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  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.8
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon90
    Verified deck staining services reviews

Top-Rated Deck staining pros in Santa Cruz - Updated Nov 2026

Avatar for A+ Painting
A+ Painting
4.9(
102
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I rarely do reviews but I was so impressed with George and his crew. George was so professional; he discussed clearly how he was going to paint the areas, what & why he used certain paints & paint products and the time he needed to do the job. His crew is just as nice, helpful & always prompt. I have used several painters in the last 23 years and honestly his work is the best I have ever seen. George clearly takes pride in doing a great job. My only regret; that I didn't meet George & his crew sooner because I probably would of avoided the damage to some areas of my deck that George pointed out and helped me treat. I will definitely be using A+ Painting again."
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+97

Recommended by96%of homeowners
Lance Sanchez Painting
4.9(
164
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

I pride myself on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. I am an expert in my trade and will do my best to keep you as educated as I can on your particular task or project. I look forward to earning your business!

Recommended by85%of homeowners
Lance Sanchez Painting
4.9(
165
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Besides delivering a very nice deck finish, Lance excelled in communications all along the way. Very quick to respond to texts, and always kept me in the loop with schedules, etc."
Response time5 hrs
Response rate88%
5 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Cal Preserving, Inc.
Cal Preserving, Inc.
4.5(
15
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: MediumExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1998

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Very easy to work with. I'd used them before but this time I got estimates from other contractors and was amazed how much more reasonable Cal Preserving was. The difference may be that the others pointed to additional steps that could be taken. Did Cal Preserving "miss" these things or recognize they weren't necessary--I'm inclined to believe the latter."
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 Deck - after
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 Deck - after
 Deck - before

+2

Response time2 days
16 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by91%of homeowners
Two Men and a Brush Painting
5.0(
22
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1983

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Scott painted all the interior walls in our new house, he patched and painted the garage and made it so much nicer, he painted our kitchen cabinets, which turned out beautiful and saved us so much money compared to refacing, and he also painted a tricky accent wall covered with reclaimed wood after patching it, and that changed from a weird problem to an elegant feature of the house. All these projects were expertly done on time while I was away, and his estimates for each were accurate and lower than those of his competitors. When I have other projects I will go straight to him."
Response time2 days
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for John Melendez Paint Company
John Melendez Paint Company
4.9(
13
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"John was very professional. He went to great effort to match the stain we already had in another area of the yard and the job turned out great. He was prompt and easy to work with. I highly recommend John Melendez Paint Company."
5 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by92%of homeowners
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Showing 1-10 of 165
Deck Staining FAQs, answered by experts

You can refresh a painted deck by either giving it a thorough cleaning or refinishing the deck altogether. Chipped or faded paint, as well as extensive damage, often calls for a new finish. To do this, remove the original coat of paint with a sander and add either a new coat of paint or a stain to protect the wood below.

It is definitely worth sanding a deck to ensure the wood absorbs new stain. Sanding a deck removes the outer layers of aging wood, allowing the stain to penetrate. It also gives a fresh look to the entire surface as part of the deck refinishing process. Without sanding, your stain or sealant is less likely to absorb into the wood. While sanding a deck is a time-intensive project, the rewards are noticeable and long-lasting.

Staining a deck with a rag is typically a better option than using a brush, as it helps the stain penetrate deeper into the wood. However, both brushes and rags are best reserved for detailed work because using these tools on an entire deck can require tediously crawling around on your hands and knees. A pad applicator, sprayer, or roller are preferred alternatives to applying stain over the majority of a deck. Use a rag for railings and other detailed work, and let the wood soak up as much of the stain as possible before wiping away drips or pools.

It’s necessary for paint to completely dry before exposure to rain, and that drying time varies by the type of paint used. Oil-based paint takes 6 to 8 hours to dry on average, meaning that’s the minimum time needed between the last brush stroke and the first raindrop. Latex paint dries faster at around 1 hour, and acrylic paint is even quicker, usually drying in about 30 minutes. If rain is in the forecast, check the paint manufacturer's details before laying on a new coat. 

An exterior paint job typically lasts between 5 and 10 years, though this can range from 3 to 17 years depending on several factors. The longevity is influenced by the quality of the paint and primer, the quality of the application, the local climate, and the type of surface being painted. For example, paint on wood siding may need to be redone every 3 to 7 years, while painted brick can last up to 17 years. Aluminum siding often needs repainting every 5 years.

The Santa Cruz, CA homeowners’ guide to deck staining services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.