How to Stain Between Deck Boards

Staining a deck is easy. But getting between the boards? That’s the tricky part.

If you skip it, moisture sneaks in, and your deck won’t last. The gaps between planks might be small, but they make a big difference.

Dirt, water, and even mold love to hide there. The right technique keeps your deck looking fresh and protects it from damage.

You don’t need fancy tools, just a little know-how. Ready to do the job right?

Let’s break it down step by step and make those hard-to-reach spots a breeze.

How to Stain Between Deck Boards

Before staining deck grooves, ensure you have the recommended tools and materials listed below. Once that’s checked out, proceed to stain your deck grooves following the steps described. 

Remember to wear your gloves, goggles, dust mask, and closed-toe shoes. Also, have some patience through this process.

Tools and materials

• Stain brush
• Shur-line stain pad with groove tool
• Mr. Long Arm pro extension pole
• Paint roller tray
• Stain sprayer
• Deck Stain 

Steps for staining in between deck boards

Step 1: Prep the deck

Preparing the wood deck for staining involves surface cleaning and sanding. Doing this guarantees the deck stain will seep into the wood and, in return, protect it from erratic weather patterns and Ultra Violet rays.

Clean your deck thoroughly with a deck cleaner. If you’re working on an older deck, you can wash it with a bleach solution to revive the once vibrant wood color.

You could even scrub with a stiff bristle brush if needed. Ensure the cleaning solution gets between the deck board cracks too.

Then pressure wash the deck’s surface and board gaps to eliminate all the debris. And allow the deck to completely dry overnight or for about 24 hours or more before sanding. 

Step 2: Sand your deck

Sand the surface of the wood deck boards using a sanding machine and 60-80 grit sandpaper. Always sand along the wood grain. Not sure about which grit sandpaper to use for deck sanding, check here.

How to sand between deck boards

• Your best option would be sanding using a thin sanding block wrapped with sandpaper. Ensure the sanding block fits the size of the gaps and sand both sides of the groove in a single pass.
• If the gaps between deck boards are too tiny, you need to wrap a deck paint stir stick with sandpaper and work it out. You can use the sawing motion (up and down) or back and forth motions.
• Vacuum or blow the dust off the sanded surface. Then run a tack cloth to ascertain the surface is dust-free. 

Step 3: Apply the stain

Choose a deck stain and use any of the stain applicators below. Let the first coat dry before applying the second coat.

Read: Can I apply a second coat of stain a week later?

Staining pad with crack and groove tool

• Pour some of the stains into a paint tray. Then place this staining tool on the tray to soak up the stain. Wipe off excess stain drops on the edge of the tray.
• Run your staining pad on the deck boards as though you were mopping it. Stain the lengths of two boards at a time. Then flip the staining pad to expose the crack and groove tool. Apply stain on the cracks and grooves by running the tool between the board gaps.
• This multipurpose tool reduces the staining time by about three quarters. It is technically the best and most efficient.

Bristle brushes

• Another option would be staining deck floorboards using a brush. These brushes are excellent for staining the surface boards. Still, you can squish the bristles and tilt the brush to fit and stain the deck board gaps.
• Regular stain bristle brushes also make great applicators for stains. However, they mainly cover the deck surface.  And therefore, you will need a separate crack and groove brush to stain between the deck floor.

Deck stain sprayer

• Sprayers are also efficient stain applicators, especially for hard-to-reach areas such as deck grooves. You can use either a pump sprayer or an airless sprayer, depending on your ease of use. Note that you should only use it on a wind-free day.
• Use thinner deck stains and the correct nozzle spray pattern, angle the nozzle, and spray carefully, overlapping each coat for sufficient coverage. Back brush or roll the overspray on the stained surface while it’s still wet for a uniform finish.

Post-Staining Maintenance and Care

Proper maintenance is key to preserving the look and durability of a stained surface, whether it’s wood, concrete, or another material.

Here’s how to take care of it:

Allow proper drying and curing

Stain typically dries within a few hours, but curing takes longer (up to 72 hours or more, depending on the stain type and environmental conditions).

Avoid heavy use or exposure to moisture during this period.

Apply a protective sealant

A sealant helps lock in the stain and protects against moisture, UV rays, and general wear and tear.

Choose the right sealant for your material—polyurethane for wood, a concrete sealer for stained floors, etc.

Regular cleaning

Wood surfaces: Use a mild soap and water solution. Avoid harsh chemicals that can strip the stain.

Concrete surfaces: Sweep regularly and mop with a pH-neutral cleaner to maintain the finish.

Fabric or leather: If applicable, wipe gently with a damp cloth and use specialized conditioners.

Avoid excess moisture

Water can cause stains to fade or deteriorate over time, especially if the surface isn’t properly sealed.

Wipe up spills quickly to prevent staining or damage.

Protect from scratches and damage

Use felt pads on furniture legs for wooden floors.

Place rugs or mats in high-traffic areas to reduce wear.

For outdoor stains, avoid dragging heavy objects across the surface.

Touch-ups when needed

Over time, stains may fade or wear down in areas with heavy use.

Spot-treat with a small amount of stain, then reseal the area for a consistent look.

Reapply sealant periodically

Depending on exposure and use, reseal every 1–3 years to maintain protection.

Outdoor stained surfaces may require more frequent sealing due to weather exposure.

Trick For Staining Between Deck Boards

When you need to hack it, look no further from your kitchen. A dish scouring pad makes an excellent stain applicator that fits comfortably between your deck boards.

Just like painting between deck boards, wear your rubber gloves, dip this pad into the stain, wipe off drips fit it into the small gaps in question, and rub it back and forth to stain the area evenly.

If you can find a moldable sponge or replacement pad, they are great DIY options as well.

Best Way To Stain Between Deck Boards

The best way to stain between decking boards employs a deck stain pad with a crack and groove tool. This method requires the least amount of effort, and it stains both the surface and between the boards in one go.

In addition, this feature significantly cuts down the application time.

Read:

How Long Does Deck Stain Need to Dry Before It Rains

How Long After Staining a Deck Can You Walk on It

What Stain To Use On Deck

Since a deck is exposed to all manner of raging elements, the best you can do is apply the best sealant that will help the deck wood withstand unpredictable weather and climatic conditions.

Ready Seal Exterior Stain and Sealer is an excellent oil-based product suitable for decks. This stain and sealer penetrates the wood pores and seals the surface to protect against moisture and mildew. It also has a UV rays filter to prevent your wooden deck from graying.

It is available in rich, wood-toned hues to accentuate the wood grain pattern and is easily applied with a scrub brush, roller, or pump sprayer.

FAQs

How to Stain in Between Deck Boards: Conclusion

Knowing how to stain between deck boards sets you apart as a pro. And having the right tools to get between the deck grooves is another plus.

We recommend using the multi-purpose stain pad with crack and groove tool when staining between deck boards! Still, you can spray stain the gaps, use a bristle brush or DIY staining pad to get the job done.

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Interesting read: What is Cheaper Wood Deck or Concrete Patio?