How to stain an old cedar deck to make it look new and last longer.
Staining an old weathered cedar deck can be quite different than staining a new one. First, pressure wash the deck to remove the old gray color and all the build up of grit and stains.Try to always blast the water with the direction of the grain or you will end up having to sand it all too. And, the bigger the deck, the bigger the sanding job will be so its worth taking the time to be careful.
As you can see in thebefore and after deck reno photos in our deck cleaning and renovation guide here而在下面，这个甲板看起来像是准备被替换的，最终看起来(几乎)像新的一样，可能还需要10年左右的时间，直到它需要更多的工作。
We would recommend keeping on top of your deck staining rather than leaving it this long if you like the red cedar look, by doing so you will keep the wood protected as well as likely avoid the power washing stage.
There is one important difference between staining an old cedar deck rather than a new one that we should point out first - old wood that has seen years of weather will absorb a lot more stain than new wood. The area a container will cover should be on the label, so measure the deck and calculate what you’ll need considering the age of the wood and add a decent margin for error and it being an older weathered wood deck.
Another suggestion we would make would be to see about buying more stain than you need as long as you are able to return it. It’s difficult to accurately estimate the required quantity of stain for old decks, and going back to return cans of deck stain would be preferable than running out and hoping you can find more of the exact type and color of stain that you've just coated 90% of your old deck boards with. The other thing is, for the new deck stain to be durable, it needs to have a thick enough layer applied, which is why the general recommendation is to apply 2 coats of new stain.
新清洗的旧雪松甲板板上的第一层甲板污渍密封了受风化的木材，第二层是给予它持久的防水和紫外线保护。甲板上的第二层污渍处理得更快，使用的产品要少得多，而且要经过数小时的压力洗涤，有时还要进行擦洗和砂光。穿上第二层涂层——如果这是制造商的建议——是为获得更大的宁静和享受一个更好的翻新甲板而付出的小代价。
甲板上的污渍有几种不同的处理方法。使用泵送式花园喷雾器和滚筒是两种流行的方法。无论您如何使用您的木材染色，保持一个油漆刷在手边平滑材料，以及在甲板板之间的裂缝。To see a selection of very low VOC deck stains, sealers and tools online,see here, and Ecohome may get a commission as per usual if you choose to buy some*.
Choosing a stain color for your deck
As we mentioned, since old wood will absorb much more stain than new wood, any color you choose will appear darker on older deck boards than new ones.Before you commit to a color for renovating your weathered cedar planks, we would suggest you pick up a few samples of deck stains - especially if it's a pretty big deck like the one we photographed for this article. You should be able to find very small cans of deck treatment to test, and some companies even have tiny sample packs of stain for exactly that purpose. To pick the perfect stain color you like when renovating your deck, remember to go slightly lighter if it's old wood.
If the cedar wood planks are still structurally sound but really badly stained, or have had paint or stain on in the past and so are flaking or patchy, then you have a whole different set of choices to make. An opaque deck stain then becomes the only practical option if you want the deck to look like new and be evenly colored.
Lighter colors will make a deck area look more modern, but on a traditional type exterior, we'd probably suggest choosing a deck stain color that compliments yet contrasts with the finish on the house walls and trim.
Bear in mind if the deck faces full south or gets a lot of sun, that a darker deck color can make it very hot in summer, and can cause premature deck stain failure, so choose wisely. Bottom line, there's no right or wrong choice in decking stain color choices, it's all down to personal choice - and if an opaque stain is the only way to renovate a deck to keep it looking good for a few years, rather than have to remove all the decking planks and starting again, then it's a good option.
Is oil stain better than water based acrylic deck stain for finishing decks?
Choosing which is better between water based and oil based deck stain is not a cut and dry issue. Different manufacturers make different claims as to the durability, and endless experts weigh in online extolling the virtues of both. So rather than continue to muddy the waters by making claims about which type of deck stain is better, we will stick to what we pretty much know for sure.
