Black Mold Mildew on Deck Stains We appreciate it when people write in and ask for advice when something goes wrong during their deck staining projects. Today we talk about what makes your deck prone to black mold growth after application and how you can prevent it. We appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your deck stain projects. Black Mildew and why it Grows in Certain Deck Stains Exterior deck stains are subjected to the elements making them prone to natural contaminants. A deck stain is there to shield the wood from harsh weather and the damage it can cause such as rot and decay. In providing protection sometimes the deck stain …
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.
-
-
Deck Staining Help and TipsDeck Cleaning Facts and Tips: Helpful Advice
Deck Restoration Contractor Hiring Tips
Hiring a Deck Restoration Contractor Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we have worked hard to become the Internet’s number one reference for your deck stain opinions and reviews. Some people look forward to staining their decks, while others choose to hire a professional who knows how to do it best. In this updated article, we give you some tips for hiring the right person for the job. Hiring Tips for a Deck Restoration Contractor When you have come to the conclusion that deck maintenance is not for you or that bringing a deck back to life is too much work, you can always hire a contractor. Hiring a deck restoration contractor does not have to be difficult but you certainly want to …
-
I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in staining cedar decks. Most of the wood decks we have worked on have been western red cedar, and when new, you should take care to use a proper wood stain. See here for more info about me. Best Stain for New Cedar Wood Deck I appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com, your go-to source for the latest deck restoration news and trending topics through 2026. If you are looking for honest deck stain ratings, look no further. In this updated article, we offer suggestions for how to prepare and stain a new cedar deck. Feel free to leave a comment below. My Tips …
-
Hi, I’m Scott Paul. With over 30 years of experience staining both new and old decks, I’ve built a career around helping homeowners protect and enhance their wood surfaces. My reviews of exterior wood stains and helpful tips on deck staining are grounded in decades of hands-on testing and my work as a professional wood restoration contractor. Everything I share is designed to guide you toward the best product choices for your project. For more about my background and expertise, feel free to read more about me here. What is the Best Stain for an Old Wood Deck? I appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest deck restoration news and trending topics through 2026. …
-
Deck Cleaner ReviewsDeck Product ReviewsDeck Brightener Reviews
Restore-A-Deck Cleaner System Review
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood cleaning. My Restore-A-Deck Kit review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. Restore-A-Deck Cleaner Kit Update 2026 The Restore-A-Deck Cleaner Kit remains our top performer for the 2026 deck season. It is easy to work with, very cost-effective, and produces great results! Please read this article and post any questions you have in the comment area below. Our newly enhanced website now allows you to upload and post pictures of your exterior wood …
-
Paraffin Oil Based Decking Stains We appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2026. Below, we talk about Paraffin Oil Based Decking Stains. Feel free to leave a comment below with any pictures you may have. Paraffin Oil-Based Stains Most deck stain manufacturers today use both synthetic and natural oils in their products. There are several types of oils that are used in oil-based deck stains. Paraffin Oil is one of the more common types of oil used today. Pros of Paraffin Oil-Based Stains Paraffin is an excellent penetrating oil. Deck stains containing paraffin oil penetrate deep into all wood types. It conditions the …
-
Why Did Deck Stain Turned Black We appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2026. Below, we talk about Why Deck Stains Turn Black. Feel free to leave a comment below with any pictures you may have. Why Did My Deck Stain Darken or Turn Black? There has always been some concern for deck owners as to why a deck stain can darken or turn black in color after a couple of years. There typically are a few reasons why this may occur for any brand of deck stain. Improper Curing of Deck Stain When a deck stain does not cure or dry properly …
-
Best Wood Stain for New Pressure Treated Pine We appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2026. Below, we talk about the Best Stain for New Pressure Treated Pine. Feel free to leave a comment below with any pictures you may have. Whether you have had an old deck replaced or simply had a new deck added on, there are certainly a lot of benefits. Wood decks increase a home’s curb appeal and value. They add extra outdoor living space and are the witness of many come to family gatherings and get-togethers. A new deck’s strength and sheer durability make you feel like it …
-
Why Penetrating Deck Stains are Best We appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2026. Below, we talk about Why Penetrating Deck Stains are Best. Feel free to leave a comment below with any pictures you may have. Finding the right stain for your wooden deck is the key to getting lasting results. But with so many deck stain choices it can be a daunting task, to say the least. To narrow down the search for the best deck stain you first need to understand what the different types of protection are. Without getting into oil vs. water-based debate or colors, tones, and opacity …
-
Vote For Your Favorite Deck Stain We appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2026. We have our favorite stains and offer reviews based on this but not everyone has had the same results. We cannot expect our top-rated stains to perform flawlessly in all scenarios nor would Behr Supreme fail in all scenarios. We do suspect it does in most cases though Please vote for your favorite wood and deck stain.
-
Deck Stain Brands in 2026 We appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2026. Feel free to leave a comment below with any pictures you may have. Exterior wood and decks stains are all designed to protect and preserve your exterior wood from the elements. Decks stain brands differ though drastically in the ingredients, solids, etc. Deck stains also come in a variety of types: Transparent, Semi-Transparent, and Semi-Solids that will determine the opacity of the stain when applied to the wood In this article, we will compare the deck stain brands that we have reviewed to give a better understanding of physical properties, …
-
UncategorizedDeck Stain ReviewsDeck Product Reviews
Armstrong Clark Wood Stain Review 2026 — Pro-Tested Results
Armstrong Clark Wood Stain Review 2026 Armstrong Clark stain is one of the best oil-based deck stains I have tested in over 30 years of professional deck restoration work. After testing it on a 600-square-foot pressure treated pine deck in full sun over two years, my verdict is clear: Armstrong Clark delivers excellent penetration, strong UV protection, outstanding coverage, and genuinely easy reapplication. It earns an 8.2 out of 10 in our testing — one of the highest scores in our entire review database. If you are looking for a semi-transparent or semi-solid oil-based stain that performs well and does not require stripping before recoating, Armstrong Clark belongs at the top of your list. On This Page Armstrong Clark Stain …
