Behr Semi-Transparent Stain Review: Is This Behr Deck Stain Worth It?
Hi, I’m Scott Paul, a licensed exterior restoration contractor with over 30 years of experience and 10,000+ deck restorations. This review of Behr semi-transparent stain is based on my own hands-on field testing, not manufacturer claims. See my full credentials and testing stats here.
Behr Premium Deck Stain Manufacturer Description
Behr markets this behr semi-transparent stain as a 100% acrylic formula built to enhance wood’s natural patterns while sealing out the elements and UV rays for up to 6 years on decks and 8 years on fences and siding. It’s available in 60 custom colors, and the alkyd/acrylic formula is positioned as combining the benefits of an oil-based finish with the easy cleanup of a water-based product.
- Overall score: 4.625/10 — the lowest-scoring Behr product we've tested
- Behaves like a surface coating, not a true penetrating stain; peeled or worn across more than half our test deck within 2 years
- Consumer Reports lists this product with a 1-star average user rating (13 of 14 reviews), despite ranking it #1 overall
- We do not recommend this stain for a deck floor; Armstrong Clark or TWP are far stronger choices
Table of Contents
- My Take
- Rating (1–10)
- Overall Score
- Pros and Cons
- Best Wood Types
- How It Compares
- Application Tips
- Maintenance & Recoat Tips
- Product Information
- Test Deck Stats
- Who Should Use This
- FAQ
- Final Thoughts
- Photos
- Video
- Better Alternatives
My Take on This Behr Wood Stain Semi-Transparent Formula
Behr Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain is a water-based stain designed to add color while allowing some of the wood grain to show through. It’s marketed as a durable, long-lasting option that combines protection with a natural-looking finish.
From my experience restoring decks since 1993, this product behaves more like a thin coating than a true penetrating stain. It provides decent initial appearance and color, but it tends to sit on the surface of the wood rather than fully absorbing, which leads to maintenance issues over time.
Overall, this Behr deck stain can work for short-term results, but it is not one of my top choices for long-term durability or ease of maintenance.
Behr Semi-Transparent Stain Rating (1–10)
My Behr semi-transparent stain review contains an 8-step process and a final average score. Each step is scored on a scale of 1 to 10:
- Appearance After Initial Application
- Preventing UV Graying
- Peeling or Wearing
- Cost Per Square Foot
- Preventing Mold and Mildew
- Ease of Application
- Color Shifting
- Ease of Reapplication
Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 2
Applying the Behr Premium Weatherproofing Stain was a repeat of our first test. We found that Behr does not penetrate the wood like the product claims. It dries on top of the surface like paint. It looked semi-solid, with much of the wood grain masked by pigment. The Cedar color on the deck made it look like a pumpkin.
Preventing UV Graying at 2-Year Mark: 8
The one positive about this behr semi-transparent stain is excellent UV protection in the areas where the stain had not failed. Unfortunately, that was only about half of the deck floor and most of the railings.
Wear/Tear and Peeling: 1
The cedar porch was bare of stain on over half of the flooring. The stain had peeled or worn in large, uneven patches. Vertical rails did not have any issues.
Cost Per Square Foot: 4
Behr Premium Weatherproofing Stain costs $39 to $49.99 per gallon. We used 5 gallons for 300 square feet across 2 coats, working out to about $.55 per foot.
Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 7
This behr deck stain had mold growing on the flooring near the home and on top of the rail cap.
Ease of Application: 2
Applying Behr Premium Stain is like painting your deck, except it doesn’t apply evenly. We’ve stained thousands of decks and have never found a stain more challenging to apply than Behr. It dries extremely fast and shows overlaps if you’re not careful. We used a paintbrush and hand-applied it to the entire deck, since that gave the best results.
Color Shifting (Darkening) After 2 Years: 8
Behr Premium Weatherproofing Stain does not darken in color much, or at all.
Difficulty of Reapplication: 2
Here’s how we fixed this behr semi-transparent stain failure: we applied a heavy dose of Behr Stain Remover and tried to pressure wash off the remaining stain. It did not work. We then used RAD Stain Stripper at a very high concentration and repeated it, which removed about 85% of the stain. We were left sanding off the rest, then cleaning and brightening the wood to even out its porosity. Prepping took 12 hours, and the customer switched brands.
Overall Score: Behr Semi-Transparent Stain at 2-Year Period: 4.625
Buyer Beware: Misleading Ratings on This Stain
Rated #1 by Consumer Reports, this stain has generated confusion and frustration among many users. While Consumer Reports gives it high marks, feedback from our users tells a very different story. Even on Consumer Reports’ own website, the product holds a 1 out of 5 stars user rating. Out of 14 reviews, 13 users gave it a 1-star rating, citing significant performance issues.
Our Take
This behr stain consistently falls short of expectations, and based on the overwhelming negative feedback, we believe it should be removed from sale to the public. If you’re considering this stain, we strongly urge you to proceed with caution. Buyer beware!
🔹 Pros and Cons – Behr Semi-Transparent Deck Stain
Behr Premium Semi-Transparent – Pros
- Easy to find at local stores
- Provides good initial color and uniform appearance
- Allows some wood grain to show through
- Water-based formula for easier cleanup
- Wide range of color options
Behr Premium Semi-Transparent – Cons
- Does not penetrate as deeply as oil-based stains
- Tends to sit more on the surface of the wood
- Higher risk of uneven wear or light peeling over time
- Can be harder to recoat without additional prep
- Shorter lifespan compared to higher-quality penetrating stains
🔹 Best Wood Types for Behr Premium Semi-Transparent
- Older wood needing color improvement: Can provide a more uniform look
- Decks where appearance is the main goal: Offers consistent color
Not Ideal For:
- New wood – better options available for penetration and longevity
- Decks requiring easy maintenance
- Hardwoods (IPE, Cumaru, etc.) – not designed for proper absorption
👉 See: Deck Stain for New Wood
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
How Behr Semi-Transparent Stain Compares
| Stain | Type | DSH Rating | Coverage/Gallon | Cost/Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behr Semi-Transparent | Water-based, surface-leaning | 4.625/10 | 125–150 sq ft (field test) | $39–$49.99 |
| Behr Solid Color | Water-based, film-forming | 6.5/10 | 200–400 sq ft | $49.99 |
| Cabot Australian Timber Oil | Oil-based, penetrating | 7.19/10 | ~200 sq ft | ~$45–$50 |
| Armstrong Clark | Oil-based, penetrating | 8.5/10 | 150–200 sq ft | $72.95–$83.95 |
🔹 Application Tips
- Apply to properly cleaned and prepped wood
- Do not over-apply
- Apply thin, even coats
- Be cautious of buildup, especially on less absorbent wood
👉 How to Prep a Deck
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-deck-prep-clean-strip-or-sand-the-deck/
👉 How to Stain a Deck
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-stain-a-deck/
🔹 Maintenance & Recoat Tips
Maintenance with this type of product can require more effort over time.
- Monitor for uneven wear or surface buildup
- Recoating may require additional prep or light stripping
- Avoid letting the stain fully fail before maintenance
- Surface coatings can become more difficult to manage over time
From my experience, once these types of stains begin to fail, they are more labor-intensive to correct compared to penetrating stains.
