Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Staining a dock

I have a new pond that was stocked about a month ago. Should I worry about stain dripping into the water? Is there something better than oil based stain to use? What are your thoughts?

Here's one old thread on some talk
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=302063#Post302063

Perhaps others can come up with more to add for future references.

I covered mine before it was over the water. I don't really care for the wood protectants that are being sold now. Yes, you do have to be carefull of what drips in the water, some finishes could be very bad for that. But that usually means they work good at preserving

I choose not to stain mine. Everything I read about and every contractor I spoke with said the same thing: in the sun as my dock is I would have to restain every other year because the stain would fade due to sunlight. I did not want the stain getting into the water, and I don't mind the natural, weathered look. So I left it be.

The only other option would be the type of wood you choose to use for the decking. Some woods resist fading better than others, and cracking as well. Those woods cost a lot more than pressure treated lumber. A lot more. Did the research, ran the numbers, decided I would rather put our youngest through college. Okay, not quite that expensive, but was a lot more - I think it raised the decking cost 2K.

I used all treated materials. I used 2" x 6" for my decking. I like the natural look too but thought maybe I should do something to help treat it.

I believe that staining not only affects the cosmetic look of the wood, but also protects it from UV and water damage, even for pressure-treated lumber.

I agree RAH. Hopefully I can figure out a way to do it.

I have no experience with this , but found it on the web.

http://www.seal-once.com/eco-friendly/marine-wood-formula

I was looking at that product not 30 minutes ago. I may take the leap on it next spring. My deck/dock goes in this month and it won't be properly dry to treat it this summer.

Treated mine about 6 weeks ago.........

The solution to pollution is dilution.

With the volume of water in a typical pond I don't think it will be a problem.

I put Rustoleum dock and deck restorer 4x on my dock. It is very thick but it coats and fills in cracks and things like that. Mine was built out of treated lumber. I stained the rails and pilings, and put the coating on the decking or floor. I don't know what any dripping into the water would do.

I agree with Tbar. For the very few drops of stain that might fall in the pond, you'll have tens of thousands of gallons of water to dilute it. I don't see it being a problem.