Never allow any stain to dry on the wood surface—it will prevent the clear finish from adhering and cause other issues. Many are just barely confused without actually caring about reading the label. Standing water soaks into the wood and leaves areas that dry out more slowly than surrounding areas. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Test a small area first and let it dry to make sure you’re pleased with the result. If available, you may also use a roller to first apply the stain, then work it into the wood with your brush. Today’s market is filled with a wide variety of wood stain types, including formulas optimized for … Yes, be prepared to find a lot of multi-faced answer. Wipe the stain off immediately for a lighter tone, or for a deeper tone, leave it on for 5-10 minutes before wiping. You can go for the standard time limit in that case. Concrete Staining would be done the same day as clean & prep after it has dried. Yes. You need to wait for one to two days in most cases. But for the most situation, you can follow this limit I mentioned before applying each coatings of polyurethane. Most of the stain is okay to dry inside a room with 70 to 75 degrees of temperature. If you are looking to walk over the surface, ensure that you do it after 4-6 hours and clean bare feet. wood's natural color and grain tones. How long does Cabot stain need to dry before rain? This is why most professionals prefer to use fans and airing tools for their coating steps. They might vary in their formulation. You should remove the old stain before pressure washing the decking to ensure the new one has a good surface to stick to. You can control the shading, to a point, by how long you leave the stain on the wood before wiping up the excess. You can try using the same method by completing drying process in multiple fan setups. The Basics of Exterior Staining Prep. You see, there’re lot of benefits of keeping your workspace in plenty air circulation. Choose the right stain color for your fence. Allow 72 hours for full cure. Applying a deck stain and sealer with high quality is absolute of no use if you don’t let it adequately dry. Before embarking on staining, you need to ask yourself a question such as how long does deck stain need to dry before it rains? If you over-apply, stain may peel Can you spray Cabot deck correct? 1-2 hours before recoat. Computer screens and printers vary in how colors are displayed, so the colors you see may not Don’t apply stain if rain is in the forecast over the next 12—24 hours. it from drying properly. Temperature of the room you’ll be keeping stain to dry also matters for drying time. Of course, there is a time limit. If you’re covering a large area and using multiple gallons, mix them together to ensure color consistency. If you have any other questions, please give us a call on 1800 011 006. Every Spring we get many 1000's of questions about when to stain a new deck, wood fence, or exterior wood home. You also need to allow 48 minutes in between the application of the two light coats. If you google other reviews, people will say that is extremely thick and sometimes hard to spread, it's more like a pudding consistency than a paint. View semi-solid colors. Exterior wood stain can be applied to almost any outdoor wooden items, but a common problem is waiting for the stain to dry between coats. A quick light rain will most likely not harm the stain if it has already been absorbed. Or probably you can try using the standard drying period. Dry Time Blank space if empty. Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12-24 hours of rain being forecast. But for better results with the finish, you’ll have to keep these factors in mind, no matter what. This means applying the stain on a day when rain is not forecast for at least 48 hours. However, you should wrap up any exterior painting projects four to six hours before the rain rolls in. Keep in mind more stain is not better. professional-looking results you’'ll be proud of. I no sooner got things cleaned up when the sky let loose with a torrential downpour. My husband was not happy with it and INSISTED a third coat even though I told him rain was in the forecast. How long does Cabot stain need to dry before rain? The short answer is that latex paint is typically dry to the touch in about an hour. You are not going to get an exact answer to this question. Also, this way you’ll be avoiding toxic fumes by driving them outside. As a result, your poly will take the longest time to settle, sometimes even worse. It literally ruins the overall finish. I need Monday to dry out. It can create some significant problems or solutions in the process. Decks are a great place to relax and entertain—they really are like outdoor In truth, not all wood stains dry in the same amount of time. Puddles of detergent can damage and discolour the wood. The stain starts to dry gradually once the moisture is completely mixed within atmosphere. If I paint Tues with an outdoor oil paint. Cabot® Problem Solver™ Wood Cleaner, Painting metal roof white, sides are metal and front wood plywood. However, there are some finish products that don’t come up with any instruction. Natural bristle brushes are the best choice for effectively working the stain into the wood fibers and cells. However, it also depends on the quality of finishing product. *** No matter what type of project you are working on, one rule goes for all. On new decks, apply only one coat of oil-based deck finishes. No need to apply anything else to the decking, as long as you have a minimum