Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Cabot Australian Timber Oil review is based on hands-on testing across real decks — all designed to give you an honest, independent look at this product. See here for more info about me.
Cabot Australian Timber Oil Deck Stain Review
Cabot stain has been a fixture in the deck staining market for decades, and the Australian Timber Oil is their most recognized semi-transparent product. It is marketed as a penetrating oil-based stain that enhances wood color while protecting against UV damage and moisture. After testing it on a 200 square foot pine deck with full southern sun exposure over two years, here is what I actually found.
- Cabot Australian Timber Oil scored 7.19 out of 10 overall after two years of real-world testing on a 200 square foot pine deck in full southern sun.
- UV protection was below average, with only 60% color retention at two years, making it a poor choice for full-sun decks.
- Mold and algae resistance was weak, with visible mold covering 30% of the deck surface by the two-year mark, especially in low-airflow areas.
- Reapplication is not simple: full stripping and brightening are required before recoating, adding significant time and labor cost.
- TWP 1500 and Armstrong Clark outperform Cabot Australian Timber Oil in UV protection, mold resistance, and recoat ease at similar price points.
How I Rated Cabot Australian Timber Oil
My Cabot
Australian Timber Oil review uses an 8-step process with each category scored on a scale of 1 to 10. The final score is the average of all 8 categories. I tested this product on a 200 square foot pine deck with mostly full southern sun exposure over 2 years using the Natural color.
- Appearance after initial application
- UV protection and preventing graying at 2 years
- Wear, tear, and peeling
- Cost per square foot
- Mold, mildew, and algae resistance
- Ease of application
- Color shifting and darkening
- Difficulty of reapplication
8-Step Cabot Deck Stain Review Results
1. Appearance After Initial Application: 7/10
The Natural tone of the Cabot Australian Timber Oil did a solid job of restoring the wood colors on our pine deck. The warm amber undertones came through well and the finish looked clean after application. However, the stain did not penetrate into the wood as expected in several areas, leaving shiny spots throughout the flooring. For a product marketed as a penetrating oil stain, this was a notable early concern.
2. UV Protection and Preventing Graying at 2 Years: 6/10
The Cabot deck stain showed only about 60% color retention after two years of southern sun exposure. The Natural tint faded significantly on the horizontal flooring boards, where UV exposure is highest. We expected better performance from an oil-based product marketed with UV protection. Vertical surfaces like railings held color noticeably better than the deck floor.
3. Wear, Tear, and Peeling: 7.5/10
The Cabot stain was completely gone on approximately 25% of the decking surface after two years. The wearing was concentrated on the high-traffic areas and the sections with the most direct winter exposure. Winter freeze-thaw cycles appeared to be a significant factor in the accelerated wear. There was no traditional film-peeling, but the stain simply wore away rather than holding its position on the wood surface.
4. Cost Per Square Foot: 8/10
One gallon of Cabot Australian Timber Oil covered our 200 square foot test deck, which works out to approximately $0.28 per square foot at the current price of $55.99 per gallon. Coverage rate is listed at 200 to 300 square feet per gallon depending on wood porosity. For a typical 400 square foot deck, expect to use 2 gallons at roughly $112 in material cost. This is competitive with similar semi-transparent stains in the same category.
5. Mold, Mildew, and Algae Resistance: 6/10
This was one of the weaker areas of the Cabot stain review. After two years, visible mold was growing on approximately 30% of the deck surface. Algae growth was also observed under the railings and around the perimeter where airflow was reduced. For an oil-based stain in a humid or shaded environment, this is a significant concern. Homeowners in the Southeast, Pacific Northwest, or anywhere with high humidity should factor this in heavily when evaluating Cabot Australian Timber Oil.
6. Ease of Application: 8.5/10
The Australian Timber Oil spread well in terms of coverage, and the product flowed easily off a stain pad applicator. However, getting the stain to absorb evenly into the wood was more difficult than expected. Several areas dried tacky and sticky, which required back-brushing to work the product into the grain. This is a common issue with heavier oil-based formulations when the wood surface is even slightly warmer than ideal. Working in the early morning or in shaded conditions helps significantly.
7. Color Shifting and Darkening at 2 Years: 7.5/10
In areas where the stain was still attached to the wood at the two-year mark, noticeable darkening had occurred. This was primarily due to dirt accumulation and mold growth rather than the stain itself changing color. A thorough deck cleaning with a wood brightener would likely restore some of the original tone, but the mold penetration made that a more involved process than a simple wash-down.
8. Difficulty of Reapplication: 7/10
Because the stain had worn unevenly and mold had established itself in the wood fibers, I recommend a heavy stripping with a dedicated deck stripper followed by a wood brightener before reapplying any stain. Simply applying a maintenance coat over the existing surface would trap mold and result in poor adhesion and uneven color. This is a meaningful time and labor cost that should be considered when evaluating the long-term value of Cabot Australian Timber Oil.
Overall Score: Cabot Australian Timber Oil at 2 Years
7.19/10
The Cabot Australian Timber Oil landed in the average range compared to the other semi-transparent stains I have tested. It looks good at first and costs a reasonable amount per square foot, but it underdelivered on UV resistance, mold protection, and long-term color retention. For a product positioned as a penetrating oil-based stain, I expected better absorption and better durability at the two-year mark. It is not a bad product, but there are better semi-transparent options available — particularly if you are ordering online and not limited to big-box retail.
Cabot Australian Timber Oil Product Information
Where To Buy: Select hardware stores or online
Cost: $55.99 per gallon / $295.99 per 5-gallon pail
Stain Type: Semi-transparent, oil-based
Available Colors: Amberwood, Honey Teak, Mahogany Flame, Natural
Application Temperature: 45 to 90 degrees F
Coats Required: 1 to 2 coats
Coverage Per Gallon: 200 to 300 sq. ft.
Application Tools: Sprayer, pad, brush, roller
Dry Time: 24 hours
Cleanup: Mineral spirits
VOC Compliant: 250 VOC compliant in all 50 states
Manufacturer: Cabot
Test Deck Stats:
Wood Type: Pine
Square Footage: 200 sq. ft.
UV Exposure: Mostly full sun, southern exposure
Years Tested: 2 years
Color Used: Natural
All products tested and results are from our experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Results may differ due to different wood types, UV exposure levels, and natural weathering conditions.
Cabot Deck Stain Pros and Cons
Pros
- Widely available at major retailers and online
- Good initial color enhancement on pine and cedar
- Competitive cost per square foot
- Multiple color options including a true Natural tone
- Established brand with long market history
Cons
- UV protection is below average — significant fading by year two on full-sun decks
- Mold and algae resistance is weak in humid or shaded conditions
- Uneven absorption common — tacky drying in warmer temperatures
- Stain wore off 25% of the test deck surface within two years
- Reapplication requires full stripping and brightening, not just a maintenance coat
Best Wood Types for Cabot Australian Timber Oil
Cabot stain performs differently depending on the wood species you are working with. Understanding which wood types are a good fit can save you a lot of frustration at the two-year maintenance mark.
Woods That Work Well
- Pine and pressure-treated pine: The open grain of pine accepts the oil formula reasonably well. Our test deck was pressure-treated pine and absorption was acceptable, though uneven in spots.
- Cedar: Cedar’s natural oils are compatible with an oil-based product like Australian Timber Oil. The Natural and Amberwood tones complement cedar’s warm color well.
- Older wood that has weathered and opened up: Weathered wood with more open grain tends to absorb the oil better than dense or recently milled wood.
