Encyclopedia & FAQ's

DIY Frequently Asked Questions / I’m going to apply an oil-base stain to my deck. Do I need to strip the existing finish off first before applying the new stain?


If the existing finish was a water- or latex-base stain, then you should remove it before re-staining. If it is an oil-base finish, then you can probably skip the stripping step and just give a thorough washing before re-applying the stain.