Applying Stain In The Rain Siding

The short quick answer is no.

Applying stain in the rain siding.

The wind could blow leaves twigs and other debris onto your wet deck sticking to or leaving unsightly imprints in the stain. Therefore after a rain storm let the surface to be stained dry for two to three days. The back and forth motion of the brush forces the staining into the wood s fibers. Temperature and humidity can have major effects on how your stain dries.

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. 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. Apply stain by brushing or wiping it in the direction of the grain using smooth even strokes. Certain water based stains will be more effective but will produce inferior results when compared with stain applied to dry wood.

If it rains right after you apply the stain the stain will peel and flake off. This varies based on stain brand and type. If it s too wet or cold the drying time for stains can easily double. 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.

If applied to wet woods the stain will be thin and will eventually wash off after a few sizable rains. In extreme cases the product will just stay wet until the humidity decreases or the temperatures rises. Most wood stains are oil based and therefore will not bond well to a wet surface. Use a brush for smooth application of the stain.

Both precautions help ensure the best stain penetration and the most predictable drying patterns. The brush bristles distribute the stain evenly into the wood grain reaching into the small undulations on the surface of the cedar planking. 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.

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. 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. Windy days aren t ideal either. If your stain has been drying for close to 48 hours this may not happen.

Stain does not require this kind of maintenance and can usually be directly applied to a clean surface. A brush is most affective for getting the stain into corners of the wood. 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. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone.