Why is your Cabot Deck Correct peeling? Isn’t it supposed to last for three years? Cabot Deck Correct peel is a severe dilemma for DIYers and professionals. It is more concerning when the product does not live up to the hype.
What about the cost of staining your entire deck only to have the fresh deck surface peel off within a year? No doubt, it’s not a good return on investment since a gallon costs as high as $39.
Your Cabot Deck Correct may be peeling because you applied too much stain, the wood was wet when you spread it, the stain itself adhered poorly to your deck, or there wasn’t enough ventilation for it to stay dry.
Luckily, there are ways to fix this. This article will show you why this stain starts peeling early, how to prevent it, and what to do about it if it’s already peeling.
Why Is Cabot Deck Correct Peeling?
Everything comes to an end, even one of the best solid stains out there. However, it is concerning when Cabot Deck Correct peels within a year of applying it.
Cabot Deck stains, whether semi-transparent or solid colors, will become flaky or peel when moisture due to these reasons:
Too Much Stain
More is not always better when applying solid color deck stain. You don’t always need to use a second coat.
Cabot Deck Correct is much thicker than most solid deck stain products out there. Therefore, one coat is usually enough for the wood to absorb. You restrict moisture from leaving wood surfaces when you apply too much coat on them.
Furthermore, wood cells saturated with moisture will expand and push outward, causing solid stains to crack and peel. This is why wood stain flaking is typical during spring when the wood is drying out moisture from the previous winter.
Poor Adhesion
The first rule of deck stain is to sand down the wood and remove all debris with a Cabot Problem Solver or other cleaning solutions. Deck stains will not stick and sink into the wood grains if there are debris or wax build-ups on wood surfaces.
Second rule? Don’t apply stains on wet woods. Wet wood does not absorb enough stain and may cause stains to break down and peel off within a few days or months.
It doesn’t matter if the wood is kiln-dried at the mill. There’s usually 19% moisture left in kiln-dried wood. You should wait for three months to a year before staining the deck. Furthermore, wait for two days after prepping the deck before staining.
Poor Under-Deck Ventilation
Cabot Deck stain will peel off when the desk is too low. Decks lower than 0.6m from the ground may restrict the free flow of air. It will create a humid environment that traps excess moisture within the wood.
The stain will start to peel off if there’s too much moisture in the exterior wood deck. Therefore, it’s imperative to keep the deck dry.
Does Cabot Deck Correct Peel After One Year?
Deck stains are not expected to peel but to gradually fade with time. Per the Cabot Deck guidelines, the stain should take three to six years to fade. Stains on railings and side fences may fade within five to ten years.
Nevertheless, the guidelines recommend an annual check-up of the finish.
There are many reviews of Cabot Deck Correct peeling off within a year or less. The stain may peel off when wood cells oversaturate with water.
An inferior solid color stain can also cause peeling or flaking. There’s increasing regulation on the use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are essential for producing oil-based solvents like Cabot Deck Correct.
So, manufacturers are switching to more environmentally-friendly chemicals, thus reducing the efficiency of deck stains.
You’ll need the following items to remove peeling or flaky stains:
Dust mask knee pads
Nail set
Paintbrush
Rubber gloves
Screwdriver, preferably a 4-in-one screwdriver
Rags
Safety glasses
Sanding tool
Step 2: Scrub Off the Cabot Deck Correct Stain
First, remove as much of the old stain as you can with a paint scraper. Use a dull paint scraper. Take note of nails and screws while scraping to avoid injuries.
Step 3: Use Stain Removers
Next, use a deck stain remover to strip the deck of all remaining stains. Remember to cover the side railings and grasses around the deck with plastic. Use a paintbrush to apply a thick coat of stain remover on the deck.
Let the stain remover soak into the stained decking boards before scrubbing with a stiff brush. You may wait for 15 to 20 minutes.
Note: Don’t try to scrub all at once; cover 20 to 30 square feet at a time. Only spread stain removers on the areas you’re currently working on.
Step 4: Sand the Wood
Use a hose to rinse off the residues from the stain remover. Wait for the wood surface to dry before sanding. You may use a coarse stripping disc with an angle grinder to remove discolored areas and stubborn stains.
Sanding also helps to remove wood flaws like splinters, scratch marks, and gouges.
Step 5: Use a Conditioner to Restore the Wood
Now, neutralize the stain remover with a deck conditioner or brightener. A gallon of conditioner is enough for most average-sized decks. Dip a paintbrush into the conditioner diluted with water.
Note: Deck conditioners will restore outdoor surfaces to their original color. Furthermore, it reveals all wood defects you omitted during sanding.
Step 6: Re-apply Cabot Deck Correct Stain
Wait for two or more days for the conditioner to dry off. Next, re-stain with your preferred type of Cabot Deck Correct. If you’re choosing a solid color, go for one that complements your exterior decor and color tone.
Conclusion: Cabot Deck Correct Stain
There is something wrong when your Cabot Deck Correct stains peel. Most times, you either applied too much stain or did not prep the wood properly. Peel off Cabot Deck Correct stains by following our guide, and you will never have to pay for a contractor.
