How to Stain a Deck (w/ Monica from The Weekender) 

Thanks for a great video... this helped so much. I literally took screenshots of the products you used and went straight to Lowes to buy them. These professional and thoughtful videos do make a big difference and I know I'm not alone in my appreciation. I was not aware of how important using a cleaner (prior to staining) can be. I used the cleaner and it literally brought the boards back to life. Thanks again!

Hey Lowe’s- bring back the Weekender!! We need more Monica!

Excellent tutorial. Believe it or not I find doing this type of work not only therapeutic but extremely rewarding.It’s also a great opportunity for me to spend time outside but most of all, once the job is complete, enjoying the end result. My plans this week is to re-stain our deck in preparation of our upcoming 4th of July party. After watching your video I’m excited and ready to get started.

Very nice! I found this super helpful as it doesn’t require going crazy with power tools. Your instructions are detailed down to the grit of the sander. Awesome work, guys. You rock!

Having a 16x16 deck built right now and planning on staining it. This is so useful! So glad I came across this! Monica never disappoints!

The best video I seen on RU-vid. They show you how to do it "the right way". I am a first time home owner and I and looking forward to do my best. pressure wash too remove the stain, use a deck cleaner (then wash and scrub), sanding and then use a blower to blow away the remaining wood dust and finally place a towel on the deck and tape up the corner with the painting tape and start to stain. Thank you very much!!! Excellent video. I understand why they put woman in big corporate position these days.

"Monica from the weekender" so I guess she will be dropping new episodes this Spring, huh? 😊😉 Thank you Monica!

Wow great video. You make it look so enjoyable to do a home project like that !!! Thanks.

Thank you so much for your video, I got 3 quotes of $700 to $900 for my small balcony deck , with your video I did it myself for less than $100

Please, please bring back the Weekender. Monica is the best!

I built my present deck over 25 yrs. ago and have used an oil based semi- trans. stain and sealer 5 or 6 times on it ..... it is showing it's age and i am now in the process of putting a 2 coat acrylic water solid base on it . it looks great so far !!!

Thank you for this! I'm feeling a lot more confident approaching this project!

She is a GREAT teacher. I love the pace. This is perfect instruction!

This was a great video....amazing content and a lot of useful information! Thank you:))

Thank you very much! This video was much helpful for my DIY project.

Today is stain day! I've followed steps 1 and 2 with ease. Great instructions. I feel like a pro!

💜💜💜learned a lot from thus video b4 l tackle to seal & stain my deck. Thank you so much💜💜💜

For some reason I expected this video to gloss over the process and be too brief, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was informative and well presented.

Season 5 of the Weekender please!!! I've already binge watched all 4 *twice* and need more Monica (and Matt) awesomeness....since there's no Lowe's in India, watching the Weekender is all I can do!

Helpful, concise video. Well done!

After watching a million how to videos from old dudes being unclear on RU-vid, I attempted restraining the deck....it did not come out well. I wish I had found this video first. Awesome, clear and concise

Thanks so much for the clear help!!!! This makes it look easy thank you again!!!!

Great presentation I am a novice however after watching the video I am confident that The presentation will help tremendously with the final outcome! Thanks

We need more videos with Monica teaching us so many DIY's. I watch and learn so much from Monica and i find her voice very soothing!

Thank you so much for this video. Super helpful and well-presented. Your time and effort is most appreciated!

SUCH a good video- helped my husband and I feel 100% confident about tackling this job and getting it done right the first time. Can't thank you enough, these episodes are fantastic

Such a great video!!! Very helpful.

Wow this lady's tutorial is amazing! I've been searching all morning for a comprehensive tutorial so I can stain my deck this year! It's a new build so I was nervous but not anymore : )

Great job! And explanation.

Thank you for this video I already purchased the products and I wish I researched it first and saw these videos before buying it I would have went with something else. Anyway I'll keep in mind about the cleaning issue and make sure that the two coats go down. Thank you again. Hopefully you can apply coats on top of your already existing layers as touch up.

I wish I had her as my teacher back in the day. I learn so much more from her short videos than I learned from my lecturers at engineering college! Please keep it going!

Thank you very much for sharing. Good job. I learned a lot to my project.

Great tip about the wet rags!

This was very helpful. thanks for the video!

Pay this woman well. She covers all the bases in her explanation. Excellent teaching video!

I use the Wooster pad applicator also (have done over 3,000 decks. I put 2 screws from the frame into the aluminum to stop the pad from turning.

