Exterior Staining
Did you know that exterior wood needs to be re-stained every 3 to 7 years when you live at elevation like we do here in Colorado? It's true. And if you've lived here for long, you're probably no stranger to the toll that living a mile closer to the sun can take on any outdoor property. UV rays up here are no joke.
And believe it or not, once those UV rays make their way through your protective coat of stain, they can actually begin to break down the wood ... charring it like a smoldering log on a Colorado campfire.
Of course that makes your siding more vulnerable to fires as well ...That's why we want to be sure our clients know that their wooden siding should be re-stained every 3 - 7years. But don't just re-stain it and move on! Like most things in life, there is the lazy way to do it, and the RIGHT way to do it.
Look at the gorgeous wood that could be hiding under your old stain!
Here are some things you very much want to avoid:
"Fuzzy" wood
Most painters try to power-wash the existing stain out of the wood. The problem with that approach is it frays the surface of the wood, leaving inconsistencies (and leaving your wood looking "fuzzy," like in this photo). They should first be using a stain remover to prepare the surface to properly accept new stain.
Etched, drippy wood
Stain remover is an important step in the RIGHT way to re-stain wood siding, but it's a powerful product, and you need an expert to apply it correctly. Leave it on too long and the stain remover can actually etch itself into the wood, creating permanent drip marks and effectively ruining your wood.
Splotchy wood
But even when they remember to use a stain remover (for the correct amount of time), there's still another step that often gets skipped ... REVIVE.
Why is it so important to use Revive?
Some painters may use the stain remover but neglect using the revive product because they see that the stain is out and assume the new stain will bring the wood back to where it needs to be, saving them time and money. The problem is that the stain remover and the existing stain on the substrate are like water and oil. They don’t mix and the stain remover pushes the stain out. Even after power washing the stain remover, you are left with remnants of stain remover in the wood. You need an emulsifier to extract the remaining stain remover, like what Dawn soap does to oil with water.
That’s where the revive by Sherwin Williams comes into play. It's only after we use the revive product on your home's siding that it is like new, healthy, and ready to accept the new stain and protect your home from those U.V. rays.
Get in touch.
Interested in whether it’s time to re-stain the exterior of your home? Complete the form here and we’ll reach out to answer any questions you might have. We pride ourselves in being easy to work with and can help get you a quote quickly. Learn more about why On Point Contracting should be your roofer of choice.