Staining a deck in Toronto and Greater Toronto is more complicated than you think. Especially when you go online for support and realize there aren’t many resources for staining a deck in a special climate like Toronto.
Step 1: Deck rails and posts should be done slowly.
Take your time with each step of the staining procedure. Nothing will have had a larger impact on the calibre of the job than after the project is over and your tools are cleaned and put away. Before staining fresh, pressure-treated lumber, take your time and give it time to weather for a few months and dry off. Before rinsing, let stain remover to work on the surface for a sufficient amount of time to remove existing finishes. Wait till the weather is good before beginning your project to avoid overspray and spills on non-target surfaces.
Step 2: Prepare everything in advance.
Staining a deck in Toronto requires a boatload of preparation, especially to be able to withstand its unique weather
The final results depend heavily on preparation. Whether it’s a new deck or an older deck that has to be re-stained after being exposed to the elements, all wood needs to be thoroughly cleaned before staining. To get rid of “mill scale,” which results from the crushing of the grain during the milling process, clean newly-cut lumber. It can hinder wood stains from properly entering into the wood pores if left uncleaned.
Preparing Is The Key To Staining A Deck In Toronto
Prior to staining an older deck, it is necessary to clean it of all debris, mildew, sun-induced greying, and previous stains. For this phase, sodium percarbonate wood cleaners sometimes referred to as oxygen bleach wood cleaners are an excellent option. Even while they won’t harm plants or vegetation, they are very good at cleaning the wood. The best part is that you won’t be wounded either. Your skin won’t be burned by their soapy consistency.
The task becomes slightly more difficult but still manageable if there has been a buildup of previous stains on the deck. You’ll need to use a stain stripper in place of a cleaner that contains sodium percarbonate. Because strippers are more caustic, carefully follow the instructions. They do an excellent job of removing most aged stains with only one application.
Last but not least, a palm-style sander should be able to effortlessly remove any minor stains that resisted removal during the cleaning procedure. If those stain spots are not removed from the deck, the new finish will show through them and the deck’s ultimate beauty will be diminished. A free instructional video is provided by certain stain makers to take you through this entire procedure. They’re an excellent tool to utilize to make sure you complete the task correctly the first time. View this example deck staining video.
Step 3: Beautiful Brighteners
No step is skipped more frequently during the deck staining process than this one. Especially for staining a deck in Toronto, it will significantly impact the outcomes and is by far the simplest step. Applying wood brighteners is simple. They neutralize any stain remover that was applied, smooth down the wood’s surface to promote penetration and make old, aged wood appear brand new once more. Brighteners will achieve all of that, which is a lot for one product to handle, so use them. Simply spray them on, let them sit for a while, then rinse them off to use. There is no need for “elbow grease” or scrubbing. There is no excuse not to utilize them because they are so convenient and have so many advantages.
Step 4: Rinse like Mad
No step in the process of staining a deck is skipped more often than this one. Do not skip it, especially for staining a deck in the Greater Toronto Area. It’s by far the easiest step, and it will have a big impact on how things turn out in the end. Brighteners for wood are easy to use. They open up the wood’s surface to make it easier to penetrate, neutralize any stain strippers that were used, and make old, weathered wood look like it did when it was first made. That’s a lot to ask of one product, but brighteners can do all of those things, so don’t skip using them. To use them, just spray them on, wait a few minutes, and then rinse them off. There’s no need to scrub or use “elbow grease.” There’s no reason not to use them because they’re so easy to use and have so many benefits.
Step 5: Don’t buy cheap things.
The deck is ready to be stained now that it is clean and dry. Before you choose a stain, remember that you always get what you pay for. Costs go up when you buy better ingredients. If you want top-notch results, you have to buy a top-notch product. Resins, pigments, mildewcides, and many other things that make up a gallon of wood stain are not all the same quality. So if you want something to last, don’t buy cheap stuff.
Step 6: Check out the water-based stains
In the last few years, water-based deck stains have become very popular. If you’ve been afraid to try them before, don’t be afraid anymore. Because of rules about air quality, manufacturers have had to really improve these products. Some of them are now better, last longer, and are more durable than oil-based alternatives. They have some clear benefits that oil-based stains don’t.
Choose Products Wisely For Staining A Deck In Toronto
Good water-based stains are easy to clean up with soap and water, don’t have any nasty solvents to breathe, last much longer, don’t need the wood to be completely dry to use, dry faster than solvent-based stains, and are much better for the environment.
Some of the water-based stains are also made of chemicals, like DEFY Extreme Wood Stain. Mold, mildew, and algae are much less likely to grow on synthetic resin wood stains. Waterborne, synthetic stains, like DEFY Wood Stains, have some real benefits if you live in an area with a lot of moisture and humidity.
Step 7: Read the can and do what it says.
Since each product is a little different, you should always read the label to find out how to use it. It only takes a few minutes, and it will make sure you have all the right information before you start. Pay attention to how many coats of stain to use, how long to wait between coats, how long to wait after cleaning, and how long to let the wood weather. If you read the label first, you’ll probably get it right the first time.
Step 8: More isn’t always better
Decks should be stained with a wood stain that is only partly opaque. These kinds of products let the wood’s natural grain show through, let the wood breathe, and are easy to clean and reapply. Follow the directions and don’t use too many of these kinds of products. You’ll end up with a beautiful, shiny finish that will probably come off over time. When too much stain is used, a film can form that acts like paint and stops the wood from breathing. Peeling is the end result, which is a big mess. Don’t use more stain than the wood can easily soak up.
Step 9: The Paint Brush Reigns Supreme
There are different ways to put deck stains on. Two common ways are to use a pump-up garden sprayer or a roller. No matter how you apply your wood stain, you should always have a paintbrush on hand. With a paintbrush, the stain will get deep into the wood’s pores. When you move a paintbrush around and make it rub against the wood, the wood will take in more stain. So, if you spray or roll on the stain, always go back over it with a brush while the stain is still wet. This will help the stain get into the wood much better. Watch the short video below to find out what kind of brush you should use.
Step 10: Remember, don’t rush.
In the first step of this article, you were told to go slowly. Take a little extra time before you use your project when it’s finally done. Let your deck dry out completely before you use it again.
Before patio furniture and foot traffic can be put on the stain, it needs time to dry. So far, you’ve done everything right. Now, make sure you let it dry for at least 24 hours before using it.
Step 11: A bit of upkeep
With a little work, you can keep your deck looking good for longer. Just like you would wash the dirt off your car, you should occasionally wash the surface of your deck to keep leaves and dirt from damaging the finish. If the deck stain starts to turn grey or lose its colour, it’s easy to fix with a little wood brightener and a thin coat of maintenance stain. That’s the end of the story. Eleven tips for staining a deck well. Try them out, and when you start your next project like a pro, see what happens. You may just surprise yourself!
Let Brightest In The Room Painting Stain Your Deck In The Greater Toronto Area
Call Brightest In The Room Painting at 647-689-6009 if you have any questions about prep work, other parts of the painting process, or want to schedule an in-home estimate.