by 
The Curious Bag
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<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: Accepting the Stain
The amount of time that you should wait to stain a cedar deck is a hotly contested topic. Some prefer to wait several months, while others state that it is necessary to do it immediately. The right answer is in between these two extremes. You cannot stain a cedar deck until the wood is ready to accept the stain.
On the Other: Waiting Too Long
If you wait too long, more than a month, the wood will become weathered and it will be impossible to get the color you want. In areas with inclement weather, this time period is shortened. Rain and winds will quickly turn cedar wood gray and you will lose the value of this wood.
Bottom Line
It is best to stain a cedar wood deck as quickly as possible, typically within two weeks of installing it. Follow the staining instructions carefully. If you notice that the stain is not penetrating the wood, you may need to wait an additional week.
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