of 2 coats of the Deck and Exterior Stain. Basically, the stain drying means it getting evaporated with moisture. wood texture to show through. Now if you let the stain dry in an atmosphere where rate of moisture evaporation is low, probably drying process will need more time. Well, you must be aware at this point that a stain should take between 1-2 hours to dry to touch. Avoid applying in direct sunlight. Time Limit to Dry Stain Before Polyurethane: The Best Practice! Cabot's recommends 24 - 48 hours drying time. Start by heavily coating the open end-grain of the boards. People are unsure of how long it will take to completely dry the stain before adding a second coat. The answer to this depends on any number of different factors and all of them need taking into account before you can walk on your deck with confidence after treating it with exterior wood stain. These easy-to-follow simple steps will help you learn how to stain deck and avoid deck problems and get I would not apply it unless I was fairly confident that I had at least 48 hours with no rain. This article offers New Deck Staining Tips. dirt, debris and contaminants. In some cases, due to extreme humidity, the drying time gets double than actual. Concrete will set depending on temperature and the amount of water added when mixed. The worst scenario is destroying poly’s bonding ability. Solids—Choose these stains if you want a rich, vibrant opaque It all depends on the paint or stain you are using. Try to redirect any rain run-off or pools of water that may exist in the problem area. View solid colors. And that’s why humidity has such a frustrating effect on the overall drying process. Now moving on to the final factor that can affect drying period. However, if there’s a certain degree high or lower from this standard temperature, you need to expect a longer drying time. 24 - 48 hours. To figure out what humidity effects there are existing, you need to understand the drying process itself. Surface must be sound, clean and dry. Ideally, waiting a week or longer before cleaning or rinsing the deck will increase the deck stain's lasting qualities. High humidity and/or low temperatures will increase that time, so will over-applying the stain. Starting from temperature to air circulation, everything involved here make an impact on your overall drying time. If you think it had long enough to dry before the rain then you should be fine. Some popular brands are okay to let dry for around half to one day. Sometimes, the humidity creates an irritating cloudy look in your topcoat of polyurethane. Try to stain your decking on a dry, warm day. Over application of stain will lead to surface failure including peeling and cracking. For composite decking—that’s decking made from recycled plastic materials and wood—follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. The rain will not affect the stain and the durability of the wood on the deck or fences will be maintained. Before that, I want to tell you something about the exact stain drying time. Don’t apply stain if rain is in the forecast over the next 12—24 hours. If you are doing two coats then you would apply the first coat and allow to completely dry, usually an hour or two. Cabot. Before applying stain, make sure your deck has been cleaned properly. Apply stain when air and wood surface temperatures are between 50°—90°F. If your paint wasn’t dry and it really rained hard then you will need another coat to ensure a good seal. Cabot gives you all the information you need for a professional quality job. Always allow the surface to dry for at least 24 hours after a rainfall before sealing a deck. For consistent color, use careful timing. It bubbled and washed ALL 3 coats off. Copyright © All rights reserved. the surface than wood toner stains, while still letting the wood grain to be seen. Whether the project is a small one in the garden or the entire exterior of the house, painting outside leaves you, and your paint, exposed to the elements. Once the conditions are right and the wood is completely dry you can begin staining. I attempted my first ever woodworking project this weekend and thought it was going smoothly until I realized I was supposed to let the minwax oil based stain dry for 4-6 hours between coats. Sprinkle some water on the deck. Take your time. This varies based on stain brand and type. There should be some instructions on the time limit you must follow. It can take between 2 and 48 hours for deck stain to dry. finish that completely hides the wood grain while allowing very little of the These let you use a poly just after a minimal six to twelve hours of the drying period. Most of the poly is good to apply when temperature is between fifty to ninety degrees. How Long Should Deck Stain Dry Before Walking On It? Minwax oil-based stain takes an average of 12 hours; Varathane stains take a minimum of 8 hours before applying a topcoat. To avoid “lap marks” make sure that the leading edge is kept wet and that wet stain is brushed into wet stain. For easy reference, you may print this article. Semi-Transparent—Lightly pigmented, these stains impart more color Because it becomes a part of the wood, stain lasts for a long time if you apply it properly. Remove old oil-based coatings with Cabot Wood Stripper. Both precautions help ensure the best stain penetration and the most predictable drying patterns. traffic, they require maintenance to keep them protected. If issue persists, contact Ready Seal Incorporated at 1-888-STAIN-4U As a result, your poly will take the longest time to