The manufacturing of oil stain pollutes more, they are higher in VOCs, more toxic to work with, more toxic to humans and pets while they cure and off gas, more difficult to clean up and they take longer to dry. Will an oil stained deck last longer than water based? Some say yes and some say no, so we tend to lean towards protecting environmental and human health when given the choice.
此外，我们刚刚有过这样的经历，隔壁邻居用油基污渍封住了他们的甲板，这基本上意味着他们(和我们)的后甲板近三周都是禁止进入的，因为排放的气体，我们个人建议坚持使用水性丙烯酸甲板污渍。
这篇文章中的图片是一个15岁的红色雪松甲板，最初从未进行过处理，这次修复只是压力清洗和染色。选择了水基染色，只安装了一层。
For an untreated deck to be restored to this look after 15 years is an indication that pressure washing and staining an old cedar deck will significantly rejuvenate it and almost make it look new again. That's really a thumbs up for natural red cedar as a superior decking material, and speaks volumes for how durable this option is. In our opinion the extra cost over what you would pay for basic pressure treated pine decking boards - especially if you like the look of natural red cedar and are intending staying in the home for a few years.
Protect against toxic fumes, especially when staining an older deck
无论你选择的是水基还是油基的甲板污渍，当你给旧雪松甲板染色时，最好还是戴一个适合有机烟雾的全面或半面口罩，比如P100过滤器，因为你将使用更多的处理产品。This is most important when using oil based stains, but wise even with water based acrylic deck stain. Wearing safety glasses will protect your eyes from mist or droplets spraying from brushes or rollers. To further reduce your exposure, notice if there are any prevailing winds and try to stay up wind of the stained areas. Think of it as self preservation, at the same time as preserving your deck!
When should a cedar deck be stained?
当寻找一个合适的天气窗口来染色甲板时，首先要考虑的变量是制造商建议的温度范围和干燥时间，这应该列在罐头上。但一般来说，为了达到适当的渗透和均匀的颜色，甲板在染色前应该有几天没有下雨，最好是染色后几天。油性污渍需要更多的时间，因为它需要更长的时间来干燥，但预测天气是一门不精确的科学。
为了更真实一点，虽然甲板染色工作是尽可能计划好的，但第二天下了小雨，但几天后拍摄的完成的图像显示，没有光线照射造成的损坏迹象。
What is the best temperature and time of day to stain a deck?
Staining a deck in the sun on very hot days can lead to it deteriorating quicker over the long run, so best is not to do it on days of extreme heat.The ideal conditions are when ambient surface temperatures stay between 10°C (50°F) and 32°C (90°F) for 24 hours after staining. In the summer, morning and evening are best when the deck surface isn’t as hot. Deck stain is also best applied when the relative humidity is between 40% and 70%. Too low and it can dry too fast, too high and the humidity could affect the gloss and the extend the drying time.
记住，做这件事总比不做好，所以如果你有一个没有下雨的天气窗口，你需要在这一天都保持污渍，那么如果你接近理想的情况，不要为此失眠。等待完美的阳光、温度和湿度，以及你能抽出的时间来做这些事情，可能根本不可能，天气预报也不总是完美的。如果天气太热，或者染色后很快下雨，世界不会停止旋转，你的甲板不会自燃，所以不要担心。
When it's really hot, it's a good idea to wait untill later in the day all the same, as otherwise you're going to dehydrate, burn and generally suffer from applying the deck stain quickly enough for it not to drag - and you're going to be breathing in the fumes while you're doing it.
Can you stain a cedar deck with a roller?
Yes, you can stain a deck with a roller, you can also use a mop or a pad. This deck was stained using a roller, and for the best results a thick and absorbent roller was chosen than holds a lot of stain.A roller will not get in the spaces between boards however, so best is to progress about an arm’s length at a time so you can swipe a brush between the boards to properly coat the edges. Rollers, mops or pads work fine for the decking boards themselves but a brush is more suitable for staining decking railings and spindles.
What kind of brush is best for staining wooden decks?