Woods That Are Not a Good Fit
- New pressure-treated wood: New PT lumber still holds excess moisture from the treatment process and mill oils that block absorption. Wait at least 90 days before staining, and even then a higher-penetration product will perform better. See our guide on how long to wait before staining a new deck.
- Hardwoods such as IPE, Cumaru, and Tigerwood: These tropical hardwoods are extremely dense and require a specialized hardwood oil formula. Australian Timber Oil will not penetrate properly and is likely to sit on the surface, leading to peeling or flaking.
- Redwood: Redwood has a high tannin content that can react with oil-based stains and cause uneven color or bleed-through. A water-based semi-transparent is generally a better choice.
How to Apply Cabot Australian Timber Oil
Applying Cabot stain correctly is the single biggest factor in how long it will last. Here is the step-by-step process I follow based on hands-on experience with this product.
- Clean the deck thoroughly. Use a dedicated deck cleaner and brightener to remove dirt, mildew, and mill glaze. This opens the wood pores and allows the oil to penetrate rather than sit on the surface. Skipping this step is the number one cause of tacky drying and premature failure. See our guide on deck cleaning and brightening.
- Allow the wood to dry completely. The wood must be dry to the touch and have a moisture content below 15% before you apply any stain. For pressure-treated lumber, this typically means waiting at least 48 to 72 hours after cleaning, and longer if the weather has been wet.
- Check the weather forecast. Apply Cabot Australian Timber Oil when air and surface temperatures are between 45 and 90 degrees F. Avoid application in direct hot sun — the stain will dry too fast and leave lap marks. Early morning is ideal. Do not apply if rain is expected within 24 hours.
- Stir, do not shake, the product. Shaking introduces air bubbles that cause uneven drying. Stir thoroughly to blend the pigment that settles to the bottom, especially in the Natural color.
- Apply a thin, even first coat. Use a stain pad applicator, brush, or pump sprayer. Work in the direction of the wood grain. Apply thin — avoid puddling in the board grooves. Cabot Australian Timber Oil is a one to two coat product, and thin coats absorb better than heavy ones. Thick application is the primary cause of the tacky, sticky drying we observed during testing.
- Back-brush any areas that are not absorbing. If you see the stain sitting on the surface rather than soaking in, work it in immediately with a brush before it begins to dry. Do not let wet stain sit on dense grain areas or knots.
- Apply a second coat if needed. On older, more porous wood, a second coat applied within the wet-on-wet window (before the first coat fully dries) will deepen color and improve protection. On denser or newer wood, one coat is usually sufficient.
- Allow 24 hours of dry time before foot traffic. Keep the deck dry and free of foot traffic for at least 24 hours. In cooler temperatures or high humidity, extend this to 48 hours before normal use.
Maintenance and Recoating Cabot Stain
Maintenance is where Cabot Australian Timber Oil shows its biggest weakness as a long-term deck stain. Because the product wears unevenly and does not resist mold strongly, getting back to a clean, consistent surface for recoating requires more prep work than most penetrating stains.
- Inspect the deck at 12 to 18 months for early signs of fading or mold growth
- Do not let the stain fully fail before recoating — partial wear is much easier to address than complete wear
- If mold or algae is present, a deck stripper and brightener are required before adding any new stain
- If the stain has worn off unevenly, strip the entire surface to bare wood for a uniform result
- Do not apply a new coat over a surface with active mold — you will seal it in and accelerate failure
From my experience on real decks, once Cabot Australian Timber Oil begins to fail with mold involvement, you are looking at a full strip-and-recoat rather than a simple maintenance coat. That additional labor cost should factor into your decision when comparing it to higher-performing semi-transparent stains. See our deck cleaning and brightening guide and our guide on how to prep a deck for staining.
Who Should Use Cabot Australian Timber Oil
Cabot stain is not the right choice for every homeowner, but it fits certain situations well. Here is how I break it down based on what I have seen across real decks.
Consider Cabot Australian Timber Oil if:
- You need a product available at a local hardware store and cannot order online
- You are staining a cedar or pine deck with partial to moderate sun exposure
- You want a warm, natural-toned semi-transparent finish and are not in a high-humidity climate
- Your deck is older wood with open grain that will absorb the oil more readily
Consider a different product if:
- Your deck is in full sun with high UV exposure — UV resistance is below average
- You live in a humid climate or your deck has shade — mold resistance is weak
- You want an easy recoat without stripping — this product does not allow that
- You are working with a tropical hardwood like IPE or Cumaru
- You want the best long-term performance for your money — see our best deck stains page for top-rated alternatives
Cabot Australian Timber Oil vs. Top Semi-Transparent Stains
Here is how Cabot Australian Timber Oil compares to the top-rated semi-transparent deck stains I have tested.
| Product | Overall Score | UV Protection | Mold Resistance | Recoat Ease | Cost/Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TWP 1500 Series | 9.2/10 | Excellent | Excellent | Easy | ~$59/gal |
| Armstrong Clark | 9.0/10 | Excellent | Very Good | Easy | ~$55/gal |
| Defy Extreme | 8.5/10 | Very Good | Very Good | Easy | ~$50/gal |
| Cabot Australian Timber Oil | 7.19/10 | Below Average | Below Average | Requires Strip | ~$56/gal |
Cabot Wood Deck Stain FAQs
Is Cabot Australian Timber Oil a true penetrating stain?
Cabot Australian Timber Oil is marketed as a penetrating oil-based stain, but in my testing it did not penetrate as deeply or evenly as higher-performing products like TWP 1500 or Armstrong Clark. On our pine test deck, the stain left shiny surface spots in several areas rather than absorbing uniformly into the wood grain. True penetrating stains absorb fully below the wood surface, leaving no film that can peel or lift. Cabot Australian Timber Oil behaves more like a surface-enhanced penetrant — it soaks in partially, but on denser grain areas or in warmer temperatures it tends to sit on the surface. If deep penetration is your priority, particularly on a dense or newer wood surface, there are better options available.
Does Cabot deck stain peel?
Cabot Australian Timber Oil did not peel in the traditional film-peeling sense during our two-year test, but it did wear off rapidly on 25% of the deck surface, particularly in high-traffic areas and zones with heavy winter exposure. Peeling is more common with Cabot’s semi-solid and solid color lines, which build a thicker surface film. With the Australian Timber Oil semi-transparent formula, the failure mode is accelerated wear and loss of film rather than dramatic peeling. Either way, the result is bare, unprotected wood that requires a full strip and recoat rather than a simple maintenance application. If you see early signs of uneven wear, address it before the surface fails completely.
How long does Cabot Australian Timber Oil last?
Based on our testing, Cabot Australian Timber Oil on a pine deck with full southern sun exposure lasted approximately two years before requiring a full recoat. By the two-year mark, 25% of the deck surface had lost most of its stain, UV graying was visible, and mold had established on 30% of the deck. In a more shaded environment or on a vertical surface like a fence or railing, the stain will likely perform better and may extend closer to three years before recoating is needed. Cabot’s own label suggests reapplication every one to three years depending on conditions. In my experience with Michigan weather, plan for closer to two years on horizontal decking in full sun.
Can Cabot Australian Timber Oil be reapplied without stripping?
Not in most cases, and especially not if mold or algae has been present. If you catch the deck early — before significant wear or biological growth — you may be able to clean the surface with a deck cleaner, brighten with an oxalic acid brightener, and apply a maintenance coat directly over the existing stain. However, if the stain has worn unevenly, if mold is present, or if the surface has significant weathering, a full strip with a dedicated deck stripper is required before recoating. Applying new stain over a degraded or mold-contaminated surface will result in poor adhesion, blotchy color, and accelerated failure of the new coat. In our testing scenario, a full strip-and-recoat was the correct approach at the two-year mark.
