Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood coatings. See here for more info about me.
- Adhesion issues are a major problem: clear coatings don't bond well to most deck stains, causing premature peeling and flaking.
- Clear sealers contain no pigments, offering zero UV protection, which causes the deck stain underneath to fade and break down faster.
- Once polyurethane starts peeling over a deck stain, you must strip or sand the entire surface before re-staining, making maintenance a nightmare.
- For a shinier look, choose a semi-gloss or satin-finish deck stain instead of topping existing stain with polyurethane.
- Polyurethane is not designed for outdoor use; it cracks, peels, and traps moisture as it fails to flex with temperature changes.
Clear Sealer or Polyurethane Over a Deck Stain?
If you’ve ever considered applying a clear sealer or polyurethane over a deck stain to achieve a smooth, glossy finish, you might want to think twice. While it may seem like a good idea, this approach often leads to more problems than benefits.
Why You Should Avoid Clear Sealers or Polyurethane Over a Deck Stain
Peeling Deck Varnish
Deck stains are specially formulated to protect exterior wood by penetrating the surface and providing defense against the elements. Quality deck stains contain UV-blocking pigments and mildewcides to prevent fading, mold growth, and moisture damage.
Applying a clear sealer or polyurethane over a deck stain is not recommended because:
- Adhesion Issues – Clear coatings don’t bond well to most deck stains, leading to premature peeling and flaking.
- Lack of UV Protection – Clear sealers contain no pigments, meaning they offer no protection from the sun’s damaging UV rays. This will cause the deck stain underneath to fade and break down faster.
- Difficult Maintenance – Once polyurethane starts peeling over a deck stain, you’ll need to strip or sand the entire surface before re-staining.
What If You Want a Glossy or Shiny Deck Finish?
If you prefer a shinier look for your deck, the best approach is to choose a semi-gloss or satin-finish deck stain rather than trying to topcoat it with polyurethane. Some film-forming deck stains provide a richer sheen while still allowing for proper adhesion and durability.
For those considering a completely clear look, your only option is to strip off any existing stain and apply a clear sealer to bare wood. However, keep in mind that clear sealers do not provide UV protection, only water resistance.
Peeling Polyurethane Deck
The Consequences of Using Polyurethane on Exterior Wood
Polyurethane is not designed for outdoor decks. While it works well for interior wood projects, it does not flex with outdoor temperature changes and will eventually crack, peel, and trap moisture underneath. Once this happens, maintaining your deck becomes a nightmare—you’ll need to remove all traces of the polyurethane before you can re-stain.
Peeling Polyurethane Exterior Wood
Final Verdict: Skip the Polyurethane Over a Deck Stain
Applying a clear sealer or polyurethane over a deck stain is not a good idea. Instead, choose the right deck stain from the start—one that offers the appearance and protection you need.
If you have any questions about deck stains, clear sealers, or maintenance, feel free to ask in the comments below!
How do you protect your deck if the wrong stain was used? Is there any sealer that can be used or what do you do?
Don’t add a sealer or polyurethane over it — any topcoat over a deck stain will peel and blister, since the stain itself is already the sealer. If the color or type is wrong, your options are to leave it and let it wear/fade, then clean, brighten, and recoat with the stain you actually want, or strip it back to bare wood now and start over.
I am helping a friend restore some boards on the food truck. They had previously been sealed with Thompson water seal and peeled. I am guessing they did not remove the previous stain/sealer.
What can you recommend for a more lasting finish. I was thinking marine grade semi transparent.
Any of these semi-transparent penetrating stains will work after you fully remove any prior coatings:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
I am seeing numerous posts of what I cannot use over a stained deck. What sealer can i use over newly powerwashed and stain deck?
You can’t. It is not possible to apply a sealer over a deck stain. It will peel if you attempt this.
Thanks for your response. Much appreciated. So a Minwax oil penetrating stain is all I need?
You cannot use Minwax on exterior wood, it will not work. It has no UV properties, no water repellency, and no mildew protection, making it essentially useless for decking. You have to use a proper exterior wood stain.
