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Wood stain is usually dry to the touch within 6 to 8 hours, but you should let each coat sit for 24 hours before applying another coat or applying a protective coat over it. If you applied your stain in high humidity or cold temperatures, you may need to wait up to 48 hours for the stain to dry completely.

Both sealing and staining can help make your deck look better almost immediately. However, deck stain may not contain waterproofing components, leaving the surface vulnerable to moisture damage. To protect your deck from winter weather, apply a sealer or a stain-and-sealer combination product.

Yes, it’s generally a very good idea to seal your deck after pressure washing. Power washing removes dirt and debris, but also a thin layer of wood. Without sealing, exposed wood can weather more quickly. Power washing will also leave you with a clean surface that will be much easier to stain and seal.

Unless you’re using a 2-in-1 formula or painting over an existing coat of paint, it pays to apply a coat of primer ahead of your new paint. Decks see a lot of footfall and exposure to extreme and sudden temperature changes and moisture levels. The primer promotes better paint adhesion, moisture repellency, and a smoother finish, which means you’ll often need fewer coats of paint.