Applying Siding Stain Over Old Stain

While this guide will provide basic steps to follow when finishing a stain project it is very important that you follow the specific directions printed on the stain label for best.

Applying siding stain over old stain.

It s possible to stain over existing stain and much easier than painting over it. You don t need to remove all of the old stain to apply darker stain. Begin the process by applying a small amount of stain in a hidden area to test for adhesion. Once you ve thoroughly cleaned and prepared your exterior wood surface it is time to apply the stain.

An exterior stain job can last from 5 to 15 years depending on your location the work s exposure and the quality of the stain. I like the white china bristle brushes for this because they are softer. But you do need to remove all of the lacquer varnish or anything that will prevent new stain from absorbing into the wood. As long as you clean and prepare the surface properly you can do another long lasting stain job.

Use a roller paint pad or brush and apply the stain in long smooth strokes. You can mix 2 or more stains together to make diy custom stains. Staining over stain is easy and works beautifully if your applying a dark stain over a lighter stain on raw wood. Pick an inconspicuous spot to test your stains before applying to the entire surface.

You will apply the wiping stain with a brush a rag won t work for this type of application. Removing old stain if necessary if you plan to switch from a darker stain to a lighter one you will need to remove the old stain fully to achieve the best results. Warm stains work great to slightly warm up cooler toned stains. If the deck has a protective finish on it the stain won t adhere and the finish will need to be removed.

My strong preference for a wiping stain is old master s wiping stain. You can do this by sanding the old stain down thoroughly or you can buy a stain remover that may do the job.