It’s All About the Prep!

Jaime Carle

Expert Contributor Benjamin Moore (Carle)

Coldstream Living Apr 2026

Everyone’s least favorite thing to do is properly prepping wood but when it comes to staining exterior surfaces, it is an extremely important step to ensure the best finish and longest life of stained products.
Proper steps for preparing exterior wood for staining:

1. Check the weather first

Aim for a dry stretch in the forecast (usually a 24-48 hr period) before and after staining. Ideal temperatures are usually between 10-20C

2. Inspect the wood

Look for rot, soft spots, popped nails, cracked boards
Replace damaged wood. Stain won’t fix failing material
Hammer in or replace nails so surfaces are flush

3. Remove loose or failing old stain/paint

Scrape peeling areas with a paint scraper or putty knife
For heavy buildup, sanding or a chemical stripper may be needed
If using a different colour than previously stained, best practice is usually to strip it down to bare wood as it will ensure an even penetration of the new stain

4. Clean surface thoroughly

Use a wood cleaner or deck cleaner
Scrub with a stiff brush
This removes dirt, mildew, pollen and greyed wood fibers
Pressure wash where necessary but avoid high pressure for fear of driving water deep into the wood
Make sure no cleaner residue remains and leftover product can interfere with stain penetration

5. Let the wood dry completely

This is crucial
Typically 24-72 hours depending on sun, airflow and wood type
Wood should feel dry and look uniformly lighter

6. Sand the surface

Use 60-80 grit for decks, 80-100 grit for siding
Sand rails, edges and any fuzzy areas especially well
This opens the wood grain so the stain can soak in evenly

7. Remove all dust

Blow off with a leaf blower or brush
Follow with a dry microfiber cloth if needed. Dust left behind = blotchy stain

8. Final moisture check

Wood should be dry, clean and cool to the touch
Moisture content ideally under 15% for best penetration

Once you’ve done this, the stain should go on evenly, penetrate properly and age beautifully. If you want advice on what products are best for preparation and staining pop in store for more expert advice as exterior staining season is just around the corner.