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Wood stain is typically dry to the touch within 6 to 12 hours, but it is not fully cured at this point. You should wait at least 24 hours before applying a second coat or a protective finish. For surfaces like decks, avoid walking on them for at least 24 to 48 hours, and wait even longer before placing furniture. The full curing process can take from 24 hours to one week, depending on the type of stain. Factors like high humidity and cold temperatures can extend drying and curing times, so it's wise to allow for extra time in these conditions.

Oxygen bleach uses hydrogen peroxide as a base and won’t harm wood when using it as a cleaner. On the other hand, chlorine bleach breaks down wood at the cellular level and causes irreversible harm. Although you may not see immediate damage to wood after exposing it to chlorine bleach, its strength and integrity are now compromised.

You should refinish your deck to maintain its appearance, durability, and longevity. Refinishing your deck protects the wood from foot traffic and the elements. It also helps extend its life span by keeping rot, mildew, and termites at bay. By maintaining your deck, you can avoid the cost of replacing your deck sooner. A refinished deck also looks great and restores some of its original beauty.

Whether you can paint over your existing paint depends on what’s on there. Most of the time, you’ll want to sand down or scrape off the paint that’s currently coating your surface. Epoxy paint, for example, won’t let new paint stick to the surface. Latex paint is more forgiving and will accept a new coat, but a primer is recommended if you’re switching colors.