Deck stain?

[PCustoms]

Best place as any for this...

What's the best, longest lasting deck stain out there now?

Deck is fresh PT, installed earlier this summer and clearly drying out now. Quick look at the box store this morning and I think Olympic semi-transparent oil based seemed to be their best option.

I'm assuming solids and water born aren't great choices.

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

Cabot, sickens / PPG, Ben Moore arbor coat

All three are premium stains. And just like all the other semi-transparent none are going to superlast too long. That's just the nature of it. Especially if it's in a flat orientation. 3 years service life 5 years max. Probably one to two year of maximum performance. I recoat my deck surface pretty much every other year.

 

[cgrutt]

I'm working on a quote now for deck I built a couple years ago. Recommending using BM woodluxe oil-based (I believe Arborcoat is being phased out and replaced with Woodluxe). PPG Cetol (sp?) may be one of the best but expensive and you can't recoat with anything else after you use it.

 

[PCustoms]

Cabot, sickens / PPG, Ben Moore arbor coat

The Olympic was marked as a PPG brand, which clearly stood out. Wanted to go look @ Sherwin Williams but they weren't open yet.

All three are premium stains. And just like all the other semi-transparent none are going to superlast too long. That's just the nature of it. Especially if it's in a flat orientation. 3 years service life 5 years max. Probably one to two year of maximum performance. I recoat my deck surface pretty much every other year.

So what's the better formulation?

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

There are none.. That's the point. If you get into solid you might as well do a paint. If you want to keep the wood grain like a semi-transparent. You're just going to have to stain it all the time. That's just the way it is.

 

[PCustoms]

There are none.. That's the point. If you get into solid you might as well do a paint. If you want to keep the wood grain like a semi-transparent. You're just going to have to stain it all the time. That's just the way it is.

Ok, I misunderstood you.

Definitely don't want paint/solid. Planned to do semi-transparent to get a tone different then green PT, and aware that I'm looking at coating again every 3-5*yrs.

*Covered porch so dry and mostly shaded. The Olympic seem to have a linger "warranty" then other options.

 

[Copymutt]

I practice 2 extremes. For foot traffic on decks & docks its best to go synthetic, thats a pricey, but long term fix. For wood in traffic areas I apply BLO once a year. I like the look & it resists snow & moisture quite well. For all other exterior wood, One Time Wood is good for a dozen years from my experience.

 

[Stelzer]

I service anywhere from 40-60 decks & fences every 3-5 yrs. Realistic expectations and regular upkeep are key. Choose a non film-forming semi-trans oil. It won't ever peel, crack or flake, can be reapplied without stripping, so serviceability is optimum. Stay away from waterbased/waterborne and/or hybrid systems. As a Painting Contractor, I've switched to almost entirely waterbased/waterborne for nearly all applications, but this is still one place where oil reigns supreme.

Best deck finishes would be Bakers Gray Away, Armstrong Clark, TWP, even ReadySeal, which is available at most home improvement stores. Figure 3-5 years on vertical surfaces and 2-3 years on horizontal before giving it a quick maintenance coat if you want it to stay new looking.

Sikkens is garbage now. Used to be good but is no longer. Nothing from Behr. Olympic is horrible. Thompsons is even worse. Stay away from film forming finishes and wax-impregnated hybrids.

PS. Not interested in anecdotal accounts from DIY'ers who've used a certain **** brand for years and their deck still looks like new. I've stripped enough decks to know which products work well all the time vs. a few which worked some of the time.

 

[PCustoms]

Sikkens is garbage now. Used to be good but is no longer. Nothing from Behr. Olympic is horrible. Thompsons is even worse. Stay away from film forming finishes and wax-impregnated hybrids.

PS. Not interested in anecdotal accounts from DIY'ers who've used a certain **** brand for years and their deck still looks like new. I've stripped enough decks to know which products work well all the time vs. a few which worked some of the time.

