With our power washing finished, we were finally able to stain and seal the deck — a job we completed and refurnished on Tuesday, literally hours before our first showing.
To recap: after finishing the deck in late August we were advised to wait 2–3 months before sealing pressure-treated wood so the treatment could dry out. By the time the wood was ready, the weather was too cold to apply stain. Even after spring arrived and we power washed, a stubborn patch of grime remained in one corner that the pressure washer didn’t remove.
Sherry thought the spot wasn’t that noticeable, but I wanted it as clean as possible before staining — I was worried that sealing would darken any lingering stains. After the pressure washer, I tried a hose-attachable deck cleaner we picked up for about $7. The instructions were simple: spray, let sit for five minutes, then rinse. I hoped that would do the trick, but it didn’t change the look at all.
Two failed attempts — pressure washing followed by that cleaner — had me ready to concede defeat. Still, I gave it one more try with an Olympic brand cleaner that required a separate sprayer. It cost a bit more overall (cleaner plus sprayer), but it made a huge difference. The product essentially bleached the surface, leaving a uniform, clean slate. I was briefly worried about the bleaching effect, but it’s a common and effective approach for deck preparation and it created the even surface we needed for staining.
With the deck clean, staining and sealing was next. We jumped on the project the minute Clara went down for a nap, hoping to finish before she woke up. Our supplies included:
- Olympic Maximum Toner in Cedar Naturaltone (stain and sealer in one, purchased from a big-box store)
- Deck stain applicator (a sponge-like pad on a stick for fast coverage)
- Large brush for backbrushing and working the stain into the wood
- Rubber gloves to protect hands
- Paper towels or rags for wiping drips and cleaning up
We chose a toner rather than a semi-transparent stain so the finish would subtly enhance the wood while still showing grain. The color looked quite orange straight from the can, which worried us, but it dried much more subdued and blended nicely with the other exterior wood elements.
We applied the stain with the sponge applicator for speed and then immediately backbrushed with a regular brush to prevent pooling and to help the stain penetrate the wood. I handled the applicator while Sherry followed with the brush. The main deck surface took only about 15–20 minutes since the product calls for a single coat. The stairs and railings were more time-consuming — each post and railing required careful brushing on all sides to avoid drips. That section took significantly longer and required more focus, but we got it done. Clara woke up before we finished the railings, so I went in to watch her while Sherry completed the rest.
When wet, the stain looked more red-orange than we wanted, but once dry it achieved the toned, natural look we hoped for — more subtle and cohesive with the house’s existing wood features. Sherry also touched up a small utility box with a cheap test pot of paint to help it blend with the brick wall, which made it less noticeable without drawing attention.
That stubborn corner that bothered us after power washing looked much improved after cleaning and staining. It isn’t flawless, but it’s a big improvement over the pre-cleaned state.
Eight months after construction finished (ten months since it began), the deck is officially stained and sealed. We enjoyed using it through late fall and early spring even before this final step, but now it’s fully protected and looks finished — which means fallen acorns and leaves won’t cause as much long-term damage.
Here’s the budget breakdown for the deck so far:
Permit – $114
First lumber & hardware order – $1,007
First auger rental – $60
Second lumber & hardware order – $251
Second auger rental – $60
Flashing – $40
Misc hardware & supplies – $95
Powerwash – $80
Cleaner & Stain – $76
Total: $1,783
You can save money if you don’t build a large staircase or if you avoid re-renting equipment after an inspection. Also, buying an effective cleaner the first time is worth the small extra cost.
This was one of my biggest DIY projects — on par with our first house bathroom renovation — and doing it ourselves saved a lot compared to hiring it out. More importantly, it gave me confidence: I built a deck, and the permit inspector joked it could hold a bunch of elephants. I’m a proud dad.
That narrow alley of ours has come a long way since our first walkthrough in 2010.
Anyone else staining a deck? Did your stain look bright when it was wet and mellow out as it dried? Have you used a deck stain applicator on a stick? In our experience, the combination of the applicator for speed and a brush for backbrushing was fast and thorough.