I'm almost ready to stain my deck after all the prep work, including stripping everything down. I still need to wash it with a stain cleaner/treatment. However, I'm stuck deciding between using a roller or a brush for the application. Can anyone share their experiences on which option gives better results, especially for beginners? I'm planning to use Cabot's semi-transparent oil-based stain, which seems to have mixed reviews—good on Lowe's but bad on the Cabot site, so I'm a bit anxious about that. Also, I've heard rain might come less than 24 hours after staining. Should I just wait for a dry spell and hold off on staining for a week or two?
3 Answers
For the best results, I'd recommend using a natural bristle brush, or you could combine it with a roller to speed things up. You can get by with just a roller, but make sure you're applying it properly. If you end up staining a day before it rains, you should be okay, as long as you give it a couple of dry hours to set first. However, I’d really suggest waiting for a streak of dry days—better safe than sorry! Oh, and don't forget to let the wood dry thoroughly after washing before you stain.
Rollers are quicker and easier, just watch out for over-applying. Follow the instructions closely, and you’ll be fine!
Ok thanks!
Definitely wait for the dry weather and ensure your deck is completely dry before applying the stain. A bit of rain generally won't damage it too much; I've seen houses left exposed for a week or two before getting siding. If the stain's not too thick, you might even try using a pump sprayer for application, just test it on some scrap wood first. And have a brush or roller ready too, just in case you need to smooth things out after spraying!
Awesome, thanks!
Ok great, thanks!