Deck stain/sealant suggestions

[jtd9046]

So who has experience with deck stains and sealants? I'm in the middle of a deck revamp and want to change the stain. Any suggestions on products? Ones to go with and others to avoid? I like my stain to keep the woods characteristics but also to add a little color.

See current picture.

Yesterday I added 16' of steps. Previously there were only steps down to the driveway. So a little reorganization of the current steps and adding new ones gives you the current picture.

Today I'll be stripping the old stain/paint and sanding to give it a fresh look. Not a big fan of the previous owners choice in red.

 

[psycln11]

I've had good luck with the Wolman products available from Menards. When I re-did my deck a few years ago, I put on the F&P (Finish and Preserve) transparent stain.

Wolman Deck and Fence Stain

 

[jtd9046]

Bump. And this 'stripping' process is taking forever!

 

[cytech]

Oh man that is going to be one hell of a strip job there. Where abouts in Michigan are you? I know the perfect place for you to go if you are near Detroit.

 

[CyinCo]

I have used Olympic Water Sealant and Toner on several decks now and I'm always impressed. It has a very low viscosity which makes it apply easily, even on rough surfaces. It has a water like consistency.

Whatever you do, don't use Thompson's. Worst stuff on the market.

 

[egunzy]

Behr makes a great product. Guaranteed for 4 years in the shade, 2 years in direct sun. I did mine last summer. They have many different shades to choose from too. Available at Home Depot.

 

[jtd9046]

Thanks guys.

Cytech... I'm in Royal Oak which is about 10 miles north of downtown Detroit. What do you have for me???

 

[cytech]

Behr makes a great product. Guaranteed for 4 years in the shade, 2 years in direct sun. I did mine last summer. They have many different shades to choose from too. Available at Home Depot.

Absolute worst advice ever never ever put behr on your deck

 

[cytech]

Thanks guys.

Cytech... I'm in Royal Oak which is about 10 miles north of downtown Detroit. What do you have for me???

Deck Stains Cleaners Sealers Staining Decks Wood Decking Sealing Concrete Paver Restoration

You are lucky this is where I get my stuff to do decks commercially and it is located close to you. He will be able to help you find what you need to strip off that stain, and what to put on it.

Any of his TWP line, timber oil, woodtux all very high quality stains.

Or if you get tired of trying to do it yourself I personally know several contractors up there that will perform a high quality job for you.

 

[brianhos]

I am lazy, I just redid my deck with Trex decking, so I never have to mess with it again. Next I need to find someone to mow my lawn so I never have to do yardwork.

 

[jtd9046]

Thanks... good site.

UGH!

Unless absolutely necessary (removal of solid stain and/or paint), never power sand a deck. This will close the pores of the wood and your new stain may not penetrate properly. If you must, try not to use a grit finer than 60 grit. You can lightly sand by hand or with de-felting pads on low speed orbital sanders to remove splinters and/or raised grain of wood.

Solid Color Stains / Paints
For the majority of cases solid stains/paints cannot be completely stripped. If you want to completely remove the coating you will need to either power sand the wood decking or strip it an unknown amount of times. You cannot apply any of our coatings over solid stained or painted decks.

 

[cytech]

I am lazy, I just redid my deck with Trex decking, so I never have to mess with it again. Next I need to find someone to mow my lawn so I never have to do yardwork.

You still need to clean it yearly, because if you let those trex decks get bad they can be a real pita to get clean.

JTD you need to use very strong strippers to remove that stain and it won't be done in one day. But once you get that nasty solid stain off your deck you will be so much better off

 

[jtd9046]

JTD you need to use very strong strippers to remove that stain and it won't be done in one day. But once you get that nasty solid stain off your deck you will be so much better off

After reading through their site I think I am going to power sand. They stated that their best strippers are only sold to contractors due to the way it must be used.

I'll hit up the Home Depot to rent a power sander tomorrow. Luckily I work for 3M so I have plenty of abrasives to pick from.

 

[cytech]

that is correct the strippers needed to strip off a solid stain can be very danferous if not used properly

 

[Covenant Clone]

Sikkens makes a product called Cetol, check out there website for a dealer near you Sikkens: Simply Beautiful Woodcare Products For Your Wood Home. This is by far the best product available on the market (IMHO). Most of the pros that I know wouldn't use anything else. The other product that is a good product (still far superior to behrs and olympic) is penofin. Those are the two suggestions I would give you. Good luck!!

 

[lennon3]

Ultra is supposed to be the best deck sealant that Menards has. I work in that department so do you have any questions you would want me to ask my manager?

 

[cytech]

There are alot of good stains on the market, just make sure you go with a semi transparent oil based stain. Also make sure the deck is properly prepared to accept the stain.
I will agree that both penofin and sillkens make great products I just prefer the ones I mentioned earlier.

 

[CYdTracked]

I use Behr and that is some great stuff. Thompson's is crap, you'll be re-applying that every year. Behr's 2 year claim holds true, I am going to recoat mine after 2 years and it looks way better than when I used the cheap Thompson's stuff.

 

[lennon3]

I use Behr and that is some great stuff. Thompson's is crap, you'll be re-applying that every year. Behr's 2 year claim holds true, I am going to recoat mine after 2 years and it looks way better than when I used the cheap Thompson's stuff.

Yeah, Thompsons isn't very good but most people don't know better until they apply it because they spend so much money on advertising that its basically all you hear about!

 

[cytech]

I use Behr and that is some great stuff. Thompson's is crap, you'll be re-applying that every year. Behr's 2 year claim holds true, I am going to recoat mine after 2 years and it looks way better than when I used the cheap Thompson's stuff.

you have no idea how bad this comment makes me cringe. Repaet after me BEHR is crap.... BEHR is crap.

If you ever want to switch to a high quality stain after using it, you will find yourself in the same situation as JTD is in.

It may look nice but it is bad for your deck those solid acrylic stains don't allow the wood to breath properly.

To give your deck the best length between coatings, last the longest, and be best for the wood only use oil based semi transparent stains.

Edit:
I did want to add that you are right that thompsons does nothing at all for your wood. It does not protect the wood from uv damage at all. Another thing to add is Seal Maxx or similar companies, that say their coating last forever, is a scam as well.