👉 Deck Cleaning and Brightening
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/cleaning-wood-deck/
Product Information
Where To Buy: Home Depot
Cost: $49.99 per Gallon, $229.99 per 5-Gallon Pail
Stain Type: Premium Semi-Transparent — Water Based
Available Colors: 60 custom colors
Application Temperature: 40–90°F
Coats Required: 2 Coats
Coverage Per Gallon: 125–150 sq. ft. in field tests
Application Tools: Sprayer, Pad, Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 1–2 Hours
Cleanup: Soap and Water
VOC Compliant: 250 Compliant in all States
Test Deck Stats
Deck Wood Type: Cedar Porch
Deck Square Footage: 300 Square Feet
UV Exposure: Full Sun
How Many Years Tested: 2 Years
Stain Color Used: Cedar
*All products tested and results are from our hands-on experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Consider that results may differ widely due to different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, and natural weathering.
🔹 Who Should Use Behr Premium Semi-Transparent?
You should consider this product if:
- You want an easy-to-find, water-based stain
- You are focused on initial appearance
- You prefer a semi-transparent look with consistent color
You may want to consider other options if:
- You want long-term durability
- You want easier maintenance and recoating
- You prefer a true penetrating stain
👉 Best Deck Stains
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
🔹 FAQs – Behr Semi-Transparent Deck Stain
Is Behr Premium Semi-Transparent a penetrating stain?
No. Despite the marketing, this behr semi-transparent stain behaves more like a surface coating than a true penetrating stain. In our testing, it scored just 2/10 on initial appearance because it dried on top of the wood like paint rather than absorbing into the grain. If you want a genuinely penetrating oil-based stain, Armstrong Clark is a better match for that specific goal.
Does this behr deck stain peel or flake?
Yes, significantly. In our 2-year field test, the stain peeled or wore away across more than half of the deck flooring, scoring just 1/10 for wear and tear. Vertical surfaces like railings held up better since they don’t take foot traffic. If your project is a deck floor rather than a fence or railing, this is one of the weakest-performing products we’ve tested.
How long does Behr wood stain semi-transparent typically last?
Based on our testing, it does not last nearly as long as higher-quality penetrating stains. We saw major peeling and bare wood exposure within 2 years on a full-sun deck floor, and Consumer Reports’ own user base backs this up, with 13 of 14 users giving it a 1-star rating despite the product’s #1 ranking there.
Can Behr semi-transparent stain be reapplied easily?
Not easily. In our test, removing failed stain required Behr Stain Remover, pressure washing, and a high concentration of RAD Stain Stripper, followed by sanding and wood brightening. Total prep time ran about 12 hours for a 300-square-foot area. This is one of the more labor-intensive stains to correct once it starts failing.
Is Behr semi-transparent stain good for new wood?
We don’t recommend it for new wood. Because it sits on the surface rather than penetrating, it doesn’t take advantage of new wood’s higher absorbency the way an oil-based penetrating stain does. For new wood specifically, we’d point you toward a true penetrating oil stain instead — see our guide on staining a new deck for timing and product recommendations.
How does this behr stain perform in full sun?
It fades and wears unevenly in full sun. Our test deck, a cedar porch in full sun, showed major peeling on horizontal surfaces within 2 years, though UV graying resistance was actually a relative strength (8/10) in the areas where the coating hadn’t already failed. The core problem is film failure and wear, not color fading.
🔹 Final Thoughts – Behr Semi-Transparent Deck Stain
Behr Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain offers decent initial appearance and is easy to find, but it does not perform as well long term as higher-quality penetrating stains.
From my hands-on experience, products that penetrate into the wood tend to last longer and are much easier to maintain compared to stains that sit more on the surface.
If your goal is long-term performance and easier maintenance, there are better options available. If you’re focused only on short-term appearance and convenience, this product may still be a consideration.
BEHR Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Photos
BEHR Semi-Transparent Deck Stain: Disgruntled Behr Customer
Better Alternatives to Behr Semi-Transparent Stain
Top Oil- Based Stain | Top Water-Based Stain | Easiest to Apply Stain |
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From: $58.99 | From: $51.99* | From: $74.95* |
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Questions on Behr Semi-Transparent Stain? Ask Below!
The stuff traps water under the stain. I would scrap up huge pieces of peal and under it would be very damp wood. This is on a south west facing deck on a hot sunny day. Dont use.
My whole deck was destroyed. We stained last summer 2020 in August and we were walking to the deck to begin cleaning the pool May 2021 and this is what we found. So frustrated. Time, effort, and money spent only to have to do it all over again.
Stained new cedar deck following all instructions. Like others I found it stayed tacky for several days. Home Depot was confounded. It finally dried but after less than one year the deck is totally peeling and needs to be redone. Absolutely useless product!! How can this be sold??
Strip and sand to remove. Brightener after. Use one of these brands: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Apparently this stuff hasn’t changed much over the years. I had the exact same problem in 2004 with my cedar deck. Waited 6months, followed all the instructions for prep, removing tannins etc. Stained in Sept. and started peeling in March of following year just like all the pictures you see in these bad reviews. I thought I did something wrong or I didn’t get enough of the tannins out but thank god I found this site because I almost bought more for my newly rebuilt deck. You would think that Consumer reports would look into this to see why they continually rate this #1 yet no one in the real world has the same results.
You didnt’t do anything wrong, Behr sells poor stains.
April 2019 built a 500 square foot cedar deck. I applied the Behr semi-transparent stain as per the. Instructions on the can. The weather conditions were “perfect” . A week later, most of the deck was still tacky. Customer service at HD said that this was very unusual. By October, the color had faded and most of deck was peeling or showing bare wood.
Threatening a law suit, HD reimbursed me for refinishing the deck. It had to be completely sanded to remove all of the stain.
Another complete weekend wasted in Toronto, where the summers are relatively short.
That is exactly how my cedar deck looked the following season after staining it with Behr…..peeling all over the horizontal surfaces. The vertical surfaces, however, looked great for many years.
So, for the past 10 years, I’ve been doing a clear coat every year.
This year, I’ve decided to give Behr another try. I’ve done all the proper prep work, just like I did the first time. The stain doesn’t seem to penetrate at all, it stays on top and is tacky…which is weird, because when I shake the can, it seems so watery.
Since I’m getting too old for this, I’ve decided I am never going to do my own deck again and will hire someone, I figured I’d give it another try anyway, so we’ll see what I end up with next spring, and if it doesn’t hold, its going to be done by a professional anyway next time. It looks great the year you stain it, so at least it’s nice now.
But based on my original experience, this stuff is crap.
This is the worst thing I have ever have happened to my deck. I have been a professional painter for over 25 yrs. and have been happy with other Behr products. This stuff started peeling within weeks of application and after one winter is peeling everywhere. While it is holding up well on my fence DO NOT USE on any lateral surface. Now the nightmare of the guarantee begins.
I read the warnings and thought naw, it can’t be true! Well folks! It’s true. Colors are gorgeous. However! Stain doesn’t penetrate, stays tacky and peels! Behr will come on the threads and say user error, was applied too thick, I am here to tell you not the case. Their internal testing is done on a roof not a deck, so it is not a fair comparison. Hours of wasted work, time effort and cost for nothing! Expensive lesson. Buyer beware! Do your homework, other sites say the same thing. Run. Do not use on decks.
I read the warnings and thought naw, it can’t be true! Well folks! It’s true. Colors are gorgeous. However! Stain doesn’t penetrate stays tacky and peels! Behr will come on the threads and say user error, was applied too thick, I am here to tell you not the case. Their internal testing is done on a roof not a deck, so it is not a fair comparison. Hours of wasted work, time effort and cost for nothing! Expensive lesson. Buyer beware!
Same as most reviewers here, Behr Premium Semi-Transparent Stain ruined my new deck!
The stain was applied on a brand new deck as per manufacturer’s instructions.
