Longevity. Deck paint lasts up to 10 years, while stain only lasts two to three years. Stain tends to be easier on the wood, allowing it to breathe and contract more. Both products help protect your deck from the elements, but paint provides more defense against UV rays.
Paint sits on top of the wood and can hide imperfections better than stain can. This means if the wood on your home is old or not attractive, the paint will help cover it up. No paint is perfect, though – if your wood needs replacing, paint cannot make it look new.
Does paint last longer than stain? Paint that is applied according to the manufacturer's direction will last longer than stain. However, solid stain will provide more protection to wood surface by letting the moisture escape.
The Cons of Staining Wood
While some stains can last up to five years, postponing re-staining a wood surface for too long can cause the job to become more complex and labour intensive. Even decks that are stripped and re-stained will still require maintenance every couple of years.
Compared to paint, stain can be more economical, easier to use and longer-lasting while also letting the natural look of wood shine through. With these advantages in mind, consumers should take time to consider if staining is the better choice after finishing any outdoor wood project.
Wood stain won't adhere well to damp wood and can crack and peel. Apply stain to dry wood when it hasn't rained for several days and the forecast calls for at least two days of dry weather between 50° F and 90° F.
Oil-based stain can be kept for 1 year if the cans have been opened, but unopened cans will last 2 - 3 yrs. Water-based stain will last 1 year, if opened, and 2 years, if unopened. Oil-based varnishes will be good for 1 year, opened or unopened.
It is better to stain your deck if you want a natural look and paint your deck if you want to add color. Stain is easier to apply and easier on the wood, but painting gives a more protective barrier and lasts longer.
We always recommend two coats of stain for any wood project, but you should only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain. The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much deck stain as the wood can absorb.
The difference between a solid stain and paint
Whereas paint sits on top of a surface, solid stain absorbs into it. This means that instead of peeling like paint does, solid stain fades with age. As a result, solid colour stains tend to look better than paint does as time goes on.
The main similarity between traditional stain and milk paint is that they both have an oil base. However, gel stain is much thicker than traditional stains and covers a little more like paint. Another nice aspect of gel stain's consistency is the effect when a brush is dragged through it in one direction.
While solid stain can resist fading from the sun, it won't resist eventual cracking, peeling, or blistering. This is especially true if the wood is often wet or in direct sunlight. No matter how good the solid stain or the painter, solid stain will eventually peel and need recoated.
Woods high in tannins may require sealing first, but all species of stained wood can be painted, including hardwoods and softwoods, and even grasses like wicker and rattan. Previously stained furniture and home elements (doors, trim, cabinetry) will accept paint, with the latter sometimes requiring a deep clean first.
Staining Over Paint Basics
Staining over finished or coated wood—in this case, painted wood—creates a completely different effect. Depending on the color and sheen of the paint and the type of stain, the result might be a glazed, lacquered look with rich, dark undertones. Streaks will always be visible to some degree.
Yes, a water-based stain can be used over paint! This type of stain is ideal for use on various surfaces, including wood, concrete, brick, and metal. It is also suitable for use on both interior and exterior surfaces. Water-based stains are easy to apply and provide a unique finish that adds character to any project.
Stain before paint is usually the norm! Why? Because if you mess up, you can easily paint over stain, but it's not as easy to stain over paint… often sanding/stripping is required.
Rubbing. Frantically rubbing a stain can make it spread further and also damage the weave of the fabric. Try gently dabbing the stain away first.
Clear and transparent stains need a touchup every year or two. Semi-transparent last 2 to 3 years. Semi-solid stains are good for 2 to 4 years of protection. Solid stains on decks may protect up to 5 to 7 years.
Depending on your project, you will not need to remove old stain before restaining. If you want to darken the stain on your wood project, then removing the existing stain is not necessary!
Stain is often cheaper to purchase than paint. It is easier to apply stain, as well as to re-coat surfaces that need a touch up. Stain is quicker to apply than paint, because you don't always need to prime surfaces first. It also only usually needs one coat.
Using Gel Stain, you can stain wood furniture without sanding or stripping the old finish.
Many, probably most, store-bought stains are made with both dye and pigment. If wood stained with these stains is exposed to sunlight or fluorescent light for a while, the dye color will fade away, but the pigment color will remain.
Stains lighten as they dry, then return to their damp color when a finish is applied. So the quick method of seeing the color you'll get with the finish applied is to look at the stain while it is still damp. If you're using a satin or flat finish, however, you need to factor in the impact of the flatting agent.
Outdoor wood stains are water repellant, so they make the wood waterproof, that is protecting it against water and, as a result, against mold. The only problem is that it is a short-term protection. As the stain wears out, the water easily finds a tiny crack to penetrate the wood.