Sounds like I was in the right path, but anything box store is out then.

I'll have to stop at Sherwin Williams or see if the yard still carries Benjamin Moore.

P.s. Thompsons has been **** for as long as I can remember, and I'm barely 40.

 

[Stelzer]

Sounds like I was in the right path, but anything box store is out then.

I'll have to stop at Sherwin Williams or see if the yard still carries Benjamin Moore.

P.s. Thompsons has been **** for as long as I can remember, and I'm barely 40.

ReadySeal is typically available at either HD or Lowes and other than BIN Shellac, it's the only product I get from a box store.

 

[PCustoms]

ReadySeal is typically available at either HD or Lowes and other than BIN Shellac, it's the only product I get from a box store.

Looks like the only options at my store were Olympic, Thompsons and Behr.

Surprised Olympic is ****

 

[Treeman]

If you like to do online research, I found this site to be the very best regarding outdoor stains: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/
There's lots of "nook and crannies" on this website to explore and the recommendations parrot what Stelzer states above.

Regarding Olympic, I have had decent results with their "lesser" oil base semi transparent Maximum product on verticle surfaces. But these products change formulations, so maybe it is not as good as the last time I used it 6 years ago? I prefer an oil base toned or semi transparent oil product applied every 3 years +/-.

 

[MarlynOC]

Look to private paint suppliers for either Ready Seal or Armstrong Clark.

 

[Hank11]

I’ve done several with this:

SuperDeck® Exterior Waterborne Solid Color Deck Stain - Sherwin-Williams

FEATURING PREMIUM DUCKBACK TECHNOLOGY.Provides a long lasting coating for protecting most horizontal exterior wood surfaces. Custom tinting available.

www.sherwin-williams.com

and this:

SuperDeck® Exterior Waterborne Semi-Transparent Stain - Property & Facility Managers - Sherwin-Williams

Our SuperDeck® Waterborne Semi-Transparent Stain penetrates deeply, giving properly prepared decks excellent protection from sun, mildew, and premature weathering.

www.sherwin-williams.com

Results and longevity have been good.

 

[PCustoms]

Sorry, you'll be hard pressed to convince me waterborne is better then an oil.

 

[dogdog]

I did an application with Flood CFW-UV about 10 years ago. Held up pretty good, now all the color is fade, and needs another application. Dunno if they have semi transparent colors.

Robot or human?

 

[PCustoms]

@Stelzer what are your thoughts on Benjamin Moore woodlux?

 

[cgrutt]

@Stelzer what are your thoughts on Benjamin Moore woodlux?

Im using it on two different projects soon I'll let you know how it works. Just bought 4 gal yesterday.

 

[PCustoms]

Im using it on two different projects soon I'll let you know how it works. Just bought 4 gal yesterday.

Hurry up, I want to buy 2 gallons this afternoon!

 

[cgrutt]

Hurry up, I want to buy 2 gallons this afternoon!

Not sure how situation is around you but I had a hard time finding store that carried the oil in correct base almost took a 2 hr drive but wound up finding it locally after checking with about five stores. They all seem to carry the water based product around me anyways. I'm using semi transparent on one project and translucent on the other. Wouldn't recommend the translucent but it's a restain and that's what's on it now.

 

[PCustoms]

Not sure how situation is around you but I had a hard time finding store that carried the oil in correct base almost took a 2 hr drive but wound up finding it locally after checking with about five stores. They all seem to carry the water based product around me anyways. I'm using semi transparent on one project and translucent on the other. Wouldn't recommend the translucent but it's a restain and that's what's on it now.

I haven't looked in person, but the local yard is a BM dealer.

Plan is a semi transparent.

After reading a few reviews this morning it seems people have unreasonably high expectations out of deck stain, and that creates some very flawed reviews.

 

[cgrutt]

I haven't looked in person, but the local yard is a BM dealer.

Plan is a semi transparent.

