What Do I Need to Know About Staining Pressure Treated Lumber?
Working with pressure treated lumber is a bit different from working with some other types of lumber. When it comes to staining there are some tips that you will need to know before beginning the project. This wood comes to you with a coating already on it that must wear off before you can begin staining.
- Wait at least 6 months before staining to allow the original coating to wear off.
- Test to see if the lumber is ready for staining by dropping a few drops of water onto the wood. If the water beads up, it is not ready.
- Pressure wash the wood before staining.
- Sanding the deck will make the stain penetrate better and last longer.
- Sand in the direction of the grain on the wood.
- After sanding, do not wash the deck again. Use a broom to sweep the dust off the deck, you can also use a leaf blower to blow it off.
- Stain the wood immediately after sanding. Sun damage begins very quickly; the longer you wait, the more damage your wood will receive.
- Stains are available in both latex and oil-based. Oil-based will last longer and is a harder finish. Latex can be coated twice in one day, dries fast and will expand and contract in the cooler weather better.It is worth the extra money to buy a good-quality stain. It will be easier to work with, the finished product will look better and it will last longer.
- You can use a brush, roller or sprayer to apply stain.
Stain Information
- A semi-transparent stain will let the wood grain show through. It does not dry to a shiny finish but will be a matte finish when dry.
- An opaque stain provides the best UV protection and lasts longest.
- A clear sealer provides a clear protective coating and very little UV protection.
- If you are staining a deck, stain railings first.