为了达到最好的效果，当对旧雪松木甲板进行染色时，使用带有水性污渍的合成鬃毛刷，而对于油性甲板污渍，使用天然鬃毛刷更好。一定要沿着纹路用长而均匀的笔画，然后把刷子转向侧面，画到装饰板之间的缝隙里。
Should I sand a deck before staining?
If you pressure wash an old deck, you don’t necessarily have to sand it. Really it depends on the deck, the condition of the decking planks, and the quality of job that was done during pressure washing.如果你在压力清洗脏的风化甲板时小心翼翼，就不会产生太多的纤维，清洗后可能不需要太多的打磨。所以这真的是一个判断的问题。考虑一下你愿意花多少时间和精力在这件事上，以及你对最后的结果有多挑剔。
As is often the case, we recommend trying a small patch first to test your methods. In an area that isn’t too noticeable you could stain a small portion that is sanded and a one that is not. From there you can determine if it will be worth it to you to add that extra step of sanding.
In the case of this deck, only the railings were sanded since they will be touched by hands. But, at least, we suggest looking over all the decking carefully to see if there are any potential areas that will cause slivers in bare feet and sand those spots for sure.
An orbital palm sander is good tool to buy (the price depends on brand and quality). It can improve the looks of the deck and add a handy home repair tool to your collection. A sheet of sand paper and a block will also work fine for deck railings and balustrades if you prefer, though it will take more time.
How long should I wait between coats of deck stain?
If you plan to do two coats of stain when renovating your cedar deck, it’s best to go with the manufacturer’s recommendations on the can. But in general, you should wait at least 4 hours between applications避免在中午或阳光直射下染色。根据温度和湿度的不同，在使用你精心修复的露台或门廊之前，允许24 - 48小时的干燥时间，如果你决定使用油渍，那么它的味道会非常难闻，让周围的人感觉不舒服一两个星期……
How long after staining a deck can you walk on it?
As mentioned above, wait at least 4 hours to do a second coat of deck stain, but give it 12-24 hours if you can.通常，在更换家具和充分使用甲板之前，建议48至72小时的固化时间。一般来说，在涂抹污渍之前，花越多的时间和精力把所有事情都处理好，效果就越好。同样的道理也适用于在使用前给甲板足够的时间使其变硬。
Install metal caps to protect deck posts
The cut end of wood is the least resistant to rot, and particularly the posts as they are upright and completely exposed.Cutting angles on the tops of deck posts is better than leaving them flat, but installing metal caps is the best way to prolong the life of posts when building or renovating a cedar deck.
And finally – cleaning up after deck staining:
The easiest cleanup job after staining a deck is the job that was prepared and protected ahead of time.If you have living space below the deck, such as another wood deck or a patio, lay down tarps first to avoid stain blotches. Have a pouring station with a large piece of cardboard to hold cans, brushes, rollers and trays.
随身携带大量的抹布来擦拭溢出的液体，还有一个非常重要的注意事项——油渍中的溶剂会升温，甚至会燃烧，所以不要把用过的抹布揉成球状，当然也不要把它们和垃圾一起扔掉。把它们摊开，让溶剂蒸发，然后把这些抹布当作危险废物处理，就像油漆和染色罐一样，在你的甲板翻新工程结束后妥善处理它们。
刷子沾有水基污渍，当然可以用水清洗。然而，需要用矿物酒精(油漆稀释剂)或松节油来清洁刷子、手和带有甲板油渍的容器。沉淀物会掉落到油漆稀释剂容器的底部，所以你应该可以反复使用，只要它是在一个密封的容器中。宽口玻璃罐是理想的。我们想做的是循环使用——用旧的稀释剂第一次冲洗覆盖了黏糊糊的甲板污渍的刷子，然后用新的干净的稀释剂最后冲洗。
生态家园网络是一个集体，我们可以从彼此的成功中学习，所以如果你有其他的想法或建议，请在评论部分分享它们。祝好运和快乐甲板染色!
Now you know more abouthow to stain an cedar wood deck easily. Findmore pages for DIY reno guidesandsustainable and resilient green building techniqueshere :
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