Great video! It definitely convinced me I'm going to hire it out. I'll be looking for more from you. Thanks!

Thanks for posting this video. My fiancé and I will be done building my deck today and I can get started on the staining process after it rains later on. I bought Thompson’s Water stain and sealant from Lowe’s the other day. I can’t wait for it to be all done.

You make it look easy for the fraction the cost to hire someone. I am motivated to do it myself .

Great video, thanks!

Brilliant tutorial, I wish I had watched your video before staining my deck. Keep up the great work !

I need more Weekender to fuel my renovation addiction!

Tfs Monica! 💞💞 Can you please do one for indoor. I’ve been wanting to stain my Living & Dinning room. 🙏🏾

Monica!! it is great seeing you in any project, but please please PLEASE!!!!!! bring back the weekender!!!!!!

you are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!! I'm about to do our deck this week!!! Wish me luck :)

Great video!

Fantastic video

Wowwwwwwwwwww I'm ready to tackle my deck!!!

Thank you

Best video on RU-vid !!

Super great video

Thank you for sharing. I find it informative.

Thanks Monica

yaaas! I love these step by step videos and the way you explain is perfect 👌🏽

Good job

Where are the new weekender episodes?

Very halpfull Thx

I don't have a deck. But you get a like and a watched video just because of Monica :-) Hear that, Lowe's?

I miss the WEEKENDER Refurbish shows. Discovered many possibilities for my place.

Hello..I love your video ...Would please be able to tell me the colour of the stain you used in this project.Thank you

What color stain is that? Love it. That's the color I want to use! Great video. very helpful!

Can you do a video for staining siding ? Thanks

Where do you find your projects?? Help!!!... come to my deck 20x30 in Mass. on the ocean...needs some attention !!

nice way

Great explanation. Definitely learned a ton. Want to see Monica with her hair down.

DONT use a roller to apply stain. it leaves bubbles

Pressure washing could be the worst thing you could do to the deck. It deteriorates the fibers in the wood weathers so much more faster.

Hi Monica, I'm a huge fan of the Weekender. Any word on season 4?

I was with her until I saw the over lapping and it was noticeable after they were finished. That's why you never get ahead of yourself when staining a deck like that. Do 2-4 boards at a time and you'll have better results and always go in one direction.

I think the only thing I'd do different is to use oil based since dead wood needs conditioning.

Great information! But, the arms windmilling!?!

Hi, I use the clear exterior sealer to my brand new ikea wood ipe floors, however; next day I love how it looks but once I start walking on it it was sticky. Can you tell me is that normal? Is it going to disappear through out the hours? Thank you

I've been told that pressure washing just pushes dirt deeper into the wood and that you should just sand. Thoughts? Also, how do you protect plants around the deck from chemical damage?

I'm a first time viewer. What to do about rusty nailheads before staining?

what if you are in a condo unit with neighbors below?

Come back Monica for more projects pls

I’ve never sanded the deck I wonder if I could do that step before using the cleaner

So, the 3M sandpaper doesn't have an adhesive side to stick on to the pole sander... not sure how to use the 2 together

Since you used a pole sander, could an orbital drywall sander work as well?

This girl is a knockout!

Looks streaky..is that because of brush vs foam?

My brother remains recalcitrant.. I've sent him this video. My white wood deck has lasted 25 years with Thompsen Wood Preserver. Best money and effort I ever spent!!! David Alberta, Canada

Bring the weekender back

I love the end result, but the natural wood color looked great before the staining occurred. Would have been beautiful if they went with a more natural look and sealer.

