This post was updated on March 3, 2024
Best Solid Color Deck Stains for 2024
Some new solid color stains have been introduced since we originally published this article. We recommend you do your research on our site with reviews for recommendations for the best solid color deck stains. Our top picks for a solid color deck stain are below. If you want a solid color Deck Resurface type stain, then choose Gulf Synthetics. We always appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your solid deck stain projects.
#1 Best Solid Color Deck Stain | #2 Best Solid Color Deck Stain | #2 Best Solid Color Deck Stain |
Best Solid Stain for Deck
Here is our list of the top solid color deck stains that we use as restoration contractors:
When staining a deck there are many brands and types of stains to choose from. If you are looking for a certain color or want to mask the wood grain completely then a solid color deck stain is the best choice. There are however some things to consider when searching for the best solid color deck stains.
If the deck has been cleaned properly and does not have any existing coatings or finish on it then an oil-based solid color stain is the way to go. These types of solid stains will always perform better than a water-based solid stain. However, you may find that the oil-based solid stains are impossible to find due to strict VOC laws so any brand you can find should work.
If you cannot find an oil-based solid color deck stain or you are dealing with an existing coating then look for one of the top-rated solid stains listed below in a water-based formula. The important key to remember is that prepping the wood prior to recoating is crucial. Whether the wood is new or old it must be cleaned correctly so the solid stain will adhere properly. Failure to prep the wood is the number one reason for premature deck stain failure.
If using a water-based solid color deck stain to cover up a previous coating it is still crucial to prep the wood. Wash the surface with a deck cleaner and a pressure washer to remove any old flaking or peeling stain. The best solid color deck stain will not fix a peeling old stain if it is not prepped well. A clean surface is paramount for proper stain adhesion. Good prep work and the best solid color deck stains will ensure a stunning long-lasting finish.
What can I put over a deck solid stain to make it last longer and not fade because it’s in sun all day in summer
It is not possible to top coat over a solid color stain.
We are rebuilding a deck and are using southern yellow pine KDAT. Do we need to clean AND sand it prior to staining with a solid stain? Does the wood still need to weather for a few months prior?
You cannot stain new wood right away. See here for tips on weathering and prep: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
My deck was built a little over a year ago. What is the best stain to put on it for the first time? Oil base or water base. What is a good name brand to use?
Do you want a solid stain or a semi-transparent stain?
Does restore 3 step deck stain harm plants around base of deck?
It should not but prewet the pants and rinse any over spray while working.
Made the mistake of using Thompson’s Water Seal on our pressure treated deck a few times since it was built (about six years ago). I’m in the process of stripping/sanding what remains off using Restore A Deck stripper (with booster and additive), so that I can do the boards with the TWP 1500 series – that’s going great! But the railings are giving me trouble because there are so many nooks and crannies, and there will certainly be spots that I miss with my sander. Can I put a solid stain over the bits of Thompson’s that are left on the railings, or is that bound to fail? Other ideas?
You can use a solid stain over it on the railings.
Just had Olympic Elite solid Gray Slate deck stain done; noticing leaves & other debris leaving brown stains behind? No cleaning solution seems to remove(afraid to try straight bleach for fear of removing the color) I always had clear stain prior but had several boards replaced & deck guy said solid was best. Thank you!
The only thing that will remove the organic stain is bleach.
How long after built should u stain ur deck
See here: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Let the wood cure for 3-4 mths
has anyone just put a solid stain on the deck and put outdoor carpet over it ? will the wood rot after awhile due to rain ? seems like an easy solution instead of having to stain every couple years..??
Not sure if it will or will not rot.
thought i would paint if with solid stain /sealer first then put outdoor carpet down ..
I have and the wood did not rot. I did not leave the carpet out during the winter though. But there were rainy days in spring and fall and it was ok
Last week a contractor cleaned my deck and reapplied two coats of Cabot DeckCorrect. For reasons I am not aware of he did NOT use Cabot solid stain on the railings but applied the same DeckCorrect product. Meanwhile I have decided to put a darker color on the railings to enhance the color of the deck. The “Cedar” color used on the deck looks much lighter than the sample and looks like a “peanut butter” color. My specific question is this: Can I use a Solid Color Stain OVER the Cabot DeckCorrect product on the railings? The information I have says “DO NOT INTERMIX WITH ANY OTHER PRODUCTS.” Many thanks!
You cannot apply a solid stain over the DeckCorrect.
Would a third coat of DeckCorrecton the railings be too much? I want to apply Oak Brown over Cedar to darken the present color which looks awful.
Thanks for your help!
You would have to ask them but I think it would be fine.
HI. How well will staining the rails white on a cedar deck work? Have a solid cedar color stain on them now. Two coats, I’m assuming. Will I be staining them again every year because of how dirty they will get? Live in New England.
People stain their rails white all the time with no issues.
Help! We bought a house with a sad deck. We power washed the other day and a lot of flakes came off but not nearly enough. I don’t know if it’s paint or stain or what type of wood. The woods gross and dirty and probably just needs to be ripped out completely but not in the budget right now so I’m trying to figure out what we need to do to refresh it a bit and get a few more years out of it. Attached are pics. Any advice would be great!! Can’t find a company here that will replace boards, strip, and stain it. So gotta try to do it ourselves.
