When Leo and I moved into the cottage at the Crossroads, we had a small deck built at the rear of the house and we have finally gotten around to staining it! The guys who built the deck advised us not to stain the pressure treated wood for 6 to 9 months, so we didn't. Well, staining the deck got put on the back burner and so 3 years later, we finally tackled this project.
This is a little embarrassing, but this is what the deck looked like before we got started. It was dirty with some mildew stains where some flower pots had sat. The uneven color really bothered me every time I saw it, but staining a deck is not a project you want to do in the heat of the summer. We waited until this fall to start this project when we had some cooler weather with less humidity. And we worked on this project off and on during the month of October.
The first thing that Leo did was to use a pressure cleaner to wash the deck to remove the dirt and mildew. Then the next thing that we did was to paint the handrails and the spindles with 2 coats of white, outdoor latex paint.
The product we chose to stain our deck with was this. We went with a solid color stain in a charcoal gray color because I wanted even, all over color.
OLYMPIC® MAXIMUM®STAIN + SEALANT IN ONE
 | SOLID COLOR FEATURES Enhanced waterproofing protection Advanced SunBlock® UV defense Extends color life Exclusive Scuff Guard® technology Provides our best mildew resistant coating 100% acrylic latex formula Self-priming Backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal |
As you can see, we were a little messy with the white paint when we were painting the rails and spindles, so we were worried that we would have to remove the paint before we stained the deck. So we tested to see if the stain would cover the blobs of white paint and it did! Yay!
Now the next thing I want to say is that we are not experts on any of this. The only experience I have had in staining a deck is when I painted the floor of the covered porch in our previous home. And I put 6 coats of 3 different products on it in a matter of a few weeks until I had achieved the color and durability that I wanted. (Yes, I know, that was a bit obsessive, but it sure was pretty!)
To apply this paint, I used my Purdy brush that I received in my swag bag when we attended the Southern Bloggers Conference recently. The stain can be sprayed or rolled on, but since our deck is small, I decided to brush it on. The directions on the can said to apply two thin coats.
Here it is with the first coat of the stain. It was looking so much better, and I really liked the contrast of the painted rails with the dark, charcoal color of the stain.
The first coat of stain did a great job of covering, but I'll have to say that the dry, unfinished wood did absorb a lot of the product. There are many different types of stain that you can use and choosing a solid color stain is an irreversible one because you will have to continue using a solid stain when it needs to be refreshed.
Here I am taking a break from the staining one day, having a cup of coffee in my favorite Hometalk mug.
We did allow the stain to totally dry between coats by waiting several days before applying the second coat.
Since the deck was looking so much better, I decided to paint this chair. If you'd like, you can read the post about how we changed an old chair into a planter. Since I had received a sample of Miss Mustard Seed's milk paint in our swag bag at the conference, I decided to try this beautiful red shade called Tricycle.
I planted some lacy kale and white violas in the basket this week. The sweet potato vine will not survive the frosts, but I left it in there for the next few weeks.
Here it is on the deck along with our pot holder stand and other flowers.
And our next project is going to be rejuvenating this teak table and chairs. Anyone had any experience with teak?
Tessie
Thank you for posting and allowing us to learn more.
Jean
This article is very helpful for the people that is trying to change the design of their home.
Kim
How has the Olympic Maximum stain held up over time?
Jane Windham
Kim, we stained the deck about 4 years ago, and the stain has held up beautifully. The only place where it has worn is the pathway from the steps to the door. So this fall I'll just freshen it up again with another coat of the same stain.
Shana
Hi, I can't figure out which color you used. There is a "Deep Charcoal" but it looks waaay darker than yours. Yours looks closer to "Antique Silver" or "Corundum"--can you let me know? We are going to do the same with our deck, and our contractor is asking us for the color. ????
Thank you!
Shana
Jane Windham
I believe the color of the stain was Gibraltar Gray.
Darlene
I'm new here, but had to comment on the deck. It looks great. We are having a pressure treated deck built this summer, so probably next summer we will be thinking about stains. I am definitely interested in your color choice!!
Nicole
Love your deck!!! Using it as my inspiration for mine. Exactly what color grey did you use? Thanks!!!!
Keeping it Cozy
Your deck looks great! I'm a big fan of gray decks. 🙂
the cape on the corner
love the gray color!
Jean Windham
I think the new stain is very pretty on the back deck. It's sounds like a long process to wait the time between coats but it will pay off. Also, the red chair is a great choice with the new stain on the deck. I miss planting plants at the change of seasons. Congratulations Jane I know you are very excited about getting all the work done prior to the holidays. Jean
Robyn
I'm loving that little RED chair. I know my mom has to have one somewhere in their barns and storage sheds. I think I'll head out after work to find me one! It would be beautiful with some pine branches and Paperwhites for Christmas! Love the deck Jane! Beautiful as always!
