This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. Seems to be drying fast. If you live in an area with a rainy climate, such as Seattle or London, a water-based, mildew-resistant, low-pigmented stain is the best to use. Stain cured under wet or otherwise unsuitable conditions may become contaminated, discolored, or develop mold. It seems so commonplace that we may feel the need to make it appear more sophisticated by adding some color. Please help. This means applying the stain on a day when rain is not forecast for at least 48 hours. We had some dew drip down from an overhang the night we stained and found this the next morning. As a general rule, 48 hours is sufficient drying time for a newly washed deck. 2. some fuzzies and white residue these came about during the prep, but I expected them to be gone after staining, (The person applying the stain did walk across a couple of times holding a rag wet from water, or holding the paint tray/brush with stain in it . After 12 hours rain started. Customers are pretty aware of this problem. The job has been done in sections. Now the forecast has changed, and rain is expected about 36 hours after staining. Although it may be challenging to establish what the previous layer is, it will help decide whether to choose an oil-based or water-based stain. Our deck is Huge over 600sf not including the front porch deck and one by a pond. These pocks and white spots will affect the appearance of your deck. Because wood absorbs moisture from rain and snow, and when the sun comes out and dries the wood out, the moisture vapor from the wood needs to be able to pass through the stain and escape. The knots always stain lighter in color and that is normal as well. Oil-based stains typically dry in 12 to 24 hours and need at least 48 hours before it starts to rain. You can also use this type of stain in damp weather. You cannot fix them outside of removing all stain and starting over. Sorry I thought the pictures were loaded! now it looks like rain might start in a about 12 hrs, chance increasing over next 2 days. Would that be more washable than the Olympic stain? Dont cover it. 2. OwnTheYard.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites, Other Factors To Consider When Dodging Weather Conditions, It is best to leave the deck for as long as you can, Best Kilz Deck Paint (+ Other Brands) Review: Colors, Quality, and More, 21 Inspiring Deck Design Ideas for a Leisurely Outdoor Living Space. Happy decorating! In average conditions, your paint or stain will be dry to the touch within 1-2 hours, but you should not walk on it for probably 4-6 hours. After it's been washed, let the wood dry for at least a couple of days. Strip and brighten to remove. Some stains cannot be sold legally because of varying state laws. Moisture will get under the surface and cause the paint to bubble and peel. Your customer may insist on a re-do before he pays. Whats next ? The i added a stain sealer on top, and it is looking good -unchanged after heavy rain. When you apply stain to any outdoor structure, you will need to add a second coat. Thank goodness its on the railings. You would be able to visibly see if you had an issue. Use extra fasteners to hold it before removing the clamp.". Oil-based stains take longer to cure and cause problems if the newly-stained deck is rained on in the first 12-24 hours of stain application. The 100% acrylic finish formula can be applied in just one day, and the end result enhances the wood's natural beauty while providing extra durability. It is now very solid paint, dry to the touch, but slightly tacky if I leave my hand on the hot deck for a minute, and appears to have no bubbles or flaws. -Before asking a question if rain harmed your deck, wait until the rain stops and the water fully dries off the deck or wood. Do it all in the Spring after cleaning the deck again. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59MnCmRS1VE), deck stains will only need 4-6 hours to dry, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf2QpWSXTLs, How To Remove Water Stains From Wood Deck | NO SANDING & NO CHEMICALS | Quick & Easy Hack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf2QpWSXTLs), What Happens If It Rains On a Freshly Stained Deck? Does he need to come back out to reapply? A sealer can be applied within 4 hours of a stain and offers four years of protection. Deck stain was applied yesterday. After it dries out, can I put plastic over it and apply a second coat tomorrow, or do I have to wait longer due to the dew? Leaves are falling here in Ny and its starting to get cold. My thought was it would match nicely however with 10 people living here it became very obvious that the flat stain holds fingerprints very very well. Rain Can Cause Damage When the Deck Stain is Not Yet Dry, 7. Look for little pockets, blotches, or white spots normally the size of a dime. Answer: Rarely do we see any issues but there is always the possibility f the weather was cold or if the stain was over-applied. Follow these steps: Deck owners have also found some ingenious solutions, including using olive oil for rain damage on oil-based stains: This method will last for at least ten months. The choice between hardwood and softwood is the first thing to consider. The contractor has agreed to come back and sand and refinish if we want, but I am wondering if that is necessary if the deck looks good when dry. Adding more will not fix it. Thinking I should hold off on the 2nd coat, hope the first holds up well, and then do a 2nd when there is less likelihood of rain. Wet wood can impact the look of your newly stained deck. I used Cabot semi solid stain on my deck yesterday with rain in the forecast for tonight. We cleaned it and pressure washed it first and allowed it to dry. Contractors cleaned and re-stained our deck with Sherwin Williams