Applying Stain In The Rain Siding

Both precautions help ensure the best stain penetration and the most predictable drying patterns.

Applying stain in the rain siding.

If it s too wet or cold the drying time for stains can easily double. Although stains will generally need more frequent applications than paint it will take less work for the dye to remain in good condition. Start staining on a side of your house not in direct sunlight. Use a brush for smooth application of the stain.

Stain does not require this kind of maintenance and can usually be directly applied to a clean surface. This varies based on stain brand and type. The back and forth motion of the brush forces the staining into the wood s fibers. In extreme cases the product will just stay wet until the humidity decreases or the temperatures rises.

The vinyl siding you re installing will ultimately act as a shield to keep rain and cold winds from reaching the vulnerable wood boxing that covers the exterior shell of your house. The wind could blow leaves twigs and other debris onto your wet deck sticking to or leaving unsightly imprints in the stain. Certain water based stains will be more effective but will produce inferior results when compared with stain applied to dry wood. Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12 24 hours of rain being forecast.

If you re in the middle of the siding process when it starts raining the boxing should be ok as long as you took the standard steps to protect it. In fact you should wait for a day with no rain in the forecast for the next 24 hours to prevent washing the stain away. A brush is most affective for getting the stain into corners of the wood. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone.

The brush bristles distribute the stain evenly into the wood grain reaching into the small undulations on the surface of the cedar planking. Obviously staining in the rain is no good. Apply stain by brushing or wiping it in the direction of the grain using smooth even strokes. Therefore after a rain storm let the surface to be stained dry for two to three days.

Temperature and humidity can have major effects on how your stain dries. Use a thick brush or backbrush to apply evenly the fastest and most thorough method to apply stain to cedar siding is with a thick natural bristle brush. You may choose to spray or use a roller to apply the stain but use a brush after to work the stain into the wood. If your stain has been drying for close to 48 hours this may not happen.

If it rains right after you apply the stain the stain will peel and flake off. If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain the water will soak into the wood pores and try to displace the stain. Stain fades much more slowly and applying a new coat of stain over an old one will make your home s siding appear good as new. Most wood stains are oil based and therefore will not bond well to a wet surface.