After reading a few reviews this morning it seems people have unreasonably high expectations out of deck stain, and that creates some very flawed reviews.

I'd call them I called and/or went to five BM dealers non of them had it. I needed C592-06 base (semi-transparent) for Oxford Brown. There was a place in Long Island that seems to have everything they ship but I think it's $100. They had a 20% off coupon that offset the shipping but I was buying more product. Wound up getting it at a local lumber yard and they gave me a discount as well didn't even ask for it. Wound up paying $50 / gal before tax.

This is place in Long Island with link to coupon if you can't find it locally

Coupon For You

Show or print this coupon at any Aboff's Location for your discount.

aboffs.com

 

[Stelzer]

@Stelzer what are your thoughts on Benjamin Moore woodlux?

It's a newer product and I haven't used it but their oil but it's supposed to be pretty good. Too early to know how it wears/weathers and how easy/difficult it is to re-apply. As much as I dislike waterbased wood stains for decks, Woodluxe would be the one and only product I'd recommend to those who don't have access to oil since it laps less during application, penetrates deeper than other WB stains and is a big step up from Arborcoat WB.

Just read that you were searching for the C592-06 base so it looks like you're going with oil. Post pics and do a follow up. Don't over apply it though. Anything which hasn't penetrated after an hour isn't going to and will sit on the surface & prone to peeling/flaking. Good luck with your project.

 

[PCustoms]

It's a newer product and I haven't used it but their oil but it's supposed to be pretty good. Too early to know how it wears/weathers and how easy/difficult it is to re-apply. As much as I dislike waterbased wood stains for decks, Woodluxe would be the one and only product I'd recommend to those who don't have access to oil since it laps less during application, penetrates deeper than other WB stains and is a big step up from Arborcoat WB.

Just read that you were searching for the C592-06 base so it looks like you're going with oil. Post pics and do a follow up. Don't over apply it though. Anything which hasn't penetrated after an hour isn't going to and will sit on the surface & prone to peeling/flaking. Good luck with your project.

I am going to go with oil, semi-transparent, but @cgrutt was searching for the special base.


Honestly ready reviews is super confusing, I see a lot of push for solid color stains which I always thought were prone to peeling and problematic for re-coating down the road.

Whats the convincing argument to not use an Olympic branded semi transparent oil based?

Going to the paint store now to see what they have

 

[cgrutt]

Whats the convincing argument to not use an Olympic branded semi transparent oil based?

This is Olympic translucent after a couple years. I have to strip it next week and I'm restaining with the BM. It didn't last long, boards rotted and needed to be replaced and it's actually peeling up in spots which is odd for translucent. I didn't do this originally so have no idea if or how it was prepped.

 

[PCustoms]

This is Olympic translucent after a couple years. I have to strip it next week and I'm restaining with the BM. It didn't last long, boards rotted and needed to be replaced and it's actually peeling up in spots which is odd for translucent. I didn't do this originally so have no idea if or how it was prepped.

Your deck?

Curious how old it is, or what the condition of the wood was when that stain was put down. That looks very odd to me for a translucent stain


Struck out on the BM stain, all they had on the shelves was BM paint, Thompsons, Vermont natural and a couple cabin oils

 

[cgrutt]

Your deck?

Curious how old it is, or what the condition of the wood was when that stain was put down. That looks very odd to me for a translucent stain


Struck out on the BM stain, all they had on the shelves was BM paint, Thompsons, Vermont natural and a couple cabin oils

Not mine a cabin I'm working on. Deck was new a few years ago. It's definitely Olympic translucent cedar I saw the can.

 

[PCustoms]

Not mine a cabin I'm working on. Deck was new a few years ago. It's definitely Olympic translucent cedar I saw the can.

Pressure treated?

That looks on par with the '85 material I just ripped out and replaced...****.

 

[cgrutt]

Pressure treated?

That looks on par with the '85 material I just ripped out and replaced...****.

