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  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.8
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon85
    Verified deck staining services reviews

Find Deck staining pros in Santa Cruz

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 used George and his crew for the 2nd time because I was so happy using them last summer. As expected, they did an excellent job and my house & deck looks great! George is so easy to talk to and he offers great advice and listens so well to my concerns. The best thing honestly to say about A+ painting is that George takes pride in doing a great job; sadly which is lacking these days with other businesses. I highly recommend him and his crew. He is honestly the best!"
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+97

Recommended by96%of homeowners
Lance Sanchez Painting
4.9(
163
)
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

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Lance and Shaun stained my redwood deck and did an excellent job sanding and preparing the deck for the new stain . They jumped right on the job which I appreciated and proveded sample stains for me to choose from. Also punctual and cooperative"
Response time5 hrs
Response rate88%
7 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."
 Deck - before
 Deck - after
 Deck - before
 Deck - after
 Deck - before

+2

Response time2 days
19 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by91%of homeowners
Avatar for Revival Painting
Revival Painting
5.0(
9
)
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

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Revival Painting work was absolutely perfect. Jonathan, the owner, was more than reasonable with the cost of my project. He showed up on time, when he said he would. He got the job started and was on the job to the finish. He helped me pick out the right stain for my deck as I was having a problem picking one and was so on target with the color. In finishing up, Jonathan, and his worker, did a walk through of the deck to make sure it was complete, did touch ups that were needed and completed the project on time. My deck looks wonderful! I'd hire him again in a heartbeat! Thank you Jonathan and Revival Painting! Quality work. Value extraordinaire!"
Kitchen looking into Living Room
Kitchen
Bathroom
Bathroom
Bathroom

+13

Response time9 hrs
Response rate93%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
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 and his team are true professionals. John understands your requirements and works with you to make the final decision on paint and configuration. They finished the job on time. Very prompt and responsive. Very personable. I would highly recommend them."
5 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by92%of homeowners
Avatar for Transformational Color
Transformational Color
4.9(
12
)
Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1987

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"Gregory and his team members are friendly and very easy for me to work with. Quality craftmanship and a thorough job seem to be at the top of their list. I saw this in their presentation, and also in their work."
Stain matching
Stain matching
Deck staining
Deck staining
Staining railings

+26

Response time1 day
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Deck Staining questions, answered by experts

Limewash and whitewash are two techniques used to give brick a light, matte finish, but they differ in composition, application, and permanence. The best choice depends on your aesthetic goals and the specific surface.

Composition

  • Limewash: A natural and environmentally friendly option made from limestone, water, and sometimes pigments. It is breathable and soaks into porous surfaces like brick.

  • Whitewash: Traditionally made from lime, water, chalk, and binders, but a similar look can be achieved with watered-down white paint. It is paint-based and sits on top of the surface.

Appearance and Finish

  • Limewash: Provides a natural, textured appearance that allows the brick's character to show through. It offers a more traditional finish.

  • Whitewash: Creates a softer, more opaque finish, often used for a rustic or shabby-chic style.

Application and Permanence

  • Limewash: Is semi-permanent and can be removed, making it a good choice if you might want to change the look in the future. It requires more skill to apply and cannot be used on previously painted brick.

  • Whitewash: Is a more permanent solution. It is more forgiving to apply and can be used on painted brick. However, because it sits on the surface, it can trap moisture.

Ultimately, if you want a breathable, natural, and reversible finish for unpainted brick, limewash is a great option. If you need a more permanent, opaque coating that can be applied over painted surfaces, whitewash is the better choice. Whitewashing may also be more economical, costing approximately $1.40 to $4.20 per square foot.

It's okay to walk on a newly painted deck after about four to six hours as long as the weather has been dry. Be sure to wait at least 24 hours before you place any outdoor furniture or grills on a freshly painted deck, though.

Generally, these steps are included in exterior house painting:

  • Prepping and protecting the areas not being painted

  • Scraping away loose paint

  • Cleaning off dirt, grease, and debris

  • Caulking gaps and openings

  • Priming with a quality paint primer

  • Painting the prepared areas, including trim and accents with chosen paint finish

  • Adding a second coat

  • Cleaning up the site and disposing of tape, plastic, and drop cloths

You can use latex or acrylic paint outdoors. Although acrylic paint tends to last longer outside, it also costs more, so if you’re painting the outside of your house, for instance, latex paint is often a go-to option. However, acrylic will be your best choice if you want to spend some extra money for added durability.

Yes, it is generally a very good idea to seal your deck after pressure washing. Power washing removes not only dirt and debris but also a thin layer of wood, leaving the surface exposed and more susceptible to weathering. Sealing is almost always needed after this process. After a general cleaning, sealing isn't automatically necessary if the existing sealant is still intact. You can test the surface by placing a few drops of water on it. If the water beads up, the sealant is working. If it soaks into the wood, it's time to apply a new sealant. If it has been a few years, it's wise to remove the old sealant, wash the deck, and reseal for maximum protection.

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.