This post was updated on April 4, 2025
Deck Resurface Coatings: Behr Deckover, Olympic Rescue-It, Rust-Oleum Deck Restore – Do They Work?
Hi, I’m Scott Paul. With over 30 years of experience as a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner, I specialize in exterior wood restoration. My Deck Resurface Coatings reviews and helpful tips are grounded in decades of hands-on testing and professional expertise.
Everything I share is designed to help you find the top product choices for your deck projects, ensuring long-lasting protection and a stunning finish. Let my experience guide you toward the best solutions for your wood restoration needs. See here for more info about me.
2025 Deck Resurface Coatings and Tips
Share Your Experience with Deck Resurface Coatings
Have you used products like Behr Deckover, Rust-Oleum Rock Solid (formerly Deck Revive), Olympic Rescue-It, Cabot Deck Correct, or any other Deck Resurface Stains? I’d love to hear about your experience! Feel free to share pictures of your project in the comments along with a detailed description of the product brand and your results.
A Word of Caution
If you’re considering a Deck Resurface Stain, keep in mind that many users report poor experiences with resurface coatings purchased from big-box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. These coatings often fall short on durability and performance.
Notable Recommendation
While user feedback for most deck resurface coatings has been overwhelmingly negative, one exception has been Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive, which has received favorable reviews for its performance and reliability.
Your insights and photos can help others make informed decisions about which deck resurface coating to choose—or avoid. Let us know how these products worked for you!
Deck Resurface Coatings – Do They Work?
Homeowners are always looking for an alternative to deck replacement. When wood is neglected, it can be expensive to have it restored or replaced. Companies like Behr, Rust-Oleum, and Olympic are selling deck resurface products. They claim they are the smart alternative to deck replacement. They can be applied to wood surfaces such as decks, stairs, docks, composite decking, etc. So, is it a good alternative or just a waste of time and money?
Deck Resurface products are similar to an extremely thick paint. They are designed to mask the wood and fill large cracks or voids. Deck resurfacer coatings will not show any wood grain. Please note that this product is far beyond conventional wood restoration.
Why use Deck Resurface Products?
The one plus reported by deck restoration professionals is that these products have little sign of UV fading. This, however, is typical for most solid paint or opaque stains because of the high volume of pigment.
Another benefit of using a deck resurface product is the wide range of colors. Because these products are more like solid, thick paint, companies can offer consumers unlimited custom color choices.
My Pro Tip: Avoid very dark colors as they can become hot to the touch when in full sun.
My 4 Reasons to Avoid Deck Resurface Products
- Deck Resurface coatings peel
- Difficult to remove when they fail
- Cause rotting
- Deck Resurface coatings are costly
1. Deck Resurface Coatings Peel
My tests and seeing these coatings in the real world show that despite what the manufacturers claim, these products are prone to peeling. Peeling is always an issue with any film-forming product. It still seems to stand true that anything subjected to the elements will not hold up for more than a couple of years.
Olympic Deck Rescue-It Peeling Photos
2. Deck Resurface Coatings are Impossible to Remove
Another issue with deck resurfacing products is that they create many maintenance and removal issues. With conventional wood restoration, the ease of maintenance using a wood stain helps the deck look so good for many years. With deck resurfacing, maintenance is a chore. Good luck trying to remove such a thick, heavy product. Once the product is on the deck, you may be stuck with it or need to replace the wood. Conventional deck stripper will not remove Deck Resurface Coatings, leaving your options to remove with heavy sanding or scraping.
My Pro Tips: See this article on How to Remove a Deck Resurface Coating.
3. Deck Resurface Coatings Cause Rotting of Wood
The third issue is that most deck resurface coatings do not allow the wood to breathe. They coat the surface 100%, leading to dry rot and, eventually, deck replacement. When the coating cannot breathe, the rotting starts from the bottom up and traps moisture.
We suggest reading the comments below for consumers who have seen firsthand how their decking rots away, causing the need for a full replacement of the wood flooring.
My Pro Tips: Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive is breathable and has had no complaints of rotting.
Rust-Oleum Rock Solid (Deck Restore) Peeling Photos
4. Deck Resurface Coatings are Costly
The cost per square foot for a deck resurface product is extremely high. This is mostly due to the poor coverage rate of these product(s). The average cost is around $1-2 per foot, which is astronomical compared to conventional wood restoration stains.
So, despite the manufacturers’ claims that the product lasts many years, I see firsthand that these products fail and peel within two years. They are expensive to apply, have a horrible coverage rate, create rotting wood, and are hot to the touch in direct sunlight.
My Pro Tip: A class Action Lawsuit has been filed against Rust-Oleum Deck Restore 10x: See Here
Still Looking for a Deck Resurface Coating?
Please read my article on Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive Review. If you’re looking for products that work, this product has real value.
Disgruntled Rust-Oleum Rock Solid (formerly Deck Restore) Customer on YouTube
Deck Resurface Product Reviews
Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive Review
Rust-Oleum Rock Solid/Deck Restore Review
If you have any questions or experience with these deck stain products, please post below
Hello, I am in Florida on a freshwater lake. I have used Behr and Sherwin Williams water based stains which have both held up in color but the wood has deteriorated in only 2 years. Now I have a mix match of old stained wood, old wood with no stain and brand new pressure treated unstained wood. Do I have to wait the 6 months before treating or is there a solid color stain or treatment I can use to clean this up now?
A solid stain will blend it all but you have to let the new wood weather for 3-4 monthss and then prep all wood.
How many Sq. Ft. Does a gal cover
Of what product?