What kind of wood stain should I use for my pool deck?

Question

We built a large deck around our swimming pool from pressure treated wood. I'm ready to apply a stain and I'm not sure what kind to use.

When I looked at the many different brands, I noticed that most of them are oil based. Is it okay to use an oil based product around the pool? Will it be completely absorbed into the wood so the surface is dry? Is there a possibility of the oil being tracked into my pool off people's feet?

Thanks for your help here.

Oh, by the way, the deck has been built a few months so it is dried out now.

Answer 1

dont powerwash the wood seeing thats going to raise the grain. just go around it and scrub it clean with deck cleaner.

let it dry.

you need 3 sunny days for the stain to dry so..

Oil based stain is the best and DONT thin it out with thinner.

use a natural bristle brush to apply the stain not a roller. rollers cause odd markings with stain.

dry overnight..

and boom!  BBQ time!  

Answer 2

You've gotten good answers so far.  However, use a semi-transparent stain not solid.  It'll weather nicely and you won't have to do any sanding or scraping when you reapply stain in the futrue.  As for brands, I use "Superdeck" from OSH.  It's reasonbly priced and I've had good results with it so far.  Good Luck

Answer 3

Petroleum/oil based stains will penetrate and provide you with the best finish and durability with this.  I personally and professionally prefer Cabot's Brand stains and they have both a water and oil based decking stains for you to consider. . . both are excellent, but again, I suggest you go with the oil base on this being around the pool and it's being subjected to alot of chemically enhanced water and the elements.  Cabots website is http://www.cabotstain.com and the site offers alot of reference materials for the do-it-yourselfer.

Also, Lowe's features Cabots.

Mike Lonergan

TradesProfessional, Inc.

http://www.tradesprofessional.com    

Answer 4

Oil based is the only stain that will protect the wood...do NOT stain it dark, for it will get very hot in the sun! Brush on with the wood decking boards, starting at one end and completely to the other end of each board or 2..otherwise, you will get nasty looking job (been there, done that). Do 2 or there deck boards at once, making sure that the stain is even as you go...it isn't just a stain, it is a sealer also!  Allow 2-3 days to dry...should NOT be tacky in any way when it is dry. And remember, moving deck furniture may scratch the finish, so try to protect the deck from being scratched with some kind of leg protectors on chairs, etc. I prefer Bear brand, but I suppose any brand will work in the same manner...I do not like Thompsons, for it is too heavy and gives a plastic looking finish. Goldwing