The Best Ways to Stain and Seal New Decks

Sealers

• Most stains are self-sealing, but sealers can be useful in certain situations. A sealer will help the cut ends of wood on decks from absorbing more stain than the rest of the deck. They also help knots in new deck wood from bleeding sap and messing up the deck stain. Shellac or a mixture of three parts gum turpentine and one part boiled linseed oil will work as a sealer. Most sealers are painted on, but users should make sure to wipe off excessive turpentine-linseed sealer before it dries.

Penetrating Stains

• Penetrating stains work better than surface finishes or opaque stains for new decks, because they do not form a film that will peel or chip off of the wood surface. The pigment in penetrating stains offers UV protection for the deck. These types of stains also leave the wood grain visible, providing a natural look that many people find attractive. To apply a penetrating stain, paint or roll the stain onto the deck, allow it to soak in for up to an hour, and wipe away excess stain before it dries.

Oils

• Oils do not necessarily contain pigment to stain the wood, but they do naturally stain the wood a somewhat darker color as they soak into it. Oils for wood, such as teak oil, protect the wood at least somewhat from weathering, while leaving it with a very natural look. Oils work best when they have some water-repellent added into them. They also help prevent an outdoor deck from turning silver or grey as it ages. Many oils work best when rubbed or wiped onto wood by hand.

Bleaching Oil Stains

• Unlike other oils for exterior wood, bleaching oils lighten new decks. They create the appearance of naturally-weathered silver or grayish wood, but many of them also protect the wood from mildew. They may also contain water-repellents to help seal the wood and protect it from water damage. Most bleaching oil stains work best when the user paints or rolls them onto the wood surface.