Deck & Fence Staining

Wood in San Diego takes a beating from two directions — UV from above and moisture from coastal air, morning dew, and occasional rain. A stain job that lasts four to six years in a dry inland climate may last two to three years on a deck in Coronado or Del Mar. Product selection and prep matter more than the labor.

Prep is where most deck and fence staining jobs fail. Applying a fresh coat over an old, peeling stain locks in the failure. The right sequence is power washing, brightening the wood with an oxalic acid solution to open the grain and restore color, light sanding where needed, and then applying the new stain into clean, receptive wood. We do not skip the brightener step.

Solid stains offer the most UV and moisture protection and cover previous color changes, but they peel like paint when the underlying wood moves. Semi-transparent stains penetrate the wood rather than forming a film, which means they wear gradually rather than peeling — and they are the better choice on older wood that has already been through a few stain cycles.

We apply Armstrong Clark, Cabot, and Defy stains depending on wood species, existing condition, and sun exposure. For composite decking, we use products rated for composite rather than wood stains, which can leave a sticky film. Wrought iron fences get a rust-inhibiting primer before topcoat. We will tell you which product is right for your specific surface before we quote.