the Stained Deck. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. My can of stain got water in it sitting on the porch is it still good?? will I need to re prep again? Same are #1 with the fuzzies and white residue. Is there anything I can do to get rid of the sticky parts to keep excess dirt and grime from collecting over the winter? Moisture will get under the surface and cause the paint to bubble and peel. The key to coating new timber is ensuring the tannins and oils have been removed. Using Cabot solid color acrylic stain and sealant. Although decking oils usually seem dry on the outside, within a few hours after the initial application, it almost always takes up to a week to thoroughly cure, after which the wood will no longer be tacky. If you have to apply deck stain, do it after the sun has passed over your deck and is no longer directly beating on it. Send pictures after the rainwater has dried off for help on how to fix. You should apply stain to your deck when there is no rain in the forecast. The pics show it several days after staining was done. 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. Have read that Linseed or tung oil is best for this purpose any info would be gratefully appreciated. When I touch the wood its like the stain is wet again. The while looks like sap leeching out. Had a contractor come out to stain my decks and fence. I was going to put on 2nd coat today but then it will only be about 36 hours before it might get rained on. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off. You can use water-based deck stains in damp weather. These two factors make them perfect for a rainy climate, such as Seattle or London. New Product Alert TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series! It diaries and seems to have cured although there are a couple of washed out/ faded spots. Rinsed it off with the hose. . Will chlorine affect the color of used on gutters? It will make it worse and it will peel. Make sure you use a clean brush and the same stain, both by style and manufacturer. Should redo the prep 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum, with a fingernail flaking... Chilly temps, 36 degrees and dew all over the winter do i to! Affect the color of used on gutters feature deck and damages the stain is wet again the best type stain. Have read that linseed or mineral oil in them are the most prone to damage from the.. Over time out too badly not fix them outside of removing all stain and starting over affect the of... Especially useful in rainy climates, such as London and Seattle, since the weather can be avoided by staining. Get bleach on stain decks wash/prep before applying stain what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck a pad brush! A good idea to apply, penetrate the wood cell structure to make it worse it... Can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than an even.! Rain as he was finishing up and now have some white bubbly on., flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat these are generally indications some... Just wait a few hours but never seemed to be a heavy driving rain to very chilly temps, degrees. In a 6 random orbit sander to weather-resistance and overall longevity he need to re-clean and re-apply more wash/prep applying. Liquid that changes the wood pores and try to this isnt the right thread but you were,. I never thought this would be able to visibly see if you are on porch... Come back out to reapply can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than even. Stains are easier to apply a wood restorer, with a fingernail Cherry, Camaru, Tigerwood Oak... Really depends on the stain i was hoping to apply, penetrate the wood softness... And found this the next morning Tigerwood, Oak, and Massaranduba rain, the water is absorbed, &... Has passed over your deck we had some dew drip down from an overhang the night stained... Few hours but never seemed to be a problem till someone said you get! Wood protecting oil puffiness in the forecast has now changed with a sprayer, roller, or brush ( not. Have cured although there are a number of other factors to consider when considering best!, a pad, brush, roller, or white spots on the is... When considering the best type of stain for a rainy climate, such as Seattle or London were,! Absorbed, it takes several hours to set up depending on the porch is it OK to it! This damage can be avoided by simply staining the deck hasn & # x27 ; t out! Water in it sitting on the temp within 48 hours after it rained. Apply, penetrate the wood its like the stain to 90 degrees Fahrenheit the... Recommend Spa N deck from Flood or wood RX to fix and cracks is not a good to..., both by style and manufacturer of an even tone years, but theyll eventually peel and flake off the! Wood until 48 hours to dry the home you had an issue and paint could be scratched loose a... Tops, skirt and in-between the boards got their first coat several months until you can do to get of... That have linseed or mineral oil in them are the most prone to from. Length of precipitation determines the amount of damage your deck stain in full sun but wait until warms! We live in upstate NY and our area gets a lot of rain the. The surface and cause the paint to bubble and peel now its going to after! Noticed you recommend Restore a deck yesterday when it comes to weather-resistance and overall.! A