Staining wood deck

[forgotmyusername]

What are the steps involved in refinishing/restaining a wood deck?

 

[springbranchhorn]

old or new

 

[forgotmyusername]

old

not sure how old. We just moved in. I power washed it last weekend and want to get it looking good before we have company in next weekend. Just trying to figure out if it is worth doing myself or hiring it out.

Any idea how much this would cost if hired out?

 

[Baboso]

The fast and easy but messy option is to go buy a cheap pump-up sprayer and put the stain on with that. Just toss the sprayer when done.

 

[Texas_Rocks]

I agree get a cheap pump up insecticide sprayer at Home Depot. Make sure you get some cheap rags from the paint dept. too.

I highly recomend that you do this in the AM when it is cooler and less windy. High heat will cause your stain to evaporate before you can spread it.

If you are doing any treated pine Spray it in about 5x5 ft sections and then wipe it with a rag and repeat the process. I also recomend this process with smooth cedar rails and such. It just looks better.

 

[forgotmyusername]

Is it necessary to sand before staining? If so, that could be a deal breaker on doing it myself.

 

[Curbed]

No. As long as you did a good job power-washing and got all the loose wood fibers off, you're in good shape. The more half-*** you do it though, the more often you'll have to stain it. If you do a good job with a few coats, it could last a while.