How To Restore Wood Siding Outside?

This blog post provides step-by-step instructions on how to restain wood siding quickly and easily with protective coatings to keep it looking great for years. It is essential to be properly prepared before applying the chosen finish, as it can significantly boost the appearance and durability of your home’s exterior. To achieve the best results, it is crucial to remove old stains and wood finishes with BEHR PREMIUM® Wood Stain and follow these steps.

To ensure the highest quality results when applying exterior wood stain, follow these steps with tips from Sherwin-Williams experts. Before staining, ensure that the wood is dry and that the stain is applied in an even and uniform way. Use a wood cleaner like Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner on the siding, removing the existing finish with a power sander and 220-grit sandpaper, and sanding the wood in small, circular motions.

A chemical stripper such as Strip and Brite can be used to bring the siding back to a uniform, clean, bare wood color. Work from top to bottom and follow the wood grain. Apply the pre-stain and stain with a sprayer, pad applicator, or quality paintbrush.

To apply exterior wood stain to wood siding, clean the siding, strip the wood of paint, sand the siding, and choose the stain. To prepare the surface for staining, make sure it is clean, dry, and free from mildew. Follow all label instructions and work from top to bottom, following the wood grain.

Is it better to paint or stain wood siding?

Solid stain for wooden decks and siding offers several advantages, including easy application, preservation of natural wood texture, cost-effectiveness, and resistance to cracking, peeling, and blistering. However, stains have a shorter lifespan than paint, lasting about half as long and becoming less durable over time. They also come in one flat sheen and highlight any imperfections in the wood’s texture.

On the other hand, painted decks and siding offer a variety of color options and sheens, as paint sits on top of the wood, effectively covering any imperfections. If applied properly, painted decks and siding can last nearly twice as long as a stain, making them a more cost-effective and durable option for deck and siding maintenance.

How do you prepare wood siding for restaining?

To prepare wood for staining, ensure it is clean, dry, and free from mildew. Dirt can be removed with warm water and detergent, while mildew problems require a mixture of one quart household bleach and three quarts of water. Wear rubber gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection, wash off any solution that touches your skin, rinse thoroughly with a hose, and let surfaces dry thoroughly before staining.

Can you stain over stain on wood siding?

To apply a new stain over an old one, ensure it is compatible with the existing stain. If the stain is oil-based, apply another oil-based stain, or water-based, apply another water-based stain. Incompatible stains can cause poor adhesion or uneven finish. Preparation is essential for a professional finish, including cleaning to remove oils, dirt, or dust. A light scuff sanding can rough up the existing finish and improve adhesion.

Test the stain first in an inconspicuous area to see the new color and shade. Keep in mind that the new stain may not be the exact shade or color depicted on the can, as some of the old stain finish may come through.

Do you need to sand exterior wood before staining?

Before staining wood, it is essential to sand it to remove any weathered exterior and remove any dust, dirt, splinters, or residual color. Staining wood is similar to painting a wall and offers aesthetic and functional benefits, such as bringing new life to outdoor spaces and protecting it from water, rot, and sunlight. To apply the stain correctly, follow Fred’s guide on how to stain exterior wood.

A solid color stain is ideal for weathered wood as it can hide marks, splinters, or grain. A semi-transparent stain, on the other hand, doesn’t cover the wood as much as a solid color stain, but highlights the wood’s features while adding a renewed color. By following Fred’s guide, you can take advantage of the benefits of staining exterior wood in your home.

Can you restain wood without sanding?

Minwax® PolyShades® represents a straightforward method for modifying the hue of stained or polyurethane-finished wood, obviating the necessity for stripping or rigorous sanding.

Do you have to remove old stains before restaining?

Sanding and stripping old stain from a deck can be time-consuming and challenging, but it is essential for maintaining the aesthetic appeal of your deck. If the new stain is the same brand and color as the old one, you may not need to go through the complete removal process. However, using a quality deck cleaner and sanding surfaces can help in adhesion and penetration.

The new stain’s color and finish also play a role in the stain removal process. Applying a lighter stain on top of a darker stain won’t yield the desired visual results. On the other hand, darker and more opaque stains offer more leeway for applying a new coating. The best way to apply deck stain is on a bare, receptive surface, which means stripping away the previous coating if possible.

In summary, removing the old stain from a deck can be a time-consuming and challenging task, but it is essential for achieving the best results and enjoying the freshly stained deck for as long as possible. Skipping this step in certain cases is at your own risk.

What happens if you paint over stained wood?

Woods with a high concentration of tannins may necessitate the application of a sealing agent. However, it is possible to paint all types of wood that have been stained, including hardwoods, softwoods, and grasses such as wicker and rattan. Previously stained furniture and home elements may be painted, though a deep clean may be required in some cases.

Do you have to sand stained wood before restaining?

In order to prepare the deck for sanding, it is necessary to follow the steps outlined below: 1) A thorough examination of the deck should be conducted to identify any defects, such as peeling paint or varnish, particularly in areas subjected to high levels of traffic. 2) Utilize a belt sander or sandpaper to abrade the decking boards until a smooth surface is achieved and the old stain is removed. This process facilitates the removal of previous stains or varnishes and the unblocking of wood pores, thereby enabling the stain to penetrate the wood more effectively.

What happens if you don’t sand wood before staining?

Before staining wood, it is essential to sand it thoroughly to open up the wood’s pores and smooth away scratches. Start with a low grit sandpaper to remove imperfections and scratches, then gradually increase the grit to create a smooth finish. Sand in the direction of the wood’s grain to avoid gouging the surface. Clean away any dust created during the sanding process with a vacuum. The best way to stain wood is to stir the can thoroughly, test the stain on an inconspicuous spot, and remove all hinges, handles, and knobs from the surface to avoid navigation. This process ensures a smooth and durable finish.

Do I need to remove all stain before restaining?

To stain a formerly stained deck, it is essential to remove all traces of the previous stain before applying a new one. This is because a previous coat may be peeling away from the surface in several areas, preventing proper adhesion and penetration of the new coat. The new coat should be applied directly to the wood itself, sealing its surfaces. To remove the previous stain, use an effective deck stain stripper that can remove oil and latex coatings, solid and semi-transparent stains, varnishes, polyurethanes, and water sealers. These stripping solutions can also clean the wood and reduce stains from water damage, mold, and mildew.

After coating the areas to be stripped, wait for a certain amount of time before rinsing the loosened residue away. More stubborn spots may require scrubbing with an abrasive brush or scraping. After removing the old stain, thoroughly clean the deck with a pressure washer and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours.

Removal is not always necessary, but it can be time-consuming and challenging. In some cases, leaving the previous stain as is can be done with other preparation steps, such as sanding and power washing. However, using a quality deck cleaner and sanding surfaces is necessary for adhesion and penetration.

Do you have to remove all old stains before restaining wood?

Sanding and stripping old stain from a deck can be time-consuming and challenging, but it is essential for maintaining the aesthetic appeal of your deck. If the new stain is the same brand and color as the old one, you may not need to go through the complete removal process. However, using a quality deck cleaner and sanding surfaces can help in adhesion and penetration.

The new stain’s color and finish also play a role in the stain removal process. Applying a lighter stain on top of a darker stain won’t yield the desired visual results. On the other hand, darker and more opaque stains offer more leeway for applying a new coating. The best way to apply deck stain is on a bare, receptive surface, which means stripping away the previous coating if possible.

In summary, removing the old stain from a deck can be a time-consuming and challenging task, but it is essential for achieving the best results and enjoying the freshly stained deck for as long as possible. Skipping this step in certain cases is at your own risk.