My deck stain job from three years ago is already peeling off in sheets.

I spent a whole weekend in July 2020 cleaning, sanding, and applying two coats of that expensive 'all-weather' brand. What's a better way to prep old pressure-treated wood so this doesn't happen again?

5 comments

5 Comments

mark4363mo agoTop Commenter

Ugh, that's the worst feeling! Honestly, the biggest mistake is putting stain on wood that's still wet inside. Pressure treated lumber needs to sit for months, like a whole season, to dry out completely after you buy it. Even if the surface feels dry, the inside is still full of moisture and chemicals that push the stain right off. Next time, try the water test - sprinkle some water on the boards. If it soaks in right away, you're good. If it beads up, it's still sealed and needs more drying time. Waiting is the hardest part but it makes all the difference!

milam483mo ago

Thirsty not just dry" makes total sense now.

the_lee19d ago

Haha my last staining project looked like a Jackson Pollock painting because I skipped the water test! @stone.lisa hit the nail on the head about patience being the secret sauce here. Guess I'll be babysitting lumber for the next few months like it's a houseplant.

mary_west19d agoMost Upvoted

The_lee, that houseplant comparison is honestly not far off. I let a set of redwood boards sit for almost four months before I even touched them with a brush, and I still did the water test every few weeks just to be sure. My question is about that water test though. What do you do when the water soaks in unevenly, like some spots drink it up in seconds and others bead up for a full minute? I ran into that last year and ended up sanding the stubborn spots down to bare wood, then wiping them with mineral spirits before trying again. It worked but it was a lot of extra elbow grease.

stone.lisa3mo ago

Read that same tip from mark436 about the water test, and it's solid advice. The wood needs to be thirsty, not just surface dry, before it'll drink any stain properly. Skipping that wait is why your last coat probably let go.