With our power washing finished, we were finally able to stain and seal the deck. We completed the job and re-furnished the space on Tuesday—literally hours before our first showing.
To back up a bit: after finishing the deck in late August, we were advised to wait 2–3 months for the pressure-treated wood to dry before sealing. Sealing too soon can trap treatment moisture and cause problems, so we followed that guidance. By the time it was safe to stain, winter weather made it impractical. When spring arrived we power washed the deck, but in one corner some persistent grime remained.
Sherry thought it was subtle, but I was determined to remove it before sealing. I didn’t want to lock in darker spots, so I tried a cleaner after pressure washing. Many deck-staining guides recommend a cleaner first, so we grabbed an inexpensive $7 “Deck Wash” that hooks to a garden hose. I followed the directions—spray, let it sit about five minutes, then rinse—but the result looked no different than before.
After that initial attempt and the pressure washing, I almost gave up. Then I decided to try an $8 Olympic brand cleaner I had skipped earlier because it required buying an $11 sprayer. That extra sprayer made all the difference. The cleaner worked like a bleach solution: applied, left to sit, then rinsed, and the deck looked dramatically brighter and much cleaner. It was the blank slate we needed to get an even coat of stain. In short: the cheap hose-attach product did nothing for us, while the Olympic cleaner with the dedicated sprayer worked far better.
Next came staining and sealing, which we were excited to tackle. We squeezed the job in while Clara napped, hoping to finish before she woke. Our supplies were simple:
- Olympic Maximum Toner in Cedar Naturaltone (stain and seal in one, about $37 from Lowe’s)
- Deck stain applicator (sponge-style, $7 from Lowe’s)
- Large brush ($6 from Lowe’s)
- Rubber gloves (already owned)
- Paper towels or rags for cleanup
We chose a toner over a semi-transparent stain because a toner tints the wood more subtly while still allowing grain to show through. We were used to the natural look and didn’t want anything too dark or too red-orange—initially the stain looked quite orange straight from the can, but it dried much more subdued and natural-looking.
For application, we considered spraying, rolling, and brushing. We went with a sponge-like deck stain applicator that we’d seen my dad use. It covered quickly and made the main surface go fast, but it requires “backbrushing” to prevent pooling and to work the stain into the grain. I applied with the sponge applicator and Sherry followed closely with the brush to even everything out.
The top portion of the deck took about 15–20 minutes and the product only requires a single coat. The stairs and railings were more time-consuming because each post and railing face needed careful brushing to avoid drips. That section took considerably longer—maybe a couple of hours—and we split the tasks: Sherry handled the detail work while I watched Clara when she woke.
When the stain was wet it seemed a bit redder than expected, but once dry the color simply toned the wood and blended nicely with other exterior wood elements around the house. Sherry also touched up the utility box with a small test pot of paint to help it blend with the brick, which was an inexpensive fix and visually less obtrusive.
That gritty corner that bothered me looks much improved after the cleaner and stain. It’s not perfect, but it’s far better than it was after power washing alone.
So, eight months after the deck’s construction ended (ten months since we started), it’s officially stained and sealed. We were able to enjoy the space through late fall and early spring even before finishing, but it’s reassuring to have the deck fully protected now so leaves and acorns won’t cause as much staining or wear.
We also finalized the deck budget breakdown, which we wanted to share now that staining and sealing were done:
Permit – $114
First lumber & hardware order – $1007
First auger rental – $60
Second lumber & hardware order – $251
Second auger rental – $60
Flashing – $40
Misc hardware & supplies – $95
Powerwash – $80
Cleaner & stain – $76
Total: $1783
If you don’t have a large staircase like ours (eight steps with long railings) you can save quite a bit. You can also save by avoiding extra rentals if inspections pass the first time. And, as we learned, spending a little more on the right cleaner can save time and effort.
This project was one of our biggest DIY efforts—on par with the bathroom gut job at our first house—and it ended up saving us a lot compared to hiring it out. More importantly, it gave me confidence: I built a deck, and the permit inspector said it could hold a bunch of elephants. I’m a proud poppa.
That narrow alley has come a long way since our first walkthrough in 2010. If you’re staining a deck soon: expect the wet color to look brighter than it will when dry, and consider a sponge applicator combined with a brush for speed and an even finish.