Published April 1st, 2026

Author: Kassi Cox

As exterior season ramps up, we think it's important to share some exterior stain knowledge to ensure you have the best results for your staining projects. In May of 2024, the team got to join in on a Woodluxe exterior stain training session hosted by Benjamin Moore, where we got to try out the then-new product, which replaced our previous exterior stain, Arborcoat. 

There we learned a number of tips and tricks for this product and using exterior stain in general that we'd love to share with you.

Important Considerations:

Wood Moisture

Wood should be under 15% moisture levels, as measured by a moisture meter before staining. If you don't have a moisture meter, you can rent or buy one at the store. If you don't want to use a moisture meter, another way to check this if by splashing a bit of water on the wood you want to stain. If the water beads up on the wood then it's too wet and not yet ready to accept stain, and you'll need to wait a bit longer before you begin your staining project.

Note: Sometimes water beading can be the result of mill glaze on the wood, which will give a waxy appearance and interferes with adhesion and penetration of stain. This can be removed by sanding, power washing, and/or chemicals such "Woodluxe® Wood Brightener & Neutralizer K017".

Deck Construction

When it comes to decks, an important construction consideration is how high the deck is from the ground. If it's less than 3 feet from the ground, it may be more susceptible to rot. It's best to have an elevated deck to avoid this, and ideally have gravel underneath it rather than dirt, mud, or grass. Additionally, having a slight gap between the individual boards will allow water to pass through and to account for the natural expansion and contraction of the wood due to weather and heat. A well ventilated deck will perform better overall.

Surface Prep & Products

About 80% of jobs fail due to improper preparation. Stain requires stable, dry surfaces that are free of dirt and dust. Remember to clean the surface, check the moisture levels, and sand the wood before staining.

To prep your deck: power wash carefully, use a stiff-bristle brush to clean, and lightly sand with a pole sander. Sanding is the most important step, as it helps the stain to penetrate into the wood and can assist in removing old/failing stain and mill glaze.

We sell a variety of products to assist with specific preparation needs, such as removing old stain, restoring weathered wood, or removing mold and mildew.

"Woodluxe® Wood Stain Remover K015" is used to get rid of old, failing stain to return wood to its natural state. It should be followed up with the Brightener & Neutralizer product. Note: It will not remove floor paint or solid stain that is in good condition. 

"Woodluxe® Wood Restorer K016" is used to restore grayed or weathered wood, remove old dead fibers, and remove stains caused by mold & mildew. It should be followed up with the Brightener & Neutralizer product.

"Woodluxe® Wood Brightener & Neutralizer K017" is used after the Remover or Restorer products, or to remove mill glaze. It can also remove rust stains from wood and concrete, and tanin stains that are common in Cedar and Redwood. You can also use this product prior to sanding to make the process easier.

"Woodluxe® All-in-One Wood Cleaner K018" is used for cleaning mold & mildew, and for general maintenance. It is suitable for composite, outdoor furniture, vinyls, fiberglass, concrete, and more.

Application

Before staining, be sure to wait until your wood has dried from any power washing, cleaning, or recent rain. 

The best way to apply the stain is with a stiff-bristled brush in the direction of the wood grain while maintaining a wet edge. For best results, do not apply in direct sunlight or in high humidity. 

Alternative application methods:

• Mitts (good for spindles)
• Staining pads
• Spraying or rolling the stain on followed by back-brushing (best with a partner - one person to spray/roll, and one to follow with a brush. This method helps to avoid lap marks)

For fences, start at the bottom and work up. For all wooden projects it's ideal not to stop in the middle of a board. 

Cross-brushing is recommended to fill cracks & splits in the wood. 

More About Woodluxe

In all product variations aside from the Water-based Solid, Woodluxe is a penetrating stain, which means the product sinks into the wood, rather than sitting on top of it. This is why sanding is such an important preparation step. The translucent, semi-transparent, and semi-solid opacities are intended to be one-coat products, while the solid stain is intended to be a 2-coat product. 

To Summarize: The Do's and Dont's

Do

• Ensure your surface is properly prepped (ie. clean, sanded, free of peeling stain, etc.)
• Check that your wood that has a moisture content of 15% or less
• Brush on your stain to ensure penetration (or back-brush after spraying/rolling)
  

Do Not

• Apply in direct sunlight
• Apply to wet wood
• Spray or roll on the stain without back-brushing
• Stop application mid-board
• Apply to wood that is dirty, dusty, wet, or covered in mildew, mold, or moss

To shop our exterior stain products, click here. Happy staining!

Want more exterior tips? Check out this post.