Time It Right
Stain wood when it hasn’t rained for three days and when the forecast calls for at least two days of dry weather (or two and a half days if you need to apply two coats of stain) with temperatures between 50° F and 90° F and low to average humidity. This allows the stain to soak in and dry properly. But be mindful of light, too. Our experts note that direct sunlight can cause the stain to dry too quickly before the wood can absorb it. If you’re working on a project that gets direct light, pick a time of day (usually early morning to midmorning or late afternoon) that will give the stain several hours to permeate and dry before the sun hits it.
Remove Wood Stain
If you’re working on a previously stained deck, fence, or piece of outdoor furniture, you need to remove the old stain to ensure a uniform appearance and proper permeation of the new stain. Start by using a stiff-bristled nylon brush and deck cleaner—sold at home centers and hardware stores—to remove any flaking or peeling stain. For the remaining stain, coat your deck, fence, or furniture with wood stain remover (also called wood stain stripper) and allow it to work for the time specified on the packaging, typically about 20 to 30 minutes. Then use the nylon brush and water to clean away the stripped stain, revealing the bare wood below. Repeat the application for any spots that don’t come clean. Allow a day for the wood to dry out before sanding and prepping.
Choose the Right Tools
The best brushes and rollers allow for smooth, even layers. So, make sure you have:
A synthetic-bristled brush: These brushes work best with water-based stains (the only type we test because they’re easier and safer to use than oil-based stains). Synthetics maintain their integrity, whereas natural bristles can become limp as they absorb the water in the finish.
A short-nap roller: A ¼-inch or shorter nap allows each stain layer to adhere to the wood and prevents pooling. Rollers with a longer nap will apply too much stain at once, making it hard to get even coverage.
Prep the Wood
These extra steps, taken before you even open a can of stain, will help make your stain go on more easily.
Sand the wood: Smoothing out any blemishes, splinters, or splits goes a long way to ensure an even application.
Start with coarse sandpaper to remove damaged spots, then progress up to finer grits to create a smoother surface prior to staining. Remember to sweep or wipe down the wood surfaces once you’re done. Use a putty knife to clean between deck boards.
Make sure the surfaces are clean: If you have an old, unstained deck, or one from which the stain has worn off, use deck cleaner, a scrub brush, and pressure clean it at least a day before you plan to apply the stain. Let the wood dry for as long as directed by the instructions on your can of wood stain. For newly built wood structures, which don’t need a cleaning, simply wait six to eight weeks after installation for the wood to fully dry before applying stain.
Set Yourself Up
Read the instructions on the can carefully: This will tell you how much coverage you can expect from a single can—and whether you’ll need more at the ready. It will also tell you how much drying time the product needs.
Protect yourself: “Use a combination of chemical-resistant gloves, aprons, and even a face shield to prevent stain from getting on your skin.
Apply the Wood Stain Evenly
An even application of stain across all surfaces will prevent water and UV rays from permeating the wood. To achieve this, apply a thin coat with a brush or roller. Don’t stop in the middle of a board or let puddles form because the excess stain will dry on top of the wood and flake off. Stir the stain as you go to keep it well-blended.
Decide between a roller and a brush: Rollers are best for large, flat surfaces, like a flat deck railing or fence panel. Brushes can help you get into tighter spots, like between deck boards or individual pickets on a fence, but they also make it easier for the stain to pool in one spot.
Or try back brushing: An ideal balance can be a process called back brushing. That means using both your brush and roller: Start in tough-to-reach spots with a brush, working quickly to ensure even coverage. Then roll back over the entire surface with a roller. In addition to helping, you avoid pooling, the roller will ensure complete coverage and prevent brush marks.
How Long Does Wood Stain Take to Dry?
It can take 1 to 48 hours. That range may seem huge, but typically, fast-drying clear sealants can take as little as an hour, while some solid stains, which have lots of color pigment, take a day or longer to dry. The Cloverdale Paint packaging will typically have three pieces of information.
Time to dry: This is how long stain takes to dry, after which you can walk on the surface of a deck or sit on a newly stained chair. But note that newly stained surfaces are still vulnerable to damage until the stain is fully cured.
Time to recoat: If you’re applying multiple coats of sealer or stain, this is how long you need to wait between applications.
Time to cure: Even once a stain dries, it may need up to several days or even weeks to fully cure before it provides maximum protection. This is how long you should wait before throwing a party on your recently stained deck, or before dragging grills, firepits, or heavy furniture across the surface.