Applying Stain In The Rain Siding

Windy days aren t ideal either.

Applying stain in the rain siding.

Although stains will generally need more frequent applications than paint it will take less work for the dye to remain in good condition. Stain fades much more slowly and applying a new coat of stain over an old one will make your home s siding appear good as new. In fact you should wait for a day with no rain in the forecast for the next 24 hours to prevent washing the stain away. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone.

Obviously staining in the rain is no good. Use a thick brush or backbrush to apply evenly the fastest and most thorough method to apply stain to cedar siding is with a thick natural bristle brush. Temperature and humidity can have major effects on how your stain dries. Use a brush for smooth application of the stain.

The wind could blow leaves twigs and other debris onto your wet deck sticking to or leaving unsightly imprints in the stain. Certain water based stains will be more effective but will produce inferior results when compared with stain applied to dry wood. If your stain has been drying for close to 48 hours this may not happen. The vinyl siding you re installing will ultimately act as a shield to keep rain and cold winds from reaching the vulnerable wood boxing that covers the exterior shell of your house.

If it rains right after you apply the stain the stain will peel and flake off. If applied to wet woods the stain will be thin and will eventually wash off after a few sizable rains. This varies based on stain brand and type. If it s too wet or cold the drying time for stains can easily double.

Most wood stains are oil based and therefore will not bond well to a wet surface. Apply stain by brushing or wiping it in the direction of the grain using smooth even strokes. Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12 24 hours of rain being forecast. You may choose to spray or use a roller to apply the stain but use a brush after to work the stain into the wood.

A brush is most affective for getting the stain into corners of the wood. Start staining on a side of your house not in direct sunlight. The back and forth motion of the brush forces the staining into the wood s fibers. In extreme cases the product will just stay wet until the humidity decreases or the temperatures rises.

The short quick answer is no. The brush bristles distribute the stain evenly into the wood grain reaching into the small undulations on the surface of the cedar planking. If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain the water will soak into the wood pores and try to displace the stain. Stain does not require this kind of maintenance and can usually be directly applied to a clean surface.