Solid stain over existing alkyd paint on my exterior facia?

by Evan Green
(Peterborough, On. Can.)

I've been painting professionally for four years but I still get confused with stain because I haven't dealt with it much.

The guy at the paint store insisted that I could stain over the existing and peeling alkyd paint without primer even? Sounds fishy to me! I need to do the fascia boards in addition to the deck.

Also the deck is very worn and the wood is exposed. How long should I let it dry before application? How should I or can I even stain over caulk?

Answer

A solid color stain isn't like paint; it is thin in its consistency and doesn’t form a thick film like paint. Because of this, the stain will penetrate were there is raw wood plus it won’t cover the existing paint color very well.

Applying a solid color stain over paint isn’t a good idea and will probably make you work even harder in the long run. Plus a stain, solid color or not, will not cover caulking in one pass. You will end up applying 2 or more coats of stain to achieve a good look. You might as well prime and paint, it is easier.

All loose paint has to be removed prior to painting and a stain cannot change this. Since the proper prep must be done anyway, why not prime the wood and paint it with a good paint.

As for the deck, careful sanding is the best way to prepare a deck for staining but this is expensive. Another way is to pressure wash the deck using an injectable wood cleaner/brightener. Rinse the deck well and allow to dry for 2-3 days before staining.

The actual drying time depends on your humidity and weather. Add more time for humid days or if a dew forms in the mornings.