Is Cabot Australian Timber Oil good for new wood?
Cabot Australian Timber Oil is not the best choice for new pressure-treated lumber, and I would not recommend it as a first stain on new PT wood. New pressure-treated decking holds excess moisture and mill oils that block proper penetration of any oil-based stain. Even after the recommended drying period, the dense surface of new PT wood does not absorb Australian Timber Oil as evenly as it would a product formulated with higher penetration chemistry, such as TWP 1500 or Armstrong Clark. For new cedar or pine that has been allowed to dry fully — typically 90 or more days — Cabot Australian Timber Oil is a more viable option, though you will still need to clean and brighten the wood before application. See our full guide on staining a new deck.
How does Cabot Australian Timber Oil perform in full sun?
Full-sun performance is one of the weakest areas for Cabot Australian Timber Oil. Our test deck had mostly full southern sun exposure, and the product showed only 60% color retention at the two-year mark with significant fading on the horizontal deck boards. The UV resistance scored a 6 out of 10 in our testing — below what I expect from a quality oil-based semi-transparent stain. If your deck receives six or more hours of direct sun per day, I recommend looking at TWP 1500 Series or Armstrong Clark, both of which I have tested in similar conditions and found to deliver significantly better UV protection and color retention past the two-year mark. Cabot Australian Timber Oil is better suited for decks with partial shade or northern exposures where UV intensity is lower.
Cabot Deck Stain Review: Final Verdict
Cabot Australian Timber Oil is a recognizable product that has been on the market for a long time, and it earns its 7.19 out of 10 average — not bad, but not competitive with the top semi-transparent stains available today. The initial appearance is good, the cost per square foot is reasonable, and it works adequately on cedar and pine in moderate conditions.
Where it falls short is where it matters most over time: UV protection, mold resistance, and recoating ease. On a full-sun deck in a climate with real winters and humidity, you will be looking at a full strip-and-recoat within two years rather than a simple maintenance coat. That additional labor cost narrows the value proposition considerably when compared to a product like TWP 1500 or Armstrong Clark, which are available online at similar price points and outperform Cabot in every durability category I tested.
If you are limited to local retail and Cabot is your only semi-transparent option, it will do the job. If you have the option to order online, there are better deck stains available. See our full rankings on the best deck stains page.
After 2 years Australian Timber oil is flaking on our Pergola & our Cedar Fence. We pay top dollar for this CRAP. Writing to Cabot is nothing more than a BLACK HOLE – no response. Our Pergola shelf is perfect example of NO TRAFFIC yet peeling up…
Terrible product. Gone in 6 months. Expensive. I will be going back to Lowe’s to complain
Never ever again will purchase we put it on our deck after about a year and now it’s peeling up and flaking , looks horrible.
We had the same problem! Now I have to scrape it off and start over. The color also didnt look like the chip either. Worst stain ever!
This review is in regards to the natural tone product ,applied the the product in accordance with the prep and all others requirements. This is a 35 year old front porch victorian out of the elements porch. Used one gallon , it has now been almost two weeks since the application it’s sticky as you walk on it. Called Cabot today 7/11.2019 told them of the issue there recommendation was to go buy a a jug of simple green to clean the deck !WHAT! a joke! OH YEA! call the simple green company and ask how to use it. Not what I expected and to say it didn’t absorb the product what a joke a 35 year old deck cleaned and prep per ther instructions not to mention a deck that has never had a product put on it that was a joke! This is a poor product BUYER BEWARE!
Cabot stain is a terrible product. I applied on my new redwood deck and after 2 years, I had to sand down deck to remove massive peeling. It caused a lot of work. I am a contractor and I will do my best to pass along this information to all customers.
Yes I agree, same thing do not use this product
Agree. Sticky at first even after power washing the deck and allowing it to dry, All it does is seal in moisture and next year it starts rotting. 2 years after application, the whole deck is rotted.
My next deck paint will be no paint. When I can get a home loan will replace with trex. What a disappointment!
I live in Northern, Illinois and have a cedar deck. I replaced all f my decking and let it “weather” for a year before applying a stain. I really shopped around for a good product and was advised by Lowes, that for my area and the finish I wanted, they recommended Cabot Australian Timber Oil. I contacted Cabot and they told me the procedure to follow. Well, I purchased 2 gallons of the product, cleaned deck, per instructions and let dry completely. I applied the stain, and as it dried, it looked like a million bucks. Looks were deceiving. This was May of 2018. Here it is, mid April 2019 and my deck looks terrible (wish I could attach photos). I just contacted cabot and was advised they would send me a refund, with proof of purchase. Now, let me ask you. How many people keep a receipt that long? Then they went on to tell me, that was about the life expectancy of the product. My advice: STEER CLEAR OF THIS TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE PRODUCT!!!
I absolutely agree. I will never touch a Cabot product again. OR a Sherwin Wms (since they now own Cabot) I loved SW for years. Until I suddenly didn’t, when I accidentally encountered their woter-borne semi-trans stain. My FIRST disaster (which ended in replacing the deck) (time had come. 20 yrs old)
New deck I had a shop apply Cabot semi-transparent alkyd stain to my new air dried in a ‘spa-drying’ shop. CVG cedar. It was a disaster that I am still dealing with a year later. Cabot rep came out and just shrugged and said ‘I don ‘t know”. The shop said they followed normal coating procedure -drying green wood for 2 wks at 80º before coating.. long story, Wine Valley Siding (the shop that coated it) told me to take it up with the lumber broker. I knew I was screwed. It appeared that it was a mill-glaze issue. The lumber vender steered me away from sanding,. (Thanks LS Cedar, Vashon Island.)I am happy to have found this site. I have just pressure washed the crap off my deck, what was left. Now trying to determine the next step. Sand? Brighten? G&T seems to be the only way to go. I hope my photos get posted!
Misery loves company. So happy to have found this site!
Hey cabot You won’t get my money again guaranteed
The product is called timber oil, but you do the clean up with soap and water. What does that tell you? They should be prosecuted for false advertising. I used it on some outdoor wood that I had sanded down well. It raised the grain right away because it’s not an oil stain.
I just cleaned my deck with pool chlorine, scrubbed, rinsed it off. Let it dry for 2-3 days.
Sanded all the old stuff off, down to the bare boards. I rinsed off all the dust from sanding, and let dry for 2 days. I stained it with Cabot Australian gold. It was 3-4 days before the first rain. I noticed it only beaded up in just a small area. Why did it do that?
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/why-is-my-deck-stain-not-beading-water/
In your review you applied the Cabot Wood and Deck Stain to a deck.
Do you feel it might get better results on cedar garage doors? I am in Ontario, Canada and my doors are south facing.
Vertical wood always does better than a deck floor. Cabot is still not the best brand for Canada. Try Armstrong Clark or TWP 200 Series.
You’re product sucks
It is not our product as we are an independent review site but we do agree that it has gone downhill over the years.
Cabot stain isn’t worth the price. I get 1 year out of it
Bad quality in this product,
I tested in couple deck boards after a week it peels off very easily beautiful color but not good product. What I did is to match the color with super deck semitransparent from sherwin Willimas, one of the best product I use in all my job
Cabot solid and deck correct did not do a good job on my deck it it chipping and coming off I am very upset because I spent a good bit of money I don’t know if I would recommend it I am on a limited income and don’t have the money to buy something else
Cabot semi solid deck stain is an awesome product. I highly recommend it.
Used cabot deck correct and a year later it peeled and looking for a better product. Do not use Cabot deck correct.
