How to Stain a Pergola
Staining your pergola with a quality deck stain will help you avoid damage and premature aging of your backyard retreat. Follow these wood staining advice steps to clean and stain your pergola so it will last for many years to come.
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Step 1
Choose Your Wood Stain
The wood stain color you choose for your pergola can boost your home’s appeal and make it a welcome retreat.
With so many stains to choose from, here are some suggestions on how to showcase your pergola:
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Complement surrounding floral arrangements
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Match other exterior wood surfaces, like a deck or furniture
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Use a neutral shade that looks good with any décor
Step 2
Brush Your Pergola
Starting with clean surfaces is the key to all wood preparation and preservation.
Mold, rust, leaves, dust, chemicals, and anything that might be blown in on the wind will accumulate on your pergola's wooden surfaces. Debris left behind may attract insects or retain moisture, potentially causing mold or wood rot.
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Sweep or brush away loose particles from cracks and crevices, or between boards
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Use a small brush or hand broom to sweep down any nooks or crannies in the structure
Step 3
Clean Your Pergola
Skip the pressure washer and heavy duty cleaning solutions that may cause damage to the pergola’s delicate wood or finish. Instead, use Olympic Premium Deck Brightener & Wash to remove mildew, rust and tannin stains on wood or composite materials.
Use a soft-bristled cleaning brush and garden hose to gently scrub and rinse away any surface stains that were not removed by sweeping or brushing.
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Please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.
Step 4
Repair Your Pergola
Check for structural soundness of the pergola:
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Look for loose boards, nails, or railings
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Inspect the wood for damage from insects or rot
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Check posts and beams for splitting, warping, or twisting
Make appropriate repairs.
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Olympic Staining Tip
Always test a small, hidden area, using the same number of coats you will be using on the siding and let it dry so that you can be sure to get the wood stain color you want.
Step 5
Stain Your Pergola
Apply wood stain in this order — overhead, vertical surfaces, then floor. For darker wood stains, it is especially important to work from the top down and protect your floor from drips.
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For clear, toner and semi-transparent stains, apply one thin coat with a high-quality brush, roller, paint pad, or spray.
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For solid stains, apply two thin coats of deck stain with a brush, roller, or paint pad.
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To avoid lap marks, apply to a few boards at a time, keeping a wet edge.
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For best results, backbrush into the surface to work finish into the wood and ensure the coating is even.
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Treat all areas of the wood, including joints, edges and ends.
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Let dry thoroughly before replacing furniture or walking on stained floor boards.
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Please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.
