When do you stain a new outdoor wood deck?

To stain a new outdoor wood deck, sand it, cover nearby vegetation, apply the stain, and allow the deck to dry. The supplies needed for this one-week project include a safety mask, a hose, plastic sheeting, a putty knife, a sander, a broom, stain, a paint tray, a roller and a paintbrush.

1. Sand and sweep the deck

   Begin the project in dry weather when the two-day temperature forecast is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Wear a dust mask. Sand the deck, following the grain of the wood, until it is free of splinters, stamps and other markings. Sweep the deck and use a putty knife to remove debris from between the boards.

2. Cover the vegetation

   Spray the surrounding vegetation with a hose, and drape plastic sheeting over it.

3. Stain the deck

   Open the can of stain, stir it gently, and pour it into a paint tray. Apply a thin coat with a paint roller, staining three boards at a time. Touch up the edges and deck perimeter with a paintbrush. If the deck has stairs or a railing, stain those with the paintbrush. Allow the stain to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. If desired, apply a second coat of stain, and allow that to dry, too.

4. Uncover the vegetation

   Spray the plastic sheeting with a hose, and then uncover the vegetation.