You will need a solid stain again. Make sure to prep by removing all the stain that is peeling.
Okay okay. Remove it by sanding it off? Like renting one of those big floor sanders from home depot?
My deck looks almost identical to yours. My contractor friend was just instructing me to get a deck stripper product rather than sand, follow its directions, then power wash, then apply the solid stain. I’m about to start the process myself. Good luck!
Thanks, you too. We’ve been getting a lot of rain so we haven’t been able to sand yet but that’s still the plan. We originally tried a stripper on one part of it and it didn’t work at all.
have you thought of just putting a sealer down and then outdoor carpet like astro turf over it ?? i am thinking about doing just that but wonder if wood would rot under the carpet ???
Mine was close to that, try a gas power washer. Knocked off my paint down to fresh wood.
Okay, I am overwhelmed with internet advice on how best to restore my 15 year old deck. First, I’ll start with the history. When we bought this house 15 years ago, it had a deck painted with oil based Cabot. SInce then the deck has had a few coats of Behr deck paints. The first recoating was just right over the old (not prepped properly). Three years ago, the deck was pressure washed, then primed and done with BEHR Deck Over – which was awful and continues to peel. There have been quick touch ups with a matching stain since to bandaid the real issue. That leaves me to this year – want to do this deck correctly. I have power washed what was loose and now are scraping endlessly for 3 days. With this labor of love, I want to do the correct next steps. Do I continue to hand scrape? Should I get a stripper? After that, should I sand? What do you recommend for the best solid color stain on old dried out wood that has extreme hot and cold (I live in New England- deck BAKES in the sun all summer, gets extreme cold in winters, and is a very high deck)
The only way to fix this too is power sand off all the Behr Deckover. Stripping will not work and you cannot apply any other product over it.
Once removed, try the Restore A Deck Solid Stain or Floor Solid Stains.
I’m getting different opinions from people I trust. I have an over 32 year old deck that was built with the slats too close together which doesn’t allow proper drainage and it has never been stained. The deck now gets mossy living in the Northeast as the deck is in the shade most of the day. I have power washed it and hammered in the nails so it is ready to be stained. I am having trouble deciding which is best for it as I don’t want a lot of maintenance every year. It is splintery as well. I read that the epoxy, such as ArmorPoxy, etc. can start to peel, is hot and uncomfortable on your feet. Would you please let me know your opinion about using a solid stain versus an epoxy on this old deck? Thank you!
You can never use an epoxy on a wood deck. It will fail. Use a solid stain.
I appreciate all your tips on cleaning and staining decks. I was going to hire this project done, but the cost was prohibitive. So…since I will be doing it myself..is the Restore A Deck cleaner safe for established plants?
Yes but cover them while applying.
if stained with solid color latex stain how long will it last
It depends on the brand you plan on using. Some last only a year. At most would be 3 years on a deck.
I used a large pad sander on old deck that had no paint on it. It cleaned it up pretty well. Do I still need to use deck cleaner before Behr solid Deckover product
That would help to use a cleaner. Do not use the Behr Deckover unless you want to deal with major issues of peeling and failure! https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deckover-review-2015/
Advantage vs. disadvantage of using a dark blue solid stain on one section of a large deck. That area is sectioned off and it is where the spa is located.
Outside of liking or not liking the color of blue on a deck, there are not any dis/advantages. We did a purple deck once for a customer. They loved it, we thought it looked like Barney the purple dinosaur.
My deck is about 6 years old. I originally let it dry out (2×6 planks) then applied Sherwin Williams Solid stain grey. It looked good for about 3 years and has been peeling ever since mainly on the horizonal areas. I want to stain it again. 1. Can I use a stripper and then apply an oil based solid stain? 2. If I used the same latex solid stain, can I just pressure wash the loose peeling parts and re apply? 3. Do I need to strip the paint with a chemical to get it all off before re applying the latex based solid stain again? 4. When using a chemical remover, what do you recommend? Which solid stain should I use. How bad is Sherwin Williams? I bought it thinking it was a good one, I am not really happy with it, but I seen elsewhere you said that solid stains can last about 3 years.
1. You cannot strip a solid stain fully.
2. Yes, removing what is loose and cover the rest.
3. You cannot strip a solid stain fully.
4. You cannot strip a solid stain fully. You can use one to help remove what is loose: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-injectable-deck-stain-stripper-review/
Try Restore A Deck Solid Stains or Flood Pro Series. SW makes poor deck stains.
Ok so to clarify. I cannot fully strip the solid stain off and put on an oil base due to incompatibility. I can simply use a pressure washer and take off the loose stuff, then buy the Restore a deck solid stain, and put that over what is still adhered to my deck.
I planned to use sodium hydroxide and a dish soap surfactant, to remove all the stain, or as much as possible, and follow with the oxalic acid to neutralize and brighten.
