How to Stain a Deck

Two folding lounge chairs with draped red blankets on a light gray stained deck and a green mountainscape in the background.

Thinking about the process of how to stain a deck can be daunting. How many coats of stain do I need? What if the wood is weathered or peeling? Does application change if you’re staining pine? What about cedar stain? At Benjamin Moore, we have you—and your deck—covered.

With Woodluxe^® Exterior Stains, specially formulated to protect wood even in extreme weather conditions, refreshing your deck and protecting it at the same time is easier than you think.

Available in a variety of opacities and colours, Woodluxe Exterior Stains put your backyard transformation well within reach. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to stain a deck to get started.

A man using a long yellow scrub brush on a new wood deck in preparation for staining and sealing.

Step 1: Prep Before Applying Your Exterior Wood Stain

Preparation is key when staining a deck. Here are a few scenarios to guide you.

New/Untreated: Some new/untreated wood may have a glossy sheen. This is “mill glaze,” and it occurs during lumber production. To achieve maximum adhesion of stain to the wood, the glaze must be “broken.”

To break the mill glaze, apply Woodluxe Wood Brightener & Neutralizer to the wood and scrub thoroughly. Once the wood is completely scrubbed-down, use a hose or power washer to remove the product. Let the wood dry for at least 48 hours, then sand everything down with 80-grit sandpaper.

Cont. Step 1: Prep Before Applying Your Exterior Wood Stain

Weathered Wood: Woodluxe Wood Restorer is our go-to product if your deck is looking grayed out. Use Wood Restorer with a stiff brush to clean the wood and remove any loose, dead fibers. Afterwards, rinse the deck and treat the wood with Woodluxe Wood Brightener & Neutralizer, then sand the deck to ensure a smooth surface for staining.

Flaking or Peeling: If you have a previously stained deck that is peeling or flaking, use Woodluxe Wood Stain Remover to help remove the old stain and uncover the healthy beams beneath. Afterward, rinse the deck and treat the wood with Woodluxe Wood Brightener & Neutralizer, then sand the deck to ensure a smooth surface for staining.

After letting the wood dry for 48 hours, check the weather: Rain-free days are best for applying stain. If the forecast is dry for at least 36 hours, you’re ready to stain the deck!

A homeowner holding a brush and piece of wood with three applied Woodluxe® Stain samples to test for colour.

Step 2: Test Your Exterior Wood Stain’s Colour

Our Woodluxe 236 mL (8 oz.) Stain Samples are the ideal way to determine the wood stain opacity and colour that is right for your deck. Our experts can help you with options, and even let you know how much stain to buy. Visit your locally owned Benjamin Moore store today to buy a sample to try before purchasing gallons.

Once you decide on a colour and opacity, test the stain on a spare piece of lumber to give yourself a preview of how the finished deck will look.

Explore the Wood Stain Colour Experience

See Options

A gray brick home exterior with white trim and door has a deck being stained by two men: one man using a long roller, the other staining with a brush.

Step 3: Apply Your Exterior Wood Stain

Deck stain can be applied two ways: the tried-and-true combo of a roller and brush, or with a pad applicator if you’re staining solo. You can use a roller to apply stain to large areas of wood, but be sure to go back and work the stain in with a brush, also known as the back-brush technique. To prevent lap marks and uneven streaks, back-brushing should be done with a partner.

If there are any areas where the exterior wood stain dries unevenly, follow the direction of the boards and recoat them fully, a few at a time. Lap marks can also occur if the stain dries too quickly, so avoid deck staining in direct sunlight if you can.

A person brushing stain onto a deck railing.

Step 4: Let Your Exterior Wood Stain Dry

Your newly stained deck will take about 48 hours to fully dry, so we recommend waiting a minimum of two days before opening it up to foot traffic.

Have More Questions? Visit your locally owned Benjamin Moore store or contact Customer Support.

*Woodluxe colour shown for reference only. Colour results will vary depending on opacity and wood type.

Railing Stain (Chestnut Brown ES-65, Woodluxe^® Water-Based Waterproofing Stain + Sealer, Translucent K691)*