What is it a small interlocking pieces I bought to put a small storage shed on it & it says on Amazon do this seal etc oiling every 6 to 12 months, but I am poor & not have pressure washer nor for those other items. I hope a stainer is not too many bucks for my taste. Do I need a big can or a small one for a 11 square foot ? Is there another thing I can do besides spend on stain & sealant to protect it ? I have not opened it yet to put together or know if any care instructions on how to stain, seal, & w/what, etc. . I will as soon as I get the shed tomorrow so can build it on it. I was thinking of getting that rolling plastic thing that is used for under the wood or tile floor. I don't know the name, but it is black & has adhesive back glue, but i was not going ot use it I think. I hope you know what I am speaking of. I hope I get a reply. I need your help in info or answers. I was going o put that roll of plastic on top to protect it & a silver thick big tarp 8 x 10 folded over the shed not on the wood pieces inside just to protect from rain & ge anchors too. I have read a bit bout sheds, but still not sure till put together if can make it work & still need the tarp, anchors, etc. I don't want stains of dirt, rain,etc ver time ruin them, cuz they are4mildew resistant, but not if not take care of them by reoiling, staining, etc. I thought if add those sheets it will keep aa yr or longer or indefinite ? Maybe it won't & make it mildew or get rain inside the area as I read or not let rain drain etc. Maybe tarp above help. The anchors are 2 ct with rope, cuz the other kits of wood costs more & I am spending $400 so far for all I just bought for it & shed itself in total as well as what I still need to get,so I do not want to pay more then $25 & not another $55 or so paid for the tiles. I hope I can put anchor ropes through the inside like saw on a video even if not all 4 corners since it is a small shed not like the house looking 1 I wanted in plastic etc but metal 6x4 not an 8x10 like i wanted double door. Later I will get a wire to fix replace the rope. I don't know how a trap will stay ok not rot with sun etc. Maybe I should not use it on the outside but to cover something else or inside, I have no clue. I just worry about allot of these issues. I need to prevent things from outside exposure & bugs, rats, etc. I don't know if only outside edges are what will get rain only. Also, the items I am storing from mold mildew smell, etc. The thing about the anchors is that I have dirt grass on one side of the sed on right side facing it or door front side of it, cuz am on concrete so I don't know what to do. I rent at backyard old effc apt behind owner so old concrete but grass yard nasty & not able to put it on there, cuz is where their walking space, storage shed guy built & not finished properly is attached to my building or apt & where my braker box is. Landlady's guy is no longer with her, only her cousin is doing fixing around her & not done so much anymore in the last few months, when there is allot to still do. At my right side is no room either by door so only have one spot, cuz on concrete I can. I can't on right by or in front of bathroom shower widow cuz it will block the light from frosted sliding window which is hard to open so leaving it sealed just adding that privacy window film that lets light in while not letting others see in, which got roll on Amazon for $6 cheapest that will cover 2 small normal size windows I have which is tht 1 & kitchen. Once I have organized my place I will again insist on fixing the outside properly as he has not done or finished oh & I had to buy or pay for the peephole, but I will be asking for the 2 caulkings still have not got for sealing cracks & door frames so bugs not get in & so I can paint them finally, cuz not continued the work had in my mind. All these months lost.

Do you have any recommndations if the deck was painted before instead of stained? Should a paint stripper be used? Or just use paint again instead of staining?

just bought this stain because of the convenience of only one coat and it's weather friendly. you said one coat is all you need but what it hurt if I wanted to put two coats on? and how long would I have to wait to put the second coat on?

yo, homegirl was thorough on this. Most people skip a lot of what she did.

😱❤️❤️

My deck is already sherwin williams stained that was applied with my new home build 5 years ago 😩 would a professional pressure washer only be enough to clean the deck?

If you don't have time to pressure wash or clean the wood, because of the weather, can you omit them?

NOT the way professional contractors who do deck restorations for a living do it. After talking with them and I’m talking about contractors who do 700 decks a year on million dollar houses and from just doing my own deck you would use a stripper to take the initial stain off, then apply a brightener, and then apply your stain. You would not apply a new different stain over the top of the old stain. You would also not pressure wash first and then apply your wood cleaner. A good wood cleaner like the one I just used will take all of that garbage off of your deck after you apply the cleaner and then use a power sprayer to remove it. This is the kind of video that cost me a ton of time on the mess it created a couple of years ago for me. I got this one coat sealer/stain type garbage product from a big box retail store which I think was Behr brand and then had to take all of it back off and start from scratch because it ends up quickly failing and picking up loads of mildew including underneath or in the stain. I followed all of the instructions to the letter and then some. This time around I went with what is supposed to be the best oil based semi transparent stain on the market which is TWP 1500 series. Professional contractors use TWP 500 series or 1500 series usually. Stain and not the sealer/stain. It has to be applied two coats “wet on wet” and not just with a single magic coat that supposedly holds up. I have a sneaking suspicion that whoever follows these instructions is going to have a very bad outcome.

Do these steps apply to the textured paints for decks?

I don’t even have a deck but if I see Monica I click!

Do you have any DIY videos using "Restore" for an old sun faded deck? TY

Is it really necessary to sand new deck after prepping with cleaning?

what's up with the new weekender episodes? where are they?

we👏want👏new👏week👏end👏er👊

If I have to wear gloves, I'm not sure I'd use it. Just doesn't seem safe and green for the environment, so I used reg soap. Everything else is awesome advice.

What color did you go with that semi transparent Valspar?