Without reading through everyone’s posts, been there with you m, what IS considered the BEST stain/sealers for decks ???
Than you!!
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
I just applied the Jarrah Brown. It’s NOT brown, it’s red! Very disappointed.
can you coat with urathane varnish after useing australian oil?
No, it will peel: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/can-you-apply-a-clear-sealer-or-polyurethane-over-a-deck-stain/
Cabot Gold Stain question. Someone noted many of the negative reviews were from users with the Low VOC product. I see some of this product marketed online as Low VOC and some have no mention. Is the Low VOC noted by the number on the can, bottom right of the front label? See pics. I tested a few dry cedar deck boards recently and like the look. Wondering which VOC level I’ve got…Or is the number meaningless and all of the product is Low VOC?. Number on my can is 3471. Comments, pics welcome from those who have used this product beyond the initial “wow” appearance phase.
New red cedar front porch in Pacific NW.
Thank you!
All of it is Low VOC as far as we know.
No, it’s available as regular or low VOC (like the Timber Oil, the low VOC is five digits; the old version is four, starting with a 3). Congrats, you got the non-low-VOC version!
How can i blend new cedar boards with old ones. I’ve always used cedartone twp but it doesn’t have enough pigment to blend in.
You can’t with semi-transparent stains. The new boards are less absorbent so they will be lighter in color.
Do you recommend a semi solid by cabot.
No, it looks like paint and peel.
I put Cabot premium woodcare on my new deck last fall and it looks absolutely terrible 5 months later, what to do? It went on great, it looked amazing when I put it on. I let the deck acclimate for 1 month after it was built as recommended by my contractor before applying the woodcare. Now it looks like the entire deck needs to be sanded and refinished
You will need to remove it and start over. Use this to remove: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-injectable-deck-stain-stripper-review/
When done, try a better brand: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
I want to apply the solid color oil deck stain (brown) to the exterior of a new Cedar cat house and would like to know if it is lead free and would it be toxic to outdoor pets or people? Please respond ASAP!
There is no lead in paints anymore not should it be toxic.
Tried semi solid and solid stains by Cabot. Glad we bought samples. It didn’t dry evenly but looks even till it starts drying, then to late. Ragging suggested if you use their stain. I personally think its garbage. The Valspar looks great and costs less.
Valspar has issues as well.
I just applied two coats of cabot gold to my tongue and groove pine porch floor. I followed manufacturer’s recommendations for prepping, application, and coverage. It still seems a little “greyish” around the knots. I’m wondering if I can apply a third coat?
it is normal for knots to be lighter in color due to the density of the wood there. Adding more stain is probably not a good idea nor would it darken the knots.
I plan to use product for privacy fence. I bought Cabot at Lowe’s 10 yrs ago; when I went back 3 yrs ago they had switched to another brand, which I didn’t like as well. I don’t a deck but I do own privacy fence; I found no problem with graying or mold. My husband or son painted so I can’t tell you how well it applied;I know that there were 2 spray n go canisters that were used.
Review for Cabot Solid Acrylic Deck Stain. Rebuilt 700 square foot deck with replacing about 3/4 of the boards with new PT and then completely stripping and sanding the older boards in summer of 2018. Uses Cabot new redwood solid color ( water borne). Waited about 60 days for the PYT to dry and stained in July of last year. Its been about a year and the stain is still beautiful. NO PEELING, NO CHALKING. I live in NH and winters are rough here with lots of moisture. I swear some of the bad reviews of this stain are from people that although they said they prepped and stained correctly they actually didn’t…. Put the stain down with a 4 inch brush which took some time on such a large deck but I think that you really need to use a brush. I highly recommend this stain. Also I swear that some of the overly positive reviews from the other brands here are written by their own organization.. Just Saying. Cabot is a great stain.
we used Cabot wood tone deck and siding stain 3000natural and are wondering if we should apply another coat next year. We applied the first one in 2018
If it needs it, yes.
I used TWP to stain my deck. It held the color but not water resistant after the 1st year. What can I put on it to be water resistant?
TWP is not designed to bead water but shed water. That is the proper way and what all high-quality stains do. It is fine and you cannot add a coating on top of a deck stain.
We did our deck 2 years ago, 2 coats with australian timber oil, 1st year water beaded up, was beautiful. 2nd year, not too bad, faded slightly but still beads water. This year going to wash/reapply.
Did not have any pealing, some scratches from furniture, some green mold from rain, but otherwise I think it held up good and is easy to use.
Just wondering, how much prep I need to do before reapply? Just wash or strip???
If using the same brand and color, just clean for the prep.
We used Cabot on our boathouse deck and within 30 days mold started showyup. Our deck looks terrible. All molded. I’m sick about it!!! How can we get this #%%!!! Off??? We have ruined our boathouse. 😥
Strip and brighten for the prep.
I applied 2 coats of Cabot semi solid to my dry boathouse deck 2 months ago Now, I have mold everywhere rain has contacted the deck. What can I do?
Strip it off and use a better brand is probably your best option.
How do we strip it over lake water? We don’t want to harm the fish.
Use the Restore A Deck Stripper/Brightener Kit and pressure washing.
Is Cabot SPF 48 product still available? Any experience putting another product on top of it? We have mostly Golden Tan on redwood decks.
Not available as far as we know. You will have to remove it to apply another brand.
Available at ACE Hardware. Checked 3/2/2019.
can I apply a new coat of Cabot 19400 (water clean up) over the exciting 3400 ( mineral spirits cleanup)?
I do not think so but best to ask Cabot.
I stained my deck with cabot oil based semi transparent stain 4 weeks ago. I wish I had made another choice! Application was difficult. It did NOT apply evenly and I have streaks everywhere. Now white streaks are appearing. I would not use this oil based stain again. Totally disappointed and would not recommend it!
IT IS PURE JUNK!!!
Terrible stuff.
Is Cabot Gold Exterior Stain acrylic based?
No. Oil-based.
Thank you.
I had my all wood deck built in May 2017. The contractor used Cabot Stain. By August, at least 1/2 of the deck stain had faded. Fall 2017, I noticed a powdery mildew/algae on the Perogala beams. It could be brushed off but that’s not the point. I contacted my contractor and they agreed to come back in the future to sand the deck and then apply new stain. By Spring 2018, there was very little of the original stain left after 10 months. My deck has low traffic – just me. Memorial Weekend, my contractor sanded the deck down and applied new stain. Approximately 10 days later, my grandson spilled his Slushee drink on the deck. It stained and discolored it immediately. VERY disappointed with this brand of stain. Most probably by Spring 2019, the deck will need to be sanded and stained again. But I will not be using Cabot Stain. Very disappointed with this brand and would not recommend it to anyone.
did you use the oil based clear ?..I dont trust the hybrid oil water based products from any company. It must clean up with mineral spirits
Everyone seems to have the same opinion….. this is NOT a great product. Peeling, fading, mold/algae, you name it. My deck was built in May 2017. By August, most of the stain had faded or worn through, even with light traffic/wear/deck use of one person…ME. I was not pleased and told the contractor several times. It didn’t weather well through the winter. Update: deck stain sanded off by contractor May 2018. New stain reapplied. It looks nice but I’m skeptical. My grandson spilled his frozen slushee and it lifted the stain color. I now have faded orange splatter on new deck stain. It does not repel water well either. I expect the deck will need to be remanded bin 2019 and restained. I will not buy Cabot again.
