You cannot fix them outside of removing all stain and starting over. Personally I am liking a brush. 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. I would not worry about it. Try applying stain in an inconspicuous spot to see if it fixes the rain damage. Hey Scott I just stained my deck w Cabot Australian. So I cleaned and brightened my deck but the last week has had some random light showers, so I havent had the 72 minimum window to let the deck dry, stain and cure before more rain comes. Curing is the time taken for the stain to settle into the surface of the wood, dry fully, and set its final color. The pictures are from 1:00 today, they show the edge of the stain that was painted last (Id run out of stain) and the decks entire surface. The spots appear to be gone but of course not the marks on the steps. 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 . We are in Australia and weather is cool. As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. Im get overwhelmed with all the information Im reading. 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. It will result in a splotchy surface instead of an even tone. My name is Hubert Miles. This is my first time using a semi-solid. But the downside is it takes quite a long time to dry. The stickiness could have happened for many reasons: If you remember doing any of these, you can take the following steps: Rain will damage your deck and alter the stain if the stain does not have enough time to dry. Bulky items such as umbrella stands, grills, or planters should really stay off the deck for a week as if the stain is not fully cured, heavy furniture may stick to the stain and peel the stain away if moved. If it feels tacky to the touch (a little sticky but not wet), then you can apply the second coat. And when will i be able to apply 2nd coat?. We hired a local handyman to paint our deck. He used Thompsons Water Seal on the fence and Cabots Australian Timber Oil on the decks. 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 . Any pictures of your deck stain project will help. Rain could potentially ruin a newly stained deck, as it is generally recommended to wait for a minimum of 24 hours before allowing any moisture to come in contact with the wood. If it rains before your stained deck completely dries, the rainwater will soak into the wood's pores and displace the stain. As you may be aware, moisture in the wood inhibits the stain from properly adhering to the wood, causing a thinner . After washing the wood and rinsing well, mix the brightener up according to the directions. However, if rain was unexpected or purely unavoidable, there are ways you can manage the effects. 1. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59MnCmRS1VE), deck stains will only need 4-6 hours to dry, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf2QpWSXTLs, How To Remove Water Stains From Wood Deck | NO SANDING & NO CHEMICALS | Quick & Easy Hack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf2QpWSXTLs), What Happens If It Rains On a Freshly Stained Deck? Finished up for the day at 6pm. Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster @ Thickening Gel Review New Product Alert TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series! Oil-based deck stains need 12-24 hours to dry and will receive more damage overall than water-based stains. Scott and his Deck Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 decks in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. What happens if it rains on freshly stained decks? Some stains can handle rain shortly after being applied better than others. See pictures attached. Oil-based stains take longer to cure and cause problems if the newly-stained deck is rained on in the first 12-24 hours of stain application. Ive waited till the rain dried off the deck before asking my questions. After the brightener has done its job simply rinse the deck again for 20 minutes . What to Use to Clean Deck Before Staining, Behr Premium Waterproofing Stain and Sealer. If you are getting higher readings, the deck needs further air drying before applying the stain. I only have upright wood to stain as deck floor is composite. Cleaning a deck via pressure washing is one of the most controversial topics in the woodworking community. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off. When it rained really hard over the weekend the water seemed to seep into the stain and it created a yellow kinda film on the top that I could scrape off with my finger nail. Having rain stained on your newly varnished deck is unfortunate, although this can be a typical encounter. Deck stains are generally used for preserving and protecting exterior wood. If you live in an area with a rainy climate, such as Seattle or London, a water-based, mildew-resistant, low-pigmented stain is the best to use. My team and I started this site to share this journey. Can Deck Stains Be applied with a Roller? Do you have questions about staining your wood deck or other wood surfaces? Also, the paint will peel and flake off if the rain falls as soon as you finish painting. What happens if it rains on a freshly oiled deck? Give it a week or so to see if the spots go away on their own. Thanks again for your help. Forty-eight hours gives your structure enough time to dry, promoting stain adhesion to the surface. Thank you in advance. Restaining your deck is the most labor-intensive method and is a perfect example of why you should know what weather is coming in the next few days before you stain your deck. We offer no guarantee of similar results. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off. New Product Alert TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series! When it comes to what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck, its really best not to find out to avoid having to correct the potential damage. All wood surfaces need to be cleaned correctly prior to staining. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. Sorry but we do not understand your comment. Staining a wet deck may also result in an uneven finish. Many customers who have this experience say that the deck stain is sticky and not solid. Will it effect it right away or will it take days to show up? Deck seems to have oil mixing with the rain. If this happens, the moisture in the wood stops the stain from sticking to the deck properly. Hard to say what will happen in the future as this stain brand and type is prone to peeling anyhow. Be sure to apply sealant as soon as the wood . Is that a problem? There also seems to be sap bubbling up, as well. It depends on how hard it rained and for how long. Telltale signs are a damaged appearance and discoloration. Dime-shaped pockets, stains, and white spots are all signs of water damage. 