I purchased a home with a new deck and know it is at least 7 months old. The wood is pressure treated pine from Lowes (stickers were still on it). A friend pressure washed for me today and the platform is definitely ready to receive stain. Water is still beading on the rails and spindles though. Should I still try to stain before winter? Knowing it is at least 7 months old, should I still try to stain the railing or is it better to just stain the platform. I have never stained before and really don't want to ruin my new deck!
As long as you prep correctly you should be okay to stain now. You can also wait until Spring. See here for new wood tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
thank you! So you think it is OK if it will be more than 12 months by the time I get to stain it in the spring? I live in Ohio and winters can be wet and snowy. Would there be any precautions to take if I am leaving the bare wood until spring?
No issues. Just do it in spring.