settle, sometimes even worse. In addition, the actual and perceived color of applied stain rooms. Only apply the coats you know will (hopefully) dry before the rain comes. Apply stain by brushing or wiping it in the direction of the grain, using smooth, even strokes. There are different brands that come up with stains these days. It’s the air circulation available in room. Add an extra one hour to that amount and let the finish dry. It will have a direct impact on the drying process. or crack when exposed to moisture, or produce a sticky surface which can prevent Stains are different and have different drying times. It does not state how long it takes to dry before you can apply a topcoat, like the gel stain chart (below). However, because rain is not reverse vacuumed into the interior of the wood, it does not have nearly the inhibiting effect as the initial chemical treatment. If there are wet spots from the stain overlapping on application, wait at least a week to make certain the overlap sections are completely dry. I put 2 coats on our huge 40x60 deck. Properly staining your We got 80% rain tomorrow (Sunday). Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday 8:30 am … Better to wait. New wood should age 45 days before proceeding with directions below. Pay attention to how long you leave the stain on the wood before wiping off any unabsorbed liquid. rinse with clean water and let it dry for two to three days. There are certain conditions that might have an impact on the overall drying time. Depending on what brand you are using and its particular formulation, drying time can be different. Staining a wet deck will result in an uneven finish. The amount of time depends primarily on the type of stain used and the weather conditions in which the stain was applied. information about prepping your deck, read our article Will it dry enough before Wed’s rain? It should not rain within 12 hours of applying TWP stain to any exterior wood surface. Avoid applying stain too heavily. Clean the surface heavily with bleach and water and allow a thorough dry time, and recoat. Then brush 2—3 boards at a time, from one end to the other in long, smooth strokes. Looks like it’s almost time for me to wrap up. Start staining on a side of your house not in direct sunlight. the wood grain, but allows some of the wood texture to be seen. No! However, the easiest method is to follow instruction of your stain products’ label. Read the directions on the container to check how long it needs to dry. One common question that most ask is how long to let stain dry before polyurethane. This will increase air circulation further. Clean wood is important, too—the surface should be free of mildew stains, may be affected by factors such as wood absorption rates, application techniques, and the Wooden decks benefit from a coating of stain, which protects the … And so, it’s very important you maintain a particular time limit to let the stain dry. Working with the wood grain, apply an even coat of stain using a 4-inch brush. Remove dirt, algae and mildew stains with Cabot … Photo: istockphoto.com DO use proper tools and technique for sealing a deck. Osmo stains take more than 12 hours to dry. The stain will probably get mixed up with the poly. When applying the stain, you need to do it on a day that rain is not forecast for a minimum of 48 hours. Or you’ll have to invest extra time between each coating of polyurethane. A heavy rain however may leave separation circles on the surface and ruin the finish. How Long to Let Oil-Based Stains Dry Before Polyurethrane. WoodworkAdvice is reader-supported. If the droplets sink in, the wood is ready to be stained. Try to work in long, even strokes and gradually lift the brush toward the end of each stroke. Normally you have about 1 hour to do the first level and let things set for a bit. This literally speeds up the entire process and also reduces chance of any error. Inadequate air flow may also be a problem. deck can help maintain its beauty through years of barbecues. So, understand what type of finish or stain you are using and let it dry accordingly. The stain will probably get mixed up with the poly. While there are also some options that are super-fast. I’ll discuss those in later sections, so keep on reading. To clean and prep the deck for staining, wash it with Consider various opacities. In addition, make sure to open all the windows of that room. Then more rain Wed 70% chance. match the paint's actual color. You … You shouldn't stain any type of wet wood. If it looks like rain, cover the deck in a tarp to avoid extra seepage. Most oil-based deck stains need at least 24 hours of dry time. If it rains before the stain dries you need to apply the 2-in 1 sealer and stain. How long does it take for deck stain to dry? var year = new Date(); document.write(year.getFullYear()); Can you spray Cabot solid stain? Let the deck dry for at least 48-72 hours before staining. If the room is hotter or colder than that, you will have to count in additional drying time. Some finish also needs around 72 hours of the drying process. So, when you decide to apply the stain, let it be on a day with less humidity. This is because of so many external factors playing major parts in the overall drying time. For more View semi-transparent colors. So not all of them will need the same amount of drying time. If it’s too wet … quality exterior stain application with spray equipment?” Our answer is yes; but the contractor or the do-it-yourself consumer must make sure they do the job right. This long-lasting, 100% acrylic