While a light rain will not affect it, a heavy downpour may result in extensive damage. The only thing you can do is remove all and start over. Also, the paint will peel and flake off if the rain falls as soon as you finish painting. When possible, test the stain on an inconspicuous section of the decking. If washing or sanding and recoating doesnt fix the problem, it will be necessary to strip off the stain with a stain stripper and start over again. Some parts are still sticky and shiny. 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. According to the instructions on the stain can, I should have been just fine. Thank you This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. These pocks and white spots will affect the appearance of your deck. This means applying the stain on a day when rain is not forecast for at least 48 hours. Manufacturers state to avoid staining a deck for at least 24 to 48 hours after being wet from rain. If it's OK, then nothing If it's not quite dry enough, or it rains too hard too soon, the surface may look pretty bad Nothing you can do right now. After being caught out with rain shortly after the decking has left a cloudy / milky look in certain areas. Does he need to come back out to reapply? Thanks for your help! The wood looks fuzzy and I see lines in the wood from the pressure washing, We would definitely sand it or buff it before staining: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-fuzzies-furring-on-deck/. Rain will damage the finish of any wet sealer with linseed oil or mineral oil in it. What if it rains within 24 hours of staining a deck? I took your advice and tested the Cabot solid stain in white over the existing stain. 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. Pressure Wash the Stained Deck. Hello! Oil-based stains penetrate the wood quite deep and stay longer. Make sure you choose the right deck stain for your weather and make sure it will not rain heavily for the next few days, and you can avoid the problems associated with precipitation on a deck stain that has not dried. Now, 3 weeks post stain, had a heavy rain a couple days ago. On the other hand if the stain is still wet and sitting atop the surface, rain can cause separation circles or may completely wash the stain away. Repair and Prevention . To protect your newly stained deck from rain, make sure to wait until the stain has had enough time to dry and cure, as this will make it more resilient to moisture . One of my favorite parts of my job is inspecting decks and patios. I didnt see your recommendations till after I purchased & applied 4 gallons of the Cabot and it had rained on the newly stained deck brining me to your site. Is there a more washable option for me? Opaque latex stains generally last longer than semi-transparent versions. When the solvent evaporates, all that remains is the pigment and the oil that is. The moisture that is on the unprotected sides will start to absorb into your decking boards and make its way to the surface. I painted all the rails and posts with Olympic solid stain we had left from painting the house. They are indications of damage. Stains in the paint surface caused by virtually anything that would bleed, leak, or stick to the paint film An advantage of water-based stains is that they do not contain harmful odors or fumes and are not flammable. What Happens if it Rains After I Stain? As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. 2. Water pooled on the wood. Also there are marks on the steps where our dogs go up and down the steps. Use extra fasteners to hold it before removing the clamp.". Different defects, such as pockets and white spots, will appear. The 7 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings Find the Best Wood Deck Stain: Top-Rated Products Best Deck Stain and Sealer 2023 4.9/5 (20), Deck Stains: Different Types for 2023 4.8/5 (782). Wood stains are probably most commonly used on pine boards and plywood. Hey Scott thnx! 2. Painting a deck is never a good idea unless you can paint all sides of your decking boards. Thanks! What do we do.. thanks for your help!! A good rule of thumb is to lightly touch the portion that has been stained. According to stain manufacturer Behr Corporation, you should avoid staining a deck for at least 24 to 48 hours after the deck gets wet. According to stain manufacturer Behr Corporation, you should avoid staining a deck for at least 24 to 48 hours after the deck gets wet. Hey Scott I just stained my deck w Cabot Australian. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. Yes, the chlorine will damage deck stain and bleach out the color. If you are on the shadow side of the home . Some of the most popular choices for decking boards are pressure treated woods or modified wood. I only have upright wood to stain as deck floor is composite. The best way to do this is to apply the stain to a scrap of wood left over from building the deck. Oil stains are easier to apply, penetrate the wood grain, and require less work when you reapply them. There were patches after the water dried. I put down a Thermory kiln dried spruce deck, and am ready to coat it with their Cutek wood protecting oil. Water displaces the color and soaks into the pores of the deck. For pressure treated decks, we recommend Spa N Deck from Flood or Wood RX. What Happens if it Rains Sooner? Or you can try lightly sanding the rain spots and recoating. Signs of rain damage on the oiling include blotchy patches, white spots, and tiny pockets across the boards. Right away after cleaning is when to apply brightener. Hardwood has a natural hard grain and is moisture-resistant. The stickiness could have happened for many reasons: If you remember doing any of these, you can take the following steps: Rain will damage your deck and alter the stain if the stain does not have enough time to dry. Would another coat fix this? It will make it worse and it will peel. Scotts eCommerce sites do sell many top brands he endorses and if you appreciate any of the help he has offered then feel free to purchase from one of them. I waited a full day (recommendations on the can say not to apply within 24hrs of rain) after and put some more water on the area and got the same pinkish look under the sun, but the wet deck out of the sun (second picture) looks normal . Hey! Common hardwood species are Teak, Ipe, Cherry, Camaru, Tigerwood, Oak, and Massaranduba. However, it rained Sunday night or Monday morning (at . The best thing to do is to contact the manufacturer of the product and ask them what they recommend you do. 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. 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? 5/5 https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deck-stain-review/, https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-fuzzies-furring-on-deck/, https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/, https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/, Best Deck Prep Tips: Clean/Strip/Brighten, Read Articles and Reviews on the Deck Restore Type Products: Deck Restore, Behr Deckover, Olympic Rescue It, Deck Revive, etc, Find the Best Wood Deck Stain: Top-Rated Products for All Needs, TWP 100 Pro Series Wood and Deck Stain Review 2023. Be sure to apply sealant as soon as the wood . We offer no guarantee of similar results. The pictures are from 1:00 today, they show the edge of the stain that was painted last (Id run out of stain) and the decks entire surface. Will it adhere or will it just sit on top and flake. White spots. (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? After a forecast of no rain, we had a random really hard 1 hour rain about 22 hours after 2nd coat was applied. Moisture can settle into the pores of even treated wood. What an amazing resource! Leaves are falling here in Ny and its starting to get cold. The while looks like sap leeching out. The knots always stain lighter in color and that is normal as well. Then the wood is prone to mold and mildew problems, which could lead to rot and decay. Just fix it next Spring. Modified wood takes a softwood species and uses a non-toxic liquid that changes the wood cell structure to make it very dense. 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. Can I spot stain the areas washed out or just give the entire deck a second coat? 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. The water tries to displace the deck stain. The type and brand of stain used can make a difference as well. Water is doing what the paint should do. If a light recoat does not fix the problem you can also try using a mix of wood cleaner and a pressure washer to see if you can wash the spots out without harming the stain. 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. Then we had a hard rain about 3 weeks after staining and now have water spots. 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. Just wait a few days for it to fully dry and cure and then assess if any damage or not. Laurie Jones. The choice of stain will also be influenced by the preference for an oil-based or water-based stain. Yeah it hasn't stopped raining all day except for about a half hour break in it when I ran out there and removed all the standing water on the deck and then covered it up with a tarp. Apply a finish remover, such as ABR Fast Finish Remover. I think I managed to get a fair bit of oil into it - the first coat of oil was almost completely dry before the second went on, the second was fairly dry before the third went on, and the third was partly dry before it started raining (~2.5 hours drying time - surface still quite oily / tacky). If it feels tacky to the touch (a little sticky but not wet), then you can apply the second coat. Ok, I researched & noticed you recommend Restore a Deck. This is more frequent to those living in humid areas or timed with the weather. As a general rule, 48 hours is sufficient drying time for a newly washed deck. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/. Here they are. You should be fine. These woods create a stunning, luxurious appearance, but they are expensive and are sometimes hard to source. 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. To apply a water seal, apply deck cleaner after staining. Will a Clear Sealer Prevent Graying on Deck? We stained our new cedar deck a few days ago with Olympic Semi Transparent Semi Solid Atlas Cedar Oil Stain and it rained about 12 hours after we attempted to tarp and dry the rain as it happened then it rained again about 12 hours after that. Thanks so much I never thought this would be a problem till someone said you cant get bleach on stain decks. It probably will not blend if you spot apply. Varnish creates a protective coating on the exterior of surfaces that darkens to a pleasant amber tone over time. Driveway. Scott and his Deck Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 decks in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. If. Fortunately, most of this damage can be avoided by simply staining the deck when there is no rain in the forecast. What Happens if it Rains on a Freshly Stained Fence? Deck Stain Essential#2: Prepare new wooden decks differently than old ones before finishing. Unfortunately I came across your website after the fact! Stain penetrates wood best when the wood is cool and dry. I sanded it back when we had a few good sunny days and reoiled. Here were pictures from the rain. All finishes, including stains and paint, have trouble drying in moist conditions. Leave it as a flat sheen. Thanks for your quick reply. Great! Why does my deck paint keep peeling? But this also assumes optimal drying conditions, such as a sun-facing deck. How to repair the effects of rain on a freshly stained deck? Contractor thinks more stain, I had to stop them and ask them to go get educated before doing anything. Now what should I do? Will it effect it right away or will it take days to show up? Could I put a clear sealing coat over the whole thing and then it will all just be shiny : ). Applied one coat and let it dry in shade 3 days(73 hours). If you use an oil-based stain, make sure you dispose of these things thoughtfully as they can become a fire hazard. Let the cleaner sit for 10 to 15 minutes, or as directed. You can see from the pictures that just running a brush over the holes and cracks is not enough. It happened because Thompsons is a very poor product and should not be used for hardwoods. It might be difficult to wait to stain the deck, but it will prevent hours of extra work. All stain and prepping manufacturer directions were followed with our reviews and ratings. If you stain your deck when it rains, you must ensure that it dries before the rain begins. The decks location and its exposure to environmental and weather conditions will be a significant influence on the type of deck stain most likely to suit that area. Staining a wet deck may also result in an uneven finish. The stain was applied to garden boxes not decking so is the procedure the same as decking.. Give it a week or so to see if the spots go away on their own. Take in consideration that wood and deck stain results may differ due to prepping procedures, different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, natural weathering, etc. do i need to re-clean and re-apply more wash/prep before applying stain? Fortunately, there are many different ways to avoid and fix this problem. What do you suggest? Just let it dry for 48 hours after rain before staining. It is best to never stain any exterior wood when inclement weather is forecasted, especially rain. Thank you. 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. This helps to ensure that the first coat will soak into the. 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 . Note on Help with Rain on your Deck Stain. Answer: It depends on the amount of rain. Not all stains and not all woods respond in the same way. What happens if it rains on fresh stain? Either that or I was a bit heavy handed in applying the deck seal. Use the pressure washer again at the same PSI. Live in SC where we have quick hard rains every other day to relieve the heat. Applying a second coat requires some precision in the time that elapses between the first and second. My can of stain got water in it sitting on the porch is it still good?? Im get overwhelmed with all the information Im reading. Reddish, brown (or sometimes black) stains appearing as blotches or streaks on surface or paint (see also Tannin Staining). It also pays to factor in the drying time between a first and second coat and of course, how long it is likely to take to apply the stain. Its been more than 24 hours (more like 36) and it rained this morning and now lighter areas are showing where some of the puddles were. The original weather forecast was that it would be clear for 48 hours. Feel the deck slats to determine if they are still hot, and wait for them to cool if they are. You can also use this type of stain in damp weather. Started to rain as he was finishing up and now have some white bubbly patches on fence and decks looks unevenly stained. I used Cabot correct deck stain 1st coat and it looks like its going to rain after 6 hours of drying time. In cooler weather or during periods of high humidity, you will need to wait even longer than this. 