A Guide to Staining Pressure-Treated Lumber with Benjamin Moore’s ARBORCOAT

Benjamin Moore’s ARBORCOAT^® stain is a leading brand on the market for wood stains, specifically designed to protect wood no matter the weather conditions. ARBORCOAT has many benefits, including better color retention, fade resistance, and excellent long-term durability. The solid stain dries very quickly, in as little as three hours, and easily cleans up with soap and water. ARBORCOAT offers excellent adhesion and blocking properties and comes in many colors, translucent to solid, to achieve the perfect look with UV and mildew resistance. But what about when it comes to pressure-treated lumber? We dug a little deeper to find out the best ways to use this stain for pressure-treated wood.

What is pressure-treated lumber? Simply put, pressure-treated lumber results from a process where a preservative is injected at high pressure into the wood to give the wood longevity. It can resist the elements better than untreated and add decades to the life of the material. Depending on the exposure, soil, and climate, pressure-treated wood can last anywhere from 10 to forty years without signs of rot and decay. Compare that to 2-5 years for untreated wood.

Due to pressure-treating, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for the lumber to dry out and be ready for staining. In a previous article, we talked about the sprinkle test. It still holds. Sprinkle a little bit of water onto the wood; if the water is absorbed within 5 minutes into the wood, it’s ready for staining. If not, try again in another week or so.

Once the wood is ready for sealing, new pressure-treated wood does not need any prep. If you passed the sprinkle test, you can get started. Just make sure the deck is 100% dry, and you have a few sunny days ahead of you. Then carefully apply your stain with a brush, roller, pad applicator, or spray. Work in the direction of the boards. If using a roller, you may need to back-brush. Back brushing is the process of working the paint into a rougher surface after it has been sprayed. Back brushing should be done while the paint is still wet. With a brush or roller, work the paint into the cracks and crevices on the surface.

ARBORCOAT stain is self-priming and self-sealing. So, once you have decided on a color, you only need to apply 1-2 coats for the desired effect. Two coats will provide optimal performance on bare wood surfaces. Coats can be reapplied after 3-4 hours or when the wood is dry. You can tint ARBORCOAT in any color you want, so there are no limitations on the palette when it comes to this top-notch product. Choose from several opacities—translucent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, and solid. The more solid you go, the more the wood grain will be masked, but so will the imperfections. Our advice is always to start lighter and add darker tints over the years if you like changing the style ever so often. Typically, the deck stain should be reapplied every 1-3 years.

Benjamin Moore’s ARBORCOAT stain is ideal for pressure-treated wood. Be sure to estimate the right amount of stain for the job. Our Cardinal team can help you figure out exactly what you need. Have more questions? Our team is here to help. Visit one of our three Cardinal Home Center locations and visit our paint department.­­