Update for 2019 on What is the Best Deck Stain: This is the updated version of our most popular article on DeckStainHelp.com. We help by guiding consumers in finding a high quality and low maintenance deck stain based on a series of questions. This article alone has had over 17,000 Q&A questions and over 500 Star Rating/Reviews to date. Please also visit our updated article here: The Best Deck Stains? What is the Best Deck Stain? This is the most popular question that deck owners have. Unfortunately, there is not a “best” deck stain out there. There are products that are better than others, but there is not one that will outperform every other stain. A better way to approach this common question is to ask, “what is the best stain for my deck and it’s environment”? Just because a deck stain performs well in the Northeast part of the country does not mean it will perform well in the…

Update 2019 Please read this article and post any questions you have in the comment are below. Our newly enhanced website now offers the ability to upload and post pictures of your exterior wood or deck. This will help us determine the proper prep and overall condition of your deck, leading to better performance. This is an updated version of our most popular article What is the Best Deck Stain? We have had over 17,000 Q&A questions for the first article, helping consumers find the best wood and deck stain for their deck and specific environment. The point of this article and DeckStainHelp.com is to offer guidance in choosing a quality deck stain that works well and will not create larger issues down the road when time to reapply. We have updated our original article by including answers to some of the most popular questions that we receive. Here are some of the more popular answers to the most common questions: No deck stain…

Update for 2019 Deck Staining Season: Best Deck Stain Reviews for 2019 DeckStainHelp.com is a help and review site with the goal of offering advice to homeowners with the difficult task of restoring their exterior wooden decks, docks, and wood homes. We have been using and reviewing wood and deck stains since we started working on restoring exterior wood in the early 1990s. This site was developed to help consumers research and ask questions on what would be the best deck stain, with the goal of longevity and just as important, the ease of reapplication. Our favorite deck stains have always been the penetrating semi-transparent stains. These stain types allow the wood grain to show and if they truly soak into the wood grain, reapplying is easier down the road. The problem we have noticed in the last 5-10 years is that not all semi-transparent stains are penetrating. Many manufacturers have gone away with the true penetrating stains due to VOC…

Update 2019 for Staining New Decks DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to site for all things exterior wood surface restoration related. As before, we recommend you wait 3+ months to stain new wood surfaces to allow the wood to weather, creating an ideal porous surface that will hold the stain better. The waiting period does vary based on the stain brand and type of wood. Our top stains for new wood are the Armstrong Clark and the Restore-A-Deck Wood Stains. We encourage customer interaction on our site, so feel free to participate in our open discussion. Over the past year, we have numerous questions asked on the site, but none was asked more than “What stain or prep is needed for my new deck”? There seems to be an opinion among homeowners that is okay to stain new wood right away or even before the deck is installed. This is incorrect for most wood types and stain brands. In this…

Update on Deck Stain for 2019 Please read this article and post any questions you have in the comment are below. Our newly enhanced website now offers the ability to upload and post pictures of your exterior wood or deck. Deck stains have not changed much in the past few years. Many brands have gone away from oil-based stains to water based, but you are still able to use oil-based stains in all US States and Canada. We currently restore about 300-400 decks annually, and our favorites are the penetrating semi-transparent and semi-solids. We have been getting great feedback here at www.deckstainhelp.com from all of the consumers who have been looking for better stain alternatives for their deck restoration. Our most popular article, “What is the Best Deck Stain” has quickly become the number one article on the web for asking questions and getting answers on restoring your exterior wood and deck. In this article, we are going to cover what actually…

Update 2019 on Best Deck Cleaners Please read this article and post any questions you have in the comment area below our article. Our newly enhanced website now offers the ability to upload and post pictures of your exterior wood or deck so we are able to answer any questions you may have on prepping your deck and using a deck cleaner that will work well and without damaging your wood. In this article, we are going to cover what actually is “Wood Deck Cleaner”. We will compare the different types of deck cleaning options available and what are the positives and negatives of each. Wood and Deck Cleaners Exterior wood and deck cleaners are designed to clean and prep your exterior wood prior to an application of a wood stain. These cleaners come in many different concentrates with different ingredients. The main purpose of deck cleaners is to remove contaminants such as dirt, oxidation (graying), mold, algae, and in some…