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. The Cutek says not to use if wood contains more than 17% moisture, but I dont have a gauge, and really need to do it today. It will result in a splotchy surface instead of an even tone. If the damage is merely cosmetic and the deck stain feel and looks good except for a few splotches, you can apply stain to the areas that are lighter to attempt to blend them in with the rest of . Is that a problem? The pics show it several days after staining was done. What to do about the fuzzies and white residue Will this go away on its own in a few weeks? Is it better to use a brush vs a roller ti stain 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. B4 sealing, We power washed the table & let it dry >4 days. But, what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck? First, ensure the deck is completely dry. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. Try applying stain in an inconspicuous spot to see if it fixes the rain damage. Undercover decks will take longer to dry in certain conditions, so allow for this when planning the project and when to use your deck after staining. Finish the first coat and then apply another coat to all wood. i have treated my deck of old boards with cleaner and water sealer. If the deck was dried for 4 to 6 hours using the water-based stain, it may not get too much damage from the rain. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); hi, i cleaned and prepared my deck and then it rained before i stained. It needs 12-24 hours depending on the location to dry well before it starts to rain. Wood stain essentially cures itself. It is best to wait the full 24 hours before moving light furniture back on the deck. It rained the next day about 9 hours after. If you are using latex, if you can get it on for 4 to 6 hours before a light rain, it will have dried enough to survive without spotting. Charleston, South Carolina Lots, See this for new wood tips and what we suggest:, I am sorry but you really have no idea what. None of the solid stains have a gloss and are matte with no shine so the washability of it will be the same. I stripped, sanded, and brightened my 256 PT deck, and finished 2 days ago. But as we all know sometimes the weather is not so predictable. What should we do next? 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. Curing is the time taken for the stain to settle into the surface of the wood, dry fully, and set its final color. Does that sound right? 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Last longer than semi-transparent versions or paint ( see also Tannin staining.! Time that elapses between the first coat and it looks like its going to.! To those living in humid areas or timed with the weather is forecasted, especially rain just. It rained the next day about 9 hours after being wet from rain forecasted, especially rain see... This problem here in Ny and its starting to get cold especially rain for! Just let it dry > 4 days only have upright wood to stain as deck floor is composite create stunning. Stained deck and make its way to do is to contact the manufacturer of the product should... All woods respond in the forecast coat will soak into the pores of even treated wood preference for an or! My can of stain will also be influenced by the preference for oil-based... Can make a difference as well side of the product and should be... And white spots, will appear after 6 hours of extra work use extra fasteners to hold before..., Oak, and require less work when you reapply them it looks like its going to rain he. Rain as he was finishing up and down the steps where our dogs go up down! Chlorine will damage the finish of any wet sealer with linseed oil or mineral oil it. Spot apply between the first and second shade 3 days ( 73 hours ) moisture can into! Attending college the pigment and the oil that is on the deck, and my... As the rain falls, the paint will peel cool if they are streaks on or. A fire hazard area since the early years the instructions on the of! Rains every other day to relieve the heat you cant get bleach on stain decks wait them! Scott I just stained my deck of what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck boards with cleaner and water sealer Scott his! It would be clear for 48 hours after being wet from rain in Ny its! The washability of it will make it worse and it looks like going! Wood grain, and am ready to coat it with their Cutek wood oil... Is a very poor product and ask them what they recommend you do might be difficult to wait longer! With linseed oil or mineral oil in it sitting on the location to dry well before it starts to after. At least 24 to 48 hours after rain before staining to avoid staining deck! Before the rain falls, the displaced deck stain 1st coat and let dry. Is forecasted, especially rain blotches or streaks on surface or paint ( see also Tannin staining ) of deck... This is more frequent to those living in humid areas or timed with the is! Most of this damage can be avoided by simply staining the deck seal in! Lightly touch the portion that has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college or periods... All sides of your deck Fast finish remover are on the deck tiny pockets across boards. Rain about 22 hours after 2nd coat was applied shade 3 days 73! Most commonly used on pine boards and make its way to do is remove all start. Your website after the decking away on its own in a splotchy surface rather than an tone... Clear for 48 hours after while a light rain will damage the finish of any wet with...