Will Deck Stain Freeze?
It is time to breathe some life into your wood deck. Like every savvy homeowner, you have a deck sealer supply in storage to ensure regular deck maintenance; after all, it is economical to purchase deck sealer in bulk than it is to buy it in multiple small gallons.
That said, how long will leftover wood stain last?
Generally, old deck stains go bad when you expose them to extreme temperatures. Air, light, and moisture can also cause degradation during storage. Different deck stains have a diverse range of shelf life. If you have a can of old deck stain, you can extend its shelf life through proper storage.
The shelf life of a can of stain depends on its conditions. In this article, we’ll delve into different wood stains and their shelf life. We’ll also discuss factors that can make old deck stains degrade early.
Exposure to Air Will Speed Up Deck Stain Decay
A can of penetrating oil stain can last six years when new. It will keep fresh three years after you have opened it. The time that your stain will last without breaking down depends on the amount of air that you expose it to.
When in storage, ensure that your wood stain has an airtight seal. Keeping air out of the can keeps bacteria and moisture from degrading the components of the stain and the stain from drying.
If you have any leftover wood stain, wipe off the rim of the can after use then reseal the can tightly.
When sealing it, squeeze the can tightly. If you do not sense any air escaping, then the seal is tight enough. If the lid is the screw-on type, clean it with a finish solvent, then spread Vaseline on its threads to keep the lid from gluing on tightly.
Alternatively, use plastic wrap or wax paper to wrap the screw-on lid and prevent stickiness. Should you leave room for air circulation, your penetrating oil stain or varnish will turn to a crust and undergo oxidation, rendering it unusable.
Some homeowners empty their bulk varnish into a smaller pint or quart to prevent oxidation and then vacuum seal them for future use. This does away with the room with an oxygen holding area between the lid and the stain.
If you do not have some empty mason jars at hand, add stones or marbles into your large can of wood stain to raise the contents’ level. Place a plastic wrap atop the stain layer, then seal the lid tightly.
Temperature Extremes Will Always Speed Up Deck Stain Decay
When storing your leftover wood stain, ensure that the area of storage has temperature control. Do not store outside, under your deck, or in your unheated garage.
Extreme heat or cold will ruin a good stain. If you leave it to freeze, there are high chances that the freeze and thaw cycles will affect the stain’s chemical structure.
Unheated spaces in winter will freeze water-based stains forming ice crystals in them. Therefore, the components of the stain will separate, and even the most thorough mixing and blending might not restore the stain’s consistency.
Should your stain freeze, thaw it slowly at room temperature. If you speed up the process by heating the can, you could heat volatile components or make the stain unusable.
After thawing the product, mix it, and check for signs of degradation before use.
Oil Wood Stains
Oil-based stains can give your wooden deck an amazing finish. These penetrating oils come in stain and clear variations, giving wood a simple finish that preserves its natural allure.
The oil wood stain will preserve all the subtle flaws and knots on the grain to highlight your deck’s character.
These stains are also easy to apply and are very durable. They are resistant to water damage and scratches as well. They will seep deep into the porous wood, sealing it for protection, leaving a little sheen or gloss on the surface.
Staining your wood deck will also protect your deck from fungus and insect attacks. It will also protect it from ultraviolet ray damage.
Unlike paint, which has a binder and pigment, these stains are a dye that dissolves in a translucent or transparent agent.
The penetrating oil stain uses mineral or petroleum spirit as its solvent. The spirit eases the rigors of application and enhances the stain’s viscosity. This is the reason oil stains are highly combustible.
If you soak rags in oil stains and leave them out in the sun after application, they will spontaneously combust!
Always observe safety when dealing with oil wood stains. There are oil wood stains that have tung or linseed oil as binders. The most common pigment in oil wood stain is iron oxide.
They also have thickening agents and metallic salts that increase oxidation and drying of the stain on application. Deck stains can last a long time, so you should not throw away any stain leftover.
Some brands might not have a “Best By” date, but the rule of thumb is that a new can will last up to six years.
The leftover container will be usable a year or three years down the lane. One factor that significantly affects the life of a wood stain is its storage conditions.
Water-Based Wood Stains
Water-based wood stains dry faster than their penetrating oil counterparts do. They are perfect for coloring large decks. The older water-based stains do not have binders, allowing successive coat application while newer formulations have acrylic polymers in them.
A water-based stain has a three-year shelf life when new. With proper storage, leftover water-based stains are still usable after a few years in storage.
Conclusion
Old deck stains will go bad if you store them poorly. Exposure to moisture, air, extreme temperatures, and light can be detrimental to a can of wood stain’s durability.
Call (630) 489-6970 or schedule a free estimate online and restore the look of your deck today.