We are very up set about our Cabot deck start n. We used the latex and did exactly as we were told. We did it last July and now half of it ha peeled off the floor off the deck. The railings are pretty good as for the rest we are going to have to power wash it and it will peel the rest off.. we don’t know what to do because it’s was very expensive. The deck had never been stained before . We even used the deck cleaner before we ever started . Could you please give us an idea what to do. Thanks Deborah Winland
Hello, you will need to strip and sand to remove. Brighten the wood after. Stain with a better brand that will not peel.
Has any one used this product for an indoor project?
We are using Cabot’s outdoor semi-deck stain on finished birch plywood. We have used a pre-stain and after that dried, we will apply your stain. Do you wiped the stain down after applying it or leave it till it is dried. Also, what kind of a finish would you recommend?
Is Cobot products OK to use on garden planter. I’m concerned of health issues fof the product. thanks
We wouldn’t use it. Try Defy Extreme.
Could you please confirm me if Cabot Serie 7600 is good to apply on a cedar already paint with old generation of Opaque Olympic stain 100% oil base?
Not sure. best to contact Cabot directly for help.
worst deck stain ever . my deck is huge spent hours staining it. Used 5 gallons of stain at least and after the winter it came off and looks horrible. Thought i would try a more expensive brand and this is what i have a mess!!!!!!!
same thing happened to us!!!
same thing happened to us also. I contacted the company and didn’t get anywhere with them. The didn’t even listen.
I’d like to see more pics. Posting mine. There should be a class action.
I’m restaining a deck in New Mexico. 100% sun and very dry. The owners have always used Cabot Solid Acrylic, but it seems to peel within a year or two. What would be the best alternative that won’t peel so quickly? I have sanded off all the old peeling stain and prepped the deck. Thanks for the help!
Mike, you removed the solid stain 100%? If so, use one of these brands: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Screened porch deck, 8 yrs old. Applied Cabot stain 3 months after it was built. That last 4 years, 2 yrs ago put new Cabot stain on after prepping the deck. The new low VOC product failed within 1 yr. Planning on stripping, brightening, and usingTWP this spring. Advice, do not use the Cabot low VOC stain unless you plan on redoing every 6 months to a year!
I bought Cabot oil based stain from my local Menards to stain my deck, railing and lattice work. I looked at the color samples on the brochure and picked Foothills which is a brownish color. I bought it, my painter got 1/4 of the deck started before I looked at it and it was BLUE/GRAY color, no where near brownish. It was too late to stop, take it back and have my painter redo the 1/4 of the deck he completed so I took the can back to Menards, after almost arguing with the floor help that the ONLY way I can pick a color is by the sample color brochure, they decided to refund all 3 gallons of stain. I contacted Cabot explaining the issue and we are now negotiating what they will reimburse me for the labor and power washing to redo the deck in the RIGHT color next spring. Cabot tried to tell me that Menards had “old color brochures” so it wasn’t their fault. I explained that I blame their local REP for not making sure the most up to date brochures were in a store selling that kind of volume, otherwise why have any color samples if what you pick could be the complete opposite of what you get. We WILL NOT be using Cabot Wood Deck stain, we will buy Olympic.
I originally used the old version of this stain on my mahogany deck. It was beautiful. Last year, when we needed to redo /reapply, I could only find the new kind..the water based one. I did put it on over the oil based stain, and it was fine. Now, I want/need to do the deck again. My question now is: Can I put the oil version (which is now available!) OVER the water based which is over the oil?!?!?! Thanks for any help!
No. It will create a buildup and not cure. Strip it and start over.
Can the timber oil application be applied utilizing a spray gun. May application is being applied out door carvings?
Yes, we believe so.
How well does the Cabot Gold stain hold ? We have about 900sqft to stain and we looked the sunlit walnut. My husband likes the satin finish. I don’t know how well the shine will last. We also looked at Olympic Elite advanced in chestnut brown. Help please!
Elite is better between the two brands.
I have used Cabot deck stain for many years but now it appears to be peeling off in sheets. It’s very disappointing that this product is behaving in this way and am wondering what the best way is to remove it and re-stain. All recommendations are welcome. Was seriously thinking of having all of the top boards replaced.
Sand to remove fully or replace the top boards.
I never post bad product reviews, but after just applying my third coat of Cabot’s Acrylic Solid Deck stain in one year, I feel I need to caution other potential customers.I have always thought Cabot was the best stain out there and I didn’t hesitate to buy their “Cape Cod Gray “stain to stain my PT 5/4″ X 6” decking.I wanted solid to cover the imperfections in the decking.After 5 months I had to apply again-it was peeling off in sheets!.And this year I had to stain again.I guess we will have to save up and buy cellular decking !
I switched from Cabot’s to Sherwin Williams for horizontal deck boards. I use only oil based stain and like the semi-transparent to show the wood grain. Acrylic stain has easy brush cleanup but I think the product is inferior to oil stain.
We have streaking on our deck after we rolled it on. We did our deck three days ago with the Australian timber oil in honey teak
Not sure why. Please post a picture.
I am looking to stain some wooden patio furniture I bought from Ikea last year. It came in with a water-based brown stain, and am looking to stain it black. It looks like the Cabot semi-transparent would be a good option, but I wanted to check with others before I go through the trouble of stripping. I also know that some oil-based stains never truly “dry” and are not recommended for furniture. Any help or suggestions would be great! Thanks in advance.
Make sure it is a full curing stain. Try the TWP in 1504 Black Walnut.
I want to put a protection on my Deck and sides but keep the natural colour of the wood. A friend suggested using Cabot 19200 natural as they love it and have been doing theirs every year and are very pleased. Mine is a brand new deck and I want it to look exactly as it does now but protected. Would you suggest this paint?
No. The Cabot has changed formulas and is not the same product it used to be. See this about new decking:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
This stain sucks!! Don’t buy it.
Is the Australian timber oil considered a sealer as well
Yes
I put this product on my proposal because of the name recognition. Product was like water , applied very poorly and looked like crap. I immediately returned to the supplier and went right to Home Depot and bought Behr. VERY DISAPPOINTED AND DISSATISFIED.
Should have bought Sikkens. Sikkens lasted for 5 years on a split rail fence. Behr didn't even last through the summer. Intense sun year round. Heavy wet snow during winter.
I agree. Pours like water, applies poorly, looks awful. So disappointed. Applied this to a deck we had rebuilt last year. It’ll do for this year, but we’ll sure go to another brand next year. This just is not the stain for us. Besides, it was not cheap at $37 a gallon. Do we ever feel like dummies! HATE IT!!!
I put on my first coat of cabot gold and then the weather got cold. What if I can't get my second coat on before winter. Is my deck gonna be ok or will I have to start over next summer?
Just lightly clean and apply the 2nd coat in the Spring.
Do not apply if temperatures drop below 50 degrees within 48 hours after applying. I have been a painting contractor since 1985 and still all I know is, you must read the lable.
Australian Oil is the best stain I have ever used in the past 30 years by far ! Not the water base…I have not tried that
Applied in the spring a nice thick coat. Four months later it looks like it needs another coat. For the money I spent I am very dissatisfied. This a is brand-new deck with brand-new wood
What kind of wood? And location?
I agree,mine didnt last either , will NEVER buy this Cabots brand ever again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111 Usually buy Woodsman but they were out of my color……….Lasttime my Woodsman lasted 5 yrs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the Cabot Oil Mahogany Flame on my deck turn out amazing when applied correctly.It's been 1 yr and the deck looks like the first day I stain it.
I use this product on Brazilian Mahogany. Well, I used to use it. The original formula before the VOC formula was fantastic.
