Exterior Wood Stain
Project Guide
long-lasting beauty and top-quality protection
Examine the surface of your deck or siding to identify the challenges that need to be addressed. This important first step will help you determine which Cabot products will work best to beautify and protect your wood for years to come.
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New WoodNew wood is not always ready for staining. The milling process or preservative treatments might seal the wood surface, making it resistant to stain penetration. To see if your new wood is ready for stain, perform this test: Sprinkle water on the surface and see if it beads up. If it does, don’t stain. Mill glaze can be removed with a light sanding; follow up with a new water test. Treated lumber must be allowed to weather; test every few months until water penetrates.
If your new wood passes the water test, it just needs a good cleaning to be ready for stain.
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Mould & Mildew
Don’t mistake this for dirt. Telltale small, black spots or greenish / black fuzzy spot can rot wood if left untreated.
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Weather / UV Damage
Usually grey or silver on the surface, weathered wood may flake or feel soft when pressed, weathered wood may flake or feel soft when pressed with a fingernail. The weathered surface must be removed before applying new stain or paint.
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Tannin Bleed
Distinct reddish-brown stains caused by moisture drawing natural acids (tannins) to the surface of the wood, tannin bleed must be removed before staining.
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Peeling
Failing coatings must be removed or sanded before recoating. Test with tape to see if previous coats of paints or stain are holding tight or failing and peeling from the surface.
Choose a formula based on the condition of your wood to prepare it to access stain and ensure successful results. Never use regular soap and water to prep a surface, as it leaves residue that reduces stain penetration
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Cabot Wood Cleaner
- Use when wood is in Good or new condition
- Use when wood is affected by mould, mildew, or algae stains
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Wood Brightener
- Use when affected by weathered wood / UV damage
- Use when affected by tannin bleed
results
Before Using a Prep Product
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- Replace or secure loose boards, drive in deck screws and sand rough areas.
- Remove furniture, decorations and hardware.
- Cover nearby landscaping and plants.
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- Wet the surface with cleaner.
- Scrub a stiff-bristle brush.
- Rinse down the length of the board from one end to the other.
- Let dry at least one day before staining.
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- Sand to smooth out loose wood fibres, splinters or rough spots. Use 60 to 80 grit sandpaper or an electric or polar sander.
- Prime before apply solid-colour stains or to help control tannin bleed. This increases adhesion and extends the life of your stain.
Choose a stain by considering the condition of your wood, how much wood grain and colour coverage you want in the final look, and the need for durability. Transparent stains show more of the natural wood grain. Solid (opaque) stain cover wood grain and are more durable.
The Natural Colour of Your Wood Will Affect the Final Look of Lighter-Toned Stains.
Every type of wood has slightly different colour, and treated lumber has a rot-resistant coating, which has a slight colour.
Lighter stains (such as Australian Timber Oil, Wood-Toned Stain, and Semi-Transparent Stain) have a more transparent finish, so the wood’s natural colour will show through and impact the final result.
For better results apply stain to a small portion of your project and view the colour during daylight.
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Australian Timber Oil:
Best for enhancing natural wood character
- Shows the most wood texture and grain
- Rich colour and dimension
- Premium blend of 3 oils for maximum penetration, colour depth and water repellency
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Wood-Toned Stained:
Best for new or reconditioned wood
- Shows the most wood texture and grain
- Hint of natural colour
- Resin and oil formula waterproofs and slowly weathers over time for easy re-coating
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Semi-Transparent Stains:
Best for adding colour to wood in good condition
- Shows some wood texture and grain
- A wide choice of colours
- Provides beautiful and durable weather protection
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Semi-Solid Stains:
Best for decks, high traffic areas and siding
- Covers wood grain
- Beautiful colour
- Scuff-resistant protection on high-traffic areas
- Waterproofs and resists fadign and peeling
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Solid Stains:
Best for worn, weathered or previously coated wood
- Maximum wood grain coverage
- Maximum colour
- Maximum UV protection and durability
- Longest-lasting, full-coverage protection
Always apply stain to clean, dry wood. Choose a day when temperature are moderate and no rain is expected for 24 hours
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For Best Results
- Use high-quality brush or paint pad.
- Start at one end of your project and work towards the other end, ensuring you don’t stain yourself into a corner.
- First, heavily coat the open ends of the boards.
- Move on to the flat surfaces of the boards, staining one or two at a time. Work the entire length while keeping a wet edge.
- Finish with a heavy coat on the open ends of the boards, opposite from where you started.
- Let dry for 24-48 hours before using the surface.
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To Stain Like a Pro
- Stay in the shade to avoid fast dry times and lap marks.
- Start with vertical surfaces like railings so you can cover drops later while staining horizontal surfaces.
- Move from top to bottom, brushing drips and runs into the woods as you proceed.
- Stain only one to two boards at a time. Do not midboard.
- Back-brush and work the stain into the wood
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- Power washer
- Pump sprayer
- Bucket
- Googles, rubber boots, gloves
- Rags
- Plastic dropcloths
- Pole sander
- Sandpaper and sanding block
- Stain pads and brushes
- Paint tray and liners
Questions?
We’re here to help!
Call 905-841-6200