However, after only a couple of years of clement Californian weather, the stain started peeling off. My deck looks terrible now (see attached picture).
Now I have to spend a more money and a LOT of effort to remove this stain, and apply another brand.
VERY UNHAPPY WITH BEHR!
Are all these rotten reviews about behr water based or oil based semi transparent stain? I bought oil based but haven’t opened it yet and am thinking of returning it since it was a stock color.
The oil based Behr is definitely a superior product for decking, as are oil stains in general. Oils penetrate and leave no film on the surface to peel.They allow moisture that gets into the wood to exit without causing damage.
Will Behr solid stain work through a power sprayer?
Airless sprayer only.
Peeling like crazy after 1 year!! DidNOT penetrated wood!! JUNK!!! DO NOT BUY!
We agree!
Well, I actually like this stain. Although, it could be the way how I applied it. We applied it to new pine deck boards and also made a nice pine horizontal privacy fence. I used the palm sander, wiped it clean, and then used a white cloth staining pad to apply the stain. After I applied it, I wiped off the excess stain after about 30 to 45 seconds. I then waited 45 min to 1 hr for it to dry. Then, repeated the process 2 more times and then flipped over and did 3 coats on that side as well. Yes, it’s time consuming, but the result is magnificent! Our back deck does get some sun and of course shade. It has been about 2 months now and it still looks great! I have no complaints. We have gone through a couple of bad storms as well. We are in Georgia.
FYI, it will be fine on the fence but it will start to have issues on your deck floor within a year or so. Especially since you over-applied it.
If he wiped the stain after each coat, he would not be over applying it. He will have wasted stain that did not penetrate though.
can you tell if a fence has been stained in the past?
It does not look like it has been.
I wish I had seen this forum earlier, it would have saved me a lot of grief and expense. I did everything by the book and wound up with disastrous results. It is hard to apply without getting overlap marks. It does stay tacky for a long time (and yes, I used their recommended application procedures and applied coats as thin as I could) . It looked great once it was on. Then a few months later started flaking off.. What a mess! THIS STUFF IS PURE GARBAGE!
This stuff is terrible. How do we get reimbursed?
Our deck peeled within a year. Leaves a bunch of peeling pieces to infiltrate your yard and house. Yes we did everything right and careful about application.
(We are in Oakland CA)
Im so glad I found this site tho!
Great work!
I was really liking the look of rustoleum rock solid resurfacer, but am now 100% convinced that its a bust. Im considering gulf revive now…
You would have to talk to Behr about any reimbursement if they will even do that. The Gulf Deck Revive would work well.
So I used Behr stain on my older sect after 3 weeks sap is coming out of the deck . What causes this?
That is the wood itself bleeding out the sap. No way to prevent it or stop it.
It is horrible. The clear coat is brown and colored my gutters and my new outside door. It says you can add a photo but it won’t let you. I’m so disgusted! Don’t buy it. I have an 18 by 10 deck and 2 gallons didn’t cover it. Don’t waste your money
Does it need a thinner?
You cannot thin a deck stain.
Started peeling on new deck within 2 months. Prepped and applied exactly as directed. Now it’s peeling.
I used Behr Deck Plus Semi-Transparent Stains a couple of times over a decade ago, and the quality of product was good; 1 coat application. The current Deck Plus Stain looks reformulated that requires 2 coats. The old version of Deck Plus Stain that I had left over had a “thicker” oil based formula. For my situation, labor time to cover a large fence area requires a 1 coat application; I did not have the time to labor (during my free time) another 10 days to apply a 2nd coat. I would opt to spend a little more money to buy Olympic brand stain in the future.
Applied this product to a small (200 sq ft, 15 yrs old) deck in 2019. Application and initial appearance were very good. One year later there are several spots on the horizontal surfaces where the stain has worn away. This deck is used lightly. I am looking for a better option.
Strip and sand to remove. Brightener after. Use one of these brands: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Ive been using behr 501 for over 20 years. Im a pro deck builder. In that time its only failed twice and esch time it was application error. If you dont do everything right it wont adhere, or wont cure properly, and it will fail prematurely. Its that simple. Prep the surface. Clean it. Use the behr deck prep and rinse thoroughly. Allow it to dry between 10 and 20% moisture level in the boards…usuall that is a day or two of drying. Do not apply in direct sunlight but if you do make sure it less than 65 degrees. Apply on low humidity days. Apply TWO THIN coats! Do not over apply. Thicker is not better! It will fail!! 2nd coat must be applied within 72 hours of first coat….ideally the same day. Temp range is 50 to 90 and must not get cold at night. My stain usually lasts 5 to 7 years. I hope this helps some of you. I understand some here can’t /wont follow instructions. You must follow application guidelines.
John oliver custom decks, st louis mo.
Just tried the behr semi transparent stain in “Redwood” -(not custom mixed) the color was Cheeto orange! Nothing like the color represented on the can or in the brochure. Beware.
Is it oil based or latex based?
Water-based.
Can I apply a second coat after waitin a werk
It will probably peel if you do.
What is The best oil penetrating clear stain that is water resistant and does best in Arizona hot sun?
TWP Stains or Armstrong Clark Stains.
I have applied Behr Premium Transparent and Semi-transparent chocolate color stain to my log-sided house on two applications, 1st in 2008 & 2nd in 2014. I am thrilled with the results. It allows the grain to show through with a satin sheen that is beautiful. There was no tackiness, peeling or other issues. I use the transparent on areas that don’t receive much direct sunlight to maximize the grain visibility and semi-transparent on areas with more exposure. They blend together very well and achieve the same color and sheen. It has been 5 years since the last application and I estimate another couple years before the most weather exposed areas will require another coat. The more protected areas look nearly as good as 5 years ago and are years away from needing work. I am getting more life out of the second treatment. I have achieved similar results on a pt deck railing using their natural finish. I don’t have experience with wood deck flooring as I applied a 60 mil exterior vinyl flooring realizing the never ending maintenance wood flooring requires. The vinyl deck surface is 15 years old and only requires occasional hosings and annual scrubbing.
This stuff is junk! We have a deck that we wanted to change the color of, never stained it before. Went to Home Depot and asked what to get. Told him our deck was 7 years old, cleaned the deck every year and looked great, just wanted to change the color and protect it. Got the semi transparent stain and protector and got the wash suggested by Behr. Washed the deck and waited a good week or two before staining it. Went in good, looked great UNTIL… this spring, the boards got spongey .. and someone put their foot right through it. It is rotting my boards from underneath.. had to replace the whole deck floor… but the floor joists were perfect, just the floor.. and Home Depot had no answer for me, said they had never heard of this happening. Junk …
More likely junk wood. Most lumber has become much lower quality(knots, wide/loose grain, flat grain) primarily due to using species of inferior characteristics and fast growth rate. Could also be affected by poor ventilation, your micro climate, too close to the ground, insufficient board spacing, etc. Fungus rots wood (with sufficient moisture content MC>19%), Not coatings!
Maybe your deck should have been left unsealed. Or an oil based sealer would have been a better choice for YOU to make. Nearly every manufacturer makes an oil based option.
I used several Gallons of this on vertical and horizontal surfaces. I haven’t noticed the issue with tackiness or flaking that other people are mentioning here. As a matter of fact, the wood seems to “drink” the stain really quickly and dries WAY faster than the label indicated. The first fence I used it on was redwood and I didn’t even bother to sand it first. That was six months ago, and it still looks like day 1. I will note that on second coat it was dark enough that it almost looks like paint, despite being semi transparent.