The product would last 2+ years up here in the Northeast. The new formula is absolutely horrible. I stained the deck in April 2016 and it is now July 2016 and it needs to be done again.
Do now buy this new formula. Stay clear it is garbage!
I used Honey Teak formula last winter on one yr old.deck. half of the deck peeled off over the winter. This summer I sanded, cleaned, brightened. I just applied the Honey Teak again. It looks aweful. I will never use this product again. I wish I had read this site before using it again. I thought of every reason why it didn't take last year, i.e., the weather, proper prepping before staining etc. Now I know it's the product. I just spent a ton of time & money, and it looks aweful.
Read your labels, do not apply if temperatures drop below 50° as in degrees Fahrenheit or with in "/(48 hours)of application. You didn't get penetration because it was to cold at some point during the curing process, or the wood was to damp because of dew. Also it should be applied with a lambs wool pad, this meters the amount applied because the product is thin and the wool is very absorbent.
As I read these comments it appears that people do not understand why these formulas change. Cabot Mahogany flame is hands down the best stain I have ever used in it's original formula. Unfortunately in the Northeast with the exception of Vermont all the way down to Virginia, that formula was outlawed around 2014. The new formula which is called low VOC (volatile organic compounds) is what many people are complaining about. This new formula looks milky when you open the cab as to oily like the old formula. I personally still use the old formula by buying it in other states and bringing it in. However, you have to call Cabot if you do that because some stores such as Ace hardware only sell the low VOC formula in all of their stores regardless of their location. Anyway, just my two cents.
Thanks for your input its worth more than two cents
expensive, but that was not a problem, liked when first put on, but disappointed after the first winter. had to reapply, last time for cabot. liked the product, wished we were happier. thanks
The stain was applied using the directions on the cleaner and stain, during the summer my deck looked fine. We had a mild winter, little snow fall, when the snow melted the stain was bubbled and when the spring rain came the stain began bubbling, Now I am forced to sand over 300 square feet of deck and use a better product.
I HIGH RECOMMEND USING ANOTHER PRODUCT
Went to Home Depot and after long conversation about what look I wanted they talked me into Cabot stain. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED with the results. It looks more like brown paint then stain. We had sanded the old stain off and used a pad to put the stain on as recommended. I really wanted the wood to show through and not cover it completely. NOT HAPPY!!
I would never buy this product again. after one year it started peeling. I had rent a floor sander ($100) and spend an entire day sanding.
I just purchased Cabot Acrylic solid color stain to better match my house. I have completely sanded all paint off of my deck, and it is very clean. Is this a good product to use for this application? Also do I need to seal this when I am done? If so, what kind of sealant would you prefer?
You cannot seal over a stain. It a decent solid stain.
I applied the Australian timber oil 2 years ago. I applied stripper and it took a layer off but there is still some on it that I can't even get off with a power washer. I want to use a more solid style stain to cover up and not such a transparent one like the timber oil. If I strip and brighten can I apply a more solid stain even if there is residual on the deck? I've tried twice and it's as clean as it's going to get it seems like anyway.
Yes you should be able to apply a solid stain over this.
I finally got our 2 decks ready to be restained. The problem is is that it is finally turning colder, after a very mild Fall. What will happen if I put the Cabot Australian Timber Oil on when the highs for the days are 50-60 degrees and the nights are anywhere between 30-40? Also, can I use a sprayer in order to apply this stain?
It will probably dry and cure okay as long as it does not rain or drop below the freezing mark for the first night after applying. I would read their directions on spraying or not.
I just finished re-doing our Cedar house with Cabot Timber Oil (not the low VoC) in Natural color. It came out just fantastic. We live in a 5 state border area and only one state sells the original oil anymore.
I am worried that the stain will only last 2-3 years. Has anyone tried to seal a Cabot timber oil stain? I called Cabot and they said not to do it as the sealer will peel since the Timber Oil has its own sealer. But I want to try this as an experiment on some extra boards. Anyone have an idea of what sealer to try?
You cannot apply a sealer over a deck stain. You will ruin it.
I have used Cabot SPF Deck and Fence Finish 3855 Sunray for a number of years. I am now being told that it is no longer available. What is its direct replacement? If you don't have one then you have screwed up as I know a number of people who have used this product and like it and have a number of pieces of outdoor furniture or decks in this color. They have no intention of changing. If you don't have a direct replacement then start making it again. If you do not then I for one will never buy another Cabot product as I can have no confidence that I can continue to use it. I understand that products can and are improved constantly, but if you can't offer a continuation of the line, DON'T CHANGE IT!!!!!
Hi I’m in the same boat with the SPF 3855 Sunray. Have you been able to rectify this problem?
If so, please advise. Thank you
About to purchase a large amount of stain for my cedar sided timber frame home. I really like TWP and AC products but the semi-solid color options are limited as TWP doesn't even have semi-soild. So I am left with the other products listed on this site. Cabot Semi-Solid Siding stain is easily accessible from local stores and has a lot of colors to choose from. I know the reviews here are not that great for Cabot but how is it for cedar siding in semi-solid? I live in IL where low VOC is available. If I should stay away from Cabot what are the best products that offer semi-solid colors? BM or SW? Any advice would be great. Stain company starts in a week and I need to make a decision. Thanks!!
I would not limit yourself with a semi-solid when dealing with a vertical house. You always get 2-3 times the longevity on a vertical over a horizontal. For example AC and TWP 1500 will give you 4-8 years on most verticals depending on UV exposure. I would stay away from the Cabot and BM astheir products in a semi-solid will be water based and will film like a solid stain does while AC and TWP are true oil based products.
Thanks for the quick reply. This site is great! Longevity of stain is my concern for how much it costs to have home stained. If I can get 6-7 years out of TWP or AC on vertical siding I'd be happy. Just don't want to have to apply maintenance coats before then.
I used Cabot Stains Timber oil (now the low VOC) on my 15 year old cedar side house. We turned all the boards over, sanded them, then applied ONE coat of the oil. The results were gorgeous. We experimented with the Cabot semi transparent but it hides all the grain. The trade-off is the semi transparent will last longer, but the Natural transparent on red cedar is unbelievable.
I asked Cabot if I can /should seal the Natural siding with some kind of sealant but they said not to since Timber Oil has a sealant in it. I may experiment since I'd really like to get more than two years out of all the money I spent on the natural.
I used you siding paint on my deck. Now what should I do? PLEASE educate your customers's employees so this doesn't happen again. I ask for the top seller and was directed to your paint/stain. The employee showed me colors available and I picked one. She gets to mixing the paint/stain sets it on the counter and I noticed it said siding but thought she needed the neutral to make the color. Only after second coat do I take time to look at the can and read NOT FOR DECKS. Any suggestions?
This is not our product. Please contact Cabot directly for help.
RTFM before using any product.
Better yet, read it BEFORE you BUY IT.
I do not recommend this product. It is impossible to avoid lap marks on large decks, the wood darkens dramatically, and after one month, there are white spots everywhere on the wood!
I wish I had read this before yesterday, when we put on the Cabot Semi-transparent stain, on our ceader deck. Looking at it this morning, It seems to be absorbing quite uneavenly. There are significant white patches around knotted areas, and although we applied as evenly as we could, it looks like you can see brush strokes. I feel like I should apply a second coat, but the can says one coat only. Help what should I do?
Knots are almost always lighter in color and that is normal when using a semi-trans stain. Brush strokes means the stain did not penetrate into the wood and is laying on top of the wood. Is this new wood?
It is new wood. We wanted to wait but the 100lbs dog and 2 little boys were destroying it. So in talking to the stain guy at Lowes he told us to use the Cabot problem solver – wood brighter to strip the deck of the oils, and then stain. It worked perfectly on the planter boxes we did as a test. What should we do now?
