Updated on September 15, 2023
How to Stain a Deck: HomeRight Stain Stick with Gap Wheel. Use HomeRight Stain Stick with Gap Wheel to stain 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, as well as how to use a paint sprayer to quickly cover the vertical surfaces of your deck like the railings and support posts.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Please read my full disclosure policy here. Thank you to HomeRight for providing me with a stain stick.
Today, I am going to share how to use the HomeRight Stain Stick with Gap Wheel. Painting a deck can be messy and can 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 be sure to properly prepare your deck for your stain or waterproofing. You may need to strip off the old finish depending on the new stain you choose, but at the very least it is a good idea to use a cleaner specifically made for decks, even on brand new wood.
Use HomeRight Stain Stick with Gap Wheel to Stain Deck Floor
I started by cutting into the edges of the porch that ran 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 be sure to read the entire label on your stain or waterproofing container to make sure you are using the stain in the 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 fills up with stain.
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 on our boards that were uneven, but going over them several times got the stain in all the nooks and crannies.
It also folds almost flat to easily be able to reach underneath the porch railings.
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.
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 and pulling the inner handle back and pushing forward several times. Then, I sprayed it out with my garden hose to get any remaining soap out of it.
Pull apart the handles and 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.
*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.
Even though staining a deck can seem like a daunting task, with the right preparation and some helpful tools you can get it done in a weekend. And taking proper care of your deck will make it last for years to come.
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