I have a mahogany outdoor deck. I’ve sanded and use Ben Moore arbor coat which is a combo of stain and sealer but I’m disappointed on the durability. Should I consider a marine finish? I’m located north of Boston to give you an idea of climate. I’d appreciate any suggestions
Thank you
No, you cannot top coat it with a marine finish, it would peel, and it will not last longer.
Should I sand the deck, start from scratch?
What product would you recommend?
The Ben Moore Arbiorcoat I’ve used really doesn’t last 6 months up here in New England
You have a hardwood deck, which means annual application in most cases, so it’s best to use a stain that can be cleaned and reapplied easily:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/hardwood-deck-stains/
Make sure to remove the BM coat fully first. If you sand it off, do not sand finer than 60-80 grit.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/
I used a Thompson WaterSeal Sealer (clear) but it was pricey, so I used a clear multi-surface Thompson WaterSeal Deck Sealer (waterproofer) for the second coat. Not sure that was a good idea. A wait and see experiment.
In your opinion what is the best deck stain that has the highest sheen?
You cannot have a sheen on a deck, it will lead to peeling and blistering and make recoating/fixing extremely difficult.
Hi Scott. Okay I get it that I cannot put any kind of sealer on my Gel stained deck. It looks so drab now, a year later. So, my next re-hope question is, can I just re Gel stain with the same color or a clear color and will that perk it up, or am I asking for trouble?
Thanks, Noreen
Did you use an interior gel stain for exterior wood? You cannot do that. It has zero properties for UV protection, water repelnecy, and mold/mildew prevention.
No, I used outside Gel stain for the deck! Thanks.
Noeen
What brand?
I used a gel stain on my outside deck. Can I put a protective coat on top of it?
No and an interior gel stain will not work for exterior decking. You will need to sand it off and use a proper exterior wood stain.
Can I put a protective coat on exterior gel stain used on my deck?
No, it will peel if you do this.
I purchased a gallon of Thompsons cedar semi clear sealer. When getting out my tools I discovered I already have a gallon of Olympic clear water guard. If applying the Thompsons for stain and penetrator. Can I apply the Olympic over it for a clear seal.
No, you cannot apply a clear sealer over a deck stain. It would peel if you did this.
I have an exterior water base solid stain on my garage doors . I would like to tint them to make them a little color a little redder as they are a dull brown. Can I put a tint over them to change the color slightly? If so what do you recommend and how do I do it.
Thanks
No, that would not work as you cannot “tint” over a solid stain. Since it is a solid stain already, you would need to recoat with another solid stain color of your choosing.
I had a water base solid stain applied to my exterior garage doors. They are dull (flat) and have no sheen. Arbor Coat was used
What can I do to get a slight sheen on them?
Thanks
Sorry but exterior wood stains do not come in “gloss” coatings as that will lead to peeling issues. They only come in matte/flat sheen.
I have a deck that has previously been stained (2 years ago) with Benjamin Moore semi transparent deck stain. I recently power washed it and scrubbed it with vinegar and baking soda and then power washed it again. I like the color and don’t want to add more stain. Can I use Olympic transparent sealer on it?
Did you remove all of the old BM stain?
No. It was one coat and it has faded over two years and with the washing.
No, I didn’t.
You must remove all when switching stain brands. Post some pics for advice on how to remove it fully.
I screwed up and uses exterior acrylic stain on an inside project. Can I put some sort of polyurethane top coat over it and not risk damage?
It will most likely not work.
I have stained my redwood deck with semi-transparent stain 2 month ago, The stained doesn’t look good and also there is constantly footprint or dirt mark . It get instantly dirty. Is there a sealer that I can apply to avoid or minimize the footprint? Or do I need to redo the stain process and choose different stain and color?
No, you cannot apply a sealer or coating over a deck stain. It would peel if you tried.
So basically your recommendation is that there is NO coating to put over deck stain for additional protection against say pet poop or urine?
