There is a common misconception that when you have pressure-treated wood in your yard, you can’t stain it. Not only is this not the case, but you should stain pressure-treated wood to keep your wood looking nice for years to come.
You can stain pressure-treated wood using any oil-based semi-transparent stain. But before you apply it, you will want to take the time to clean the wood using a pressure washer. Then, use a brush to apply the stain with even strokes, starting from the top and finishing at the bottom.
Want to learn more tips and tricks for staining pressure-treated wood? Let’s look at the full methodology and more information about when you should plan to stain your pressure-treated wood.
How to Stain Pressure-Treated Wood
Staining pressure-treated wood isn’t complicated as long as you purchase the right stain and prepare the area before you begin. Then, you will need to follow the step-by-step instructions, and soon, your pressure-treated wood will be the exact color you want it to be!
How to Choose a Stain for Pressure-Treated Wood
The type of stain best for your pressure-treated wood will depend on the moisture content of the wood.
Unless you know this in advance, there is a chance you don’t know the moisture content of your wood when it comes time to stain. For this reason, if you have pressure-treated wood, it is always recommended to purchase an oil-based wood stain (on Amazon).
Oil-based wood stain will adhere to almost any type of wood, no matter the moisture content. This differs from water-based stains (on Amazon), which won’t adhere to pressure-treated wood with high moisture content.
You should also look for a semi-transparent stain (on Amazon), as this will adhere to outdoor wood better than solid stains. Solid stains are known to chip easily, meaning you will spend a lot of time and money restaining your wood frequently.
How to Prep Your Surface Before Staining
Now that you have your stain, it’s time to prepare your surface before you begin the step-by-step staining process. The best way to do this is by pressure washing the wood.
For newer woods, the pressure washing alone should be enough to prepare your wood for staining. Unfortunately, if you are restaining an old wood installment, you might need to take things further and purchase a wood cleaner (on Amazon).
The wood cleaner will assist with removing excess dirt and debris from the fence or deck you plan to stain. In addition, it will help you to apply a smooth coat and keep your wood looking great for years to come.
Now that you have the right stain and your wood is ready to go, here is the step-by-step process for staining your wood.
Step 1: Choose the Right Time for Staining
When you stain a wood deck or fence, know it will take a day or two to dry, and if it is forecasted to rain in that day or two, this could wash the stain right off. Therefore you need to select a day to stain your fence when you know it won’t rain for the next 48 hours.
Step 2: Test the Stain
Open your can of stain and mix it well. Then, take a brush and apply a small amount to the fence. Take a good look at it and ensure it is the color you want to paint your fence before proceeding.
Step 3: Stain Your Fence
Once you’ve got the right color, dip the brush into the stain and make even brush strokes all along the wood. Avoid overlapping brush strokes, as these will look weird. It is recommended to start at the top and work your way down.
Step 4: Consider a Second Coat
You’ll want to do one layer at a time and let it dry completely before adding another layer. Generally, you should allow 24 hours between coats and remember to keep the same, even brush strokes across the wood.
Step 5: Admire Your Work
Let the stain dry thoroughly, then look at your fence. Are you happy with the color? If not, consider adding another coat. Otherwise, your fence should be good to go!
When Can You Stain Pressure-Treated Wood?
A significant aspect of staining pressure-treated wood is ensuring you do so at the right time. When pressure-treated wood is first installed, it is typically too wet to stain.
Most professionals recommend letting the pressure-treated wood dry for at least one month before applying any stain. But if you live in a humid area, it may take much longer than this, maybe even up to 6 months.
To know whether or not your pressure-treated wood is ready to be stained, spray a small amount of water on the surface. If the water soaks in, you can go ahead and stain. But if the water remains on the surface of the fence, it is too wet, and you will need to try again later!
How to Seal Stained Wood
When you stain your outdoor wood, the layer of stain you apply acts as a sealant. This means you typically do not need to add a sealant to the top of your stained wood.
If you would like to, however, you most certainly can; just ensure you purchase an oil-based sealant. Then, apply your brush to the top of the dried stain using the same even brush strokes. Then, let it dry completely, just as you did before, and you will have a sealed and stained fence!
Final Thoughts on Staining Pressure-Treated Wood
Staining or painting pressure-treated wood is simple as long as you wait for the wood to dry before you begin and you pick the correct type of sealant. Then, if you follow the steps in this guide, you should have some fantastic stained wood in no time!
While you can add a sealant coat to the top of the stained wood, this isn’t required as the stain usually contains a sealing element to keep the wood looking great for years to come.