Skip to main content
Wooden deck with Behr stain being applied

How-to guides

How to apply stain

Staining your deck is easier than you might think. We will walk you through a few easy to follow steps to get staining today.

For Best Results:

Properly prepare your deck prior to starting your staining project. Use BEHR PREMIUM® All-in-One Wood Cleaner to get the job done right.

Tools & supplies

  • BEHR® Exterior Stain
  • Stain Applicator
  • Stain Applicator Pad
  • Paint Tray
  • Paint Tray Liner

Step-by-step process

Step 1

Grab your tools.

Step 2

Using a stain pad apply the stain evenly in the direction of the grain, two or three boards at a time, moving from end to end. Continue to the exposed ends.

Step 3

Allow the stain to dry for one to two hours before applying a second coat.

Find step-by-step instructions in our how-to articles and videos.