Correct, it does not work.
Could I put a stain sealer over top of the stain I have already put down? Like the #1 brand you recommend?
You cannot apply a sealer over a deck stain. It will peel if you did this.
I stained my cedar deck with Ready Seal 510. After a year the deck has sustained a lot of scratches, scrapes and wear. Is there a way to make the cedar decking more resistant to scratches, like a Poly coating or something else?
No. It would peel if you did this.
I want to stain and protect my barn that was recently built. It is rough cut pine It has been weathering since June. Do I have to do the whole cleaning and brightening process? Would love to spare the extra work. I planned on using a penetrating oil based semi transparent stain. What product works best on vertical wood? Any opinions on Ready Seal 510 Exterior? Much thanks!
Yes, clean and brighten all wood. Ready Seal is a very poor stain. Use one of these brands:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
I have solid Acacia steps with an anodized clear satin finish (exterior, little to no sun with occasional light rain) that are generally in excellent condition, but after 2 years, I have a couple of very minor scrapes and I would like to recoat them with something just as bullet proof without having to take them all the way down to bare wood. Any ideas? Also in another few months, I will be putting down a deck made of red cedar with a clear penetrating oil – any ideas for a protective coating/sealer to go over that oil would be appreciated too. Thanks!
You cannot apply a different coating over your current coating. Use the same as before and make sure to follow their prep directions.
You cannot apply a sealer over a clear deck oil. In addition, you need a deck stain, not a clear oil for UV protection.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/will-a-clear-sealer-prevent-graying-on-deck/
I want to faux paint my covered deck. I would use a solid deck paint and then apply glaze and wipe it down to resemble wood grain. I will need to put on a clear topcoat. What product do you recommend?
I have done this technique on wood garage doors with great success. Just not sure about a good sealer you can walk on for the deck.
Don’t do this. It will peel on an exterior deck and create a huge mess for you to fix. The main reason is you can never top coat over a deck stain.
We had a front porch installed last end of September early October. It’s all yellow pine . I want to apply a sealer. The one guy I talked to told me to wait about 3 months before I stained it . I guess to let it weather. Now it’s June. I am in Chicago and it has been very hot. I spray it down to cool down the porch and put life back into the wood . We have direct sunlight from 12:30/1:00 pm until 8:00 or so. My question is what kind of clear sealer can I use. And what else should I do to prep the wood before sealing.
You cannot apply a clear sealer and have UV protection:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/will-a-clear-sealer-prevent-graying-on-deck/
It must be tinted. Use one of these brands:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
Clean and brighten for prep.
I stain my decknwith a semi transparent stain last year , is the a clear stain that you can put over it
As the article explains, you cannot apply a clear sealer or coatings over a deck stain. It will peel if you do.
can you mix clear olympic summit stain with olympic summit mahogany blaze and will it adhear
Sorry but no idea. We do not use the Olympic brands.
Scott, My deck was re-stained about 4 years ago and needs to be done again now. However, I love the weathered look of it as it is. Can I put a clear finish on it like it is to protect the wood and keep the look?
The stain that’s on it is an acrylic PPG product called Flood pro series. What do you think?
Thanks,
Chuck
No, you cannot Clear sealer over a deck stain and you cannot apply a Clear sealer over weathered wood.
Hello Scott, Our deck is 20 yrs old, made of Pau lope wood. It is grey and weathered. Last year my husband had it power washed, it looked nice for a few months. We have only lived here 4 yrs so I don’t know what was done prior. Please help there isn’t anyone in our area that does this sort of restoration. My first question 1.) Is “Restore A Deck” the best product for us? 2.) Do I need to clean the Pau lope decking before applying (power wash?; to get off some black stains on railing?) ? I really believe this deck could be beautiful with the right help.
1. Yes.
2. Use a deck cleaner while pressure washing for prep.
Hi. I have a redwood table and benches that I refinished, sanding and applying a semi transparent stain. I read your really helpful article on putting sealer’s over stained wood, so I won’t be doing that. But is there anything else that can be applied to keep the waterproof protection? Ting or teak oil maybe?
