# Deck and fence stain

> Staining, sealing and stripping decks and fences. Ask with your Sheet attached: homeowners who’ve done it and verified pros answer, and anyone can read it.

## Before you ask

The wood type and age, what’s on it now, and how much sun it gets.

- **Attach your Sheet** so people see your sizes and the math.
- **Your town is enough.** Never your address; check photos for house numbers and plates.
- **Is it safe?** A safety question here goes to pros verified in painting, unless you pick another trade. Only they can call it safe or unsafe.

## Stain or seal a deck or fence

16′ × 12′ deck: 502 sq ft to coat, 3 gal + 1 qt of stain in 2 coats, and 2 gallons of cleaner.

What people get wrong:

- **Staining wet or new wood that beads water.** The stain can’t soak in and peels.
- **One heavy coat.** It stays sticky and peels.
- **Semi-transparent over solid stain or paint.** It can’t get into the wood.

[The worked example, every line's math and the code notes](https://studsheet.com/sheets/stain) · [Your own sizes in the app](https://app.studsheet.com/p/stain)

## More in Paint

- [Interior painting](https://studsheet.com/forum/interior-painting): Walls, ceilings and trim inside the house
- [Exterior painting](https://studsheet.com/forum/exterior-painting): Siding, trim and outside walls
- [Cabinet painting](https://studsheet.com/forum/cabinet-painting): Painting kitchen and bath cabinets that last
- [Wallpaper](https://app.studsheet.com/community?tab=talk&room=wallpaper): Hanging and removing wallpaper
- [Paint colors](https://app.studsheet.com/community?tab=talk&room=paint-colors): Picking colors and sheens for rooms and outsides
- [Lead paint and old houses](https://app.studsheet.com/community?tab=talk&room=lead-paint): Working safely on paint from before 1978
- [Wood stain and finishes](https://app.studsheet.com/community?tab=talk&room=wood-finishing): Staining and clear coats for furniture, doors and trim
- [Every group](https://studsheet.com/forum#every-group)

## How the community works

- **Open to read** from anywhere, no account needed.
- **Sign in with your email** to ask, answer and vote. No password.
- **The best answers rise:** votes, “worked for me” and a solved mark. Verified pros carry a badge.

Questions? Write to [support@studsheet.com](mailto:support@studsheet.com).