Decks give a very nice touch to a house’s outdoor space. However, they need to be maintained from time to time, so their original look is preserved. Due to harsh climate conditions and use, decks lose their shine and damage. This is why stains should be used as part of their maintenance. Deck staining involves applying a liquid on the deck’s surface to protect it from the sun and prevent it from getting worn out over time.

First of all, the deck is repaired if it has any damage, and then a stain is applied to give it a nice finish. People usually do this process themselves, requiring a few tools and much less time. However, one must be very careful and use the right products for deck staining. If you want to stain your deck yourself, here are a few tools you must have to get the job done properly.

Deck Preparatory Supplies

Following supplies are needed to prepare a deck before staining.

• High-Quality Deck Stainer
• Stiff broom
• Hose
• Pump nozzle
• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Polish sander
• hand sander
• Sandpaper

Deck Staining Supplies

Following supplies are needed when the deck is prepared and is ready to be stained.

• Brush with natural bristle for alkyd oil stains
• Brush with synthetic bristles for acrylic oil stains
• Large bucket
• Mixing Sticks
• Stain Applicators

Types of Applicators for Staining a Deck

1- High-Speed Deck and Platform Mops

If you have a large deck, stain mops or pads are ideal for deck staining. A professional floor mop stainer is 18 inches wide and does your job faster than other tools. Moreover, these mops come with replaceable pads that can be changed every time you use them. Furthermore, they have fibers that are highly absorbent to the stains and ensure the best results. A simple stain application pad can be used if the deck’s surface area is wider. They come with replacement pads which are very much similar to the floor mops. The biggest advantage of having these two applicators is that they come with an extra bucket that can be used for cleaning them.

2- Deck Sprayer

If you don’t want to use your hands much in deck staining, an air sprayer can be used for this purpose. It is faster than a speed mop or stain pad and does the job in no time. However, it has several disadvantages and, in most circumstances, people prefer using a floor mop. By using a sprayer, it’s easy to apply stains all over the place, which makes it hard to control the stains getting in the areas where you don’t want them to be.

Furthermore, if you are using a sprayer, you might have to use more stainers as the efficiency of a sprayer is very low. It will blow more stain into the air rather than staining the deck. In the end, you won’t get the result you need. Another major disadvantage is that the stain does not come directly in contact with the deck’s surface. Since the stain isn’t absorbed into the wood, it stays on the surface, resulting in peeling.

3- Hand-Used Paint Brush

Paint brushes are widely used by companies that deal in deck staining services in San Leandro. The best thing about using these paint brushes is their control which ensures that the right amount of stain is applied. Moreover, they ensure that the stainer penetrates deeply into the wood. But they do have disadvantages as well. Using paint brushes will waste a lot of time as you can’t cover a larger area at once. Another drawback is that a paintbrush is small and doesn’t hold a lot of stains. Hence staining the entire deck with equal volume gets a bit tricky. Since professional companies have trained handymen, they use paintbrushes properly.

4- Floor Brush

Floor brushes are new on the list of equipment for staining a deck. If you want a clear stain or sealer to be applied to your deck, consider them the ideal choice. They are attached to cotton and work similarly to a stain mop.

5- Paint Rollers

Paint rollers are also used by professionals for staining a deck. They have a function similar to a stain mop or a hand brush, but it requires extra care. You can use a conventional paint roller for deck staining. But they aren’t designed for holding the stainer for a long time. A paint roller that’s 18 inches wide can work well for painting some of your deck boards. However, a floor mop is designed to hold more deck stainers and saves time that will be wasted in dipping a roller again and again in the stain bucket.

Deck staining should be done from time to time to keep a deck beautiful and well-maintained. Stains are easily available in the market, and you can have your pick according to your preference and budget. Make sure to follow the right tools shared above and get the best results by doing the staining process yourself.