Deck Stains and Sealers

Once a deck is washed and brightened, the clock starts. Bare wood begins graying again within weeks unless you seal it. Sun Brite Supply keeps Ready Seal deck stain and sealer on the shelf at our Gaithersburg, MD counter so crews can pick up buckets the same week they wash. Call 301-519-9274 to confirm colors and quantity before you drive over.

Why Wash Crews Reach for Ready Seal

Ready Seal is an oil based, semi transparent stain and sealer in one product. It soaks into the wood instead of building a film on top, which is the whole point. Film coatings peel and force you to strip the deck before the next coat. A penetrating oil just wears away slowly, so a maintenance coat goes straight on after a light cleaning. That saves your customer money and saves you a miserable stripping job.

The application side is where it earns its reputation with contractors. There is no wet line to chase, no back brushing, and no primer. Spray it, roll it, or brush it, and lap marks blend out on their own. One person can coat a full deck without rushing. Two things to know before your first job with it. The wood has to be dry, so give a freshly washed deck at least 48 to 72 hours of dry weather before staining. And the finish looks dark and oily the first few days, then lightens to its true color over roughly two weeks. Warn the homeowner up front and you will skip the panicked phone call.

Figure your quantity before you buy. Smooth, newer wood covers around 150 square feet per gallon. Older, thirsty decks and rough sawn boards can drink a gallon every 100 square feet. At $41.70 per gallon for Ready Seal, it is cheaper to buy one extra than to run short with half a deck coated.

Round Out the Deck Job

• Deck and wood cleaners for the wash and brighten step
• All Ready Seal products
• Pump up sprayers for stain application
• Brushes and poles
• House washing chemicals
• Mineral stain removers
• Soft wash equipment
• Local? Stop by our Gaithersburg pressure washing store for same day pickup.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long after pressure washing should I wait to stain a deck?

Give the wood 48 to 72 hours of dry weather. Oil based stain needs dry wood to penetrate, and staining damp boards traps moisture and shortens the life of the finish.

Can I spray Ready Seal instead of brushing it?

Yes. Ready Seal goes on with a sprayer, roller, or brush and does not require back brushing. Lap marks and runs level out on their own, which is why it gets called goof proof.

How much deck stain do I need?

Plan on one gallon per 150 square feet on smooth wood and one gallon per 100 square feet on older or rough sawn boards. Measure the deck, add the rail faces, and round up.

Why does the stain look so dark right after I apply it?

That is normal for Ready Seal. It applies dark and fades to its finished color over about 14 days as the oil cures into the wood. Judge the color at two weeks, not two hours.