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Deck Stain Questions and Answers
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Topic starter
14/06/2012 3:10 pm
I just had a screen room built out of pressure treated pine. Not the old green stuff but the new type of pressure treated stuff. Anyhow, I need to stain/protect it. I have been told two different things as to when to do this. One guy says I have to wait 6 months, the other guy says a few good hot days is all that is needed. According to the second guy waiting was true with the old pressure treated style wood but is not needed with the new stuff.
I live in the Pasadena, Maryland area. The deck transitions from sun to shade to sun. Green mold has appeared on the deck in the past.
Also, the screen room is an addition to an existing deck. I notice there are strippers, cleaners and brightners. Which would I use on 2 year old pressure treated wood that was never stained or waterproofed?
Thanks for any help and input!
Oh, yeah we are considering a solid stain as the two woods are different colors. Will cleaning help or should I stay solid. Any thoughts on solid stains versus the other options?
Great site by the way! I am looking forward to some good answers to a newbie question.
15/06/2012 10:21 am
Hello Newbie!
All new PTP should dry out for at least a month or two. The waiting period varies depending on the stain you are using, not the wood. Some stain companies say to wait 6 months or more while others say you can apply right away. I would base this on the stain you choose.
I would use a deck cleaner followed by a wood brightener if it has never been stains before.
You should always clean before applying a stain.
We are not fans of solid stains as they are basically paints that hide the natural grain of the wood. Once you apply a solid stain it is virtually impossible to get back to a transparent stain.
Topic starter
15/06/2012 1:13 pm
Thanks for the response! I think we are now leaning towards a semi transparent stain and just embracing the idea of having the older deck be a different shade than the new deck. I have been reading quite a bit and there seems to be a real debate about water based vs Oil based vs Polymer. Which one really is better?
15/06/2012 9:37 pm
It's between oil or water based and there are positives and negatives with both. On top of that, not all brands are created equal.
Might want to read this article on the differences between them:
Personally I think it is one of the best articles we have written on the site!
