However, proper staining & sealing of your exterior wood is a great way of preserving it for the long term and making sure it has a face lift that stands it out on your exterior. We are looking for that “wow” factor people!
At times like this, you could either hire the services of a professional painting company to handle the staining of your exterior wood (contact us for a quote on professional exterior wood staining or wood repair) or you could choose to stain your exterior wood yourself.
Most important can be as simple as “follow through”. Many just don’t have the time or motivation to follow through with wood staining. This leaves the exterior wood neglected and wood rot damage or decay are sure to follow.
This is probably the most invaluable instruction you would find in this blog. Whether you like it or not, the weather would determine, to a large extent, the outcome of your wood staining. We often advise that before you begin staining exterior wood, you should check the weather forecast in your area and ensure that you have the best suitable weather conditions.
For stain to set well in wood, it is better to apply it to dry wood that hasn’t felt rain in several days. Also, stain absorbs and dries faster on wood when there has been, at least, two days of dry weather between 70 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, trying to apply stain with intense sun exposure to surfaces would simply render the process useless, as it would dry faster than the wood can absorb it.
#2: Prepare the Wood for Staining
The steps of preparing the exterior wood for sealing or staining is just as important as the process of staining and drying itself. The process of preparing the wood for staining involves removing the dirt, pollen and dust from the surface to ensure that the stain isn’t hampered by those things. While preparing the wood for a stain application, ensure to protect your face and lungs with a safety mask and then proceed to sand the splinters, dust and dirt off. Some may decide use a power washer and mild detergent to clean the wood.
#3: Choose Your Stains Right
Just as it is important to have the right tools, it is also very important to have the right stains. Choosing the right exterior stain for your wood is a crucial task and should be determined based on the existing stain on the exterior wood or on the type of effect you want to get.
#4: Apply Your Stains with Care
When applying the stains, bare in mind that you haven’t done this a lot and take your time to carefully apply the stain smooth and consistent to achieve the result you want. It is important to understand that staining is a specifically meticulous task and must be handled as such. Take your time going with the grain and allow the wood to absorb the stain sufficiently as it dries. Use smooth and consistent strokes…..don’t start and stop or else you will see those areas.
Just like anything, the maintenance factor will dictate how long your finishes and ultimately your wood lasts. Exterior wood that kept free of algae, pollen, dirt and grime will last much longer. We recommend a thorough cleaning every 8-12 months. Also, if your wood surfaces are exposed to direct sunlight, you will need to re-coat much sooner than surfaces that are not. The sun’s UV rays cant wreak havoc on stained wood in Jacksonville and you'll want to keep them protected! Learn about wood repairs made easy.