How long do I have to wait before I stain my deck?
Question:I just built a deck using treated wood. Do I have to wait a year to stain it or do I stain it right away?
Answers:
wait a year.
I think if the wood was pretty wet - as mine has been when I built decks - water just oozing out of it - I have always waited a year to let it cure before sealing it. I'm in Wisconsin and the 90F summer days and -20 winters does a good job of curing the wood.
You now have your first project for 2008 on the schedule!
No, you don't want to stain it right away. Wait until next spring.
you have to let it weather for a year, unless you want to put a solid color stain on. then you can use cabot problem solver primer and cabot solid deck stain.
http://www.cabotstain.com/cabot/pdf/psop...
You should wait a 6 months to a year before staining. The reason for this is so the wood has a chance to cure or dry. Staining or painting to soon will not allow the drying as the stain or paint will seal in the moisture. Before you stain give it a light sanding. New wood, whether treated or untreated has mill glaze. Mill glaze is created when the wood goes through a plainer or cutter and bonds the wood fibers together creating a coating that stain does not penetrate. When you stain make sure you purchase a stain specifically made for decks made from treated wood and that it has a UV protectant. Sikkens Rubbol Dek or Sansin PTL (Pressure Treated Lumber) are two of the best deck finishes you can buy. Always follow the manufacturers instructions for application as not to create issues with bonding due to the sun and moisture.
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