A deck stain applicator having a generally flat coating applicator pad having at least one coating delivery channel therethrough for delivery of coating material at a planar application surface of the pad for coating a generally planar surface having gaps therein and a plurality of bristles extending out of the planar surface of the pad for applying the coating material to a pair of opposed surfaces to be coated forming a gap and at least one recess in the pad for receiving the plurality of bristles when the pad is moved across the planar surface and the bristles are not aligned with the gap.