It’s a question that comes up a lot as people try to decide which deck stain is best for them. As you try to decide if you should go with oil-based or water-based deck stain, you want to consider all aspects of either. Oil-based deck stains have been around the longest, and they tend to enhance the wood’s natural color. They naturally shed water to avoid common issues such as warping and cracking. Oil-Based vs Water-Based Deck Stains Water-based deck stains are a newer but excellent choice too. They are environmentally friendly and can clean up easily. They do an excellent job of keeping out unwanted moisture and therefore can help to protect your deck in the long term. Either …
Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993
Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993
As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. In 1993 he started his first company called Oakland Pressure Wash specializing in exterior pressure washing and deck staining. That company evolved into OPW L.L.C. shortly thereafter concentrating more on exterior wood and deck restoration. Scott and his Deck Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 decks in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. He has become an authority in the deck restoration industry and has contributed to numerous wood restoration forums and informative sites.
In the spring of 1996, Scott opened his first Brick and Mortar storefront in Rochester Hills, MI. Scott relied on his experience and stocked the store with the best wood restoration products available. The store quickly became the go-to place for contractors and homeowners seeking the best products possible for their deck maintenance needs. In 2002, Scott opened his first eCommerce site selling the products he sold through his retail store. This allowed him to offer eCommerce solutions to both contractors and homeowners alike.
Over the years, Scott has used and sold enough decking and wood stain to cover over 100 million square feet. In the past 10 years alone he has helped over 30,000 contributors on his sites with their wood restoration questions and concerns. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject and loves to help homeowners. His goal has always been to help consumers achieve better results through better products and better service than provided by a local big box store.
Scott is only biased toward the products that perform the best based on his own personal experience using the products and in his 20+ years of helping others. Scott has been approached about selling numerous different deck restoration products through the years but selects only the products he has used and trusts to perform.
All the products he suggests through this site are sold through numerous online sites and in retail stores, allowing the consumer to choose their own means of purchase. Scott's eCommerce sites do sell many top brands he endorses and if you appreciate any of the help he has offered then feel free to purchase from one of them. You can also contact the manufacturer(s) directly for help in locating products.
eCommerce Deck Stain Sites Operated By Scott:
- www.opwdecks.com
- www.TWPStain.com
- www.DeckStain.com
- www.ArmstrongClarkStain.com
- www.Restore-A-Deck.com
DeckStainHelp.com was conceived by Scott and is his way of giving back and helping promote the use of quality products for better results.
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Evaluating Cabot and Behr Deck Stains: Are They the Best Choices? When it comes to selecting a deck stain, many homeowners gravitate toward readily available options at big box retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s. Among these, Cabot and Behr are popular choices. However, both brands have exhibited performance issues over time, leading to questions about their long-term efficacy. Common Issues with Cabot and Behr Deck Stains Despite their widespread availability, both Cabot and Behr deck stains have been associated with several durability concerns: Premature Wear and Peeling: Users have reported that these stains tend to wear out and peel sooner than expected, especially under harsh weather conditions. Inconsistent Color Retention: Over time, the stains may fade unevenly, leading to …
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The question comes up a lot about if there is a way to make your deck stain last longer. The simple answer is that you can’t make it last longer, and sometimes you may do more harm than good. Trying to apply extra coats of deck stain or a sealer may prove to be problematic. It may not affix to the wood, and may ultimately damage the appearance and lead to peeling. Longer Life for Deck Stain? Rather than trying to apply an extra coat or product, you want to instead use a high quality deck stain to begin with. It should provide long term protection, and you want to be sure that you apply it properly. If you go …
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Paint vs Deck Stain Old Deck If you are looking to breathe new life into an old deck, it may seem like stain or paint can get the job done. Though it used to be that people used deck paint to restore an older deck, that is not the case anymore. It is thicker than stain, and though it can hide blemishes, it may also cover up the natural grain of the wood. Painting a deck, even with specific deck paint, can create a streaky appearance and ultimately lead to warping and peeling. Stain or Paint old Decking? Deck stain is the way to go as it is formulated to keep out moisture and give a natural look and feel. …