I will not that my fiance helped me with one side of a staircase and she was a little careless in her application (not wiping off excess), and it is splotchy and you see lap marks everywhere.
Also note that it seems to go on really well with a brush versus a roller.
CONSUMER REPORTS FINDS BHER STAINS EXCELLENT- I find your findings definitely biased and suspicious. Have lived in Michigan for 54 years and stained my deck on over 12 occasions in 3 homes i have owned- Bher has been excellent as well as DEFY – not sure how much TWP IS paying you. I have used it and its mediocre.
TWP does not pay us anything and we are not paid by anyone to rn this site. Behr has horrible reviews from homeowners here as well, just read the comments. In addition, read the comments/reviews from homeowners below the Consumers Reports review. Terrible. We rate Defy very well. It is a great stain.
Glad you have good results but the majority do not have good results with Behr.
I’m reading the older comments re: slow curing, tacky finish. I must admit to our fault in the situation, but I’m still confused by the continued problem. We are in Northeast Ohio. Waited for new PT deck to settle from 9 months being installed. Did all the prep correctly. Watched neighbor’s blooming tree for pollen. Took dog to daycare. Watched weather report constantly to check local hourly and radar. Thought we were finally ready. Seemed to go on as stated.
Apparently the weather forecast changed sometime during our work. Less than 2 hours after second coat, the rain came. I was sick to my stomach not wanting to look. There was some beading but also areas of pooling. In the days and now 3 weeks out, the tackiness was noticeable and ongoing. Despite there being a nice sunny day on day 2 and many after. Not being able to keep our dogs from using deck to backyard forever, they went out but still no prolonged play. Regardless, the beautiful deep brown I dreamed of is marred by every single paw print no matter if it’s wet or dry. We’ve spent hours trying different methods to clean the prints off only to have the same and more return. It’s like trying to get white cat fur off black wool. I’m hoping to try the baby powder method because one more try won’t hurt. I’m a big review reader but somehow missed this post. I’m mad at myself. Now I’m afraid what will happen after a winter or two. Any hope to offer?
We have a cedar fence previously stained with semi transparent Thompson stain from Home Depot. In less then 3 yrs it faded a lot -some places down to bare wood.
We now have a gallon of Behr tranperent stain. I looked online and we should have semi transperent stain.
We picked a darker colour -are we on the right track?
Behr is known for not making very good stains. Return it and get a better brand that is semi-transparent: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
same issues!! Do not buy
This Behr product ruined my whole project. I spent months on this project and it was a great success–until the last step of applying the Behr waterproofing finish. It should be taken off the market.
We used Behr Natural Seal Plus No.80, White Cedar Waterproofing on White Pine Board & Baton siding. The wood was from a sawmill nearby and it was cut, stacked & covered for over 2 years before use. Within 3 years after staining, most of it turned dark brown to almost black in areas, it only looked good for the first year. I was given all sorts of excuses/explanations as to why that happened; from linseed oil in the stain to sunlight to moisture. Needless to say “DO NOT USE ANY BEHR PRODUCT!” You will pay for it by having to look at it everyday for years.
Followed Behr procedures, used their All-In-One wood cleaner, applied in two thin coats after allowing the wood to dry. Noticed some areas not looking good after a year, so reapplied deck cleaner and then two more thin coats of stain. 3 years later all exposed area of deck were peeling and the wood on some boards was beginning to rot. Almost like the stain was trapping water in the wood. Unstained wood on a retaining wall built at the same time looks weathered but no rotting! I would have been better to do nothing to the deck.
Looks identical to my deck after 2 years. What junk.
Same issues
Too bad there is no score for stickiness after application, would be getting about a minus 10
saw the above post…sounds like me, only mine was worse. Bought the Behr textured deck paint. Followed directions exactly. Applied late summer, and when the next spring rolled around I could literally peal it like a sunburn, unfortunately not everywhere so it was a disaster. Flipped my boards over last fall. Just this past week, power washed, let dry and applied Behr semi-transparent stain….it has been on for 3 days and it is still sticky!!! i have wasted more money on Behr products, only to have my deck ruined and spent a fortune on all the stain. Behr didn’t even reply to me about the full coverage paint….obviously can’t return my empty cans to Home Depot!!!!! Lost receipt for this last purchase! I AM DONE WITH BEHR AND WILL BE PASSING THE WORD ALONG!!!!
I agree. Same exact problem, same exact issue. Still sticky and tacky and I’ve only put on one coat. After two weeks it is still not dry. Lousy product and lousy support. The last time all they were willing to do for me was to give me new product. In November? Like that would help me out. Now, five years later, I unfortunately forgot the troubles I had. Guess what? Here we go again…
Applied Behr Transparent Waterproofing Stain and Sealer a month ago on a screened porch. Followed directions. Everything is slightly tacky. Behr recommended using dish soap and washing the porch since this is a water based product. Did this twice and it had little to no effect. Frustrating. I can live with the walls and ledges being slightly tacky, but not the floor. Don’t want to strip the deck only to have to reapply Behr. Hoping that eventually the tackiness will disappear. But since this is a covered porch, it does not get sun light. Very disappointing.
This a follow-up to my use of Behr Transparent Waterproofing Stain. Called Behr again and was told to strip the porch. They would pay for stripper and wood conditioner and stain. They emphasized that the re-staining should be done with humidity below 50%. It took me three uses of the stripper plus some sanding to remove the stain. Waited three days to make sure wood was totally dry. I applied the stain on a day that was 28% humidity. Behr told me to apply 3/4 gallon on my 14 x 16 deck first coat and 1/2 gallon second. I went with an even lighter application: 1/2 gallon first coat and 1/3 gallon second. Waited 3 hours when deck was dry and applied second coat. Next three days I ran overhead fan 24 hours. At end of third day, the deck was even stickier than prior to stripping and staining! So after all of this effort and consultation with Behr, I have an even stickier screened porch. I wonder whether people struggling with this defective product should consider a class action suit. I have complained again to Behr and am waiting to hear from their claims department. I want them to pay someone to remove this from my porch.
Please keep me in mind if a class action lawsuit begins. I am also in agreement that they should pay someone to strip up the existing mess. Why should I do it when their product is defective?
We applied Behr Premium Semi-Transparent wood stain to our deck 2 weeks ago Looks great but it is still sticky/tacky when we walk across. Will this ever dry or go away?
It should dry.
When? Three years from now? This is ridiculous.
We used the Behr semi -transparent stain and sealer and after one year (barely) it is starting to peel and there is black mold or something appearing in the stain. What is the best way to remove this product? Is there a stripping product that will work or is sanding the only way? My husband is leery of power washing, but would that work? Wish we had read these reviews on this great site first!
Use a stain stripper and pressure wash to remove. Sand after to remove the rest.
I used the redwood color a few years ago on a redwood deck. Made sense at the time. I sanded it off with a palm sander as best as I could. I do think some of the alkyd crystals are still in the wood. Is it impossible for me now to switch to an oil based stain. I would rather not strip the deck. Thanks!
It has to be removed completely. Post a picture to determine if it ready or not.
After reading the reviews on Home Depot I decided to try the Behr Semi-transparent deck stain tint base. I chose the chocolate color. I used the stain on a 400 sq ft NEW deck and a 600 sq ft previously stained playset/climbing structure. I allowed the new wood to season for 10 months. Both structures were properly prepared according to the instructions on the back of the can and I used all the recommended Behr products. I stained both structures in the fall of 2015 according to the directions on the back of the can. After staining it took 3 weeks for the product to “cure.” For 3 weeks my children could not use the playset/climbing structure and my family could not use the deck. During these 3 weeks the stain was tacky and would leave visible marks if touched. After the product finally cured it repelled water and worked. This fall of 2016 (only 11 months after application) the stain was bubbling, peeling, flaking, and visible mold was showing. The product only lasted 11 months; 1 of those moths was the “curing/hardening” months. This product did NOT last 6-8 years as advertised.
Wood must be completely dry. Temperature cannot fall below 50° (that’s based on a 24hr day) for about 4 or 5 days. Prior to drying wood use the Behr deck cleaner, this cleans the wood safely and opens the wood fibers. Do not use a chemical cleaner (such as 30 second) the chemicals, like bleach, close the wood fibers blocking the stain. Moisture in the wood and below 50° temps at night in conjunction with high temps during the day create moisture and contribute to: bubbling, flaking and the inability to cure properly. I live in the Pacific Northwest and have had wonderful experience with the weather proofer by Behr.
Bleach doesn’t “close” the wood fibers. But you are correct it should not be used on wood as it can break down the woods structure. Bleach breaks down the complex organic polymers (or lignin) that hold the wood together, causing excessive damage.
The corrosive effects of chlorine bleach on wood decks are cumulative. This damage can definitely effect the life of your deck boards and impact performance of any coatings you put on it.
In 2012 I power washed a 9 year old deck, cleaned it with deck cleaning solution, and bleached the wood. I followed directions. The deck cleaned up nicely. I used Behrs solid stain, premium. It was a barn red color. We liked it but as everyone said, it took three weeks to dry until not tacky. After two years, it looked liked it was just starting to peel a bit here and there. We held off two more years and the deck definitely looked bad; the stain has peeled and the bottom line is maybe we got two good years out of it. This spring we power washed and stained it. For whatever reason, the "newer" Behr stain went down fast…so fast, it dried in like ten minutes. I had never seen stain dry so fast in 80 degree weather. It looks good and we will see how it winters over. But wait. There is the small matter of the pool deck. Read on.
The points: If Behr says coverage is 300-600 sq feet, it really is going to be the lower number and if that. The wood seems to drink up the newer stuff. The newer stuff dries too damn fast. However, last year i did our two year old pool deck, 15 x 10. Again the stain dried super fast, so fast my eyes popped out. On that pool deck, the pressure treated wood looked great after two years so i did not prep the wood at all. The stain went on fast, dried faster and looked great for the season. It wintered over, and this summer the pool deck looked super again. So I dunno about the Behr. Maybe they changed the formula? Old Behr: work to put on, super slow to dry, no durability at all. New Behr: work to put on, super fast to dry, and two years of excellent durability. Both decks face south and get lots of hot sun beating on it. I felt I was married to Behr because unless i was going to strip it all down, I had to try it again. Different experience. If the pool deck holds up, great. More foot traffic on the 600 sq foot deck. We used six cans for the big decking. For the recoat, 1.5 cans. For the smaller pool deck, 1.5 cans. I'll know more in the spring. Decks are four feet off the ground.
I'm not quite sure what the complainers are talking about.
Installed a new PT deck in June and just stained it with the Behr Premium Semi T stain. I PW'ed it with brightner and two days later applied the stain. The wood soaked up the stain. I applied evenly with a small roller then brush on the railings and benches and a airless sprayer and then brush. Even wonderful, rich appearance. No tack. I live north of Boston.
I'll see how it hold up but have no reason to believe it won't perform as advertised, aside from what appear to be ratings on this site posted to sell other products. Also believe me that I have never defended anything at Home Depot before I just believe in giving credit when credit is due.
Hello, please post results after 6-12 months. Posting a review right after application does not indicate performance down the road. The poor results start to happen within the 6-12 months typically. The is a reason there are 100s of consumer comments on how bad this product can be. It is not related to just this site either. Consumers Reports has reviews from consumers as well. Over 50 have posted their opinion and they have had the same poor results as consumers for this site.
My deck looked great the first season too — I've stained 3 times using this stuff and each time it failed over the first winter. Two years tops. Fresh wood does better than old wood — I had some verticals last 3-4 years.
I also liked this product. It was tacky for about 2 weeks after application but when it finally dried it looked great. It’s been 2 years now and still looks great. Repels water very well and has retained it’s rich look. Very happy with this product.
Was your stain water based or oil based?
I just ruined thousands of dollars of beautiful cedar with this product. I'm so upset. I wish I would have read these reviews first, this is what the associate at Home Depot recommended.
Solution for the sticky deck – we sprinkled baby powder and corn starch, swept it in and were left with a nice matte finish and no more stickiness. Looks, feels, and smells great!
I will give this a try. This really sucks!!!
How did this baby powder Solution turn out for you Tony?
Did this work for you too?
Did you just sprinkle on dry then sweep off? Mine is still tacky and would love for this to work for me! Did it change the color? Mine is the dark cordavan brown color! Any help and suggestions would've appreciated!
Thanks for the helpful info.. I too believed the HD reviews, bought the semi-transparent deck stain (cedar color) and for hours meticulously prepared our 7 y/o deck (that I should have stained back then!) by cleaning with enviro-safe cleaner, light pressure washing and then completely sanding. Again, followed Behr’s directions of 2 light coats (vs. heavy application) during dry weather. Deck has a tacky feeling but will try your method as I don’t look forward for doing again for some times.
Stain is not hardening – Day 4 and still very tacky. Complete junk.
This stain is not drying how can you help me
Strip and remove might be your only option.
DO NOT BUY THIS- GARBAGE! After one season on a pool deck, all is peeling on horizontal surfaces. Luckily a power washer was able to strip this off without too much trouble. Bought this at The Home Depot- they need to do a better job of researching the (quality?) of products they sell. Going with TWP 100 series! As the (spot on) review says, BUYER BEWARE.
Its like any other waterproofer/stain, need to prepare deck correctly and and paint with brush, 2 light coats within an hour works for me, about 3 years of good to semi-good looking on floors and 5 to 6 years on rails, I have redone deck 5 times now and if you don't spend time on it and do it in rush, the results will be poor – been there, done that. No sanding ever just the Behr deck stripper, power-wash, Behr wood brightener, power-wash again, let it dry 2 days (a day in full sun is ok) and apply.
new deck – looks like crap after the 1st year
I just applied Behr transparent cedar on a newly sanded deck. This was the hardest stain I have ever used and it does all those thing wrong that the review says. Dries to quick, looks like paint, shows brush strokes and if a drop hits the deck it is there forever. I did one coat and I'm asking if there is something else that I can use for the second coat. I would be looking for a clear coat. Any help you can give me would be much appreciated. I wish I read the review first.. Thank You
You cannot apply anything else over it. You will have to remove the Behr to fix.
Horrible product. In the process of removing it after 1 yr. Coating was patchy and uneven. Peeled off after just 2 months. As bad as it was to try and put on, it's going to be twice as hard to remove. And time consuming.
I with I had read these reviews before we bought this product . I stopped applying the stain halfway through the job , because it looks so awful , my husband is out there doing it the rest alone . The result looks nothing like the sample of wood in the storeroom . It look like watered down paint. The application is splotchy and just plain ugly ! My husband is a general contractor and he will never buy this again ! And yes , it is very tacky ! My porch looks worse than before we started .
