COAT IT TO PERFECTION

Decks are a perennial favorite with homeowners – despite the maintenance commitments – because nothing beats the beauty of natural wood. A semi-transparent stain will allow the natural grain to show through. On the other hand, an opaque coating will allow you see the beautiful texture of the wood. You just need to decide what you like best. In both cases, deck stains come in a variety of colours —everything from subtle greys and browns to dark greens and greys. Wood-Shield stain comes in 36 solid and semi-transparent colours. Solid colour stains can also be tinted to over 1000 colours so the sky’s the limit.

Stain protects and preserves the beauty of your wood compared to paint, which covers and hides it. Any painted surface requires complete removal before staining. Before you stain there are two simple secrets to a long-lasting finish – QUALITY STAIN and PREP WORK. Together they create a beautiful long-lasting finish. Without prep the odds are high you will be redoing your project again next year.

A major source of problems for deck finishes is the overapplication of the coating. Many homeowners and even some professional paint contractors incorrectly believe “more is better.” For a stain to be effective, it must be able to penetrate the wood’s surface. Over-application leads to a buildup of material, forming a film on the wood which can ultimately peel or crack when exposed to excessive moisture. Too much product can also produce an excessively waxy, sticky or slick surface, interfering with the ability to dry properly. Wood-Shield stains require 2 thin uniform coats applied by a good quality stain brush or stain pad. If applying by roller or sprayer, you must go over again with a brush or pad to prevent drips on vertical surfaces and product “pooling” on horizontal surfaces.