Yeah p/t it's only a few years old the owner ripped out what was there and had the entire cabin renovated 4 or 5 years ago. Believe the deck was added more recently than that. I've been working on these cabins past two years and it looked new when I started working there.

ETA it's on ground level and is probably covered in snow and ice throughout winter they are summer cottages.

 

[Treeman]

This is Olympic translucent after a couple years. I have to strip it next week and I'm restaining with the BM. It didn't last long, boards rotted and needed to be replaced and it's actually peeling up in spots which is odd for translucent. I didn't do this originally so have no idea if or how it was prepped.

Do you mean Olympic transparent? It is different than semi-transparent. So, maybe your results with the "translucent/transparent" don't reflect the results of Olympic semi-transparent?

The generalization is that the clear/transparent/ lightly toned products last the least, compared to semi-transparent and up.

 

[PCustoms]

The generalization is that the clear/transparent/ lightly toned products last the least, compared to semi-transparent and up.

And this seems counterintuitive to what I've seen/experienced:

Solid stains don't penetrate and, from a Wood protection standpoint, last the least.

 

[cgrutt]

Do you mean Olympic transparent? It is different than semi-transparent. So, maybe your results with the "translucent/transparent" don't reflect the results of Olympic semi-transparent?

The generalization is that the clear/transparent/ lightly toned products last the least, compared to semi-transparent and up.

I'm not sure owner told me the color was translucent cedar. Whatever it is it is least amount of coverage and shows most grain. As stated above i was surprised it was peeling in certain spots too. Its not peeling up in sheets its more worn than anything else but i can see the film lifting. I posted a pic of the deck. I've been looking at a bunch of different stains may be confused with name. I bought the translucent cedar yesterday from BM.

 

[Hank11]

You really should look at the Sherwin Williams water based I posted. Its good - at least it is in the southeast.

Reading reviews of paint and stains is the most random experience. So many are obviously by people who can’t be bothered to follow directions or have no common sense.

 

[jpaw]

I used twp "rustic" 2 years ago and so far it has been the best I've used so far. This is facing south so direct sun and snow in the winter.

Before that the last 2 times I simply brushed on oil based minwax "red oak" and it would last about 3 years but it would blacken.
As far as I'm concerned for a deck oil based is a must and brushing is the best way to apply.

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

Benjamin Moore arbor coat. New boards about 5-6 years ago recoat every year.

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

Cabot timber oil every other year.

 

[PCustoms]

Sherwin Williams was a bust, only carry superDeck that had extremely poor ratings

 

[JOE.G]

I used TWP Semi Tran in Pecan on my New PT deck 3 years ago, Most of the deck i covered and is pretty much like new, The stairs get weather, What is the best way to re coat the stairs? Wood cleaner sand and recoat?

 

[Mezz2006]

You probably already got some stain, but I'll throw in my 2 cents. I just re stained our deck. It was new ~6yrs ago, stained the first time 5yrs ago with TWP. It was in need of a restain 2 years ago, but I just didn't want to do it. Two months ago I Cleaned and re-stained with Armstrong Clark based on recommendations from a local paint supply store. The vertical surfaces of the railing were still in good shape and repelling water, but the deck surface itself was pretty dry. It took 2 coats of stain. I'm hoping we'll get more than 5years out of this before I have to do it again.

 

[Jsf721]

Cabot, sickens / PPG, Ben Moore arbor coat

All three are premium stains. And just like all the other semi-transparent none are going to superlast too long. That's just the nature of it. Especially if it's in a flat orientation. 3 years service life 5 years max. Probably one to two year of maximum performance. I recoat my deck surface pretty much every other year.

Arbor coat looks great lasts one season looks wise and 2-3 protection we apply deck cleaner, pressure wash - lightly sand and re stain yearly I’m told only one coat the second coat will peel one rolled coat and back brushed while very wet. Those were the instructions from store.