The Most Common Misconceptions about Outdoor Staining and Painting

True or false?

1. Because the stain or paint is applied outdoors, it dries faster and you don’t have to wait between coats.

False. Most products for exterior use need to dry for at least four to six hours between coats, and even longer if the colours are saturated with dye. If time is of the essence, use BeautiTone Pure exterior paint, which only takes two hours between coats for pale colours. However, for dark colours, it is recommended that you wait 24 hours before applying the next coat.

2. Staining your deck on a cloudy, slightly windy day is ideal.

True. Applying stain in direct sunlight can keep it from soaking into the wood while a slight breeze will help evaporate a water-based stain.

3. There are no more quality alkyd stains available on the market.

False. Because they are made with vegetable oils, BeautiTone’s alkyd stains meet today’s standards. That is true for BeautiTone’s semi-transparent (268 series) and solid clear (297 series) alkyd stains.

4. You don’t have to seal treated wood.

False. The products that manufacturers use to treat wood today require that the wood be sealed within three months of installation or if it has a moisture content of less than 15%.

5. Outdoor projects can be started as soon as the weather starts getting nice.

False. For stain or paint to fuse and harden, and to prevent peeling, it has to be 10°Cor more for three consecutive nights.

6. It is preferable to sand a deck before cleaning it.

False. That said, it is important to always clean your deck before sanding to keep mould or other contaminants from penetrating deep into the wood. And don’t forget to remove any dust after sanding!

7. Knots in horizontal wood surfaces have to be sealed with shellac.

False. This does not apply to outdoor wood surfaces since the stain has to penetrate.

8. It takes 30 days for exterior paint to complete its full curing cycle and be ready for use.

True. However, products like BeautiTone Designer exterior paint cures in just seven days, which is very handy in variable weather conditions.

9. Outdoor flooring must be coated in primer before being painted.

False. BeautiTone hybrid floor paint includes primer so you can do it all in one step!

Now that you know the best practices for outdoor projects, you’ll be able to stain and paint like a pro! You’ll have an updated space for the summer, ideal for relaxing alone or enjoying with family or friends.