Update for 2018 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 had had almost 15,000 Q&A questions and over 400 Star Rating/Reviews to date. We will be updating this article by including some answers to our most popular questions. Please 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…

Update 2018 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 15,000 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 our most popular answers to remember, before proceeding with any questions below:…

Update for 2018 Season: Best Deck Stain Reviews for 2018 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 laws and…

Update 2018 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. 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 article, we will cover the required prep and the waiting period needed before applying a stain for the first time. New Smooth Decking New smooth decking boards are not porous…

Update 2018 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 is a…

Update 2018 on Best Deck Cleaners Please read this article and post any questions you have in the comment are 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 2018 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. 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 protects exterior wooden surfaces. TWP® 100 SERIES penetrates deeply into wood without excessive surface film build, highlighting existing grain patterns with…

Update for 2018:  This is our initial Review of the Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain.  This review will be updated through the years with new pictures as the stain ages. As deck restoration contractors, we are excited to offer the Restore A Deck Wood Stain as one of our go-to decking stains for the 2018 restoration season. Note: Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is 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. Summary: Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is an advanced, water-based, semi-transparent stain formulation designed to penetrate deep into wood pores for maximum protection and longevity. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain protects wood from harmful UV rays and damage caused by water penetration. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is safe to use, has a low odor, and is easy to clean up with soap and water. It is ideal for all…

Update 2018 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. 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 with drying and non-drying oils that isolate from each other during application. The non-drying oils penetrate the wood fibers and help…

Update 2018 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 2017 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…

Latest Consumer Magazine Reports on Decking Stains is out again this year and we have been getting some questions as to why our ratings differ so much compared to their highest rated products. We have compiled a list of reasons why we believe our reviews and ratings are more realistic and honest examples of how a deck stain actually performs. Contractor Restoration Reviews and articles are posted from our experience as contractors who specialize in exterior wood restoration. We are experienced in the trade of prepping and applying a stain to an exterior deck. Real World Testing vs. Individual Board Testing The stains are tested on actual decks with normal exposure to weather and traffic. Consumers uses a test on an individual board that sees no traffic or use. This board is not exposed to normal everyday “real world” conditions. Brands Tested: Big Box Store Brands vs All Stain Brands We test all available brands and versions. Consumers tests mainly big box…

Update 2018:  This is an updated Review of our original Defy Extreme Wood Stain.  See Here for First Review: Defy Extreme Stain Review Summary: Defy Extreme Wood and Deck stain is one of our top choice 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 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 a sunscreen to prevent fading and graying. Defy Extreme Deck Stain Scores (1-10) Appearance After Initial…

Update 02/2018: We would love to hear from you if you have used the Behr Deckover, Rust-oleum Deck Restore Olympic Rescue-it or any other Deck Resurface type stains. If you have any pictures of your experience with the Deck Resurface Stains, you can add them in the comment area with a detailed description of the product brand and your experience. If selecting a Deck Resurface Stain, keep in mind that most users have had a bad experience with products from Home Depot and Lowes.  While the majority of comments and user experiences reported are negative,  the Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive has been favorable. Deck Resurface Stains like Behr Deckover, Olympic Rescue-It, Rust-Oleum Restore – Do They Work? Homeowners are always looking for an alternative to a deck replacement. When wood is neglected, it can be expensive to have it restored or replaced. A few companies like Behr, Rust-Oleum, and Olympic to name a few, are selling a deck resurface product.…

With more than 20 years’ experience owning and operating our own deck staining business, we have tried pretty much every brand of deck stain out there. We Q&A with thousands of contractors, homeowners, and project managers about their projects, what works, and what does not. Last year we tested the Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain. The RAD stain completes the line of the RAD Cleaner, Strippers, and Brighteners that have been around for 15+ years. Restore-A-Deck wood stain utilizes the latest advancements in wood stain technology to properly seal and protect the wood in 4 beautiful semi-transparent finishes. The formula penetrates deep into the wood grain to protect your deck against UV damage and water that can promote growth of mold and mildew. It is eco-safe and easily cleaned up during the application process with soap and water. After one year, the deck stain had no wear/tear and peeling, no mold/mildew/algae, no UV graying, and very little color darkening. Best New Deck…

Deck Stains 2018 – What’s new? What really works? What types are there? Today we will be reporting what’s new in the deck staining industry for 2018. Out this year 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 reviews as…

How to stain deck spindles and balusters. Staining deck spindles and railings require a detail-oriented mindset. Although staining deck spindles are considered more difficult than staining the floor, we have some tips that will make this step go smoothly for a flawless, even stain application. First, clean the deck spindles. Wash the railings with a spray nozzle attached to a garden hose to remove dirt and debris. If there are any stains, mild detergent mixed with water should remove them. If there is mildew, use oxygenated bleach. Rinse well with water. Tags: Staining Deck Railings, Stain Deck Spindles, How to Stain Deck Railings