I finally figured out why my neighbor's deck stain keeps peeling

He told me he power washes the wood right before applying a new coat every spring, which strips the old stain but leaves the surface too damp. The stain can't bond properly and just sits on top, so it flakes off after a few months. Has anyone found a good way to explain the dry-time needed without sounding like a know-it-all?

2 comments

2 Comments

adam96d ago

Power washing right before is a classic mistake... the wood needs to dry for days, not hours. Maybe tell him it's like painting a wet wall, the stuff just won't stick. He could check it with a moisture meter from the hardware store to be sure. That way it's not you lecturing him, it's just the numbers on the tool. Waiting a full week after a good wash is usually the safe bet.

christopher4026d ago

Waiting a full week" is overkill in a lot of cases. Good sun and a breeze can dry siding in a couple days. The moisture meter idea is solid, but you don't always need a whole week.