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deck stain...again

Fanatical Meat

Fanatical Meat

Lifer
There are several old threads however some recommend brands no longer exist.
I'm looking for something oil based and able to be tinted/colored solid color, I may be able to sell my other half on semi transparent provided it has some pigment. I can get off nearly all the water based stain that's currently on the deck.
My deck gets tons of sun peeling is a problem what brands have AT members had good luck with?

I really want to avoid peeling as much as possible. I have a Benjamin Moore & Sherman Williams nearby. I agree Lowes, home depot are crap for outside paints or stains.
I live in Massachusetts so the deck gets snow on it in the winter and some shipping shenanigans may need to happen to get some types of stain shipped to me.
 
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I can say an important first step is a good power washer. My old one was 1200(?) psi but it was old & tired. My new one is 1500 psi and its hungry for action. This one works much better than the old one, the area I've covered is 99% clean of the old water based HD stain.

I'm still looking for solid or semi solid oil based stain recommendations. Ideally one that is resistant to peeling.
 
Fanatical Meat said:
There are several old threads however some recommend brands no longer exist.
I'm looking for something oil based and able to be tinted/colored solid color, I may be able to sell my other half on semi transparent provided it has some pigment. I can get off nearly all the water based stain that's currently on the deck.
My deck gets tons of sun peeling is a problem what brands have AT members had good luck with?

I really want to avoid peeling as much as possible. I have a Benjamin Moore & Sherman Williams nearby. I agree Lowes, home depot are crap for outside paints or stains.
I live in Massachusetts so the deck gets snow on it in the winter and some shipping shenanigans may need to happen to get some types of stain shipped to me.
Click to expand...

I guess I'd like to ask why you think the big box stores are crap for outside paints/stains. You did mention weather conditions as being something that may impact the longevity of the stain. We're in TX with some pretty brutal summers, so sun fading our fence is something we're well aware of.

We actually had our fence guy come out yesterday to ask him some questions. He mentioned a max of 3 years between restaining, so I guess the question I have is, what's your expectation on longevity/fading/etc before having to powerwash down and restain? Any kind of harsh weather conditions are going to fade the stain faster than if you were in LA or somewhere with somewhat steady year round temps.

Note - we were looking at normal transparent/semi-transparent water based stains. It may be regional but rarely do we see fences or decks with the oil/solid color. The few that do, while a more permanent solution and with better fade resistance, really don't do as much to protect the wood. And generally speaking, in my own opinion, just doesn't look as good.
 
RagingBITCH said:
I guess I'd like to ask why you think the big box stores are crap for outside paints/stains. You did mention weather conditions as being something that may impact the longevity of the stain. We're in TX with some pretty brutal summers, so sun fading our fence is something we're well aware of.

We actually had our fence guy come out yesterday to ask him some questions. He mentioned a max of 3 years between restaining, so I guess the question I have is, what's your expectation on longevity/fading/etc before having to powerwash down and restain? Any kind of harsh weather conditions are going to fade the stain faster than if you were in LA or somewhere with somewhat steady year round temps.

Note - we were looking at normal transparent/semi-transparent water based stains. It may be regional but rarely do we see fences or decks with the oil/solid color. The few that do, while a more permanent solution and with better fade resistance, really don't do as much to protect the wood. And generally speaking, in my own opinion, just doesn't look as good.
Click to expand...

Maybe its got to do with my states VOC requirements. All the big box places are water based or semi acrylic for stains that have colors. I stained my front steps last year and they're barely used and its peeling in several spots.
I'd like to go 3-5 years without reapplying I can tolerate wear and minor mis-coloring over that time but reapplying every year is not acceptable.

In regards to the color, I just do what she wants.
I'm not sure what stain but I'm positive she got it at Home Depot last year its also a deck stain. This entrance is almost never used.

Te9jLAn.jpg


This an area of my deck I haven't pressure washed yet. This was Behr deck stain from Home Depot its been 3 years.

LbhiRft.jpg
 
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Fanatical Meat said:
Maybe its got to do with my states VOC requirements. All the big box places are water based or semi acrylic for stains that have colors. I stained my front steps last year and they're barely used and its peeling in several spots.
I'd like to go 3-5 years without reapplying I can tolerate wear and minor mis-coloring over that time but reapplying every year is not acceptable.

In regards to the color, I just do what she wants.
I'm not sure what stain but I'm positive she got it at Home Depot last year its also a deck stain. This entrance is almost never used.

Te9jLAn.jpg


This an area of my deck I haven't pressure washed yet. This was Behr deck stain from Home Depot its been 3 years.