Wood brightener does not strip. You will need to strip and start over. Might want to read this as well about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Put this on a pergola I built out of cedar 2 years ago and only now have slight greying on the top. I live in the humid climate that is Houston and have been very happy with how this has performed in the 100 degree heat, humidity and massive rains we've had this last year.
Going to put a second coat on during this dry spell we are having because it has worked great here.
I do have to add that another bonus is that I was able to apply it with my Wagner spray painter as well.
I used Cabot stain purchased thru Fleet Farm. I used a mold and mildew primer suggested by the Paint man, he told me the stain would last much longer than just using the stain only. Well it is peeling off after just several months. It made it thru the winter and as soon as the weather warmed up it is all coming off everywhere. I would not recommend it for anything.
I purchased this stain because I heard it was amazing. Then I found your website and read the above review. At our HD in Iowa they sell the 3400 series and i bought 3459, mahogany flame. Is this still a good product? It's the oil-based and not the water based stain which I think most do not like. Is the 19400 series the garbage one or are both not very good?
Thanks for the help
It is a decent stain but would not call it \”amazing\”.
The formula for this product has changed over the last couple years and it is NOT compatible with the old product. If you previously applied the old formula of Australian Timber oil, it will be a disaster. This product is useless. My advice to all consumers – avoid at all costs!!
I had purchased a 1 gallon can of Cabot Semi-transparent deck stain 2 years ago from Lowe's. I coated my deck this year (2015) using that gallon with no problems. My dilemma is I need another gallon to finish my project. I now have trouble finding a dealer who could mix me another gallon. The color that I need from the color chart is Chestnut Brown ST (101-16,107-30,109-4,113-1Y36). Your help in this matter would be very helpful.
Thank you,
Bill
you should be able to do this by using base 0306 (neutral) and add B 12 shots, C 1 oz and 8 shots, F 10 shots. Hope this helps
what a mistake. After 1 year Australian timber oil on my porch floor is flaking and pealing. I do not recommend this product. My daughter had the same results on her deck.
the stain comes off too.
Well doesn't this just suck…Didn't think I would need to read reviews. Cabot was always said to be the best. Then on top of that, I bought their "premium stain" said the salesperson at the Do-it Center. Australian Timber oil. Just spent this entire weekend applying 9 gallons to my fence, deck railings, and Rainbow play structure. (TREX Flooring!) Sounds like I need to read reviews no matter how far beyond average I believe that I am purchasing.
Hopefully it will be fine and not have any issues. Let us know down the road.
Im so upset! Our home is Bord and Batton and we used Cabot. It lasted 8 yrs befor we had to redo the South wall only. We were so happy with the product that we ran out and purchased This new Cabot austrailian timber oil for our very large deck. I did everything correct and followed the can directions to the letter. My 2 nabours came over a few days later and fell in love with the new look of our deck. They ended up doing their decks a week later and they are 2 times the size of ours. After a long winter and a bit of snow shoveling all our deck are a mess, not to mention the marks left from the summer furniture. I cant beleive this product did not saturate the wood. I even put a second coat on the following year. This was a lot of work and now i dont know what to do. Any how, its too late now and the damage is done. SAVE YOUR MONEY ON THIS ONE!
Writing (or can you hear the screams) from Canada.
We have a 320 sq. ft treated pine deck professionally installed. Waited for 2 years to apply a coating, as per lumber yard's instructions. First used an Olympic oil penetrating stain then bought a 'touch-up' can and only after application did we realize that Olympic changed the formula. Went back to Lowes to register a complaint only to learn that Dalton McGuinty, Taxario's answer to the Fabian Society, 'ordered' the original oil based stains off the shelf from ALL retailers–even the paint girls at Lowes were inundated with the massive volumes of ticked-off customers.
Olympic came through with a cheque to reimburse our stain costs and threw in a gallon of their Deck Cleaner.
Glad we came across this Cabot Stain complaint board as we were just about to crack the lid on Cabot Semi-transparent mahogany flame stuff. Best not contribute anymore to our Liberal deck: McGuinty stain, Wynne kinky hose, made in China, duped by a deceptive 'Made in Canada' sticker; some type of Toronto urban type moss growing that we have to beat down with a stick. Hope the screws are homemade or we'll be living in saw-dust by year's end.
Thanks Folks–you saved us money and time. Seems Cabot sucummbed to the polticos.
Great discussion board, keep up the good work!.
PS: Any of our US cousins know of a NFL franchise re-doing their astro-turf?
How many of these reviews are regarding the new low-VOC formula with the blue label on the lid? The old formula was one of the best stains on the market for many years. The new formula is so bad that Lowe's had to drop the entire line in my region due to complaints and returns.
Love the higher VOC ATO, would rate at least 9/10.
I agree the the old formula was much better! Unfortunately the new formula is garbage.
i'm not going to comment on the new ATO vs the old ATO. I will, however go on record saying it is a great replacement the high VOC Cabot Clear Solutions or CS stain. It's a scary stain to work with. It seems all wrong when you apply it. Do NOT apply it with a brush if you can avoid it, use an applicator and do not do it on a hot day. But it does work and it works well. It holds up longer than the old CS stains, looks great, and if you live in a woody area like I do, it doesn't get black mold. High VOC stains have a problem which is that mold loves the oil that they rely on. A year after application high VOC stains inevitably got black mold where I live. This stuff just doesn't.
Writing from Canada. I bought two gallons of Cabot semi-transparent deck stain for my deck which is two years old. I stripped the wood and was left with a beautiful finish, close to the original look of the the wood when the deck was first built. I stained the upper part of the deck with the first can of stain and it looked amazing. I was quite happy with the result, bright and shiny, very good coverage after two coats. I started the second half of the deck with the second can of stain and noticed a remarkable difference in the quality of the stain compared to the first gallon. The stain was runny, I could not get rid of the brush strokes after two coats, it was dull and that portion to the deck looked as if it was stained a year or more ago. I stopped staining and went to Lowes to voice my displeasure; however, was told they could not to anything and someone from Cabot will come to my home to view the deck. I am still waiting for a phone call and that visit. Not sure what to do. My deck cost me $4800 and was ruined by a $40 can of stain. Shame of Cabot.
If it stays tacky too long what do I do? Apply another coat or strip & start over? I used water based.
Apply another coat will make it worse. Hopefully it will dry fully. If not you will probably need to strip.
My deck is tree years old pressure treated with no finish. The 650 sq.ft. deck was pressure washed 3 days before staining with Jarrah Brown Timber oil and it sucked up 5 gal. like crazy and after 2 days drying the finish is very uneven. Can I put a second coat on yet?
Mike, probably but I would confirm with Cabot.
I bought Cabot Oak Brown Semi-transparent stain. I had someone apply it to our porch and they did a terrible job, it looks not even and a lot of brush marks. I just hired someone else to do a second coat and hope they can fix it and make it look better. However, after reading so many bad reviews, I am afraid of applying the product to the fence and re-applying it to the porch. I keep reading that after a few months the products start to peel or look bad. Should I just remove the stain and start over with another brand? Is CAbot a terrible stain? The local stores only have SW, Bher, Olympia and Cabot. Please advice?
