There are similarities between paint prep and stain prep. To be sure, you will want to clear off and clean the wood surface you are going to stain. It should be free of dirt, dust, mold, mildew or other particulates. Pressure washing a fence is a good idea, too, especially if there was already a stain on the surface that was wearing down over time (you can also gently pressure wash a deck, but don’t go too far). You may find that decks have unwanted residue or stains left from furniture, BBQ grills, pets and whatnot – using a wood cleaner before staining will help produce a better wood stain result. Your Bonds Décor Ottawa stain specialist will be happy to work with you on making the most and getting the best results from your wood staining project.