I just spent several days and almost 2 GRAND on Cedar planks for my 600 sq. ft. deck. I was told by the incompetent sales rep at "The Home Depot" that the natural #500 weather proofing WILL NOT darken the wood although it did. I do like the pumpkin color after the second coat but it was VERY difficult to work with. DO NOT use a roller for this product..YOU WILL HAVE LAPS !!!! I switched to an applicator pad. After sanding 1/3 of the deck and adding another coat it is obvious there were mistakes made. I am not at all pleased with the Dry time, 1 week later and still tacky.I have foot prints all over and am walking on cardboard boxes…..can you guess what that looks like ? I also noticed where I used the pad after the 1 st coat there are little tiny black specs ( probably mold) forming and the wood is graying already ! WHAT A WASTE OF $$$$ and time !
I agree with the negative reviews. Before reading these I thought perhaps I had done something wrong in my application process. Stain fails in three years or less on flat surfaces, deck railing, that get sun during the day in eastern PA. Shady areas may not need restaining for five years.
Horrible stuff
I applied Behr Premium Semi-Transparent Stain and Sealer to a large multi-level deck. Prior to doing so I meticulously cleaned, stripped and sanded the deck, an enormous amount of time and effort! Although we live in a warm climate I applied the product in the evening when the temperature was not above the mid 80's and the deck was shaded by the house. The finish after 2 weeks is very sticky and I am heart broken, angry and disgusted. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT. Since I have a multi-level deck, I had done a two-tone finish where one level was done in a different color with the Behr Premium Solid Color Stain (not DeckOver). Curiously, the solid color stain is much less sticky than the semi-transparent portion and is liveable. Has anybody else experienced this? Can I "save" my deck by putting a third coat of the solid color version of the stain over the semi-transparent version?
Part 3 (last part)
>> Now I'm ready to stain again. I removed 95% of the stain from the horizontals using just a pressure washer – came right off. No sanding. No stripper. Just a wide stream of water at about 1200psi. Power washing removed maybe 20-30% from verticals which still had 80-90% full coverage of the original stain – except once again on the wind side. So here I am – do I buy yet more Behr stain to continue this cycle, or spend days stripping and sanding to start over with a new product keeping in mind I still haven't found any locally available stain that lasts more than 1 to 2 years regardless of the wood, prep and application method as long as label directions are followed. This conclusion based on reviews and locals who have used the various competing products. My deck gets used maybe 10 times a year so traffic is not an issue. I'm actually considering using a rubber or similar deck tile right over the horizontals and just stain the verticals. Much more costly up front but perhaps less so in the long run – but it lacks the look of wood. Synthetic wood decking is another alternative but is prohibitively expensive for majority of homeowners, including me, particularly when the existing deck is still in great condition minus the stain. One comment stated the manufacturer's product is rarely at fault when it comes to staining. I think the power of numbers disagrees completely with that statement and the majority of stains available in Canada simply don't work here.
>> BOTTOM LINE: Behr Premium Deck stain with a 6 year deck and 8 year fence warranty falls well short of it's advertised and guaranteed coverage and durability, especially on horizontal surfaces. DO NOT BUY – that said – what's the alternative? And Behr knows that which is why they'll gladly refund or replace the product used but not what it was used on if damaged in the process. As with other companies (including Behr in the past) only a class action lawsuit will remedy this and possibly result in this product (and arguably worse products like deck over) to be removed and at some point better products like Defy and Armstrong may be carried locally. There has to be a chemical formulation that will last a minimum of 3-4 year in Canada that's still acceptable by all regulating bodies. If you find out let us all know! Ordering from the US is simply not a viable option. << Good luck to all.
Part 2
>> I have a 12x14ft back deck and 6x22ft front deck for a total surface area of just under 800 sqft including the uprights. Despite the label stating 2-coat coverage estimates, I required 4.5 gallons of this stain, as I did the first year I used the product. I was not applying too thick or too thin, and followed directions on the label as well as from HD associate who had spoken to Behr. I applied using a stain pad for horizontals and verticals as well as a nylon brush for detailed vertical work and between all boards. Requiring so much stain I thought is a complete oversight of the manufacturer's estimates, but given differences in wood type, porosity, and humidity as well as application method I didn't worry too much about it but seemed to be a reddish flag in any case.
>> It could be said we have some of the worst weather for decks here on the east coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Rain, drizzle, and fog throughout the year. Wet snow and rain during winters with freeze / thaw cycles and moderate to high winds not uncommon year round (east coast). UV protection not really a consideration given the low amount of risk here of actually seeing sun for prolonged periods! 🙂 For example I've been waiting for 3 days of sun/cloud without rain above 10 degC and the next three days (Aug 2-4) is the first time this may happen since this past winter! However, the label clearly shows icons as well as text stating it provides protection in ALL weather.
Part 1
>> I used this product (on a previously non-stained pressure treated deck) as per label directions back in 2008 or 2009 (can't recall without looking up receipts) and it was peeling the following season on horizontals but 90% good on verticals except for those facing predominant wind side of weather which were down to about 40-50%. 3 summers later I stripped and sanded remaining stain (wearing a mask as the potential for lead dust was indicated on label) to get back to original wood. While it's best to not sand these stains or pressure treated wood, strippers alone didn't do the job. Once back to the original wood (and the deck looking amazing!) a brightener was used. Ready to stain again.
>> Not satisfied with the product, I researched stains again, and once again Behr was still showing up as the preferred choice for locally available product when compared to alternatives. HD had difficulty matching the color this time given the tint color code I chose the first time I stained was no longer available. I left without the stain to check around for alternate products and HD said they'd contact Behr. When I returned a few days later, an HD associate said he was informed by the BEHR rep the base formula had changed (as well as some of the tint formulas even if they had the same color code) so it would be trial and error to get the same color. This formula change was reportedly in response to complaints of the stain not lasting more than 1-2 years for majority of customers who took the time to let HD or Behr know. Should have walked away at that point. After a few tries adding the tint, it came out nearly identical to leftover stain I had from the previous application (which was stored air tight in normal humidity and temp range). Not having a clear alternative, I proceeded to purchase the Behr Premium semi-transparent again.
This stuff is crap. Did exactly what the can said and it will not dry. After 2 weeks put rocking chairs back on deck and it pulled the stain right off. Called Behr and they had the nerve to tell me I could get 2 cans of any kind of their product. I said no thanks and that they should have a contractor come out and fix this mess. They said they don't do that so I said give me my money back and I will never use Behr products again.
Did you sand your surface before applying the stain. Many wood materials need to be sanded before applications of stain because of chemicals they use when cutting the lumber. I am not a Behr product fan period myself.
I have stained my deck using Behr in the cedar color. It has been two weeks and the deck is still sticky. I do not know what to do about it.
Very disappointed in the product after spending the money and time.
I used Bhar nwf waterproofing stain! It's been on3 wks and dtl tacky ' I clef beer and they told
Ego mop with warm soapy water then rinse! Doesn't work ! Now what??
You will probably have to sand it off and start over if it never dries correctly.
Interesting review of Behr in that Consumer Reports rated this #1 just under TWP in the latest 2014 deck stain report. What explains the disagreement? Reformulation?
Hi, after reading this section I actually subscribed to CR. The Behr they actually give best rating to is the non-premium solid color. Not sure if I want to jump down the rabbit hole and try it though. We're in Nova Scotia and not many choices available.
It has pealed every year now half of my cedar boards are rotten want a new deck but cannot afford one trying to fix my self but am 72 and having hard time
I've painted for 30 years and this is the worst product I've used. I lost a few clients after using this on jobs. Used it on my new back deck and is was peeling in a few months and looks like it's been there for 20 years. Don't buy this.
One of the worst products I have ever worked with! I wonder why Home Depot sells this junk to millions of people and ruins their decks. They must being in a long term contract or getting a massive kickback on all sales.
