Decks, how many coats of stain are necessary?

Question

How many coasts of stain or stain and a sealer? What would you recommend as a sealer?

Answer 1

It all depends on a couple variables.

First, what area of the US do you live? Your area is going to have specific issues that you need the product to be able to address. For instance, if you live in the SW you need a product that will have enough pigments to protect from the abuse of the harsh UV rays from the sun. If you live in a very wet area you'll need a product with and adequate amount of mildewcides and fungicides to retard the grown of algae, molds, and fungi that thrive in those areas.

Second variable, how much maintenance do you want to put into this each year? Some coatings require significantly more upkeep than others.

No matter where you live, here are a couple things to keep in mind anytime you stain a deck or a fence. Do not EVER use Thompson's Water Seal. It's nothing more than a siliconized paraffin. That means it's slick when wet (not good for a deck) and hard to remove when you need to apply anything else. That, and all it does is bead up water. There really isn't any other protection to the product than that. And it doesn't last all that long. But you still have the siliconized paraffin residue to deal with, even if it is no longer beading water. I know, I know...what a pain. Avoid it at all costs. It's total junk.

Also, keep in mind that exterior stains don't last all that long. You'll be doing yearly maintenance unless you apply an opaque coating such as a paint or an opaque stain. The real problem with opaque products on a deck is that they don't usually hold up well to being walked on. I usually try to steer people away from them for decks for this very reason.

To address your questions and to find a product that will work best for the needs of your home, I'd recommend going to a paint store (not a big box, but the actual paint store) and talk with the people behind the counter. They're usually going to be the people in town with the most knowledge and ability to assist you on your project.

One last thing, I wholeheartedly second the other person's recommendation of using Cabot stains. They're really some of the best on the market and well worth the money. I like their semi-transparent exterior stains. Good quality, longer lasting than most other products and I've never had a customer who didn't love how their project turned out who'd used 'em.

Answer 2

Probably have too much stain on the wood and it will never absorb. Do a light sanding to remove the layer of sticky stain, you will still have a stained deck with light sanding. Then use blower to remove any dust from wood. Check the stickiness to ensure you removed all. Then apply lightly a clear protective coat. Samantha

Answer 3

Two coats are better than one. Opaque stains are better than semi-transparent. Olympic Premium Acrylic S/C latex, Behr Plus 10 and Cabot latex are the three top rated opaque stains recommended by Consumer Reports.

Answer 4

Stain can be applied in one coat if it meets your color selection needs. I like to double coat the sealer. I do two thin coats rather than one heavy one. I like Cabot products.