How long do I wait after applying PeneTreat before I stain?
The wood must be dry – below 20% moisture level. The only way to verify this is with a moisture meter! We highly recommend that our customers rent or buy a moisture meter to be sure that the wood really is dry before staining. Many times when a stain fails, we find out that it was applied to wet wood that was seemingly “dry enough”. In a warm and dry climate when there has been no rain, generally 2 days is enough time for the Penetreat to dry before applying stain. However, it is important to note that any liquid that gets on the logs (including mixed Penetreat) can sit in a check or crack in the upper curvature of a log for several days before completely evaporating. While it sits in the check, the water soaks into the surrounding wood and creates localized areas of high moisture content, which can lead to localized areas of failed stain. Therefore, it is best to remove standing water or Penetreat from such areas with a shop-vac, dry rag or compressed air by at least the next day so t
