What is the concensus on my exterior porch that has been stained about 2 to 3 years ago being restained? Should I do this before or after I have my new siding installed? Is there something beside a pressure washer (I have a Karcher portable) to clean it and then re-stain?
Opinions please.
Replies
I would do it after. Mask the siding well is all.
Re-stain the deck after all those guys with their dirty boots and dropped nails and hammers are long gone. Then whip out the 5 gallon pail, a nice stiff scrubbing brush, some rubber gloves and the Jomax and start scrubbing. Or just use your washer, it's easier.
What kind of stain was on it in the first place? Was it a penetrating translucent or transparent stain, or was it a more solid film forming (opaque) stain. Was the original stain water or oil based?
Unless you are going with a opaque stain, you will need to do some good prep work if you want this new coat to look as good as the original when it was new. I have seen some horrible looking re-stain attempts which are botchy and very uneven looking because the previous staining job was not removed adequately. Careful with the pressure washer or you will raise tons of "fur" which you will then have to remove by lots of sanding.