How do I prepare an old deck for restaining in New Brunswick when the previous stain is peeling?

Peeling deck stain must be fully removed before restaining — applying new stain over peeling old stain is the single most common reason NB decks look terrible within a season of being "freshened up." Good preparation is the entire job; the actual staining is the easy part.

Peeling typically means the old stain was a film-forming product (solid stain or deck paint), or the surface was contaminated or too moist when the previous coat was applied. Either way, you cannot stain over it. The new stain will bond to the old failing surface, not to the wood, and you’ll be peeling again within a year. The goal of preparation is to get back to bare, clean, dry wood — or as close to it as possible.

Start with a deck stripper. Products like Cabot Deck Stripper, Restore-A-Deck Stripper, or Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner are available at paint stores in Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John. Apply the stripper according to the label directions — most require wetting the deck first, applying the stripper, letting it dwell 15-30 minutes, and then scrubbing with a stiff-bristled deck brush. A pressure washer (1,200-1,600 PSI for softwood decks; do not use high pressure on cedar or the wood fibres will fray) rinses the loosened material away. You will likely need multiple passes on a deck with heavy old solid stain buildup.

After stripping, let the deck dry thoroughly. In NB’s climate, plan for at least 48-72 hours of dry weather before testing moisture content — longer in the spring or after a rainy stretch. Use a moisture meter and confirm the wood is below 15% moisture content before staining. If the deck has grey weathering or any remaining old stain residue, follow the strip with a wood brightener (oxalic acid-based products like Restore-A-Deck Brightener or Cabot Wood Brightener). The brightener neutralizes the tannins and oxidation that cause grey weathering, opens the wood pores, and prepares the surface to accept new stain evenly.

Once the wood is clean, dry, and brightened, inspect every board carefully. NB freeze-thaw cycles cause checking (small cracks) and splitting in deck boards. Any severely cracked, soft, or punky boards should be replaced before staining. Fill minor cracks and gaps with a deck-compatible caulk. Sand any rough or raised grain with 60-80 grit sandpaper or a belt sander on stubborn areas. Then apply your new semi-transparent stain in the right conditions — 10°C to 30°C, low humidity, no rain for 24-48 hours.

For NB homeowners: The best time to do this stripping work is late spring (late May to June) once the deck has fully dried out from winter snowmelt, or late summer (August). Avoid stripping in the heat of July if you can — chemical strippers work faster than expected in hot sun and can be hard to control. A peeling deck that was last stained with a solid product will require considerably more labour than one with a worn semi-transparent finish — budget an extra day or hire a professional if the scope looks significant.

---

Find a Painting Contractor

New Brunswick Painting helps you find local painting professionals through the New Brunswick Construction Network:

• Expressions Painting ✓
• Loves Painting Ltd. ✓
• Worry No More Handyman Service ✓
• Worry No More Handyman Services ✓