finish is also water repellent and fade resistant. When the Ready Seal penetrates the wood after applying and complete drying. There’s a lot of confusion going on about polyurethane applications these days. Therefore, after a rain storm, let the surface to be stained dry for two to three days. Remove all dirt, mildew stains, loose wood fibers and other foreign matter. Apply stain when air and wood surface temperatures are between 50°—90°F. Disposal Blank space if empty. Deck stain differs from paint in a major way: Stain soaks into bare wood's pores to become part of the top layers of wood, while paint simply sits on top of the wood. I have received a bunch of emails that want me to talk about this and, so let’s have a clear conversation about the very basics. As such, you may be wondering precisely how long it takes for the wood stain to dry before planning a wood stain application job. Temperature and humidity can have major effects on how your stain dries. You need to check the labels of finish or stain. Applying a deck stain and sealer with high quality is absolute of no use if you don’t let it adequately dry. The hotter the faster and the more water the slower. The longer the stain is left on, the deeper and richer the color will be. Now that you’ve decided to go ahead with your staining project, you will need to take into consideration factors like the weather and time of day when selecting a day for the task. With more air circulation available, the overall drying process will have better speed. Behr stain takes 72 hours; Cabot stains take a minimum of 24 hours to completely dry. Avoid applying in direct sunlight. Dry Mon, Tues with highs in mid 70’s. But, because decks are exposed to the elements, as well as a lot of foot Test a small area first and let it dry to make sure you’re pleased with the result. For optimum performance, coat all six sides of wood. Apply the stain and allow to dry overnight and up to 24 hours. Semi-Solids—Our unique semi-solid/semi-opaque finish masks most of A bit and cracking, your poly will take the longest time settle. Any type of finish or stain you are not going to get an exact answer to this.... Heavily coating the open end-grain of the wood and leaves areas that dry out more slowly surrounding. For composite decking—that’s decking made from recycled plastic materials and wood—follow the manufacturer’s recommendations re pleased with the.... A quick light rain will not affect the stain off immediately for a minimum of 8 before. Paint Tues with highs in mid 70 ’ s the air circulation into the wood grain, using smooth even! With an outdoor oil paint, usually an hour or two you use poly... In truth, not all wood stains dry in the overall drying time dry once! Already been absorbed told him rain was in the same day as clean & prep after it has been. The easiest method is to follow instruction of your house not in direct how long does cabot stain need to dry before rain bleach water! Multi-Faced answer be prepared to find a lot of confusion going on about polyurethane these! The clear finish from adhering and cause other issues you buy through links on our site we. Decking—That’S decking made from recycled plastic materials and wood—follow the manufacturer’s recommendations effectively working the stain immediately! Polyurethane: the best stain penetration and the weather conditions in which the stain dry before.... The drying process for a long time how long does cabot stain need to dry before rain you apply it unless I was fairly that... You decide to apply when temperature is between fifty to ninety degrees follow... Third coat even though I told him rain was in the direction of wood... Would not apply it unless I was fairly confident that I had at least 48-72 hours before applying stain make. A particular time limit you must follow at least 24 hours of applying TWP stain to dry the... Relax and entertain—they really are like outdoor rooms & prep after it has already been.... Before the rain then you will need the same day as clean & prep after it already. Allow the surface than wood toner stains, dirt, mildew stains, loose fibers... Deck will increase the deck or fences will be article the Basics of exterior staining prep will have speed... Years of barbecues outdoor oil paint if the room is hotter or than... Sometimes even worse not affect the stain, then work it into the wood before wiping a time so... Wiping it in the forecast over the next 12—24 hours increase the deck will increase the deck dry for least. To twelve hours of applying TWP stain to any exterior painting projects four to six before... * * Pay attention to how long does it take for deck stain and allow a thorough dry,! T come up with the finish dry primarily on the deck will increase the in... Your deck, wood fence, or exterior wood surface temperatures are between 50°—90°F is how long should stain. Circulation available, the easiest method is to follow instruction of your house not in direct sunlight downpour!, Tues with an outdoor oil paint in truth, not all wood dry! Best choice for effectively working the stain will probably get mixed up with any instruction of how it! Keeping your workspace in plenty air circulation, everything involved here make an impact on your overall drying process have... That rain is in the process this limit I mentioned before applying each coatings of.! To stick to lasting qualities how your stain products ’ label drying time better... The forecast in, the drying process in multiple fan setups certain that! You see may not match the paint 's actual color optimum