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Best deck stain for cedar? The best deck stain for cedar decks are semi-transparent deck stains that are designed to penetrate deeply into the wood. Oil based semi-transparent deck stains are a thinner fluid and therefore penetrates deeper into hard woods like new cedar decks. Older cedar decks can also benefit from water based semi-transparent penetrating deck stains. The best brands for semi-penetrating deck stains for cedar wood are TWP, Armstrong Clark, and Restore-A-Deck, all of which have cedar tones. More information about deck stain for cedar Best Stain for New Cedar Deck 2022 Why Penetrating Deck Stains are Best Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Reviews 2022 The 7 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings
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Deck stain disposal? There is no one way to dispose of deck stain and deck stain tools. Each state, county, city, and neighborhood has their own rules, laws, and regulations for disposing of harmful products like deck stain. Oil based deck stain is especially flammable and leaving oily rags lying in the sun can cause a fire. Deck stain should be stored appropriately and disposed of according to law as soon as it is no longer usable. Check with your local government for details on how to get rid of deck stain. More information on deck stain storage and disposal What is Shelf Life of Oil Based Deck Stain Staining Safety – Expert Forum Clean Up after Oil Based Product …
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Best deck stain for IPE wood? Like other exotic hardwoods, it is best to use a semi-transparent penetrating deck stain for IPE wood. A semi-transparent deck stain developed specifically for exotic hardwoods will penetrate the wood appropriately to protect it over the course of a year. Exotic hardwoods like IPE wood do not soak up the deck stain as well as other hardwoods. The two best brands of semi-transparent deck stain for IPE wood are Restore-A-Deck and Armstrong Clark. More information about deck stain for IPE wood IPE Exotic Hardwood Stain Review Hardwood Deck Stains Hardwood Deck Stain Tips for Ipe IPE Staining Instructions IPE & Exotic Hardwood Stain Video Reviews
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Deck stain examples It can be difficult to determine the right color for your deck stain when there are so many options available. Semi-transparent, semi-solid, and solid deck stains all look different depending on the brand, coverage, and type of wood. Find links to all of our deck stain examples including our 3 favorite brands TWP, Restore-A-Deck, and Armstrong Clark. More information on deck stain examples and photos Deck Stain Photo Albums Deck Stain Color Photos Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Photos Semi-Solid Deck Stain Color Photos Solid Color Deck Stain Photos TWP 1500 Series Stain Photos Armstrong Clark Stain Photos Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Photos More Deck Stain Photo Galleries
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What are the Different Types of Wood Deck Stains? In this video, we’re going to cover what actually is a “Deck Stain”. We will compare the many different types of deck stain options available and what are the positives and negatives of each. Deck stains are used to protect and preserve your exterior wood. They offer UV protection, water repellency, mold, and mildew resistance. And deck coatings come in many different types of opacity and bases. Deck staining can be a “chore” for residential homeowners and unfortunately walking into your local store may produce some of the worst options available. Not all deck stains are created equal and there is not a perfect stain type or brand that will outperform …
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What are The Best Deck Cleaners Review Video 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. In this video, we’re going to review the Best Exterior Wood and Deck Cleaners and cover what actually is a “Wood Deck Cleaner”. We’ll compare the different types of deck cleaning options available and the positives and negatives of each.
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Solid Color Deck Stain Picture Album Some new solid color stains have been introduced in the last few years and are better than previous brands due to enhancements in technology. Less wear and peeling when tested. We always appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your solid deck stain projects. For more info, see our article: The Best Solid Color Deck Stains
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Rust-Oleum Rock Solid Coating Video Review This video will review our experience with using the Rust-Oleum Rock Solid (formerly Deck Restore) on a Wood Deck. Well, Rust-Oleum is back at it with a newer, relabeled version of their Rust-Oleum Deck Restore. The Deck Restore version has failed miserably in the last 6-8 years, and they settled a Class Action lawsuit in 2018. This recent version is marketed slightly differently. It is a Deck Resurface product that uses a primer first. From what we have seen and from consumer reviews, the Rust-Oleum Rock Solid is not any better than the Deck Restore and continues to peel and fail.