I do have a covered area of the deck which is not peeling.
If I use my chemical, or the restore a deck stripper, what percentage of removal should I expect or try for?
I will follow your advice and get the stain you suggested.
Im very grateful for your response!
Just remove as much as you can and leave the intact or not peeling stain. Hard to say how much will come off. It could be most or just a little.
Here are pictures that go with my last question about black streaking.
Looks like mildew. Might want to as SW about it.
In May of this year, I cleaned my deck with Behr brand deck cleaner, partially sanded the old transparent stain down to bare wood then applied Sherwin-Williams Woodscapes brand solid color stain. It has been about 10 weeks or so since I did that, and now I’m getting the black streaks in the grain of the wood as shown in the attached photos. Can you tell me what is causing this and how to fix it? I would point out that it had been 24 hours with no rain after sanding and before staining, and am pretty sure the temperature was below 90° Fahrenheit for 24 hours after staining was completed. The transparent stain that may not have been completely removed was Behr premium wood costing. The deck was first stained 6 months after construction, and is about 3 years old. It is unshaded and in 85 to 90 degree sun and rain for most of this summer (Washington dc area).
We have a 12 x 12 deck with an overhead portico. The previous owners PAINTED the entire deck rather than stain. I imagine the deck is over 20 years old. I cannot get all this disgusting paint off with the power washer. We have decided to try the RAD solid stain in Coastal Gray. My questions are 1) do I have to continue working to remove all this paint? and 2) if I can’t get the paint completely off, will it show through the stain as being uneven and obvious where the old paint remains?
This is an elevated deck with a full set of stairs, an entire foundation around the bottom, decorative railings, and of course, the overhead. I want to do this right since it’s such a huge job so I don’t have to repeat this process more than every few years! I did read in some of your comments that solid stains aren’t great for horizontal surfaces? Any other suggestions if that is the case?
Post some pictures.
I’m struggling to get photos to meet the minimum size!
Thank you for the input! We are in Michigan with wild temperature fluctuations! I should clarify that I have not worked the entire deck with the power washer yet, but its evident that this paint is adhered to the wood!
You have to get all the loose stain off but you can leave the intact stain that is not peeling. Concentrate more on the flooring for removal. The RAD solid stain will cover the rest.
Thank you! Does it make any different between stain vs paint? This is paint on the deck, not stain. Do they have the same properties? I have all my RAD products in the cart and ready to purchase! I’m just waiting on your expert opinion before I do! :) Oh! I was also going to use premium outdoor paint on the vertical portions on the railing since it’s a tadbit cheaper. Do you see that as a problem?
Not much a difference you have it mostly gone from the horizontals anyhow. Paint will be more prone to peeling. Solid deck stains are better.
I just ordered my product. As I was reading through their articles, I came across one that I wish I had seen prior to my order. They are stating that RAD “cannot” be applied to a painted deck. I have gotten most of the paint off, but not all of it. It sounds like this process is not going to work for me now and I just feel sick.
You will be fine.
These two are pre-power washer.
I have a deck made with 5/4 pressure treated wood. The deck is 30 years old and has never been stained or treated with anything. I live in the Dayton, Ohio area where summers have several days in the 90’s and receive their share of thunderstorms and winters deliver snow and ice. The deck is very weathered but still structurally strong. I want to stain the deck with a solid stain, present choice is the Restore-A-Deck Coastal Gray solid stain. For preparation, I’m not concerned with brightening the wood or removing the graying since I want to use a solid color stain.
Over a test section I tried an Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner which you spray, roller or brush on let sit for 10 minutes then hose off. It appeared to sufficiently clean the deck boards. I could also use the RAD deck cleaner. Question: can I do what I want to with any degree of success? The RAD deck cleaner is a 2 step process: wood cleaner then wood brightener with pH correction. Is one of these cleaners better than the other? If I use the RAD deck cleaner do I need step 2, the brightening step?
The RAD is a much better product for prep. Apply and lightly pressure wash off. You do not have to use the Brightener since you will be using a solid stain.
I just bought a house on the water in N.E. (salt water cove), it has weathered white cedar shingles and clapboard. We needed to replaced some shingles and now we feel we have to stain it so it doesn’t look like patch work. The shingles have never been treated. We power washed already. We like the Solid color options but don’t want to have to maintain this every other year. What product and prep would you recommend for the best durability? Thanks so much!
The RAD Solid Stain would work well. On vertical shingles, you will get many years. Clean and brighten the wood for prep.
Have you had any experience with KILZ siding, fence and barn paint? It has really great reviews but you guys haven’t mentioned them, thanks in advance! This site is so much help for reviving our 10 year old cabin !
Sorry but we have not used it.
I previously used Behr transparent waterproofing wood finish natural 400 on my deck. It has lasted about 4 years. I have pressure wash it completely but a lot of the vertical post and a little of the horizontal surface still has a shinny surface to it not weathered. The pressure washer will not take any more off it as we explained. Can we at this point use a solid color stain and will it adhere properly to the shiny surfaces?
Help any advice will be appreciated.
It should adhere.