SuperDeck semi-transparent oil based stain. Thanks! Apply stain only at the proper temperature. When thinking about what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck, you will certainly have to bear in mind that there may be some preparations to make. It looks awful, splotchy and scaly. Remove and start over. You cannot apply a deck stain over a deck sealer. Not all stains and not all woods respond in the same way. So I cleaned and brightened my deck but the last week has had some random light showers, so I havent had the 72 minimum window to let the deck dry, stain and cure before more rain comes. Before it rains, your freshly stained deck needs at least 24 to 48 hours to dry completely, whereas latex or water-based stains will dry in approximately 4 to 6 hours. Stains that have linseed or mineral oil in them are the most prone to damage from downpours. Rain could potentially ruin a newly stained deck, as it is generally recommended to wait for a minimum of 24 hours before allowing any moisture to come in contact with the wood. If this happens, the moisture in the wood stops the stain from sticking to the deck properly. Oh and I do plan to use one of your recommended brands when we redo next spring. Ask Deck Help Questions & Post Product Reviews! If the deck is in a high traffic area or provides an access point to the interior of the house, consider how you and others will access the house while the newly-stained deck is drying. If you wait more than 2 weeks, you should redo the prep. 1. One of my favorite parts of my job is inspecting decks and patios. Then the wood is prone to mold and mildew problems, which could lead to rot and decay. Repair and Prevention . Handyman used messmers oil for ipe deck. This is more frequent to those living in humid areas or timed with the weather. I used Cabot correct deck stain 1st coat and it looks like its going to rain after 6 hours of drying time. Tropical hardwood decking is so dense that it doesnt accept stain very well, but a penetrating option specifically formulated for use on hardwood decking could be considered. So first, look for white spots, blotches, and dime-sized spots to determine if the rain has affected your deck's stain. Answer: This varies based on stain brand, type of stain, and weather conditions. Read the instructions on the stain can for recoating or adding a second coat. They are indications of damage. Oh, no. Thanks for your help @ Deck Stain Help! Dew, rain, or very high humidity penetrated after latex paint drieda common problem if the latex paint was of lower quality or if the substrate surface preparation was inadequate. No. A real down pour all day. will the stain color last? Softwoods are typically treated with preservative chemicals and are a more economical choice initially though they will need annual maintenance to maximize the life of a softwood deck. In many cases, light precipitation or drizzle will not cause issues. The advantage of using a spray unit to stain a deck is that it is quick and enables a more even spread of the deck stain. 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Avoid high humidity when applying stain. The lighter spots are where the yellow film forms when its wet. The weather is one thing we cannot control, but it does pay to listen to the forecasts and perhaps err on the side of caution when undertaking to stain your deck. Thank you so much for your help. We live in western Washington state and applied Australian Timber Oil to our deck that has not been maintained since being built about 14 years ago. Assuming the deck is dry and thirsty for stain, it's time to make your deck amazing. If it rains soon after applying your formula, you will see the stain peeling and flaking off. If the surface drys out quickly, sometimes these will disappear. Answer: It depends on the amount of rain. Tiny zinc particles dispersed throughout the stain reflect damaging UV rays, preventing premature graying and color loss. Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck? Restaining your deck is the most labor-intensive method and is a perfect example of why you should know what weather is coming in the next few days before you stain your deck. Just wait until it warms up later and the dew burns off. If the rain comes before your deck is completely dry, the water will enter the pores on the wood surface and seep inside, pushing out the deck stain. What an amazing resource! It is also extremely important to prep the wood before staining with an oxalic acid wood conditioner, this will remove mill glaze and open the pores of the wood to accept a stain. Look for any swelling or puffiness in the wood or softness to the surface. Rain on a newly stained deck can ruin it or, at best, create a lot of extra work. What happens if it rains after you stain your deck? Using Cabot solid color acrylic stain and sealant. He used a Sherwin-Williams product. One way to protect your wood deck and its finish is to keep standing water and, at this time of year, snow off the deck as best you can. I took your advice and tested the Cabot solid stain in white over the existing stain. What to do about the fuzzies and white residue Will this go away on its own in a few weeks? An oil-based stain is the best choice if the deck is going to be directly exposed to wind, rain, and sunlight. What happens if it rains on fresh stain? If your newly stained deck gets wet before it dries, you should follow this procedure: If all else fails, you might have to strip the stain off the deck and restain the deck. Signs of rain damage on the oiling include blotchy patches, white spots, and tiny pockets across the boards. Instructions for varnish tell you not to do the project on a rainy day. Supporters of this cleaning technique say it is the best way of reaching deep into the wood, allowing you to remove stubborn stains and dirt . We started using the table. If it rains 12 hours after staining a deck, it could cause the stain to streak or run, resulting in a very uneven finish on your deck. If you are located in a high rainfall area, it is sometimes a matter of taking the opportunity to stain in a shorter dry period than would be ideally expected or preferred. It might be difficult to wait to stain the deck, but it will prevent hours of extra work. Its been a dance coordinating last coat sanding and putting down finish I can tell you! After being caught out with rain shortly after the decking has left a cloudy / milky look in certain areas. If it rains heavily frequently, apply the deck stain once a year. A light drizzle most likely wont hurt anything but a good downpour can be a different story. Wet wood will affect the look of your newly stained deck. As in you will have to remove the coatings first and then restain. You should be fine. Strip and brighen for prep and then use a better brand of deck stain as well. Live in SC where we have quick hard rains every other day to relieve the heat. Can I do the 2nd coat several days after the first? Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12-24 hours of rain being forecast. What do we do.. thanks for your help!! 2. Stain becomes sticky on a wooden surface because it doesn't have a binder, such as you find in paint or varnish. Pressure Wash the Stained Deck. (the weather app said no rain) It rained hard for 15 minutes (as we ran around in horror trying to tarp the deck LOL). We stained our covered deck with oil based stain. Despite the rain, the deck hasn't come out too badly. Many customers who have this experience say that the deck stain is sticky and not solid. Ill attach pics of the dry deck. Curing is the time taken for the stain to settle into the surface of the wood, dry fully, and set its final color. The age of the wood and type of timber being stained will also be a consideration. 2. It just couldnt happen not even in the week. No, it does not go away. I woke to very chilly temps, 36 degrees and dew all over the deck. If cracks are already present, the stain must penetrate into them to prevent water from causing the cracks to enlarge. I put a clear no nonsense water based stain on my decking. Some stains can handle rain shortly after being applied better than others. Can I spot stain the areas washed out or just give the entire deck a second coat? Other mitigating factors include: In general, you should follow the following guidelines to avoid rain damage to your deck stain: As long as you stick to these general guidelines, the weather will not damage your deck, your deck will not trap moisture, and you will not have to replace your deck wood because of rot. Will a Clear Sealer Prevent Graying on Deck? Once you are within the time frame recommended for a second coat try applying the stain in an inconspicuous spot to see if it fixes the rain damage. I want to paint in a higher gloss but Lowes paint counter can only suggest Cabot solid stain over the Olympic, but it is also a flat sheen. Oil-stained decks are a different story since oil needs more time to penetrate the wood. Bulky items such as umbrella stands, grills, or planters should really stay off the deck for a week as if the stain is not fully cured, heavy furniture may stick to the stain and peel the stain away if moved. Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993, (as we ran around in horror trying to tarp the deck LOL). Because oil and water do not mix, the stain will not be affected much by a little rain if it has already soaked into the wood. Although it seems obvious, remember that this second coat will be the one that stands out the most, so you want to have a smooth finish. When I touch the wood its like the stain is wet again. Water will soak into the deck if it rains within 48 hours after painting. You can apply this afternoon. After the rain the sun came out and the deck dried. shortly thereafter concentrating more on exterior wood and deck restoration. Oil-based deck stains need 12-24 hours to dry and will receive more damage overall than water-based stains. Any of these can indicate some damage from the rain. A solution is to use a bar clamp. Thank you I was going to put on 2nd coat today but then it will only be about 36 hours before it might get rained on. It rained about 4 hours later, a quick downpour, and then cleared up. Oil based really needs 12 to 24 hours to set up depending on the temp. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. Of course it rained that night. This is called leaching. Fortunately, you can avoid rain damage to a newly-stained deck by using a water seal in rainy climates. When considering what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck, you will have to keep in mind that there may be some reparations to make. When applying stain, a pad, brush, roller, or rag can be used to apply the stain. This depends on the brand and type of stain being used as they do not all have the same instructions.? Stain penetrates the wood best when the wood is cool and dry. Can anyone suggest a remedy for thisthis is the second coat of Cabot deck correct and it rained 10 after applying. Fortunately, there are many different ways to avoid and fix this problem. Thats what Im trying to do here. Scott, I know this isnt the right thread but you were so helpful with my rain questions, I have one more. I was wondering whether I could get some plastic sheeting to cover the deck and rails when I know its going to rain so that the deck doesnt get soaked again and I can uncover it when its nice enough to allow it to continue drying or even start staining if its already dry at that point? By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. Use an 80-grit abrasive in a 6 random orbit sander. 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