LbhiRft.jpg
Click to expand...

Ahh. You are looking for a solid color almost like a paint. Alright makes more sense - was thinking more of a transparent shade like a maple. Funny (not to you) but my wife would love that faded look. (She's an interior designer and loves the rustic stuff) 🙂
 
RagingBITCH said:
Ahh. You are looking for a solid color almost like a paint. Alright makes more sense - was thinking more of a transparent shade like a maple. Funny (not to you) but my wife would love that faded look. (She's an interior designer and loves the rustic stuff) 🙂
Click to expand...

Understand why I say the big box places deck stain is garbage?
Interior paint they're fine maybe not perfect but good enough.
 
I had good luck with TWP stain (Total Wood Preservative). It seemed to be pretty well liked on the deck building\staining contractor forum I found and a few other places so I gave it a try. We moved out of the house where we used it two years after we applied it but it was still beading water pretty well the second year despite the abusive combination of near constant direct sunlight (almost no trees in the back yard) and our frequent snow\thaw\snow\thaw michigan winters.

That said it was a little bit of a pain to apply in the recommended manner (either second coat or backbrushing during a certain time window) and it doesn't look like it comes in a lot of solid colors.

That was for the 100 series which isn't VOC compliant for your state so you'd either need to shenanigan ship it or get their 1500 series.

RagingBITCH said:
I guess I'd like to ask why you think the big box stores are crap for outside paints/stains.
Click to expand...

I don't know if it holds true for other exterior stains but I got burned by a big box store. Sikkens used to make a great stain and I had been using it for a few years. Then one year I found it at my local Home Depot. I bought what I thought was the exact same stain (same color, same name). Only it didn't even last 1/3 as long. Come to find out they completely re-formulated the stain to be able to afford to get it on HD's shelves and still make a profit.
 
Yeah I saw the 1500 twp but it doesn't come in a color she'll approve

I'm a little concerned about the anti mold stuff in it and the higher VOC for our dog with the twp 100. Looks like they don't ship to any state in the Northeast which complicates my shipping shenanigans
 
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Just got done doing Sherwin Williams SuperDeck solid stain on a deck and porch. The stuff goes on wonderfully. The first coat soaks in (was dry to the touch in only a few minutes.) The second coat covers. I can't tell you how it holds up yet, but it was by far the easiest solid stain I've worked with so far. If you have a friend with a contractor account through Sherwin you can get it for around $32 per gallon.
 
we used the Sherwin Williams deck stain on a bunch of outdoor furniture and it still looks fantastic 2 years later, It is all made of hardwood pallets. Best part is you can tint it to any paint color!
 
Sherman Williams revive wood cleaner & brightener seems to work pretty well but its not too great at mildew, I don't have much fortunately

ekZWOix.jpg


HnfBPAS.jpg
 
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Fanatical Meat said:
Does this look stripped/clean enough?
I still have spots with a white film on it but the remover & sanding doesn't seem to affect it.

vLYMvkC.jpg
Click to expand...
That looks good. Put some plastic film over it to see if there is any water in it. If there is water it will condense on the film. Do the test in the sun.

When you apply the stain don't do it in the sun, it will dry too quickly.
 
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Rain has passed deck is very dry. No rain for 2 more days I'll finish tomorrow. The Armstrong stain is nice, no real smell, absorbs real good
Only bad this is its darker than what's shown on their website. We're good with this color its just not the perfect color.
5Szyuhz.jpg
 
I see you got one of those sprayer units. How does it work? Do you get a lot of splash-back?

I just got one but I'm afraid I'll need a plastic suit to use it
 
Ken g6 said:
I see you got one of those sprayer units. How does it work? Do you get a lot of splash-back?

I just got one but I'm afraid I'll need a plastic suit to use it
Click to expand...

There wasn't any mess but I only used it for the deck cleaner, then the deck brightener. They are both watery. Spraying was easy to control. I'd be worried about paint or stain clogging it up. I got the cheap one from Benjamin Moore. For a cheap sprayer its small but respectable quality but its not the type thing that will last more than a few jobs.

**when the pressure is released some does "explode" out but its a fine mist** make sure you wear glasses or maybe cover the top with a large rag
 
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Fanatical Meat said:
I can say an important first step is a good power washer. My old one was 1200(?) psi but it was old & tired. My new one is 1500 psi and its hungry for action. This one works much better than the old one, the area I've covered is 99% clean of the old water based HD stain.

I'm still looking for solid or semi solid oil based stain recommendations. Ideally one that is resistant to peeling.
Click to expand...

never power wash treated lumber, please go to walmart and ask for assist in ur project
 
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