Decking stain - best way to apply?

[tenohfive]

Last year I decided to give the decking a going over with some stain. I bought something that was like a sponge pad on a stick and tried using that - and it was st. It couldn't apply into the grooves. Giving up on that approach I got out a paint brush and started doing it the hard way, but after an hour with very little to show for my efforts I gave up. It's not a massive amount of decking - about 3-4 by 3-4 metres.

So I'm going to try again. What's the easiest way of getting a reasonable finish? I've looked into sprayers etc but they all seem to get mixed reviews. Do I just need to get a bigger brush and get on with it - or is there an easier way?

[CedGTV]

Handy tips here: http://saversystems.com/wood-articles/151-11-keys-... Check out step 9

And use a brush like this

http://www.istaf.co.uk/userimages/125mm%20paintbru...

Or

http://images.esellerpro.com/2152/I/564/7/medscale...

No substitute for elbow grease either.

[marksx]

I brushed my decking which is a similar size to yours. it didn't take long but I haven't got a perfect even finish. Some areas are darker than others, presumably where I've had more paint on the brush.

[jeff m2]

That's a good "how to" link above.

I would add that.....there are two options; do it every year, the prep is minimal and with a brush intended for stain and a couple of knee pads it's not too bad.

Leave it a few years, and the prep involves wood bleach, a pressure washer or brushing and lots of rinsing then drying time. It turns into a major project.

Dogs, kids...option one is much better.

[ally_f]

You're right, the 'sponge on a long stick' that's sold by the brand that "does exactly what it says on the tin" is useless, what a waste of £9 - I found a large paint brush designed for fences was far easy, quicker and less messy!

[recalluk]

Also make sure you get the "Decking Oil" based stain not the "Decking Stain" type. Otherwise over time it lifts (it sits like paint)and leaves dark/pale patches the oil fades evenly as it soaks in much better, this means it also fades mroe evenly so you can just top it up.

Edit to add just read post propely and see your topping up. Advice still stands if anyone stumbles across this for a fresh desk tho

[GreenDog]

My cousin is a builder and I remember him saying he used to just pour the satin into a washing up bowl and then use a soft broom to apply it - never tried it myself though, I've always just used a large paintbrush.

[tenohfive]

I bit the bullet, spent £30 on some decking stain (which did 1 coat, with a bit left over) and a decent sized wood brush. My feet hurt, my back hurts and it took about an hour an a half but at least I got a bit of a tan out of it

GreenDog said:

My cousin is a builder and I remember him saying he used to just pour the satin into a washing up bowl and then use a soft broom to apply it - never tried it myself though, I've always just used a large paintbrush.

Probably not a bad idea - if I top up next year I'll give it a go.

Thanks for the advice and tips everyone (that guide was very handy.) I am tempted next year to start again from scratch - spray it down with a power washer (that should take it back to the wood), give it a clean and then start again with decking oil as it sounds like long term that's a less time consuming option.

[Ray Singh]

Seeing as the sun is out, i have decided to give this decking stain a go.
I had my decking repaired recently and (stupidly) painted the decking itself with the Timber care product (from Wickes) for rough sawn wood.
The minute my children played on the decking, the paint was pulled up. Its almost a rubberised paint that sticks to wooden posts etc.

This morning i have used a pressure washer to remove the rubberised paint from the decking boards.

Next instalment when it dries.