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?

3 comments

3 Comments

adam91mo 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.

christopher4021mo 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.

the_sean1mo ago

Check the wood with your hand. If it feels cool or damp at all, it's not ready. I've seen paint bubble up in patches because someone painted over wood that felt dry in the sun but was still wet underneath. A couple days might work for a thin board in perfect weather, but a full week is cheap insurance against having to redo the whole job next year.

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