Weathered wood must be cleaned and bleached prior to staining to address any mildew spores. No matter the type of wood, we always recommend waiting 24-48 hours after rainfall or cleaning to make sure the structure is dry prior to staining.
Wood Preparation
You'll need to prepare your wood for staining. Wood must be dry and cleaned of dirt, grease, wax, polish, marks and old finishes. Start with a medium grade of sandpaper (e.g., #120) and gradually work your way to a finer grade (e.g., #220).
Yes, you need to sand your old deck before staining it, otherwise all those tiny particles pieces from the old stain will float around and make a mess out of the new stain.
The no 1 best choice for primer would be a long oil primer. BM has one in the fresh start primer line. That may be hard to find though and it'll take a day to dry and only comes in white. A good second choice is BM Fresh Start 024 oil primer.
Oil based semi transparent stains are my go-to for first coat. Something with color- it will last longer and look good over your weathered wood. The more pigment you have the longer it will last.
Weathered wood must be cleaned with a bleach-and-water solution to remove any mold and mildew present prior to application. It is not necessary to rinse the bleach solution after the cleaning process on a vertical surface like a fence.
The natural beauty of Weathered Wood will always be in style. A base of deep brown is accented with hints of earthy clay, and lighter brown to create a look that is strong, rustic and cozy. Color and product availability varies by region and manufacturing location.
Wood Primer
Our tip for painting over rotting or weathered wood is to use oil-based primers, because oil primers seal the wood grains and prevent bubbling. Prime any filled spots first, and then work your way from the top of the exterior wall to the bottom.
Best for use in
Use on almost all exterior surfaces including stucco, wood, masonry and brick.
Some find painting rotten wood a quick and easy fix. However, it only hides the rot and makes the wood visually appealing. It ignores the underlying causes that can lead to severe issues down the line. Painting does not stop wood deterioration; it simply delays the process of the wood falling apart.
To prepare wood for staining, make sure the surface is clean (no dust, dirt, wood fibers or grease), dry and free from mildew. When a surface is not clean, stains and other finishes have trouble sticking and may end up peeling. You can remove dirt with warm water and detergent, but mildew problems require more.
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.
Cleaner or mild soap removes dirt, while mineral spirits provide a final clean before staining. Safety gear keeps you protected when working with chemicals. A moisture meter can help you test if the surface is dry enough to stain.
Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner penetrates the grain of the wood to promote uniform acceptance of oil-based wood stain. Specifically designed to use before staining to help prevent streaking and blotching and help ensure a beautiful, even stain. Quickly dries in 15 minutes to minimize project time.
Alkyd (oil-based) primers offer superior stain blocking—think tannin-rich woods, rust, smoke, or water stains. Alkyd-based primers are a good choice for both interior and exterior bare wood substrates. They are efficient in penetrating the wood's porous surface, and provide long lasting adhesion.
Our Kilz 2 Prime can go over the stained wooden doors. However, we do suggest scuff sanding the coating first to help promote adhesion, but you don't need to sand off the stain. I hope this info helps. Helpful?
In the category for best primer for painting stained wood, our results found two top performers. They are Sherwin Williams Extreme Bond Primer, and Behr Bonding Primer. These top two primers were the very best at bonding in both the 24 hour test and the 38 day test. A close 3rd was Stix from Benjamin Moore.
Both canvas and wood will absorb paint if they have not been properly prepared beforehand, leaving dull colors as a result. A primer will fill all the small gaps present in the surface. It will fill in small and larger gaps as well as cracks and help to smooth out the surface.
How do you seal old raw wood? Clean the wood thoroughly with a damp cloth, then lightly sand the surface before applying your chosen sealer. Be sure to apply sealant in thin layers following the wood grain.
Stain your wood
Staining can restore colour to faded wood or change its appearance entirely. For luxury outdoor furniture, consider using high-quality, weather-resistant stains that enhance the wood's natural grain - and opt for a staining colour that goes with your existing decor.
Oil-Based Deck Paints: Oil-based paints penetrate deeply into the wood, providing a durable finish that's less likely to chip or peel. They're particularly effective for decks that have seen a lot of wear and tear.
If you have an older fence or deck that has turned gray you may think it is too late to have beautifully stained wood in your backyard. The truth is that fences and decks can be restored to their original condition and transformed with quality outdoor stain.
Weathered wood is also known as aged or distressed wood and echoes the rough texture and rustic feel of wood that has lived through years of being exposed to the elements.