Best Deck Stain and Sealer 2023 4.9/5 (24)

Hi there, I recently stained and sealed my deck with C2 Guard Waterproofer. I followed the directions on how to apply it (not in direct sunlight, two coats wet on damp, deck was dry to start) and prepped the deck boards with a scrub down of sodium percarbonate, then pressure washed and rinsed. The deck seems to never have been sealed before and before I started it was grey weathered pressure treated pine. Looked like drift wood. I let it dry for a couple of days and it was a pale yellow pine color. The stain color was great when applying but after it completely dried it seems to have soaked in too much. Most of the color is gone and after it rained the water seems to seep deep into the boards. It brings back the color I want but after it dries it’s pale again. Looks like it’s also not working as a waterproofer. Any ideas on what to do next? Ignore the pressure treated pale boards as I they are new and I will only treat them next year.

I am in Ontario we stain our deck with Beauti Tone Wood Shield Best.100% Acrylic Deck & Siding Semi Transparent Stain..It looked really nice when it was dry. But as soon you walk on it with our bare feet it is so hot and if your feet is wet coming out from the pool it is very slippery.. Plus when it snow a little on in it is very slippery too. .. So like to cover it over this spring so it isn’t slippery and very hot on bare feet So I am wondering what you recommend so our grandkids and us won’t burn or fall this summer on our deck..

Hey DS Help Team!

Very much appreciated for all of the support and info you put out there!

I’m planning on building a small 12′ x 12′ entry deck. The deck will be partial sun and partial shade. I’m in Southern California so it’s usually dry but we do see some moisture through the winter months. I’m planning on either clear Cedar or select heartwood Redwood. I love the natural yet subdued warmth these woods offer – I don’t particularly care for that hotter/yellow look that comes with staining.

I want to preserve the natural grain and tone of the wood while not shooting myself in the foot for future maintenance. I had been leaning towards an oil based UV protective sealer until I found your site and figured maybe a semi-transparent oil or water based product may be better.

I probably wouldn’t mind having to re-apply something every year or two but I would like to avoid stripping and sanding in the future.

Any specific tips you all could offer?

Many thanks in advance!

R

Cabot Deck Correct Ok never heard of the other brands

I just installed a large pressure treated deck using 2×6 pt decking . What is the best product to use in upstate NY

Redid Our deck posts, supports and railing with composite and Replaced the flat surface with new “thinner” deck boards. The deck boards have now cured (shrunk with gaps) for one year and ready for best long term sealer and no issues on cost. Would like good traction when wet and no issues with graying.

What should I apply and what will be the necessary follow up for time and process to reseal in future??

Ottawa, ON
July 2016, we had a 13′ x 17′ red cedar deck installed, it looked gorgeous and smelled even better!
August 2017 we were finally able to stain and protect. We cleaned and power-washed the greying off deck (perhaps a little too aggressively), then used “C2 Guard Waterproofer Ultimate Wood Protection” (C2). This stuff is NOT cheap at $115.00/gallon, 4 years ago. Our deck builder recommended it, so we bought it. The application is a “wet on damp” procedure, and then second coat goes on while first coat is still damp. We used 2 gallons but didn’t get to all the flat areas around the edges, vertical posts or sidewalls because we ran out of energy and C2.
August 2018, I was only going to protect the rest of the wood that wasn’t done the previous year, but someone insisted we power wash everything, in order that it “all look the same”. Unfortunately the power washer person was again too aggressive. Put another 2 coats of C2 down, then the weather changed from reported “sunny” to rain. Basically $230.00 wasted, and it looked worse than when we started.
Fall 2019, floor of deck doesn’t look good, so again, another light power wash and another 2 gallons of C2. Could have used another gallon but it got too cold to apply. Summer 2020, got the COVID blahs and just couldn’t muster up the energy to do it all again.
Summer 2021, the horizontal flat areas (where the sun hits – floor of deck, top of the railings, and bottom of spindles) look crappy, the upright vertical areas look great. We have already put 6 gallons of C2 Guard into this deck and it looks horrible, but what to do? I would love ALL of the deck to look like the vertical areas, but not sure how to get there. We did a water test yesterday and it beads in most places, only a few spots where the water sinks quicker, but not too quickly.
We would appreciate any insight or suggestions. Attached are photos from the good to the current ugly.

Hi, we have a 15 x 12 foot deck ready to stain. We live in Utah with extreme heat and cold weather. Our deck has direct sunlight in the afternoon hours and is exposed to the weather (no roof). The deck is made of redwood and it took all summer to build. When it came time to apply the seal it was late in the year with temperatures dropping, we assume the seal did not take due to the cold. We were thinking about using the TWP brand but we’re not quite sure which series or type will work best in our environment. What would you recommend?

Hi – I am looking at using the TWP 1500 for my small deck and staircase. Once this cures, will it be slippery? Our deck is on a second floor (roof) so we have a lot of stairs.

Is it wise ot apply a second coat of Olympic Maximum Clear Waterproofing Sealer to a pressure treated pine deck and railing? How about for a fencs I applied one coat and it looks pretty goood but some some spots didn’t cover as well. Also does a second coat add to longevity and durability ? Will a second coad result in pealing? Product instructions say one coat but not sure this is just marketing or wishful thinking.

I’ve looked through the reviews but am unclear on something since no one else has mentioned this. I purchased a used playset that’s in pretty decent shape, but it definitely needs to be cleaned up. These playsets are made of cedar and already have a tint to them (i’m not sure if that’s natural or added by the company, I’m a newbie). Since it’s fall, I just want to weatherproof it and make it safe for the kiddos and then next spring I’ll stain (semi perm i guess). Do you recommend a clear weatherproofing seal? Is there nothing that I can use that’s clear that will both weatherproof and provide UV protection?

Hi,

I just put up a new redwood fence with smooth con heart. Is is a hard set rule to let the wood age 4-12 months before applying a clear stain? It’s been about 2 months and the wood seems dry to me.

Thx,

Collin

We purchased a lake home with cedar siding. It has not been treated over the years but we would like to do so going forward. Would one of these stains be good for ease of application and reapplication ( we will be doing it ourselves), as well as mildew prevention?