How to Apply Behr Quick Dry Oil Base Wood Finish

Refinishing your deck doesn’t have to take several days if you use a product like Behr Premium® Transparent Quick Dry Oil Base Wood Finish. In fact, if your deck is untreated or treated with an oil base stain, you can clean the deck and rails, apply the stain and entertain that same evening. Behr Quick Dry is perfect for new or fairly new decks (less than 5-yrs. old) in good condition. The product is available in five colors: Clear, Cedar Naturaltone, Redwood, Chocolate and Cordovan Brown. Quick Dry provides protection against water and sun damage and can last up to 1-2-years depending on the color you choose and the weather exposure in your area. Follow these easy do-it-yourself steps:

Clean the Wood

Cleaning the wood is an important first step because it removes dirt, brightens the woods and opens the woods’ pores so it’ll absorb the new finish.

Start by blowing off all the loose debris using a leaf blower. Then mix a 50/50 solution of water and Behr Premium® All-in-One Wood Cleaner and pour it into a pump sprayer. Wet the wood with your garden hose and apply a liberal coating of the cleaner.

Let the cleaner sit for 10 to 15-mins. then scrub the wood with a stiff bristle broom. If you have tough spots that won’t come clean with the 50/50 solution, re-apply the cleaner at full strength and repeat the brushing step. Then rinse the entire deck and let it dry.

Lightly Sand

Once the deck has dried, lightly sand the entire surface using a drywall sanding pad fitted with a 150-grit sanding screen. Sanding knocks down any raised wood fibers and helps you achieve a much smoother feel. Sweep the deck with a push broom or use a leaf blower to remove the sanding dust.

Apply Behr Quick Dry Wood Finish

Thoroughly mix Quick Dry wood finish before pouring it into a paint tray. The product has a water-like consistency and can splash while pouring, so pour slowly. A lambswool applicator provides the smoothest and most uniform application on deck flooring, rails and post. Use a natural bristle brush to cut in around posts and edges near the siding.

Attach a lambswool cover to the applicator and screw onto an extension pole. Dip the applicator into the paint tray and let it drain a bit before moving it to the bare deck boards. The applicator will still drip as you move it to your working area, so keep the paint tray as close as possible (2-3 boards away). That way the drips will blend perfectly as you work your way across the deck.

Start at one end of the deck and apply the product to 2-3 three boards at a time, coating the entire length of the boards before starting on the next rows. Always work out from a wet edge to prevent lap marks.

Back-brush any excess finish or puddling to get an even distribution. Avoid “stretching” the product—that’ll result in uneven shading.

Finish the job by coating the ends of the boards with the applicator or brush. Clean up any drips on siding or walkways with mineral spirits.

Let the product dry for 60-minutes. Then move your deck furniture back in place and invite the neighbors over for a BBQ.