Updated on February 12, 2025
How to Stain a Deck: HomeRight Stain Stick with Gap Wheel. Use HomeRight Stain Stick with Gap Wheel to stain the deck floor easily and without a mess.
One of my big projects this summer was getting our back deck stained. We live in northern Arizona, and between the heat and the wind, our wood surfaces take a beating each year.
I have already shared how to prep your deck for stain or waterproofing and how to use a paint sprayer to quickly cover the vertical surfaces of your deck, such as the railings and support posts.
Thank you to HomeRight for providing me with a stain stick.
Today, I will share how to use the HomeRight Stain Stick with Gap Wheel. Painting a deck can be messy and take a toll on your back if you have a large surface to cover. The stain stick helps with both of those problems.
Before staining, properly prepare your deck for stain or waterproofing. Depending on the new stain you choose, you may need to strip off the old finish, but at the very least, it is a good idea to use a cleaner specifically made for decks, even on brand new wood.
Steps to Staining a Deck:
Use HomeRight Stain Stick with Gap Wheel to Stain Deck Floor
I started by cutting into the porch edges along the house with a foam brush.
I like to use foam brushes for projects like this because they are inexpensive, and I don’t feel bad about throwing them out when I am done. Cleaning dirty paintbrushes is one of my least favorite things to do.
Once I had it all cut in, I assembled the stain stick. It is very easy to put together using the instructions included in the box. It has both a stain pad and a wheel that allows you to get in between the boards.
You place the fill tube on the side of your stain can. I chose the Olympic Max Semi-Transparent Stain for our deck.
Note: Please read the entire label on your stain or waterproofing container to ensure you are using the stain in optimal conditions for your particular stain.
Then, place the fill valve on the Stain Stick onto the fill tube at a 45° angle. Pull up on the inner handle, and the stain stick will fill up with stain.
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Then you push just a little on the handle to release stain onto the pad. Use the paint stick to cover the floor of your deck. It goes so quickly and is not messy at all. The stain pad covered surprisingly well.
I had a little trouble with our uneven boards, but going over them several times, I got the stain in all the nooks and crannies.
It also folds almost flat to reach underneath the porch railings easily.
When you need more stain, you simply reattach the bottom of the tube to the paint can and pull up more stain.
How to Clean HomeRight Stain Stick with Gap Wheel
Clean up on the stain stick is also easy. Attach the Stain Stick to the fill tube and push any remaining stain back into the can. Fill a bucket with warm soapy water*. Pull the soapy water up into the stain stick. I pulled it up and squirted it back out several times.
*Note: Use paint thinner or the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning liquid to clean up instead of soap and water if using an oil-based stain.
Then, disassemble everything. Wash the pad and gap wheel in warm soapy water. You can also wash the fill tube at this time.
Place the Stain Stick handle into the cleaning solution and flush the fill port by plugging the end of the Stain Stick with your finger, pulling the inner handle back, and pushing forward several times. Then, I sprayed it out with my garden hose to remove any remaining soap.
Pull apart the handles, use petroleum jelly to lubricate the o-rings, and place a little at the opening of the fill valve. This allows the two handles to form a tight seal to allow the stain to be drawn up into the handle.
Even though staining a deck can seem daunting, with the proper preparation and some helpful tools, you can do it on a weekend. Proper care of your deck will make it last for years to come.
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