Let dry 24 hours. How many coats are required? SEAL-ONCE® MARINE Premium Waterproofing Wood Sealer & Stain is designed to protect & stabilize marine wood against water damage, salt water spray & decay. That depends upon what type of stain you are using. Apply to small sections at a time (1–3 boards); start at one edge of the board and work end-to-end, following through to the end of the boards to avoid lap marks. Apply over coat 2 without sanding. Let dry 24 hours. This is the sealer coat. If the droplets sink in, the wood is ready to be stained. The second coat can go on a little lighter than the first coat, and will ensure good coverage and adequate penetration into the wood for weather protection. To avoid “lap marks” make sure that the leading edge is kept wet and that wet stain is brushed into wet stain. DO NOT APPLY 2 COATS. Even if you decide not to stain your deck, you should always apply some kind of sealer to keep it protected from the elements. Deck Defense is designed as a one-coat stain, although due to the deep penetrating properties of the product, it may appear lighter than expected. Working with the wood grain, apply an even coat of stain using a 4-inch brush. On new decks, apply only one coat of oil-based deck finishes. Seal or Stain the Deck Boards . Allow to dry overnight. Many homeowners and even some professional paint contractors incorrectly believe “more is better.” In order for an oil-based stain to be effective, it must be able to penetrate the wood’s surface. Before applying stain, make sure your deck has been cleaned properly. If available, you may also use a roller to first apply the stain, then work it into the wood with your brush. Apply sealer or stain to the deck boards, using the same techniques used on the railings and your choice of applicator: paint pad, paint roller, paintbrush, or garden sprayer. Coat 4 — Sand coat 3 lightly with 220-grit paper. A protective polyurethane topcoat is a great way to seal your wooden deck and increase its longevity. There are several techniques you can use to apply a deck sealer. Unlike many top-coat sealers on the market today, it penetrates wood below the surface, coating the wood fibers at the cellular level, which creates a long-lasting, flexible, breathable barrier. He applied two coats of (a brand of) clear sealer. HOW MANY COATS OF STAIN SHOULD I APPLY? Pick the finish that you want and apply accordingly. Clean with a deck cleaner and sand the surface to remove any loose wood fibres and contamination; ensure that the new coating soaks in evenly. Use a paintbrush to stain between cracks and problem areas. Coat 2 — Thin 20% with specified thinner. Are More Coats Better? Applying the sealer with a brush gives you the greatest control for the most even application and will ensure that you get the sealer not only on the deck boards but in … But the instructions clearly state, "Apply one coat only." Do not sand sealer coat before applying coat 2. When in doubt, follow the instructions written on the container. Expect the butted ends of lumber to accept more stain. Step 8 Wipe the deck with a dry towel after the second coat, cleaning up any puddles. Sprinkle some water on the deck. If project requires more than 1 container, blend all containers together to ensure uniformity. For composite decking—that’s decking made from recycled plastic materials and wood—follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Otherwise, you risk having your deck rot out within the first couple of years. This is especially true on older surfaces that have been exposed for long periods of time. Many parts of the deck are still tacky. 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