Ari, applying more will probably not fix the issue and could make it worse. If it is done correctly, Cabot is a slightly better then average stain for decking and will work fine with no issues on the fence.
deck built last year. waited for it to dry. Coated with Cabots natural oil base. This year purchased natural oil base but it was a different number. Lowes salesperson said it was the same. Vertical railing and post stained as advertised but top of railing and deck surfaced turned black. Underside of railing and surface is still sticky. Railing was done 2 wks before the deck surface was done,sill sticky.Natural number is 379501, last year was different. Surface did not last but one year before it was pale and water absosrbant . recommended to friend, wished I hadent.
Need to seal my PT deck. Its new and now dry. We're I Maine and the weather is starting to turn colder at night so time is running out. Everything I see says it needs to be above 50 degree for 48 hours for drying. After spending all this $$ for a new deck, I'd like to make sure I protect it. Not sure I have the time to order and wait for a TWP shipment. Looked like Cabot had good scores based on the evaluation but after reading everyone's experiences here yikes! I'm stuck with a decision. What to use… I have basically big box stores and Sheman Williams locally Ideas? Or do I forgo sealing the deck for winter?
John, when was it built? Many manufacturers want you tow wait 3 or more months before applying stain to new wood.
about 8 weeks ago. I did the water test on it and no water beaded up.. According to the things I've read it's ready for sealing. The installer told us to make sure we go it done before the snow flies. I'm going to try for Flood sealer – natural – as see how it goes. The reviews both here and elsewhere look good and I can get the product locally. Today is warm as is tonight it should be above 50. I'll let everyone know how it goes…
Amazing to see so many consistent reviews. Lowe's recommended Cabots Timber Oil to me, but a friend who builds a lot of decks sent me a picture of his deck a year after applying the same…totally worn off of the walk area's – looks terrible. The paint salesman at Lowe's just used it to protect his deck, I wonder what he will say next year. I went with Olympic Maximum penetrating oil forumula. After reading the reviews here, I think I will consider TWP next year.
I have used cabots timber oil on my ipe decks and have found that if you wipe and buff the stain just before it dries and is still tacky, it looks great and lasts for 2 years. I have not re-done my decks in the last 2 years. but when I read these reviews, and comments about the formula being changed, I am certainly concerned. Should I consider switching to another product when i re-stain? I had great results with the color Mag. flame color. also had 2 gallons left over and just finished daughters cedar deck and it looks great, but need to get another gallon for the rails and again Im concerned about the formula change, any suggestions would be great.
Mike, if it worked for you and you can get the same formula than stick with it. If the formula is different than try the Armstrong Clark in the Mahogany.
How do you know what formula you have?? What do you look for on the can to tell? I purchased a house that's approx 11 years old. It appears by the cans left behind they used Cabot Aust. Oil, Mahogany Flame. It has held up pretty well, not sure when the deck was done or re-done, but know I haven't done anything since I have owned the home, 4 years. Deck has faded, especially in traffic and protected areas, but still has a weak reddish color. I was planning to apply another coat of same product, but after reading comments, getting very concerned. I have used a deck wash product (w/bleach) and have done a low pressure power wash. What would you advise at this point. In Springfield, MO, deck on east side of house partially covered.
You can check the can for the product code and then contact Cabot to see what version you have and if you can get the same or not. If you cannot then switch to TWP or the Armstrong Clark.
HI I used Cabot`s semi solid deck stain.It is now showing white spots all over the deck…Why would this happen ?It cost a lot of monwey to have this done.$250. dollars for the stain and I payed $1064.to get it done I am so upset .
Theresa, are you sure it is not just mineral deposits from water that dried on the deck? This can be wiped off with a rag.
We used Cabot's Semitransparent stain on our rough wood siding. It seems to fade out quickly, They suggested it at Menards. The planks run up and down and this is something we could sand to redo. We use to use Olympics but Ace had suggested this as a better paint 10 years ago
Kris, strip of the Cabot\’s stain then try the TWP 1500 Series for this.
Thanks for the reviews. I have had great coverage with Super Deck. Lasts a long time for me in cold winter and hot dry summer Canada.
I have a new, small deck made from pressure treated deck boards. How long should I wait to stain it, and what stain would you recommend, and how many coats? What prep will it need first? I would like it as natural a tone as possible (right now, after one month, if has the tone of a light, yellowish cedar, which looks good). But I would also, of course, like it to be protected from UV, etc, with as little maintenance as possible. If you say Armstrong Clark, which one, and should I then refinish it with the same, or should I then go to TWP? How soon will I have to re-do it, and how difficult will it be?
Ricard, please read this article: Staining a New Deck
I used this when my deck was put in and the first year it proved to be wonderful. Two years later, I wanted to do another coat for the floor and railing tops due to the deterioration of the finish. That was last year, and it is clear that there has been a formula change. Even with prepping exactly as outlined, the finish was pretty much gone before the end of the season. I didn't have time to redo before winter set in here in MN, and the deterioration from the lack of protection with the Cabot is incredible. As soon as the weather warms, I'll be redoing the entire deck with something very much better.
Diana, I'm in Las Vegas. Let me know what product works for you down there. I need to switch off of Cabot, too.
Deck Location: Tucson, AZ_
Exposure: Full Sun _
Wood Type: Raw Pine _
Mold or Mildew Issues: No _
Reason for Previous Stain Failure: Faded did not absorb.
Previously used: Sherwin Williams brand stain
Lowes sells Cabot but I'm not seeing good reviews. We are looking at ordering TWP.
Diana, Make sure to remove any remnants of the SW stain prior to applying a new stain. TWP 1500 would be a good choice. It penetrates well into the wood and can be cleaned and reapplied without difficulty in the future.
This is the worst stain ever. I had professional painter paint my T-1 11 walls and ceiling with this crap (ATO) resulting in uneven, blotchy, etc. walls and ceiling. ( 2 season ventilated room).
I contacted Cabot and their recommendation is to sand the 900 plus square feet of T-1-11 boards to remove this stain. They do not stand by their product. Plus this stain was recommended by Lowes. Thinking I was getting the best stain. All I can recommend is to stay away from this product. It should not be on the market.
We used cabot stain on our newly built deck in Michigan. It was rated #1 at the time. Within 3 months the stain was peeling. We contacted cabot and they said it was old wood. We purchased the treated lumber from 3 separte lumber companies. Several pieces of the wood was sent and again they would not stand behind their product. We had and upper and lower wrap around deck. The deck had to be sanded to get the existing stain removed. I will never buy anything with cabot's name on it
Cabot's product provide such a nice look.
Here in Canada I'm using Cabot Australian Timber Oil Natural Transparent Exterior Stain on top of my Red Cedar and I need to apply 2 coats (withinh 2 days) every year. If I go beyond 1 year then I need to strip the deck back to bare wood and it's such a painful job to do.
My advice if you want to use this Cabot product: apply 2 coats at fall time before temperature gets cold. It will help protect the deck against snow (I know.. not inTexas LOL)
Now the bad news: it seems that they have changed the chemical content to meet some environment regulations. The replacement mixture is NOT looking at all like the old one ! It's really bad because my only option now is to strip the deck AGAIN and use either that new formula OR to chose a complete new product (which I think is what I'm gonna do)
Any suggestion for a good looking / long lasting replacement to Cabot Timber Oil ?
Sylvain, I would look at Armstrong Clark Stains.
Armstrong Clark Stain for hardwoods ruined my Ipe deck. I followed the instructions and we had rain after 3 days dry time turning the stain into a nasty orange sludge, had to strip and sand the deck, as well as repaint my siding, deck trim and doors..pitiful product!
I agree. Cabot is not for texas. I have a large deck , six chairs, two tables and a swing I have to redo because the Cabot lasted less than a year. IN THE SHADE!!
It's also not for Florida. The wood on my 88' dock is all dried out after less than a year.