staining a porch?

[mtemm]

we have a big porch that really needs to be stained. we have never done this before, and am wondering if anyone has any tips/advice on it. I am googling info, but would still love some do this/don't do that tips if anyone has them!

thanks!!!!

 

[deva]

Do you mean like a wooden deck with rails? We've stained our deck and swingset several times. Best trick we learned was to use a sponge "brush" to dab the stain in the crevices and then a sponge roller to roll on the stain. Forget regular brushes - they take way too long. The sponge brushes are a square sponge that is angled to a tip so you can really get into all of the spaces between the boards. Use one of the small tight sponge rollers (about 4 inches long and probably just over an inch or so in diameter). They are the pefect width to roll the stain the length of the boards and the tight sponge roller does not absorb too much stain so it spreads evenly. Also I prefer the stain that is translucent. Some stain is more like paint (you can get white and different colors). I think this goes on more like paint (and chips off more like paint too). We use a waterproof stain made for outdoor decks/flat surfaces that basically soaks into the wood and gives it a tint.

Also forgot to mention use a pressure washer to get it nice and clean (and let it dry thoroughly) first.

Wear old clothes and shoes and have a can of mineral spirits on hand to clean your hands afterwards.

 

[DISdreamin']

Also forgot to mention use a pressure washer to get it nice and clean (and let it dry thoroughly) first.

Wear old clothes and shoes and have a can of mineral spirits on hand to clean your hands afterwards.

Yes to all of this, especially the pressure washer!!! And yes to the rollers the above post described as well. Another tip - test the color first before going whole-hog, and carefully consider whether to do the opaque stain or the semi-transparent. I've heard good and bad about both, especially in high traffic areas! If anyone can make a recommendation, I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

 

[mtemm]

thank you so much! and yes, it is very much like a deck with rails and such. I'm so worried about ruining it/doing something wrong and am very grateful for the tips!!!!

 

[golfgal]

Are you sure you want to start staining your porch? Most wood doesn't need to be stained and is often left to weather naturally. Once you start using stain you have to keep it up and it is a HUGE chore. Just something to think about.

 

[mtemm]

it is stained already and the stain has both mostly worn off and the tops of the rails are in desperate need of sanding. the ceiling still looks good, so thinking we won't do that.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

it is stained already and the stain has both mostly worn off and the tops of the rails are in desperate need of sanding. the ceiling still looks good, so thinking we won't do that.

Sand as much as you can. It is tedious but worth it in the end. Then keep up with the staining so you will not have to torture yourself again.

 

[RUDisney]

I agree with everything previously mentioned, however, I'll add my 2 cents.

Buy any brand of stain that ISN'T Thompson's. That is a mistake that most rookies make because they run so many ads around this time of year. It breaks down much faster than other stains and you'll be doing the staining every year. My old staff and I used to laugh about their commercials, saying that once you've used Thompson's you'll never make that mistake twice.

My favorite brand is Wolmann's, however, after staining our huge deck so many times, we finally ripped up the floor boards and rails and put down trex decking and rails. No more staining for us! Woo Hoo!

 

[LuvOrlando]

I've done mine a few times because I actually enjoy it

Step one is sanding, I rent a belt sander for the edges, hand rails steps & smaller spots and a bigger sander for the floor. They make an awful job easier. Just make sure you buy enough sandpaper replacements so you don't have to go back to the rental place for more... nothing worse. Most places will allow you to return the ones you don't use so there is no reason to not get more than enough.

Second step is to power wash everything. The sawdust will make a mess of things and the power washer will remove it all. Then let it dry out, how long this takes depends on the weather where you live. Spring is better because the air isn't heavily and humid yet. Paint takes forever when it;s humid.

Next collect brushes appropriate for the job. A few good brushes will be worth their weight in gold. Do not think they won't make a difference, they do.

Then make sure you have the necessary solvents. Nothing is worse than spending $30 on a brush that should last you forever and discovering it wasn't cleaned properly after the last job because it's hard and brittle.

Make sure you have rags for spot cleaning. I absolutely love old cotton socks for this because they slide right over my hand for all around coverage then I just toss them in the trash.

For the rungs I am a huge fan of those big mittens covered in roller material. While they don't apply with finesse they cover well and make a tedious job go faster. I usually do 3-4 rungs at a time and follow quickly while they are still wet with a wet brush to get the brush stroke finish.

After the rungs the flat surfaces are easy and will go quickly. Here your biggest mistake would come if you don't keep the stain wet as you move through the project. You can't start the floor, stop for lunch and pick it up again. Do it all at once. I like to outline first with a great deal of attention then bring the inside in to a fast finish. Just remember to not paint yourself into a corner

Maybe there are others with better tips but this is my method and it's worked for years. Good luck!

PS- I choose my paint and stains based on whatever Consumer Reports says to do. You can sign up on-line.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Are you sure you want to start staining your porch? Most wood doesn't need to be stained and is often left to weather naturally. Once you start using stain you have to keep it up and it is a HUGE chore. Just something to think about.

We stain our porch, a light clearer stain. Our next door neighbor didn't do theirs and theirs is an ugly gray brown, looks not good, so I would definitely not just let it go naturally. Also they have tried to stain it now and now when they do it still looks muddy and ugly, the stain doesn't take to it well. U can use light clearer type stains which we use. I find we don't fuss it with it much, stain is easy on a porch, it's pretty goof proof at least with us. Do high pressure wash it well first.