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. Insects and other pests are not attracted to modified wood, and this material does well in any climate. Thank you We had some dew drip down from an overhang the night we stained and found this the next morning. House moisture escaped through the walls due to improper house ventilation. These two factors make them perfect for a rainy climate, such as Seattle or London. The pics show it several days after staining was done. My wood boards are underneathmy deck and was getting wet so i wiped them with a cloth and propted them up so rain could run down and not rest on. Now what should I do? Water will soak into the deck if it rains within 48 hours after painting. It just couldnt happen not even in the week. What do you recommend? We hope you enjoy the content. Water-based stains dry quickly and generally last four to six years, but theyll eventually peel and require more prep work before recoating. The stain was applied to garden boxes not decking so is the procedure the same as decking.. Typically, pine is the cheapest lumber you can buy and its light color can make it seem like a blank canvas. Staining - Water, Smoke, Etc. 25 Useful Outdoor Toy Storage Ideas to Keep Your Family Organized! If it rains 12 hours after staining your deck, it is important to take immediate action. Oil stains are easier to apply, penetrate the wood grain, and require less work when you reapply them. It rained maybe 6-8 hours after we sealed the deck. Can even tell it needs 2. He has become an authority in the deck restoration industry and has contributed to numerous wood restoration forums and informative sites. Heres pic of white blotches and some still wet after 24 hrs. Post some pics in the comments. The job has been done in sections. If it rains soon after applying your formula, you will see the stain peeling and flaking off. How long does wood stain take to dry? The decks location and its exposure to environmental and weather conditions will be a significant influence on the type of deck stain most likely to suit that area. When contaminants are left in the wood pores and stain is applied a whole host of problems can occur. What an amazing resource! Nothing to do but wait until it's dry for 24 hours and see if it left the finish spotted. Deck Stain Facts: Frequently Sought Questions & Answers, Deck Stain Facts: Short Videos Questions and Answers, Wood and Deck Stain Review Videos Deck, Top 5 Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings Video, Prepping a Wood Deck Videos Deck Stain, Restore-A-Deck Stain & Prep Videos Deck Stain, Best Deck Prep? Water is doing what the paint should do. 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. Is there a mineral spirits product you would recommend? The nature of wood, when exposed to water and humidity, is to swell and expand. Identify the tacky or sticky part of the deck, I applied a second coat of color before the first one dried, Commonly used as a top coat of deck stain, Resistant to warping, cracking, twisting, and decay, You can only know if the harvesting was environmentally responsible and has the Forest Stewardship Council trademark, Will blacken if it experiences prolonged exposure to moisture. Do not cover it. We would switch brands first to avoid issues down the road: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deck-stain-review/. If it does not cure and dry on its own in a few weeks then you will have to remove it fully and start over. Apply it until it completely darkens the deck. Wood stains are probably most commonly used on pine boards and plywood. Ill attach pics of the dry deck. One of my favorite parts of my job is inspecting decks and patios. This will ensure the final finish of your coating will look amazing and last longer. For pressure treated decks, we recommend Spa N Deck from Flood or Wood RX. Oil based really needs 12 to 24 hours to set up depending on the temp. Avoid painting within four hours of a rainstorm; high humidity often causes blisters (sometimes water-filled) to form. All stain and prepping manufacturer directions were followed with our reviews and ratings. Wet wood can impact the look of your newly stained deck. If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to . According to stain manufacturer Behr Corporation, you should avoid staining a deck for at least 24 to 48 hours after the deck gets wet. As the rain falls, the displaced deck stain may wash away from the surface. Any of these can indicate some damage from the rain. 2. Stain, therefore, lasts for a long time if it is appropriately applied. Care must be taken though not to over-apply the stain as this can cause other issues like flaking and peeling. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off. It will have an immediate reaction and damage your stain. Hey! Decks.com recommends that you use a high-quality water-based stain. It rained pretty steady for a few hours but never seemed to be a heavy driving rain. If you are using latex, if you can get it on for 4 to 6 hours before a light rain, it will have dried enough to survive without spotting. Fortunately, there are many different ways to avoid and fix this problem. A sealer can be applied within 4 hours of a stain and offers four years of protection. We hope our guide to what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck has been helpful! Is it OK to stain wood while it's . This is called leaching. What is the best stain/sealer for my newly built white pine shed? I put a clear no nonsense water based stain on my decking. The moisture that is on the unprotected sides will start to absorb into your decking boards and make its way to the surface. Clean, Strip, or Sand the, Deck Stain Calculator How Much Deck Stain. It is best to never stain any exterior wood when inclement weather is forecasted, especially rain. Waited for dry days at 70-80 degrees to apply stain. Keep off Newly Painted or Stained Deck. Will chlorine affect the color of used on gutters? Apply a finish remover, such as ABR Fast Finish Remover. But, what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck? Use extra fasteners to hold it before removing the clamp.". Adding more will not fix it. Answer: Yes. After the rain the sun came out and the deck dried. Hi Scott, I used Thompsons wasterseal stain and sealer all in one semi-transparent for a deck. Rain damage to your newly-stained deck is easily avoidable. 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 . We recommend this type of stain because it is breathable, has a low odor when you apply it, is mildew resistant, and provides a non-slip surface. He used a Sherwin-Williams product. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Then, use a push broom to spread the sealer. Varnish creates a protective coating on the exterior of surfaces that darkens to a pleasant amber tone over time. In many cases, light precipitation or drizzle will not cause issues. Can I Paint on the oil primer two coats and then wait until the spring to put on the Arborcoat waterbased solid stain in the Spring? 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). 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