Stain a Wooden Deck
Category: Exterior ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Time: 8.2h ·
Estimated cost: $180
Tools needed
- Pressure washer (rental)
- Stiff bristle brush
- Paint roller w/ extension pole
- Stain pad
- Drop cloths
- Painter's tape
Materials needed
- Deck cleaner (gallon) (1 gal)
- Semi-transparent deck stain (gallon) (2 gal)
- Stain pad applicator (2 ea)
- Painter's tape (2") (1 roll)
- Drop cloths (2 ea)
- Disposable gloves (1 box)
Execution steps
Clear and inspect
Move all furniture, plants, grills off the deck. Walk every board, hammer down any popped nails, replace any rotten boards.
Duration: 1h
Wash deck
Apply deck cleaner per directions, scrub with stiff brush, then pressure-wash at low setting (don't gouge wood). Rinse fully.
Duration: 1h 30m
Dry 48 hours
Wood must be fully dry — moisture meter under 15% if possible. Direct sun + low humidity ideal.
Duration: 5 min
Tape off siding and rails
Mask any siding, posts, or surfaces you don't want stained.
Duration: 30 min
Stain the railings first
Use a brush to do balusters, top rails, and any vertical surfaces. Always work top-down.
Duration: 2h
Stain the deck boards
Apply stain along the grain with a pad, doing 2-3 boards at a time their full length. Maintain a wet edge to avoid lap marks.
Duration: 3h
Cure
Keep off the deck 24-48 hours. No furniture for 72 hours.
Duration: 5 min
Safety first
- Stain rags self-combust — soak used rags in a bucket of water before disposal.
- Wear nitrile gloves; deck stain is hard to remove from skin.
- Don't stain in direct hot sun — flash drying causes lap marks.
When to hire a pro
Decks with significant rot, structural sag, or that need full sanding before staining are a pro job.
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