So I really F'd up my deck. It's a new deck and I waited a year to stain it. Stained it on Wednesday morning with a Thompson water seal transparent stain. Then about 30 hours later (last night), my sprinklers went on and the deck got soaked. This morning there were puddles still on it and when I got home tonight, there are a million water stains.
Now wtf do I do? I rubbed some of the stains with a towel and they came off but that would take months do get all these spots off. Will they dissipate with the next rain storm? Should I restain? Powerwash? Burn it down?
Once it's off, I'd hit it with a deck cleaner. This typically comes in either liquid concentrate or powder to be mixed with water. Clean it and let it dry.
Like others have said. Never use Thompsons again. With Thompsons, you have to recoat once a year. More premium products are 3 to 5 years. Go with a clear coat like Wolman Raincoat.
Just watch your weather reports. You want at least 48 hours of no rain, while not being too hot during the day, or too cold at night. Spring and fall are the best times.
How long did you have your deck before coating? New lumber comes with a mill glaze that you need to let come off before using anything.