Staining helps protect pressure-treated wood and prevents it from cracking and splitting when the season changes. Wood is an excellent renewable building material. Nevertheless, when any woodwork gets in contact with the ground or gets exposed to high moisture levels, it may lead to biological and insecticidal deterioration.
For example, wood from most tree species can be damaged within 5 to 8 years due to insect and fungi attacks. Therefore, knowing How to stain pressure treated wood prolongs the service life of the wood to 20-25 years in humid conditions.
Table of Contents
Steps of staining pressure-treated wood.
Step 1. Prepare the surface you want to paint.
Clean the surface you want to paint. The simplest way of washing new wood is to knock loose any dirt or residue using a pressure washer. For older wood, on the other hand, you will require additional effort to remove the stain or built-up grime. Buy a specially developed wood cleaner for any wood structure, and follow the product’s instructions for a thorough cleaning.
The best wood cleaners include;
- Method All-Purpose Cleaner – used in all different types of surface Check on Amazon.
- Trinova Wood Cleaner-for stains and spills Check on Amazon
- Green Works Multi-Surface Cleaner that is eco-friendly Check on Amazon
- Pledges Dust and Allergen Multisurface – Cleaner for removing accumulated dust and allergens.
- Lysol Multi-Surface Cleaner – for grease and grime. Check on Amazon
- Mrs Meyer’s Multi-Surface Cleaner for germs and bacteria. Check on Amazon
- Guardsman Clean and Polish For Wood Furniture; it conceals scratches and protects the wood from Uv rays. Check on Amazon
- Weiman Wood and Furniture Cleaner revive the look by removing cracks, fad, and dirt fast. Check on Amazon
- Therapy Wood Cleaner; brings back the original look of the woodwork by cutting all the dust and grime.
Step 2. Test the moisture level of the wood.
There are a few practical ways to test the moisture level in the wood.
- The bead test. It is performed by simply dripping small amounts of water on the wood surface, and if the water beads, then the wood has retained moisture.
- Another alternative is simply pressing a nail into the wood to test for wetness.
If water oozes out around the nail while it is driven into the wood, you should allow more time for the wood to dry.
For accurate results of the moisture level in the wood, you are recommended to use wood moisture meters.
Check: Best Wood Moisture Meters
Step 3. Choose the right time for your project.
Check that you should not be expecting any rain in your area; the weather forecast should help you in this.
- Staining requires about 24 to 48 hours to dry; therefore, you will need to be sure that it will not rain during that period.
- Also, learning how long the stain will take to dry thoroughly might help you decide when to do your staining.
Step 4. Prepare your selected wood stain.
Mix the stain thoroughly. Either ask the hardware personnel to do so during the purchase, or you can shake it well at home. Stir the stain frequently as you work to ensure a successful application.
Step 5. Test the stain to check whether you like the appearance.
Before rushing to complete your staining project, first apply the stain on an inconspicuous spot. Select a small area and brush on the stain; allow it to dry before staining the entire surface.
The test spot will help you make sure that you will be happy with the outcome and confirm if the stain will go on the right way without any issues such as wetness.
Step 6. Apply at least one layer of the stain.
If you like the colour, continue staining the rest of the pressure-treated wood surface.
Note better when applying the stain on the pressure-treated wood; back brushstrokes will bring up additional coats that may cause a different colour.
Therefore, if you are staining a vertical wood surface, begin at the top to ensure that you will cover any drips or runs on your way down. Also, beware that exposed ends of wood may require additional staining for more excellent absorption.
What is pressure treatment?
Pressure treatment of wood is a process that forces wood preservative chemicals into the cell structure of the wood. The chemicals then act as a barrier between the wood and any biological deterioration agents to increase the period of life of the timber. Pressure treatment protects the wood from attacks by termites, fungi, and bacteria that cause wood decay. It also enhances the durability of the wood hence making it worth the investment.
What is staining wood?
A stain is a substance that changes and enhances the natural colour of your wood. They penetrate the wood deeply to highlight the grain, intensify the existing tones or change the colour.
Stains provide a level of protection from elements, but their primary function is for decorative use, coming in a wide range of colours.
The Best wood stains include Extra Durable Wood stains.
What is the purpose of staining wood?
Wood swells when it becomes wet and shrinks when dry. The weather cycles could be harsh on the wood, causing it to split, crack or lead to checks and other appearance problems.
