How to Restain a Deck With Thompson Stain

Nothing lasts forever. This is especially true in regards to the stain on a deck. After years of abuse from the beating sun and pounding rain, the wood on your deck will become mildewed, grimy and lackluster. With a fresh coat of Thompson's stain, however, you can rejuvenate the deck's surface and extend its life. Even those unfamiliar with staining a deck can complete this overhaul in a single day of work.

Hose
Wood deck cleaner (biodegradable)
Pump Sprayer
Drop cloths
Nylon push broom
Paint tray
Paint roller
Goggles
Work gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Spray the deck with an even coating of water from a garden hose. This prepares the deck surface for the cleaning.
- 2
  Cover your surrounding plants with sheets or drop cloths.
- 3
  Pour equal parts water and biodegradable deck cleaner into a pump sprayer. Once you have secured the top of the sprayer, pump the sprayer as indicated in the instruction manual.
- 4
  Apply an even coating of the deck cleaner onto the wood and have a friend immediately scrub the deck's surface with a nylon-bristled push broom. This removes mildew and debris from the surface.
- 5
  Spray the deck with a garden hose once you have finished cleaning and scrubbing the surface. This removes the remaining debris and residue from the cleaner. Allow the deck to dry thoroughly before continuing.
- 6
  Place a paint tray onto a level surface beside the deck and fill the tray with Thompson's Deck stain and sealant.
- 7
  Run a paint roller through the stain to evenly coat it, and then roll the stain onto the deck in even passes going with the grain of the wood. Overlap the edges of each pass so that you do not miss any spots on the deck. Once you have applied the stain evenly to the surface, wait 24 hours for the stain to dry before using your deck.

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