Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood cleaning. My HD80 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. HD80 Deck Stripper Ratings (1-10) Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 9 – HD80 as with most stains stripper scores exceptionally well when it comes to the removal of dirt, grime, and mold. How I Rated HD80 My HD80 review contains a 4-step process and the final average score. Each step is on a scale of 1-10. Cost Per Square Foot Removal of …

Olympic Stain Review: Is Olympic Maximum Still Available in 2026? Hi, I’m Scott Paul, a licensed exterior restoration contractor with over 30 years of experience and 10,000+ deck restorations. This review of the discontinued oil-based Olympic Maximum stain is based on my own hands-on field testing, not manufacturer claims. See my full credentials and testing stats here. Important 2026 update: the oil-based Olympic Maximum reviewed on this page has been discontinued by PPG and is no longer sold new at Lowe’s or Home Depot. It has been replaced by Olympic Maximum Stain + Sealant in One, a water-based reformulation that scored lower in our testing. We’re keeping this review live because the oil-based formula still shows up in leftover retail …

Hi, I’m Scott Paul As a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking, I’ve worked extensively with a variety of products to protect and enhance wood surfaces. My Thompson’s WaterSeal review is rooted in decades of hands-on testing and my professional experience as a wood restoration contractor. My goal is to provide you with honest insights and guide you toward the best deck stain options to ensure your project’s success. For more about my background and expertise, feel free to read more about me here. 6.125 Overall Rating — Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Waterproofer Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Waterproofer is a widely available oil-based water-repellent product designed to protect exterior wood from …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood cleaning. My Behr Premium Stain and Finisher Stripper 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. 4.625 Overall Rating Behr Premium Stain and Finisher Stripper Behr Premium Stain & Finisher Stripper is a ready-to-use product marketed as a simple solution for removing old stains and coatings from exterior wood. It is commonly found at big box stores and is aimed at DIY users looking for an easy stripping option. From my experience restoring …

Messmers Deck Cleaner Review 2026 Messmer’s Wood and Deck Cleaner can be used to prepare old, weathered wood for prior to applying a stain, or as part of regular wood care maintenance to keep your deck, fence, log home, or other wood surfaces looking great. The Messmers Part A Cleaner is a concentrated wood and deck cleaner. Mix one 16oz container into 5 gallons of water. Messmers Wood Deck Cleaner Rating (1-10) Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 8 – Messmers Wood Deck Cleaner did a pretty decent job at removing graying and dirt. The cleaner restored the IPE deck back to a natural blond color. Cost Per Square Foot: 8 – The Messmers Deck Cleaner comes in a 16 oz …

Penofin Hardwood and IPE Stain continues to have issues with darkening or turning black on a vast majority of wood decks and exterior wood. Penofin For Hardwood Stain is a 99% UV protection Brazilian Rosewood Oil finish. This stain was developed to protect and preserve Hardwoods such as IPE and Mahogany. Their exotic hardwood formula penetrates deep into the wood cells. This results in a natural finished look to your wood. Penofin Penetrating Oil Finish can meet the needs of hardwood in fiber protection, penetration, stabilizing, and nourishment. Important Note: Testing for Exotic Hardwood Deck Stains Exotic hardwoods such as IPE are extremely dense and difficult to penetrate. These wood types when stained, will always fade faster the other woods …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Benjamin Moore Arborcoat 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. Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Stain Review 2026 — Overall Rating: 5.75/10 Benjamin Moore Arborcoat stain is one of the most recognized premium exterior wood stains on the market, and after testing it on a 1,000-square-foot new pine deck in Michigan over one year, my verdict is direct: Arborcoat looks good on day one but fails where it matters most. The stain …

Sherwin Williams DeckScapes Advanced Waterborne Transparent Stain offers 3 way UV protection for wood by absorbing, blocking, and stabilizing the wood fibers. DeskScapes enhances the natural wood grain while preventing mold and mildew. Note: We used SW’s DeckScapes in their water-based toner formula for our test and review. Note: Sherwin-Williams Deckscapes was discontinued in 2016. It was replaced by Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck. Sherwin Williams DeckScapes Stain Scores (1-10) Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 5 – Sherwin Williams DeckScapes is a water-based acrylic formula that created a film on top of the wood after drying. The overall appearance of the redwood color was poor and the stain dried unevenly even though it was applied properly. Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: …

Messmers UV Plus Wood Stain Review 2026 Messmers UV Plus Wood Stain has been manufactured for over 20 years in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. Using a combination of natural oils (linseed) and synthetic oils, Messmers will protect exterior wood with 8 different transparent and semi-transparent colors. The trans-oxides will absorb the UV while preventing oxidation/graying. Update: Messmers UV Plus Wood Stain We would love to hear from you if you have used Messmers UV Plus Wood Stain on your wood or deck. Please post a rating in the Consumer Star Ratings below. If you have any pictures of your experience with Messmers UV Plus Wood Stains, you can add them in the comment area with a detailed description. …

Penofin Red Label Reviews Penofin continues to have issues with darkening or turning black on a vast majority of wood decks and exterior wood. Penofin (PENetrating Oil FINish) Ultra Red Label wood and deck stain contains a Brazillian Rosewood Oil that allows the stain to penetrate deeply into the wood. Formulated for maximum protection for all types of exterior wood. Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label is perfect where rain, wind, snow or high elevations are encountered. Trans-oxide pigments offer 99% Ultra-Violet Radiation protection Penofin Ultra Red Label Wood Stain Rating (1-10) Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 9 – Penofin Ultra in the Western Red Cedar color has a beautiful appearance when dried. One of the best stains we have tested …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood brightening. My Defy Wood Brightener 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. Defy Wood Brightener Review 2026 Defy Wood Brightener is an oxalic acid blend deck brightener and neutralizer. Designed to be used with either the Defy Wood Cleaner or the Defy Stain Stripper. Defy’s Wood Brightener is a concentrated liquid gallon that can make up to 5 gallons, covering about 750 square feet. This product aims to “brighten” the wood’s appearance …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood brightening. My Citralic Wood Brightener & Neutralizer 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. Our Woodrich Brand 2lb Citralic Wood Brightener & Neutralizer covers up to 750 square feet of wood. Citralic is a specifically formulated blend of acids and surfactants designed to neutralize and brighten wood quickly without unwanted bleaching or damage. This step in professional wood restoration achieves the like-new look of fresh-cut wood. How I Rated Citralic Wood Brightener …