Explanation of DIY Deck Stains

Penetrating Stains

• Penetrating stains soak into the wood rather than coating its surface. Many penetrating finishes contain water repellents that help preserve the wood, and they have enough pigment to tint and darken the wood somewhat. Since penetrating stains soak into the wood, they do not hide the natural surface texture and wood grain pattern on the deck. Therefore, they look more natural than many finishes that obscure more of the surface of the wood.

Solid Color Stains

• Solid color stains contain more pigment than semi-transparent penetrating stains, and are more opaque than penetrating stains. Solid color stains hide much of the natural wood color and wood grain pattern. They do not soak into the surface of the wood as much as penetrating stains do, so they also hide pores in the wood surface, leaving it smoother and less natural-looking than penetrating stains.

Bleaching Oil Stains

• Bleaching oil stains lighten the color of wood to make it look similar to naturally-weathered gray wood. They help make the wood a uniform color and prevent mildew growth. Bleaching oil stains also help protect wood from aging by minimally repelling water.

Pros and Cons

• Before choosing a deck stain for a DIY finishing project, consider the pros and cons of different types of stains. Solid color stains offer the most coloring, but they are likely to chip or peel with age. Penetrating stains and bleaching oil stains do not peel or chip. Penetrating stains and bleaching oil stains look more natural than solid color stains, which may or may not be a positive quality depending on personal preference. It is easier to touch up penetrating stains and bleaching oil stains than solid color stains, which often require complete refinishing to fix imperfections.

DIY Application Methods

• To apply solid color stains and penetrating stains, paint an even layer of stain onto the wood surface and let it soak in for 20 to 60 minutes. Apply a second coat before the first coat dries. Make sure to paint the same amount of stain on all of the deck to avoid lap marks and uneven coloring. After letting the second coat of stain soak in for about an hour, wipe away excess stain with a rag or sponge. To apply a bleaching oil stain, paint or roll on one or two coats of the stain and let it soak in to lighten the color of the wood. Some bleaching oil stains work best when aided by sunlight and good dousing with water.