When it comes to enhancing the beauty and longevity of your boat dock, staining is a crucial step that often gets overlooked. A well-stained dock not only adds charm to your waterfront property but also protects your boat dock from the harsh sunshine and elements it will face in Central Florida. In this guide, we, as experts in dock maintenance and dock building, will walk you through the detailed process of preparing your boat dock for stain, ensuring incredible results.
Assessing the Dock Condition
Before you begin the staining process, it’s important to inspect the current condition of your boat dock. Inspections should include checking for any signs of rot, mildew, or loose and cracked boards. Addressing these issues before staining will contribute to a more successful outcome.
Determining the state of the wood
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew can often be mistaken for dirt. If you’re not sure whether your boat dock has mold and mildew, you can do a bleach test. Simply use a rag and dampen it with bleach. Place it on a small area that you suspect to be growing mold or mildew. Leave it for a few minutes and if the area is clean when removed, the problem is mold and mildew.
Weathered and Rotting Wood
Check all wood for signs of weathering. Especially in the Orlando climate boat docks are susceptible to harsh direct sunlight and rain. This can cause mild splintering, cracking, and graying on the surface of your boat dock. If these conditions are only on the surface they can be sanded away. Additionally, sanding is a great step regardless of the condition of the wood because it can return the wood to look like new again and open the pores of the wood to make it ready to accept the new stain. Any planks that have these conditions and can’t be rectified without removing a lot of material are likely rotting and will need to be replaced.
Signs of Previous Treatments
You can check for previous treatments with a water test. Simply pour a small puddle of water on the wood of your dock. If the water beads, then there is a previous stain or sealant. If your boat dock has peeling pressure-treated wood, it is a sign that a previous stain or sealant is wearing out and flaking off. This will need to be removed before applying the new stain by sanding and scraping. Many times this can be removed during the pressure washing stage. If pressure washing doesn’t clean it off, it will need to be sanded away as well.
Cleaning Your Dock Before Staining
A thorough pressure washing is necessary before starting the staining process. Be sure that all areas to be stained are completely free of contaminants such as dust, dirt, or debris from the previous steps.
Once you have completed all of these steps, your Orlando area boat dock will be ready to accept the stain. Bringing back the beauty of and extending the life of your dock.
For information on applying stain to your boat dock constructed from pressure-treated wood please see our article about it here.
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