kai779•1mo ago

My deck stain job peeled after just 8 months

I pressure washed and stained my back deck last summer with a solid color oil-based stain. It looked great for a few months, but by this spring it was peeling and flaking off in big sheets. I think the problem was the old stain wasn't fully removed, or maybe I didn't let the wood dry long enough after washing. Some folks online say you should always strip a deck completely, while others say a good wash is enough if the old coat is thin. What's the right move for a second attempt this year? Has anyone had a stain fail this fast and fixed it for good?

2 comments

2 Comments

nora7351mo ago

I used to skip stripping, but that exact thing changed my mind lol

wendysmith1mo ago

Yeah, that "exact thing" moment gets everyone. For me it was a batch of streaky, uneven frosting that looked awful. Now I just do a quick crumb coat and chill it for ten minutes. Makes the final layer so much smoother.