Update 2019 for TWP 100 Series Review Here at DeckStainHelp.com we take pride in the fact that we have become the Internet’s go-to site for all things exterior wood and deck restoration related. Hearing from our customers who have used TWP 100 Series wood, their decks have held up to the test of time and weather after this harsh winter. TWP is one of our top go-to stains as deck restoration contractors and we have been using it for 15+ years. As always, we appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them. Important Note:  This is our 3rd Review of TWP 100 Series. See our other reviews of the TWP 100 Series here: TWP 100 Wood Stain Reviews TWP 100 “Total Wood Preservative” Deck Stain protects and maintains all exterior wooden surfaces. TWP Wood Stain is a special blend of chemicals in a contractor grade formula that safeguards and…

Update for 2019:  This is our 2nd Year for the Review of the Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain.  This review will be updated through the years with new pictures as the stain ages. In 2018, our first full year if using the Restore A Deck stain, we had no issues with performance and saved a tremendous amount of time with the ability to prep and stain in the same day. We will continue to offer the Restore A Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain as one of our go-to decking stains for the 2019 restoration season. *We prefer the application to damp wood as it performs better and applies easier. Note: Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain can be applied to dry or damp wood. Applying to damp wood allows you the ability to prep and stain on the same day, saving you a tremendous amount of time. Summary: Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain is an advanced, water-based, semi-transparent stain formulation designed to penetrate deep into wood pores…

Update 2019 for Armstrong Clark Wood Stain Reviews Here at DeckStainHelp.com we take pride in the fact that we have become the Internet’s number one reference for all things exterior wood and deck restoration related. Our customers who have used Armstrong Clark wood deck stain continue to be satisfied by the appearance and longevity of their deck stain projects. If you have used Armstrong Clark wood deck stain, we appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them. New this year for Armstrong Clark is the Espresso Semi-Solid color, a rich deep brown tone that promises excellent UV resistance. Important Note: This is our 3rd Review of Armstrong Clark Stain. Armstrong Clark Wood Deck Stain is a highly regarded oil based stain formulated with 5 generations of stain industry experience. Armstrong Clark is available in several formulas: Transparent, semi-transparent, and semi-solid colors. Armstrong Clark Deck Stains are uniquely blended…

Update 2019 for TWP 1500 Series Reviews and Ratings Here at DeckStainHelp.com we take pride in the fact that we have become the Internet’s number one resource for all things exterior wood and deck restoration related. As years before, our customers who have used TWP wood and deck stain continue to be satisfied by the appearance and longevity of their deck stain projects. If you have used TWP wood and deck stain in the past, or if you are using it for the first time this year, we appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them. Important Note: This is an updated 2019 TWP 1500 Series Review. TWP® (Total Wood Preservative) 1500 Series Deck Stain was brought onto the market in 2010 as the permanent substitute for TWP 500 Series. TWP 1500 Wood and Deck Stain is a semi-transparent, oil based, EPA registered wood preservative. TWP 1500…

Update for 2019:  This is our initial Review of the Restore-A-Deck Solid Color Wood and Deck Stain.  This review will be updated over the years. As deck restoration contractors, Restore A Deck Solid Color Stain will be our go-to Solid Color Stain for 2019 due to its ease of use, 5 pre-mixed solid colors (the only solid stain on the market that comes pre-mixed), and the ability to prep and stain on the same day. Note: Restore-A-Deck Wood Stains are the only stain we have tested can be applied to dry or damp wood. Applying to damp wood allows you the ability to prep and stain on the same day, saving you a tremendous amount of time. Restore A Deck Solid Color Wood Stain Review Summary: Restore-A-Deck Solid Color Wood Stain is an extremely durable synthetic-resin, opaque wood finish that helps protect against the damaging effects of water, fungi, and UV radiation on exterior wood surfaces. This V.O.C. compliant water-based product…

