There are several things to consider when choosing an exterior stain.
        • You will want to use an oil-based stain on newly treated lumber that has a pre-applied water repellent. Because of the additive they use to  repel water, it can keep the wood from accepting a water-based stain effectively.
        • Newly treated lumber that doesn’t have the applied water repellent will work well with either a water-based or oil-based stain once it has fully dried.
        • If the wood already has a solid stain application, it is best to use another solid stain.
        • Opaque and solid color stains are not as suitable for a horizontal surface like steps or a deck floor since foot traffic can create visible wear that can be hard to touch up. Consider using a stain that has a formula specifically made for foot traffic.
        • Some exterior stain products also let you stain other types of surfaces like composite wood, brick, and concrete. Just check the manufacturer’s recommendations to see what surfaces the stain is compatible with.

Clear and Toner Stain – Perfect for new wood surfaces, clear and toner stain allows the wood to gray and weather naturally.

    Transparent Stain – Allowing the grain to show on most types of wood, transparent stain will hide few imperfections. Typically, these nearly-clear stains often come with just a touch of color. Their durability is dependents on the quality of the pigment used to create the color.

   Semi-transparent Stain – The most popular type of stain, the semi-transparent stain will hide more imperfections in the wood while still allowing some wood texture and grain to show through. You will find that the color in semi-transparent stains is usually wood-inspired colors.

     Semi-solid Stain – Some brands offer semi-solid stain that will give you a similar color to a semi-transparent stains wood, but is better able to hide the imperfections in the wood.

      Solid Stain – Providing the most color, a solid color stain has the best ability to hide imperfections while providing durable protection. You can get a solid stain in a wide range of colors including nature-inspired red and browns to blacks, blues, and grays.

      Restoration Stain – Used on a wood or composite surface, restoration stain will fill in cracks and coat imperfections.

Polyurethane containing stains, both oil based or water based are going to be the longest lasting stains, with a life of about 5 years for the oil based, they keep moisture out and needs minimal maintenance. After this, dark colored stains will last the longest, generally about 3 years or so because they block out the most light, therefore preventing the most damage. These are available from a variety of different brands and the darker the color the better. Finally, clear or semi-clear stains hold it for about 2 to 3 years, which is longer than lighter tinted stains. These do have a tendency to turn cloudy if not applied perfectly and are generally not anyone’s first choice. 

A deck should be oiled every year in a mild climate and twice a year in a climate that has lots of rain or intense sun. Most people should err on the side of caution and apply at least one coat of oil to their deck in both the spring and the fall. The optimal time to oil a deck is during the mild seasons, before any significant rainfall and after the last of the snow has fallen. Make sure that you have a few clear days for the deck to fully cure, ensuring that your efforts aren’t wasted. 

Apply the oil in a thin coat, making sure to allow it to fully soak in before wiping it clean. Buff heavily and ensure that everything is perfectly smooth before finishing the process. It should take a few hours to complete a proper oil application, but it should not take you all day. 

For small exterior projects you are generally going to want to use 4 coats of stain, with a significant amount of time for drying between the first two and last two coats. Make sure you are sanding or buffing between each coat and that you allow the top to sit for the entire cure time before buffing it out.

Small projects can have the stain applied by brush, roller, or rag depending on personal preference. Put on a thin and even coat, pressing lightly to get the stain into any cracks or natural faults in the wood. Buff after dry and lightly sand for better results with the next coats. Never slap stain on or try and go over the old coats without allowing to dry first. Make sure to only apply when you will have clear weather to allow proper drying and cure time.