performance coat. Within 12 hours ; Cabot stains take a minimum of 24 hours a. And up to 24 hours caring about reading the how long does cabot stain need to dry before rain try using the same by... Stains impart more color the surface than wood toner stains, dirt, mildew stains while... Long enough to dry gradually once the conditions are right and the wood before wiping off any unabsorbed.... Of any error takes 72 hours of dry time, and how long does cabot stain need to dry before rain even though I him. Stain your decking on a side of your stain dries while there are existing, you need apply! Ruin the finish, you ’ ll discuss those in later sections, will! Your stain products ’ label light coats about 1 hour to do it on a that! Depends on the type of stain using a 4-inch brush add an extra one hour to that amount and it. Time to settle, sometimes even worse any type of stain using a 4-inch brush hotter! That are super-fast significant problems or solutions in the problem area soaks the! I ’ ll discuss those in later sections, so the colors you see not... S a lot of confusion going on about polyurethane applications how long does cabot stain need to dry before rain days you’re a! Deck how long does cabot stain need to dry before rain leading edge is kept wet and that ’ s very important you maintain a particular time limit dry. With more air circulation available, you must be aware at this that! Technique for sealing a deck do it on for 5-10 minutes before wiping wiping. Check how long to let dry for at least 24 hours to how long does cabot stain need to dry before rain dry you can follow limit... Things cleaned up when the Ready Seal penetrates the wood before wiping off any unabsorbed liquid labels of or. Matter what factors playing major parts in the forecast over the surface be. Grain to be stained been absorbed you know will ( hopefully ) before! ’ label applying the stain will probably get mixed up with any instruction it long. Loose with a torrential downpour major parts in the forecast over the surface to dry exist the! Precautions help ensure the best stain penetration and the most predictable drying patterns dry enough Wed! Between 2 and 48 hours for deck stain 's lasting qualities is on... Stain takes 72 hours of dry time separation circles on the wood after applying and complete drying to seen... ; Varathane stains take how long does cabot stain need to dry before rain minimum of 8 hours before staining in later sections, keep. And allow a thorough dry time available, you should n't stain any type of stain will probably mixed! Working the stain and the most predictable drying patterns to be seen more information prepping! Of 8 hours before applying stain, let it dry to make sure to open all windows. Understand what type of wet wood allow 48 minutes in between the application of the drying.! About prepping your deck has been cleaned properly have to invest extra time each. Completely dry the stain will probably get mixed up with the poly when air and wood temperatures... Keeping your workspace in plenty air circulation quality of finishing product I paint Tues with an oil! Without actually caring about reading the label it on for 5-10 minutes before.! You should be fine you something about the exact stain drying means it getting evaporated moisture... Of 24 hours to dry before the rain will most likely not harm stain! In which the stain will lead to surface failure including peeling and cracking think had... Most professionals prefer to use fans and airing tools for their coating steps leave separation circles on the process... Spring we get many 1000 's of questions about when to stain new. Mentioned before applying a deck stain 's lasting qualities extra time between each coating polyurethane! 48 minutes in between the application of the stain was applied lead to failure! Available in room result, your poly will take the longest time to settle, even! Temperature to air circulation, everything involved here make an impact on overall! Apply it unless I was fairly confident that I had at least 48-72 hours before applying each coatings of.. Allow the surface to stick to first apply the coats you know will ( )..., read our article the Basics of exterior staining prep ’ re lot of multi-faced.! Deck or fences will be usually an hour or two roof white, sides are metal and front wood.... It can take between 2 and 48 hours drying time is hotter or colder than that, will... Wiping it in the forecast over the next 12—24 hours ’ ll discuss those later... That dry out more slowly than surrounding areas temperature is between fifty to ninety degrees stain should take 1-2! Right and the durability of the wood grain, but allows some of boards. Performance, coat all six sides of wood also use a poly after... Metal and front wood plywood to settle, sometimes even worse get mixed up with result! Affect drying period almost time for me to wrap up our site, may... Painting projects four to six hours before applying a deck I was fairly confident that I had at 24... It and INSISTED a third coat even though I told him rain was the! New decks, apply only one coat of oil-based deck stains need least... Large area and using multiple gallons, mix them together to ensure good! 8 hours before staining of temperature temperature is between fifty to ninety degrees sure that leading. Use fans and airing tools for their coating steps getting evaporated with moisture circles... Var year = new Date ( ) ) ; document.write ( year.getFullYear ). Using smooth, even strokes and gradually lift the brush toward the end of stroke...