Deck stain recommendations

• justincredible

  

  Anyone know of any decent brands of deck stain that actually last and don't need reapplied every year? I'm guessing nothing I can buy at Lowe's or Home Depot is really worth a shit.
• LJ

  

  pull up the deck boards and install composite with a hidden clip system
• said_aouita

  

  I love Google. What I'm reading, most important is the prepping. Clean and remove old deck stain first, use a wood stripper to clean the old stain off the deck.
  Then you can add a second step before adding the stain, which supposedly "brightens back to the proper pH so the deck stain will penetrate properly" adding a brightener is suggested.
  
  "Water Based Deck Stains
  
  Water based wood stains will normally adhere better to a surface that has formerly been painted or stained with an oil based stain. A water based stain will also retain its color better than oil. They are more breathable meaning they won’t trap moisture which can cause a stain to fail. Other factors worth noting with water based stains are fewer odors, a quicker drying time, are non-flammable, and they clean up with soap and water. Water based wood stains are usually recommended for woods that naturally resist rot and decay, for example cypress, redwood, and cedar.
  Oil Based Deck Stains
  
  Oil based wood stains are commonly suggested for wood decks, fences, gazebos, and other surfaces exposed to harsh weather. They offer better penetration than a water based stain and excellent durability in tough conditions. A longer drying time is expected, but this actually allows the stain to accomplish a more even finish."
• justincredible

  

  Yeah, I got all the prepping steps down. The stuff I used two years ago was leftover from the neighbor and old home owner and it was terrible. It needed reapplied after one season and I just didn't do it. I'm trying to find an actual brand that doesn't suck. I was set on buying some Olympic stuff from Lowe's until I decided to read the reviews online and found that pretty much anything you can buy at a big box store is crap.
  
  I like the idea of replacing the wood with composite decking but it isn't really in our budget right now. That shit is spendy.
• Curly J

  

  I saw Deck stain and immediately thought you were talking about stains on your deck left over from the last Mod party.
• LJ

  

  Curly J;1139967 wrote:I saw Deck stain and immediately thought you were talking about stains on your deck left over from the last Mod party.

  www.ocmodlemonparty.org
• Belly35

  

  I once helped a friend with his wooden deck we used Olympic Stain worked great. First coat sucked up the stain the second coat was perfect.
  
  I like it so much I had a older home I was redoing with wooden siding and painted my house with the Olympic Stain lasted forever.
• sleeper

  

  Let me ask LJ, I think he stains decks for a living.
• LJ

  

  sleeper;1140023 wrote:Let me ask LJ, I think he stains decks for a living.

  http://www.ohiochatter.com/forum/showthread.php?33504-Deck-stain-recommendations&p=1139932&viewfull=1#post1139932
• said_aouita

  

  In the past, Consumers Report has done tests and given recommendations.
  Their top three rated were Cabots, Sikkens, Wolman F&P. There are also a few regionalized penetrating oil stains that contractors use - these are SuperDeck, ReadySeal, and Menwood.[LEFT]
  Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/forum/painting/167507-best-deck-stain.html#ixzz1rYyT2uVp
  
  [h=2] sikkens[/h] [INDENT] i have seen good results with sikkens.its a 2 part application.1st is the stain.2nd is the clear coat.both parts have a color to them to achieve the end result finish look.i have found that to give a very deep,rich look to the wood.very expensive however.but its like putting armor on that wood.i always say the worse it is for you the better it is!!and i must say if you stain the wood before you put it up, use it outside.this stuff will get you going if you know what i mean and the fumes really burn your eyes.looking past the health issue as we always do,i give sikkens a thumbs up and would use it on all my exterior wood apllications. [/INDENT]
  
  
  
  [LEFT]
  [/LEFT]
  I have used Rhinoguard. First it is very expensive. Second, it took two coats of the very expensive stuff. Third, if you live it a humid climate, it takes a long time to dry (like over a week). Once dry, it does hold up pretty well. I did my deck about 4 years ago and it doesn't look awful but it doesn't look great. I am going to do it over but not with Rhinguard. I'm looking for a different product. The way Rhino works is it uses the water base to transfer the chemicals to the wood. The advertising says the water will evaporate out of the treating chemical. At any rate, it is good in a dry climate but doesn't hold up as long as they advertise.
  
  
  [LEFT]Cabot worked best for me before I gave up on wood and went composite. I'm in Michigan and nothing stands up to our climate very well. The thing I think is more important than the type of stain is the prep work you do before application. Nothing will last very long if the wood isn't in good condition. [LEFT]
  
  
  * cut/paste a few remarks.
  
  [/LEFT]
  
  
  [/LEFT]
  [/LEFT]
• OSH

  

  Do you have a big deck?
• said_aouita

  

  OSH;1140039 wrote:Do you have a big deck?

  Almost sounds like something 609 would ask.
• justincredible

  

  OSH;1140039 wrote:Do you have a big deck?

  No. Why do you think I drive a truck?
• OSH

  

  said_aouita;1140041 wrote:Almost sounds like something 609 would ask.

  I had to say it. No one said it before.
  
  I was using the "big deck" comments on Thursday while I was driving my wife to my parents' for Easter. It took her a while to catch on. She just didn't get it when I said, "Every man wants a big deck."
• OneBuckeye

  

  Blood.
  
  You are welcome.
• LJ

  

  OSH;1140044 wrote:I had to say it. No one said it before.
  
  I was using the "big deck" comments on Thursday while I was driving my wife to my parents' for Easter. It took her a while to catch on. She just didn't get it when I said, "Every man wants a big deck."

  I want that ever elusive 2 tiered big deck
• OSH

  

  LJ;1140077 wrote:I want that ever elusive 2 tiered big deck

  And...that's what started it!
  
  It was a gorgeous deck.
• dlazz

  justincredible;1139925 wrote:Anyone know of any decent brands of deck stain that actually last and don't need reapplied every year? .

  No.
• Devils Advocate

  

  LJ;1140077 wrote:I want that ever elusive 2 tiered big deck

  
  
• Devils Advocate

  

  or...
  
  
• LJ

  

  Devils Advocate;1140109 wrote:

  
  Randall's Hollar WV

  Devils Advocate;1140123 wrote:or...
  
  

  Newport RI
• Devils Advocate

  

  LJ;1140127 wrote:Randall's Hollar WV
  
  Newport RI

  
• DeadliestWarrior34

  

  Ask your mother about the stain she put on my deck.
  
  Ba dum tssss
• se-alum

  

  I used to do alot of power washing, and ended up doing quite a bit of staining. I found that an oil-based Cabot was the best I used. Lasted about 3 years on a couple decks we did.
• imex99

  

  I'll be staining our deck next summer, thanks for the tips.