Whether you’re looking to spice up your deck with a new deck stain or need a refresher on how to stain because it’s been a while since you last did a touch up, Deck&FencePro has you covered. We’re here to tell you all you need to know about deck staining and proper application to revamp your space.
Everything You Need To
Know About Deck Staining
How to Stain Your Deck
With summer just around the corner, we know that having a freshly stained deck is important for enjoying your time out back. Staining a deck sounds like a big job but by following our easy guide below, you’ll learn the best way to apply deck stain in no time.
Step 1: Remove Debris, Plants, and Outdoor Furniture
Prior to staining your deck, the deck should be cleared of the following to determine whether any repairs are needed:
- Furniture and plants – removing plants ensures that they are not harmed by any chemicals used when staining the deck.
- Debris – use a soft or hard bristle brush depending on what your deck needs.
Once you have removed furniture, plants and debris, you will be able to inspect the space for mould and other imperfections: such as warped or broken pieces of wood, and broken screws. A clear space will also allow you to flatten any nails that are not flush against the deck.
Step 2: Properly Clean the Deck
Cleaning your deck thoroughly and correctly is one of the most important steps when staining your deck. A well cleaned deck allows for the stain to soak in and properly cure.
Here’s how to clean your deck:
- Remove all loose debris, leaves and dirt using either a soft or stronger bristled broom depending on the level of cleaning required.
- Following the instructions on the deck cleaner and using a measuring cup, mix the correct amount of deck cleaner into a bucket of water.
- After dipping your deck scrub broom in the cleaning mixture, thoroughly scrub the whole deck. Leave the cleaning mixture for 10-20 minutes. Remember to wear closed shoes, gloves and a mask when scrubbing the deck.
- Rinse the cleaning mixture from the deck. Leave the deck to dry.
For decks with particularly stubborn stains, it’s best to call in the professionals: as harsher methods like pressure washers may cause damage if used incorrectly.
Step 3: Deck Staining Prep
Before you can finally begin the staining process, make sure you have checked the following tasks off your list:
- Take an offcut of your decking timber with you into the store to get a realistic idea of how a deck stain colour will look when applied.
- Use masking tape to cover any areas you do not want to stain. Remember to also cover areas (such as concrete and the edge of the deck where it meets your house) from which stain cannot be removed.
- Give the stain a thorough stir to ensure an even application.
Step 4: Stain Edges and Corners of the Deck
Let the fun part begin! Start by ‘cutting in’ the edges and corners of the deck with a brush. This avoids a sloppy application of the deck stain. Blend the stain as you go and remember to use long brush strokes.
Step 5: Stain the Rest of the Deck Surface
Using the correct applicator to stain the large portions of the deck is essential to making sure your deck looks polished when finished. Here’s a list of the applicators that you can use, as well as the pros and cons of each.
Deck Stain Mop
- Pros: easiest method, quick application, minimal stain wastage
- Cons: unable to stain hard-to-reach areas
Wood Stain Brushes
- Pros: allows stain to penetrate deep into the wood, not expensive, least amount of stain wastage
- Cons: slow application, paint brush bristles may shed and get caught in stain
Paint Rollers
- Pros: quick application, minimal stain wastage
- Cons: holds less stain in comparison to stain mops, unable to stain hard-to-reach areas
Deck Stain Sprayers
- Pros: quick application of stain, can stain the deck in hard-to-reach areas
- Cons: difficult to get an even application, overspray is common, expensive, wastes the most amount of stain
The best way to stain the remainder of your deck is by using long and even strokes, making sure to blend as you go and back brushing to help the deck stain absorb more evenly. Remember to not paint yourself into a corner and leave the deck stain to fully dry for 24-48 hours (depending on weather, deck and wood type).
Step 6: Replace Deck Furniture and Plants
Congratulations! You have successfully stained your deck. Once the deck is fully dry, replace any items such as furniture, plants and appliances removed prior to staining. Remember to take care of your wood and perform routine annual deck maintenance—which can also be done with the help of professionals. This will guarantee you a long lasting and beautiful deck stain.



Best Tools for Deck Staining

While it’s important to know how to stain a deck, the correct use of tools is equally crucial. Quality tools ensure the durability of your deck staining job. The following recommendations are some of the best tools for deck staining:
- Synthetic deck stain brushes are ideal for water-based or hybrid stains.
- Lambswool applicator is a deck stain mop and allows for easy, even distribution of the stain onto your deck boards.
- A high end deck cleaning solution that effectively cleans your deck while also eliminating mould and other contaminants.
No Pressure Water? No Problem.
It’s okay if you don’t own a pressure washer! While a pressure washer is a good tool for preparing some deck types for staining, you can alternatively use a hose pipe attached to a tap. Using the concentrated jets from a hose pipe will clear away loose dirt on your deck.
See our other Deck&FencePro services?
Professional Deck Staining
with Deck&FencePro
Deck&FencePro understands that maintaining outside living spaces can be challenging and time consuming. At the same time, it is no secret that well maintained outdoor spaces add to the quality of your home, and so Deck&FencePro offers a range of services:
- Restoring and maintaining timber decks and fences
- Restoring and maintaining garden furniture
- Fence and deck cleaning, repair and rebuilding
- Restoring cedar garage doors
Call us on 0508 422 532 or visit our website today to book yourself a quote. It’s never too late to start looking after your outdoor timber.
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FAQ
Should I use oil or water-based deck stains?
Water based deck stain is effectively very thin acrylic paint, so thin you can see though it. The problem with it is that it clogs up the pores of the timber making it extremely difficult to maintain because the old residue is virtually impossible to remove. We use good quality oil based wood stain that nourishes the timber and can be recoated time and time again.
Why does my kwila deck have splinters?
Hardwoods such as kwila come from tropical climates that have a lot of moisture in the air. New Zealand’s harsh climate and intense sun quickly dries out the timber causing it to splinter. There is very little that can be done to remedy this, and kwila is becoming less popular as a decking timber.
Do you use a waterblaster to pre-clean the timber?
We use a specialist eco-friendly solution to loosen dirt, contaminants, and dead timber cells followed by a controlled pressure wash to sluice this residue away. Our team are very skilled at this process. Using a waterblaster alone can damage the surface of the timber because the water jet needs to be very close to the timber to have any effect.
How do I maintain my restored deck, fence, or furniture?
A wood stain generally requires a top up coat every 12-18 months to replenish the nourishing oils and UV blockers. We can arrange an on-going maintenance schedule with you following the restoration process that will include a light clean followed by a recoat of the wood stain. In between scheduled maintenance, a mild detergent is all that is needed to remove any bird droppings or spills, and a spray with a moss and lichen inhibitor during winter can also help. It is important to not use harsh deck cleaning agents that may remove the oils contained in the stain. Painted surfaces generally last longer than stained ones but are more susceptible to abrasion.
Book a quote now
For any enquiries regarding your outdoor living spaces, or to request a quote, please enter your details and your local Deck&FencePro franchisee will be in touch to arrange an appointment as soon as possible.
If you prefer not to give a full address at this stage feel free to book a quote by phone at the free phone number below.
0508 422 532
Note that The ProGroup has strict operational processes in place with regards to Covid 19 and the relevant alert levels.