Rebecca
I love the gray and white. It is so crisp and clean! What a transformation! Love, Me
Beth H
Love the color deck and contrasting colors. I'm redoing mine tomorrow!! As for the teak, yes I have done it. I have taken old gray and dingy and brought it back to life! You wouldn't even know it was the same. Get some sand paper and go over everything. If it's really chewed up, start w/an 80 grit and go to 150-220. Once it feels smooth get a rag and some teak oil (NOT teak oil FINISH that's at the HD or Lowes!) or use PURE tung oil. You will probably find pure teak oil or tung at a lumber yard or woodworking store or get it online. Be generous with it when applying. Let it soak for 30-40 min and wipe off excess. reapply another coat if it really soaks it up. Thats it! You will be amazed at the transformation.
Pat@BPM
The deck looks wonderful Jane. We had our deck at the lake stained a couple of years ago. It had been about 7 years since the last time it was stained. It sure perked it up.:-)
I love your red planter chair with the Fall plants.
Terri J
I have to admit that looking at your stained deck and my "Restore"d one, that I think we chose the same color. I went w/ Restore over top of stain's because I had to many cracks to fix and didn't believe stain would solve that problem for me. So happy for you both - your deck, white railings and all, is gorgeous!!!
Nancy
The deck looks fabulous! Great choice on color...and I love the chair too....and the plant holder that you made....very neat....
Nancy
Tammy Loves Dishes
Your deck looks wonderful! Our deck is in need of some repair and then staining. I love the colors you chose for your deck. I really hope we can do ours soon; I know it will look sooo much better. Thanks for sharing your successful project!
Carlene @ Oganized Clutter
Nice job on the deck Jane. The red chair planter really caught my eye. Love it!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs
Great looking deck...you and Leo have done a magnificent job....So it must be so nice to enjoy it now with the beautiful fall days!
Ann
Oh my goodness I love this...and the white railing is perfect. I wish I had thought of that! My deck is a mess right now. I really need to get out there and at least try to clean it off before it snows. I loved seeing the picture of you too! I'm getting nervous about that Google hangout. Will you be at the practice tomorrow?
Donnamae
Jane, your deck looks fantastic! Love the white railings...really sets it off! You inspired me to do something about our deck...but I think it's too cold here now! But there's always next spring! Love the chair too...so cheery! 😉
Barbara F.
Jane, you are so talented. I love the cute red chair. It makes a great planter. xo
Penny @ The Comforts of Home & Flea Market Makeovers
Jane your newly stained deck turned out great! Love the pic of you sitting with your coffee. I have some Tricycle paint that I am going to use on a dresser after we move. Love that color.
Hugs,
Penny
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog
It looks GREAT!! And definitely don't be embarrassed, I have a deck that still looks like your before pics. 🙂 And I'm happy to see I'm not the only one who can get a little sloppy with the paint brush. Today we're thankful for solid color stain to cover our previous indiscretions. 🙂
dawn
Jane, it turned out great. What a job to stain a deck. We did two of our this Summer. I was lucky hubby used his sprayer and it took less than an hour to move all the furniture and put 2 coats on. Also love the red chair planter, the bright colors contrast nicely against the new deck stain. Where did you get that mug? I belong to Hometalk also and have never seen such a thing:)
Danni Baird
Jane your deck looks fantastic! What a transformation! Right now mine looks more like your before pictures. I'm inspired, but my upcoming weather is not cooperating, so this may be a spring project for me to look forward to! Love your planter chair by the way! I had a teak shower in our cabin in Montana, and it seems to me that I used some kind of marine stain on it that was used for teak on boats...maybe Valspar made it?
debbiedoos
Looks beautiful Jane. And you sure look cozy and happy enjoying your cuppa jo:)
Grace @ sense and simplicity
It's looking great. Staining a deck is such a messy, tiring job, but it sure does make the outdoor space look neater and prettier. I love the gray you chose.
Dolly Sarrio
Jane I love it and will keep this post so it will motivate us to do the same on our porches...
Sherry
Hi Jane,
Your deck looks great. Love the chair. As for the teak, it looks like it aged just as teak is supposed to. The bench at the library has to be treated with a special teak oil periodically. If I were you, I'd sand it some and use the oil to keep it looking good. Good luck!
Judy Clark
Jane - Your deck looks fabulous!! Love the white trim. And also, love your red chair. But, then, I like about anything red. You will certainly be ready to enjoy this beautiful deck when next summer rolls around.
Judy
Melanie
It looks wonderful Jane! It was worth the wait! You are right, that is not a project for a hot summer day!
Mary
Your deck looks great Jane! It's tough job but the results are definitely worth it! I love the gray stain with your white rails and your tricycle 🙂 painted chair planter looks cheery!
Liz @ Infuse With Liz
You did a great job and it looks marvelous! We did ours this spring- it was a big job! I like your red and yellow pieces on the gray- the colors play off it nicely! All I know about teak is you use teak oil it to keep its beautiful color.
Olive Cooper
Hi Jane, I just bought four Purdy brushes. Definitely not cheap but well made and made in the USA. They are the best. The deck looks great. We have probably a six year waiting list on projects with our house we bought three years ago as we are not here all the time. Blessings, Olive
Kim
Looks good Jane. We have to paint our deck again. I am going to wait for all the leaves to finish falling and then hope it isn't too cold.