DIY Deck Staining Guide: Professional Results in the Pacific Northwest

Elegant Painting deck refinishing in Woodinville and Kirkland

While painting the entire outside of a house might be impossible for most homeowners, staining a deck is a project that can be done in one weekend, saving you a good amount of cash. First-time homebuyers are often unaware of the costs associated with maintaining a cedar deck. The majority of the cost is in labor, so by doing it yourself, you save roughly 80%!

This article explains in step-by-step detail the procedures we use at Elegant Painting—your residential painting experts in Woodinville and Redmond—to produce professionally refinished decks that can battle our damp Northwest climate.

What You Need

Pressure Washer: A reliable machine can be rented from your local hardware store in Kirkland or Sammamish for about $60.00 per day.

BEHR Premium 2-In-1 Deck Cleaner: Available for ~$20.00. Note: This is the only BEHR product we recommend for any project.

Behr 2-in-1 deck cleaner used by residential painters

Application Tools: Empty 5-gallon bucket, carwash brush, or a garden sprayer to apply the deck cleaner.

Makita GV5010 5-Inch Disc Sander: Available for ~$89.99. This is the only power sander that works for this project. Belt, palm, and floor sanders will not suffice.

Makita GV5010 sander for deck refinishing

Sanding Discs: You'll need about 10 discs for a 400sqft deck (~$3 each). Each disc lasts about 20 minutes.

Sanding discs for cedar deck preparation

TWP Fence and Deck Stain: Available at Dunn Lumber (~$40/gal). We recommend TWP 101 Natural Cedar Tone for Northwest homes.

Stain Brush & Rags: A large, heavy-duty stain brush (~$15) and old towels for cleanup.

Large stain brush for oil-based deck stain

1. Chemical Treatment

The Behr Premium 2-in-1 Deck cleaner balances PH and brightens cedar boards without harming your lawn. Follow dilution directions carefully. Soak the deck with water first, apply the solution to a 10’ x 10’ area, and allow 3-5 minutes to activate. DO NOT allow it to dry on the wood.

2. Power Wash

CAUTION: This is where things can go wrong. Incorrect pressure washing can gouge cedar boards or cause injury. Practice on a driveway first!

Use the green tip and maintain a consistent "gun swing" to avoid marking the wood. Never pull the trigger while the tip is resting near the boards.

Diagram showing correct power washing motion for decks

3. Sanding

Sanding is the most labor-intensive part, but it is the secret to a professional finish. Sand along the grain for an even finish. Once done, use a garden blower to remove all dust from the surface and surrounding siding/plants.

4. Staining

The "Wet Edge" Rule: Apply stain to 1-5 boards all the way across the deck without stopping. This prevents lap marks.

Stir your TWP stain thoroughly (pigments settle at the bottom!). Use the "wet-on-wet" method: apply one coat, then immediately apply a second coat while the first is still wet. If the first coat dries, it will block the second from penetrating, leaving a sticky mess.

Elegant Painting serves the Eastside including Medina, Clyde Hill, Bellevue, and Bothell. If you get stuck or have questions, please feel free to call, text, or email us anytime. We’re here to help!