In the previous years, people used to wait for at least six months or more before staining projects that use pressure-treated wood. However, there is no longer waiting for newer treatment products like micronized copper preservatives to treat YellaWood brand products.
Nowadays, considering your area’s weather, it takes up to 30 days after completion for your project to be ready for finishing.
Stain colours for Pressure Treated Wood.
Many homeowners think you can’t use a coating on top of wood treatment.
So long as you select stains that add value to the pressure-treated wood, you have a wide range of colours to choose from amongst them.
For newer woodwork built using pressure-treated wood, you should go for a light-coloured wood stain because the moment you go dark with your paint, you can’t go back.
On the other hand, older decks pick a little bit more of a shouting colour to help cover the flaws.
Most excellent colours for pressure-treated wood.
Endlessly Toxic. Kona Brown is a darker, tropical-inspired wood stain that complements the colour on older pressure-treated wood that requires more imperfections.
This brown stain colour looks great with both classic and modern home styles.
- Beautiful Brown. Dark Mahogany is a gorgeous rich brown colour that looks good on rustic-treated wood surfaces.
It is light in colour and is designed to enhance the beauty of the wood itself and allows the grain to shine through.
- Mountain top masterpiece.
Mountain Cider is a light, sunny brown stain that appears excellent on pressure-treated wood.
With notes of red and a touch of buttery yellow hues shining through the colour, this cedar-inspired finish improves the beauty of your woodwork.
Ensure that you know the type of wood used to build your project and if it was kiln or air-dried to ensure proper stain adhesion to pick the best colour for your stain.
The tools and materials.
You must use the right tools and materials for a successful outcome in every woodwork.
All are available on Amazon. Click to check the price.
The best stains for pressure-treated wood.
Most pressure-treated woods have a green appearance. The two types of stains are water-based and oil-based stains.
Both the stains penetrate the wood and protect it against harsh weather conditions that would damage it.
Water-based stains contain resin and pigment that stick to each other as it dries.
- This stain has less odour, is cheaper, dries fast, and is a breeze to clean up.
However, you are required to apply this stain in layers and are less durable than oil-based stains.
An advantage is that they are resistant to mildew than oil-based stains.
Oil-based stains are more expensive but more durable hence helping in preserving the wood better.
These can be rolled, sprayed, and brushed on.
When working with them, ensure that you keep stirring the stain.
The best staining products include:
All Available on Amazon. Click to check the price.
It creates an elegant finish, is easier to use than regular stain, and does not penetrate the wood.
It is a non-drip formula, the most common choice, and dries completely in 8-10 hours.
It creates an opaque appearance; it is scented and includes ten bottles, each bearing a different colour.
It glazes over the existing finish and dries in an hour or less.
It is excellent for a vertical surface to refinish, bought in a half-pint of 1-quart quantity, and complements the natural beauty of the wood.
Benefits of Staining Pressure Treated Wood.
- Using high-quality stains on pressure-treated woods increases surface protection.
- Staining pressure-treated wood acts as a type of body armour. While the pressure treatment protects the wood from insects and rotting, the stain provides enhanced water and stain resistance for the surface.
- Any quality stain comprising high-grade natural pigments will give a lasting colour to the pressure-treated woodwork. The stains create an instantly gorgeous finished project.
- The high-quality results in long durability.
Factors to Consider When Staining Pressure Treated Wood.
- Weather conditions of your area.
It would be best to have dry weather, not a rainy or humid one, for an effective staining process. Therefore, look at your weather forecast before staining.
- The type of stain to use.
Consider checking on the colour and transparency when deciding the type of stain to use on pressure-treated wood. Transparency is the amount of wood grain you would want to see after staining. Color, on the other hand, complements your style and the appearance of your wood surface.
SUMMARY.
This article acts as a guide to every woodwork enthusiast on staining pressure-treated wood. It guides the reader on the colours to select when staining pressure-treated wood, the tools and materials required, and the steps to take for an appealing outcome. It further helps the reader understand pressure treatment and the pressure treatment methods.
The article also recommends the best products in the market for staining pressure-treated wood and where to find them. It also helps the reader comprehend the benefits of staining and the factors to consider when staining pressure-treated wood.
Conclusion.
Staining can be a very tedious job that requires a lot of patience. It can also be very overwhelming trying to select the stain for pressure-treated wood.
However, this article has provided you with a guide to help you navigate the process with ease.
If you don’t have time or are worried about the outcome, you can hire a professional to do it for you if you do it yourself.