Update 2019:  This is an updated Review of our original Defy Extreme Wood Stain.  See Here for First Review: Defy Extreme Stain Review Coming new for 2019, Defy Extreme Solid Stains. Note: Defy Extreme Stain had a label change in 2019. Summary: Defy Extreme Wood and Deck stains are one of our top choices for water-based deck stains. It has superior UV resistance and has the ability to penetrate into the wood grain almost as well as an oil based semi-transparent. The mold and mildew protection is superior to 90% of all other semi-transparent stains due to the nanoparticles of zinc oxide. In 2008 Defy unveiled the Defy Extreme Stain, which quickly became the most popular stains in the Defy stain line. As a water-based stain formula, Defy Extreme penetrates wood surfaces and does not form a film. Defy Extreme Stain utilizes synthetic resins and nano-particles that harden the cellular structure of the wood pores and helps reflect harsh UV rays like…

Update: Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster @ Thickening Gel Review We would love to hear from you if you have used the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper with the Booster and/or Thickening Gel additives on your wood or deck. Please post a rating in the Consumer Star Ratings below. If you have any questions as to the effectiveness for your deck or wood stripping project, please ask below with the name of the stain brand and type being removed. Please add a couple of pictures as well. Note: These are 2 additives for the RAD Stain Stripper. They only work as additives for the Restore-A-Deck Stain stripper and will not work by themselves. This article is reviewing both of the additives when used together into the RAD Stripper. We tested this on two extremely hard to remove finishes. Behr Acrylic Based Semi-Transparent Wood Stain and a White Solid Color Deck Stain. Both of these coatings were applied 3 weeks before removal. Pictures of…

Update for 2019: How to Apply A Deck Stain in Full Sun We appreciate your input here at Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and deck stain topics through 2019. See below for an article about How to Apply Deck Stain in the full sun of the day and the issues that could potentially arise. Feel free to leave a comment or ask questions below. These tips are for Transparent, Semi-Transparent,  Semi-Solid, and Solid (Opaque) deck coatings. If you have a wood deck, at some point, you will have to stain and seal it. Staining your deck allows it to withstand the elements such as severe weather, foot traffic, and scuffing from heavy furniture. Before you begin, make sure you plan ahead. Ensure there’s no rain in the forecast or excessive pollen levels that create an ideal environment for mold to grow. Please note that instructions for staining and sealing…

Update for 2019 on What is the Best Deck Deck Prep: In this article, we help by guiding consumers in finding the best way to prep their deck for an application or reapplication of a deck stain or deck coating. Not all scenarios are the same and this article with some input and pictures from you will help determine the proper way to prep. What is the Best Deck Prep? Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck? This is the 2nd most popular question that deck owners have on this website with the first being What is the Best Deck Stain? Prepping your deck is the single most important aspect in the deck restoration process and will determine your final appearance and the stain longevity. Not prepping properly can lead to premature stain failure and overall poor appearance results. How to best prep your deck could vary on numerous scenarios: Is the wood new or old? Does it have a previous…

Deck Stains in 2019 – What’s new? What really works? What types are there? Today we will be reporting what’s new in the deck staining industry for 2019. Out two years ago is the Restore-A-Deck wood stain. The Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain can be applied to damp wood, allowing for prep and stain to be completed on the same day. Restore-A-Deck Stain uses the latest in water-based wood staining technology to create a formula that allows for better UV protection, excellent penetration into the wood stain for long lasting beautiful results, and the ability to apply to damp wood for single day project completion. The Wood Stain comes in four radiant semi-transparent colors that highlight and enhance the natural wood grain. Which stains really work? With the help of thousands of people who have completed deck stain projects over the years, we consistently see the same higher quality stains outperforming lower quality stains. Hands-down, semi-transparent wood stains seem to receive raving…