Applying Stain

[nothreat]

I need to stain my deck. I have always used clear stain (not Thompsons), but my wife wants to add some color this time. I have power washed the deck carefully and I went to apply solid color Olympic stain this afternoon. I planned on using a hand sprayer, but the stain was too thick. I suspect I can add some liquid to make it more sprayer friendly, but don't know what or how much to add. I began brushing it on this afternoon, but that can't go on - too much work. Can anyone give me some advice? I am using Olympic Wood Protector.

Too top if off, it hasn't rained here in almost a month and the forecast said no rain today. Of course an hour into the work we had a pop up thunderstorm out of nowhere. The deck is under trees so it didn't get soaked, but still it did end my day. Thanks for any help.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Applying Stain

How about a roller?

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Applying Stain

If you are using a wagner sprayer you need a stain atomizer. The latex one will spit real bad. If you have the attachable head that allows you to shoot down while the sprayer bottle is not tilted you need two atomizers. One going into the spray head extension and one at the end where it sprays. I believe in order to make this work you have to remove the spring from the atomizer on the sprayer end.

 

[nothreat]

Re: Applying Stain

I have a Wagner, but I have used a standard garden sprayer in the past with pretty good results. Smaller, quieter and easier to clean. I just don't remember how I diluted the stain in the past.

A roller would work good on the deck but the railing has lots of small slats and a roller can't get to lots of places.

Thanks for the ideas though.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Applying Stain

I use a fuzzy pad on a handle like some of these.
http://www.epaintstore.com/brushes/shurline_paintpad.htm

The one I used has a handle that you can screw a broom handle into.
Then use a paint roller tray and you can do the deck standing up.

Smaller versions allow you to swiftly do the handrail and slats.
Unlike a roller they can fit in much smaller spaces and inbetween the slats and ballasters.

And with the pad I get the satisfaction of rubbing the stain into the wood rather than having sprayed or rollered. Which makes me think the stain is just laying on the wood.

And if you need to use the pad again the next day, just slide it off the handle and store it inside the can of stain.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: Applying Stain

I used a car wash mit for the railings and a roller for the decking last time - but watch out for slivers. It was messy, but reasonably fast. I wouldn't say this was a great solution, but it beats a brush by a long shot.