Of course they are making money on all sales. They are a store. The stores job is to separate you from your $. ??
I painted my cedar fence with BEHR semi-transparent wood stain 5 years ago. I wished I had read the reviews before doing, but live and learn…Is there a better quality stain/paint I could apply over the existing BEHR? I don't want to strip and/or sand off the existing one. Am I forced to apply BEHR wood stain on top of BEHR wood stain or is there at least a better quality or longer lasting alternative?
Thanks, Diane
Diane, you cannot put anything on top of the Behr and have it work properly. Most will not even adhere. Either start over by removing or clean, reapply the Behr, and hopefully you will not have too many issues.
@Admin
the youtube link is dead.
Thanks. Fixed
In Canada we do not have very many options for stains. something in the the good stuff Canada will not permit.
I'd like to see a review on Transparent rather then the Semi-transparent. I'm sure they are different.
That said, I ended up getting the Behr transparent natural.
I chose this for 2 reasons.
1. I took in a sample of wood and tested it out on a piece of cedar i had. They took a cloth and wiped it on the board, waited a few and did again to give it a look of two coats. this looked pretty good in store.
2. Warranty. They stand behind the warranty. My father used their stain and in 2 years it started to peel, he wrote them a letter and showed pictures, and they offered to pay for all the materials it would cost to have it cleaned and painted again.
My Observations so far with:
Natural #500 – Transparent – applied to new Cedar – Wester Red – Fence – Toronto
cloth versus a brush or pad… puts on less stain. it looks better when it goes on really thin, and drys faster.
goes on a little thick so spreading it out is slow, but give you time not to over stain the first spot you put the brush down
not quite as transparent as i'd like… almost [but not quite] looks like a semi-transparent
tacky to touch more than 24 hours
kinda wish I went with the red cedar tone 501 colour. this one seems a bit too yellow. but the neighbours wanted natural…
Ugh. I am about to apply the second coat on my deck in Michigan after a week of lovely dry 70 dgr days, but it's still tacky. The part I did 2nd coat is even stickier. So, has there been any success by waiting a whole season before applying a 2nd coat. Thinking I will wait til spring now.
I would not apply now and wait until spring. That way if is fails over the winter, it will be easier to remove.
I just finished cleaning and applying 2 coats of BEHR Redwood Transparent stain. As everyone stated, it is more like a paint and is very sticky for a couple of weeks. Dust/footprints show, scratches easily and after 3 weeks since the application, we have rain today. The deck is absorbing the water. I did my front porch at the same time but with Thompson's waterproof redwood color and even though the color is miles different than BEHR's, at least Thompson's is beading water like a freshly waxed car. I will have to wait out the BEHR paint… I mean "stain" …and strip/clean the decks in a few years. It is just too much work with the railings to do this again so soon on 3 decks.
I tried Behr semitransparent redwood stain on a porch. It goes on unevenly with darker blotches of color in some areas. It did not penetrate the wood at all. It is like a paint. It wore off quickly in traffic areas. It night be good for something but I cannot imagine what. Maybe a really old unsalvageable fence. It is not for a deck and not any fence with usable wood. It does not act or look like a stain. And interestingly enough despite the recommendations of CU the comments there are not good. I ended up using on a fence TWP 1500 which is great and also Preserva-Wood which is also excellent.
Ok I used this an just like many of you I have a sticky deck that shows every overlap. The stuff sucks. I think we need a lawyer.
Continued from last post- Even tho this is a small deck, it would be a nighmare to strip. The other areas still look good but if I coat over them again, I won't see any of the original woodgrain.
Yeah, I used this product on my front porch deck about 4 or 5 years ago that faces north and gets NO direct sunlight. A darker red color that covers about 75% of the natural wood grain and is about 7'x16' . It looked pretty good after it was applied and it mostly still looks good now, except on the steps where there is no overhang and we do have to salt and shovel. The thing that ticks me off is that they call it a penetrating stain but it really is more like a paint as it's not very translucent and it does peel off easily like a paint. A true stain should penetrate the wood and not be scraped off easily or flake! I felt lied to. A real stain would not peel like that. Also, this stuff is a very dangerous slip hazard and should be applied with sand if you will be walking on it in the winter. I would be shocked if no one has broken some bones on this stuff. A light dusting of snow on this PAINT and you can skate on it with regular shoes! Anyways, I guess I have no choice but to lightly sand the peeled areas, and hope a 2nd coat (with sand) will cover the worn areas without looking too weird.
I was recommended Behr Premium Weatherproofing Stain for our deck, was told it's simply the best. Wish I would have read the reviews first. After two weeks, it's still too sticky to walk on and will leave footprints if I do. The dog has already left footprints and the deck is covered now with dust which I'm certain will not come off because of the stickiness. Will the stain EVER cure and be completely dry? I want my outdoor space back! I paid hundreds of dollars on stain for a large deck and overhang. I live in a very dry climate with almost zero humidity and cool summer temperatures. I can't afford to redo the entire deck!
what do you do when the stain will not cure. It still sticky and the out side temp 80f. Will in ever get to the point of not being sticky Is there a way to get it off my new deck out. I have the feiling that I am up shit creek
It should dry/cure eventually. It will need to be removed eventually by sanding and stripping.
Recommended by our contractor, we used Behr Simi transparent weather proofing stain in cedar (#146). I came home from work and was shocked to see our deck looking like it had been white-washed. The color was horrible. Looked like mocha coffee had been poured on my deck. So for the second coat we changed the color to Behr transparent weather proofing all-in-one wood finish (#501) Cedar Naturaltone. That helped the color a little. However, it has now been six days and we cannot walk on the deck because it is sticky. I'm just sick after reading these reviews. Wish I hadn't taken the word of my contractor and looked at some reviews myself before starting this project. Will call Behr to see what they have to say.
My deck was just completed a month ago and the color actually looks good. My issue is that dirt "sticks" to this stain and doesn't wash off. So my brand new deck is already filthy and nothing seems to clean it off. Any thoughts/experience around this? based on these reviews I'm guessing I'll have to re-stain it after winter.
Strip it off and start over with a better stain.
I was going to use this stain on my 6 yr old cedar deck (stained previously with another brand's product) based on CR's recommendation until I read the comments here. I am wondering now which product to buy if one cannot trust CR … Who wants to go through this work to learn the hard way? Any suggestions based on good experiences? Too many brands and "flavors", next to the impossible to pick.
Applied to 3 decks of new wood at new house. Based my decision to use Behr on Consumer Reports. Three weeks later ithe semi transparent stain was a non transparent pumpkin color. Three weeks passed and it was still tacky. All footprints showed on it. We used Behr stain remover in conjunction with a 3400psi power washer. It crackled up like paint and thankfully came off pretty well. This product is a total waste of money and needs to be taken off the market!!!
Besides the peeling, etc. we find this product has made our deck dangerously slippery when wet. Has anybody else experienced this?
Lauren, any deck stain that \”films\” on top of the wood can have issues with being slippery. Behr advertises itself as a penetrating stain but really is not. It dries on top creating a barrier between the wood and ice/snow/rain. Best to use a deep penetrating stain that soaks into the wood so this is not an issue. For you to fix you would need to remove the Behr 100% and start over.
Given the huge numbr of angry behr customers, is there a preferred remedy to remove the latex behr "stain"?
