Top Tips for Staining Pressure-Treated Lumber
Cardinal Home Centers in Madison and Crozet offer a wide selection of pressure-treated southern yellow pine pressure-treated lumber, perfect for decks, gazebos, fencing, sheds, and more. Did you know that, due to the nature of the pressure-treating process, it can take up to several weeks for lumber to dry out enough for staining your deck effectively? When choosing your stain, you may like the natural look that pressure-treated lumber can provide, but others might like to stain their wood to provide rich color. Which should you choose? Staining pressure-treated lumber, which features mold inhibitors, improves the appearance and can extend the life of your outdoor structure, so we want to provide you with a few details on how make it look its best. The experts at Cardinal Home Center break down their top tips for staining pressure-treated lumber.
1. Know When To Stain
Due to the nature of the pressure-treating process, where water forces chemical preservatives into the wood, it can take up to several weeks for the lumber to dry out. If the lumber is kiln-dried, it can be painted or stained immediately; if not, you may have to wait a little longer. One quick way you can tell if it is ready is by trying the “sprinkle” test – when you sprinkle a little bit of water onto the wood. If the water is absorbed into the wood within 10 minutes, it can be stained; if it beads, wait for it to dry a few more days.
2. Choose The Best Stain
Once your lumber is ready to stain, it is time to determine the stain you want to use. We recommend Benjamin Moore’s Arborcoat stain, which provides an exquisite look to your home’s exterior while also protecting it from harmful UV rays and water damage. This stain is perfect for decks or other outdoor living spaces: whether you want a natural look to your wood or a solid color, Arborcoat can do both. If you are using new pressure-treated wood, a lighter color may give you more flexibility if you want to repaint your structure in the future.
See also Refresh Your Home’s Exterior With Arborcoat Stain
3. Preparing Your Surface
When going through the top tips for staining pressure-treated lumber, you can’t skip the prep! If your wood is new, you don’t need to wash your wood before staining; however, if it is not, we recommend using a deck cleaner and scrubbing your wood to clean it. You will want to wait a few days before you start staining – at least 24 hours is recommended, but you can also try the sprinkle test mentioned above. You’ll definitely want to make sure the lumber is dry before staining. Freshly treated lumber will not absorb stain like it should unless it has had time.
4. Applying The Stain
If you’re dealing with a large surface, a paint pad applicator will be best. A regular paintbrush will work if you are staining a small area or need to get in cracks and crevices. You will usually only need one coat, and the ends of the lumber may appear darker than the rest of the board. For fence posts and deck rails, paint at the top first, working your way down. The stain will take at least a day to dry. You may also consider sealing your surface after painting; however, Arborcoat has built-in UV protection to resist fading.
5. Using A Solid Color Stain
If you want to add a pop of color to your wood, avoid using regular exterior paint. Our paint team can mix Arborcoat Solid Stains in any color you desire and adheres to the wood more than normal paint will. For solid colors, apply at least two coats, and apply using a paintbrush.
These top tips for staining pressure-treated lumber can help ensure that your outdoor structure will look great and last for a long time. Whether you are looking to stain a fence or build a deck or outside structure, our Madison and Crozet locations have the pressure-treated lumber you need as well as paints and stains. Stop at our Madison or Crozet stores for lumber, get a lumber quote right on this website OR go ahead and purchase it HERE. If you have more questions about staining pressure-treated lumber, please stop by our Crozet, Madison, or Charlottesville locations, or call 800-844-9234 to talk to our paint experts!
