Applying Siding Stain Over Old Stain

Do a clean job at the joints staying with the wood grain direction.

Applying siding stain over old stain.

You can do this by sanding the old stain down thoroughly or you can buy a stain remover that may do the job. Rebrush the length of the stain with a dry white china bristle brush to soften and even out the staining as needed. If you want to lighten up the color of a dark deck consider a lighter solid stain. Semi transparent dyes and stains don t peel like paint does however those which are thick or solid can peel in a similar manner to paint.

Use a brush roller paint pad or sprayer to apply one thin coat for clear toner and semi transparent stains. When the stain begins to lighten and your sanding is producing stain colored dust you have reached the surface of the stain. Scrape off the old stain with a putty knife or. Use a scrub brush and detergent some siding and deck washes remove mildew even out the underlying color and clean all in one application for small areas such as decks or rent a power washer for a whole house.

Paint has the tendency to crack and peel as it weathers. Look for problems such as rot mildew dust dirt cedar bleed and chalkiness. Most power washers have a detergent feed feature allowing you to apply detergent and then blast it off with high pressure water. Use a wide paintbrush to apply the stripper to a 2 to 3 foot wide area of the siding.

Sanding for the best possible finish lightly sand the whole area to be stained. For darker stains work from the top down and always stain your railings before your floor boards no matter what color stain you re applying. Apply the stain in the direction of the woodgrain being careful to observe the joints. Rub your hand or a clean cloth over the wood s surface.

If there is flaking on your hand or. If your existing deck stain is. Preparing the siding for staining 1. Change your sandpaper often when removing old lacquer.

If stain is uneven or puddles use a roller to even out. Test for cedar bleed with a. If you plan to switch from a darker stain to a lighter one you will need to remove the old stain fully to achieve the best results. Allow to sit until the stain begins to lift and bubble.

This will eliminate drip marks. 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. Examine the surface for defects.