I am in the middle of sanding the bejeezus out of my deck flooring with a band sander to remove the behr, and want to nail the coffin shut with a stripper after sanding. Is the RAD stripper the most compatible for this (It seems nothing is truly designed for the latex stuff)? Also, for the restaining of the deck, what is the best compatible stain over top the latex?… I am not sanding the verticals.. they are actually in good shape. I was thinking defy extreme, per the site review here.
Pro guidance on how to best do a full and proper Behr to Bare and restain appreciated!
The Behr is a pain to strip off. Powdered stripper like the RAD Stripper and the HD80 are more effective since you can mix them stronger. Once removed make sure to brighten. You can use the Defy on the stripped areas but you cannot apply the Defy or any brand on top of the Behr verticals.
First off – this is an excellent site. really really appreciate the 'telling it like it is' and the professional experience you all bring. About the Behr:
Nothing at all ever on the Behr verticals? water based on top of water based – what's the issue? I should clarify that I do plan to sand the verts lightly (just not 1,000% to full fresh wood like I am on the decking surface and also plan to hit the decking plus Verts with RAD or HD890 + appropriate brightener. will that be sufficient to prep?
Thing is just that the verts are a bit intricate (previous HO was a builder), plus are actually in really good shape. Sanding them might take a couple of weeks (at least). Also – what is an appropriate amount of time for the deck to be bare wood exposed to weather before I stain? I am OK with "re-brightening" the wood if I need to. I just don't want to get surface into a state where it wont accept stain well.
I have also done the 'water test' on all the verts and NOTHING beads up on the surface – just sits there and seems to soak in. so – I assume another water based stain on the (now after light sand and a strip) ~70-80% bare verts will also soak in. Perhaps this is hubris?
You should never put a different stain brand on top of an old stain. It just will not penetrate or adhere. Even worse when it is Behr. Behr is a filming forming acrylic stain that does not absorb into the wood. Adding a different brand of stain on top will cause issues:
It will not penetrate, It may not adhere, and it will be prone to the failure of the Behr.
Do not sand it off. Best to strip it a few times and pressure wash. You will probably get off 95% this way if patient. We never sand rails, what a PITA!
Thanks for the advice. Will strip the whole thing bare. how strong would you reccomend the RAD mix to go… Or is it better to stay normal strength and give it a couple passes? I am also planning to run a big orbital with a pad on the horizontals as well after the strip. Like the day it was born.
How about the bare wood though… Any concerns leaving it to the weather until I am able to find a day to stain? It is pressure pine.
Mix at 10-12 oz of powder per gallon. Strip a few times to get off as much as you can. Brighten after the sanding. You can wait a couple of weeks to stain.
I applied this Behr product to a deck that had been stained 4 years ago with another Behr product. Deck was cleaned and allowed to dry per instructions. Deck was sprayed with an airless HVLP sprayer six days ago. As of this afternoon it is still tacky. Simply will not dry. Anyone else have this problem or know how to remedy this situation?
Jim, sorry but you will probably need to remove and start over to fix. Might want to contact Behr.
I used Behr 3 years ago and after the second year it started to badly peel and now I am finding rotted wood. I have used Behr in the past with good success but the formulation appeared to change the last time I used it. At that time it went on like "paint" rather than a sealer. This product should be removed from the market. I has cost me a lot of money in unneccessary repairs.
We had problems also. Dust stuck to it and it peeled. What a mess. Of course, when I called them, they claimed I did not apply it correctly or the temperature and humidity were not right. Do not buy this product.
I used Behr waterproofing on my decks for a number of years and it worked out pretty well. However starting 2 years ago the product starts peeling as described by others here. Did they change the formula or something?
I wondered about this also as I had used it several years ago and had pretty good results.
Does anyone know if this issue is potentially going to a class action? I have been in negotiations with Behr on these types of problems with my deck and they have offered me a settlement if I sign a release. Seeing all of these exact same issues with others makes me think that I should wait and see where this goes legally…
Upset, years ago they lost a class action on their semi-transparent oil based stain. They switched it to water and it is worse. I have not heard of a new suit. They really have no clue how to make exterior wood and deck stains.
I spent several hours today sanding my cedar deck clean of this product. It peeled quite badly after less then one year of light use (I might use my deck twice a week when I'm having a cigar). I just hope my back pain doesn't come back after today. I'm extremely disappointed. Yes, they offered to reimburse me for a new can of the same product (along with conditioner, etc…), but I can't see myself using this product again. I'm looking for alternatives as we speak.
OMG I just had to do the same exact thing !
Hi Vince , I feel your pain . We are in the process of using this as I speak . Thank God we only did the rails so far , I just told my husband to NOT put it on our deck floor . I hate the look of our rails , we used chocolate and it looks nothing like the sample did . It is terrible ; looks like we hired first graders to come do the work. I will purchase a different product for the floor . But now we are out a lot of money and time , and my very large wrap-around porch is hideous .
I used this stain as well. what a joke. it started peeling in patches after the first month. after the winter it was just a complete disaster with patches peeling all over the place. it was such a waste of time and money and one year later i have to do all the work all over again plus try to remove whats left of the old. terrible, terrible product.
I used the Behr Premium Weatherproofing Wood Finish on our deck and it started to peel and flake off the deck boards as well as the rails. We are very upset and were told by a Behr salesman that we could get our money back for the product. What about all are labor cost? Very unhappy our new deck looks horrible!!!!!!!!
They told me the same thing. Lot's of labor involved. I was told they don't have a program to fix it. They did tell me to mix Dawn Dish washing liquid with water and apply that all over the deck. I did it twice. It still feels like syrup has been spilled on your shoes when you walk on it. The stuff sucks.
I had the same experience with this product – it started peeling off our deck almost immediately and by the end of summer I had to sand the entire deck (except the rails), and purchase new stain to re-finish our deck. It was horrible! After all the work of building a large deck and staining it, to have to re-do the whole thing months later was a terrible experience. Never again!
My experience with this product was at least as bad as described above. Complete failure in one year or less.
Do not buy this product , complety ruined our new deck because of the peeling !! If I could sue behr I would !!
Will never purchase/use Behr Deck Stain again! The review from the above product review is an accurate description of our experience after using this product. This stain goes on more like paint, did not cover evenly, and the stain began peeling on flat surfaces (deck floor, railing top/bottom) soon after application. The upright rails were not affected and held the stain. Small consolation as now we have more work ahead removing the stain from the uprights before redoing the whole deck with a product that lives up to its claims!!
I came to this site to see why my Behr semi transparent stain is still tacky. Well I guess I found out by reading all the comments here. AND I am mad as hell!!! Two years ago I bought two 5 gallon cans of Behr Deck OVER, and I followed the instructions carefully. This product had a 10 year warranty! The following summer 75% of it was bumbling and peeling off.
I called Behr and they sent me 8 gallons of paint remover and two new 5 gallon cans of Deck Over. However the paint remover could not remove the remaining 25% of the paint! So I contacted Behr again and they agreed to pay for a floor sander. Even with the sander it was difficult to remove it all.
I refused to use Deck Over again and told them. So they sent me 5 Gallons of their Semi-Transparent Stain and two gallons of deck prep.
After following all the directions a I applied the stain. After a few days it is still tacky and after reading all the comments here I guess i got screwed again by Behr. Will this stuff ever dry?
Is there a lawyer out there please! Maybe a class action suit is in order here!
Same here. Will not dry!!!
We have EXACTLY the same issues — going on 2 weeks after application. Followed directions accurately, and spent countless hours sanding down our very large walnut deck before applying. Not only is it still tacky, it is not completely impervious to moisture, and my beautiful deck is covered in scratches from plastic furniture. Completely unacceptable, and now we must re-do the entire thng. Horrible product