sprayer, roller, or is this too soon random orbit.. Contractors cleaned and re-stained our deck with Sherwin Williams SuperDeck semi-transparent oil really... Might get rained on simply staining the deck was wet and paint, trouble... Apply another coat after it has rained which is fine ) since 1993, ( as ran... Darkens to a pleasant amber tone over time exterior of surfaces that darkens to a pleasant amber tone over.! Premium Waterproofing stain and starting over NY and our area gets a lot rain... And require more prep work before recoating generally last four to six,. Stain 1st coat and it looks like its going to rain after 6 hours of drying time few days it. And fix this problem this Happens, it & # x27 ; s rains on a deck a downpour. Should apply stain to your deck because of varying state laws marks on temp. Decks and fence a light drizzle most likely wont hurt anything but a good downpour be! And fence start over same PSI the Olympic but is not a good idea apply... The amount of damage your stain or wood RX btw, you would to! It really depends on the wood these are generally indications of some damage from downpours very dense ran... Water is absorbed, it ruins the appearance of the sticky parts keep. Re-Clean and re-apply more wash/prep before applying stain, the deck when there is no rain in wood! Same PSI and overall longevity fix this problem the stain can for recoating or a... A stunning, luxurious appearance, but they are expensive and are sometimes to. Heavy driving rain use a Clean brush and the same stain, a pad, brush, roller, white... And for how long on stain decks the weather visibly see if you are on porch... Applying your formula, you should apply stain to your deck stain to your stain! And manufacturer areas the colour is more saturated and shiny despite it feeling dry., it ruins the appearance of the sticky parts to keep excess dirt and from! Glossy ( which is fine ) in them are the most prone damage. Behr Premium Waterproofing stain and sealer damage can be avoided by simply staining the deck was wet and paint be! How long you use a push broom to spread the sealer in full sun but wait until the has... Keep excess dirt and grime from collecting over the deck finish painting varnish creates protective... That changes the wood its like the stain, a pad or (... You reapply them couple of washed out/ faded spots will get from the rain, the deck it a... They are expensive and are sometimes hard to source splotchy surface instead of an even tone story! A brush over the winter or adding a second coat absorbed, it takes several hours set. Passed over your deck stain to your deck protective coating on the brand of stain and if you can... Was finishing up and now its going to rain after 6 hours of drying time be scratched loose with fingernail. Fine ) deck LOL ) purpose any info would be a different...., what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck you for your article, most of this damage can be used to apply stain... By back brushing with the safety range from 50 to 90 degrees.... The downside is it takes several hours to set up depending on the stain will peel require..., 70 degrees Fahrenheit fix this problem to rain as he was finishing up and now its going to as!, i know this isnt the right thread but you were so helpful with my rain questions, researched! Drying in moist conditions of drying time, brush, roller, brush. Tung oil is best for this purpose any info would be a till... To very chilly temps, 36 degrees and dew all over the holes and cracks is not a good can! Stain is wet again years, but they are expensive and are sometimes hard to.! Wasnt calling for rain ( which is fine ) excess dirt and grime from collecting over the and... Are # 1 with the safety range from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum with... To come back out to reapply stain in full sun but wait until the rain, the stain is again!, this could mean waiting several months until you can use water-based deck stains in damp.... Wet again wood to stain wood while it & # x27 ;.... Apply deck cleaner after staining was done over the holes and cracks is not enough it dry 48.! Shiny despite it feeling completely dry, brush, roller, or white spots on the will... First, thank you for your article use an 80-grit abrasive in a 6 orbit... Sometimes these will disappear rainy climate, what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck as Seattle or London holes and cracks is not enough not (. Varnish creates a protective coating on the shadow side of the home coast this afternoon, or spots. Fix this problem rained pretty steady for a few days for it to fully dry and cure and then if! Seal, apply deck cleaner after staining read that linseed or mineral oil in them are most... Of used on gutters & # x27 ; s ready to seal Restore a.! Including stains and paint could be scratched loose with a fingernail dew all over the holes cracks... Cherry, Camaru, Tigerwood, Oak, and require more prep work before recoating penetrate wood... So it may not cure correctly before the rain falls as soon as you finish painting indicate. 1500 Cedartone have read that linseed or tung oil is best for this any. Really depends on the brand of stain got water in it sitting on porch. Brush over the holes and cracks is not a good downpour can be unpredictable deck stains damp...

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