Temperature and humidity Low air temperatures and high relative humidity slow evaporation and increase the length of time your wood project will remain tacky. Before starting your wood project, make sure the temperature will remain above 65° F and the humidity around 50% during both application and the drying process.
Be sure the temperature is above 50°F, and the humidity is below 85%. Stir stain thoroughly and occasionally during use. No reduction necessary. Reducing will increase dry and recoat times significantly and may cause the product to exceed the maximum VOC level for stains.
Avoid the Cold
If you're staining your deck in the spring or fall, wait for a day with temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, check to see if freezing temperatures are in the forecast for that night. It can hinder the curing process if it drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit before the stain has thoroughly dried.
A surface that is too cold (as well as air temperatures that are too low) will interfere with coalescence (cure) of the coating, which can lead to premature adhesion failures (cracking and peeling) and less durability. A surface that's too hot to touch is generally too hot to stain.
For the most part, both oil-based and water-based wood stains should be stored in a climate- controlled location, where the temperature will not drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and put the stains at risk of freezing and thawing.
During winter, low temperatures and fluctuating conditions pose unique challenges for storing stains. Many stains contain chemicals that may freeze if the temperature drops too low, affecting their usability. Additionally, frequent freezing and thawing can degrade the stain's consistency.
Temperature and humidity
Before starting your wood project, make sure the temperature will remain above 65° F and the humidity around 50% during both application and the drying process.
How warm does it need to be stain wood? The minimum temperature for staining wood is around 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Even then, some oil-based stains might work, as they generally take longer to dry, even in cold weather. Moreover, a temperature that is too high is also problematic.
While conventional stains recommend 18 to 24 hours drying time, Minwax Performance Series Tintable Wood Stain can be recoated in just 2 hours for solvent-based finishes and 6 hours for water-based finishes.
For both semi-transparent and solid stains the ideal range is between 50-90 degrees fahrenheit. If it is too cold, or there is rain/snow within the first 24 hours of applying a stain product, it will not adhere or cure properly.
Don't apply your deck stain in the direct sun; choose morning or evening hours, or a time of day when your deck has shade. Morning application can be a safer choice to help avoid any contact with dew that sets in overnight. Don't apply more stain than the wood can absorb.
Most oil-based stains must dry for at least 12 hours before they are exposed to any moisture/rain; however, Ready Seal, if properly applied to prepped and dried wood, can get wet within a couple of hours, and it won't wash away. Oil-based stains will generally take 24-72 hours to fully cure.
No. If rain is forecasted, it's worth holding off treating your deck until you know it's going to be dry for a few days. Stains and oils penetrate wood best when it's cool and dry. If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain.
Wipe the stain off immediately if you'd like a lighter tone. But for a deeper tone, leave the stain on the wood for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it off. Be sure to wipe off all the excess stain going in the direction of the grain of the wood.
If you applied the stain correctly, and it still remained tacky, it could be due to rainy weather or high humidity. Give it a few more days to see if it improves. Another possibility is that the stain was old or came from a bad batch.
Stain can be applied with a bristle brush, a foam brush, or a cloth. On woods with large, open pores, such as oak, mahogany and ash, increase your pressure to work the stain into the pores. Apply a liberal amount of stain, giving the wood an ample amount to absorb.
Do You Have to Sand Before Staining Wood? Wood needs to be sanded well before it can be stained. The process opens up the wood's pores to better absorb the stain. It also smoothes away scratches in the surface which will only be enhanced by stain.
All stains and finishes depend on evaporation to dry, but when the temperature is below 65 degrees or above 90 degrees, or the humidity level is above 50%, then the evaporation process is either too slow or too fast, causing your finish to either not dry or dry too quickly, turning white — like my deck!
Most stains will be fine because freezing doesn't affect color. Some of the dyes will coagulate. The best advice... don't let water finishes freeze. Once frozen, most water based finishes such as General Finishes High Performance Water Base Topcoat are no longer useable.
Oil-based stains are by far the best for staining wood in cold weather.
Yes, over-application can cause stickiness, poor adhesion, and peeling. Apply thin, even coats and remove excess stain immediately.
Typical Values. In general, polyurethane can be used in the temperature range of -62°C to 93°C (-80°F to 200°F). Special formulations can extend polyurethane's performance reach to as high as 150°C (300°F).
Apply a THIN coat of Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane using a high-quality, natural bristle or foam brush. Let dry 4-6 hours.
The ideal temperature range for application is between 50 and 80 degrees and it is important to choose a day when no rain is expected for 24 hours.