Why Deck Stain Sticky?

"A sticky or tacky deck is usually due to over-application or failing to wipe the excess stain from the surface of the wood. ... Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose and spray nozzle, and let the wood dry. This removes any tackiness or residue."

How do you fix a sticky stain on a deck?

Mineral Spirits – Apply mineral spirits to the piece, and scrub vigorously. This should dissolve the remaining pigments, and allow you to wipe them off the piece. Let dry 15 minutes, and then see your wood is still sticky.

How do I make my stain less sticky?

To get rid of the excess stain now, take a cloth dampened with mineral spirits and use that to scrub down the piece. This should remove the excess stain. Alternatively, apply another coat of stain, wait a couple of minutes for it to soften up the old, tacky, excess stain, then take a cloth and rub away the excess.