No, you cannot apply anything coating over a deck stain.
Hi Scott, my 13 year old deck is in rough shape. Earlier this year I cleaned it thoroughly, repaired rotted areas and then applied Behr’s deck paint. It looks good but I noticed that water is not beading up on the deck. I’ve read your article and scrolled through these questions so it would appear that sealers are not an option. Any recommendations? Thank you.
Leave it alone. It is misinformation that deck stains are supposed to bead water. They are not.
We just wrote an article on the subject for you:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/why-is-my-deck-stain-not-beading-water/
Hi Scott can I put a finish like poly, over semi transparent stain on a dresser?
Interior wood is completely different so best to use interior stains and poly coatings for a dresser.
Scott, thank you for your sharing your expertise. I am building a new deck. I like a glossy/satin look showing the depth of the natural wood grain and color. I am overwhelmed by how much information there is on the subject. What product and process would you personally use if this was your main objective?
Never put a gloss coating on a deck surface. It will peel and blister, making removal when it fails very difficult.
See here about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
I have installed composite deck 5 yrs ago.It changed color lit a bit,can I use wood stain
to refresh it
If it is porous, then yes.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-composite-decks/
Hi I painted my inside stairs with solid pain no stean last night. Now I want to ask you I need use polyurethane after solid pain? I checked stairs they are dried but no 100 % may 70% it still steacky .If I need how long I need to wait to applay polyurethane
Thank you .
No, it will peel if you apply a poly over paint.
My Tompson wood sealer turned white when I tested it on a part of my deck,could you please tell my why and what I can do to fix it?
Thompsons is a useless product and does not work well or at all. You will need to remove it to fix it. Strip and brighten the wood.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/thompsons-waterseal-finish-review/
Can you apply a clear coat over a semi transparent wood deck oil based sealer?
No. It will peel.
Hi there – I have one board on my deck that gets more rain than any other, it gets worn down every winter, and I recently re-stained it. I thought some sort of extra thick poly on that ONE BOARD would be helpful. I guess I could put 5 coats of stain on it. Any ideas?
No, you cannot do anything to make that one board last longer. 5 coats of stain will not work and make it prematurely fail as more stain is not better.
Thanks Scott! I’m going to try a gutter solution on my overhang that pours all the water on the deck, stopping the problem before it gets to that board. Your input has stopped me from trying 2 bad options – much appreciated! Thank You!
Welcome!
Hi,
We have removed 5 layers of old pain and sanded the front porch. We stained it in red mahogany and it looks very nice. The porch is covered and not exposed to much sun during the day, but it gets wet during the rainy days. Would you be kind to recommend the clear protective coat we could use. Thank you!
You cannot top coat over a deck stain with a sealer. Please read the article that explains this.
Thanks!
Hi Paul, I have an IPA deck and walkway. 8 years ago it was completely sanded on both sides and flipped. Duckback Superdeck Waterborne IPA formula was applied… then a few years later, again Deckback Superdeck Waterborne IPA formula was applied after light sanding… a couple months ago very light sanding and then Armstrong Clark Hardwood Oil based formula was applied. Already the oil based formula is spotting and losing all of its color. Do you have any suggestions of what I can do and what product to use? Thank you!
Try Restore A Deck Stain in Light Walnut. Strip off the current stains first and then brighten:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
Hello, I purchased a Cedar Pergola kit from Backyard discovery through Lowes Hardware. The unit came with a waterborne “translucent stain for color only”. They also say as part of the warranty that I need to apply some sort of protection. Can you recommend something? I was thinking a clear sealer but there are a lot of posts and blogs that recommend that you should not do this over a stain. I really don’t know how to solve this.
You cannot apply a clear sealer over a stain. It will peel if you do. You will have to remove the current stain and then apply a proper wood/deck stain.
Thank you for reply Scott. You’ve reconfirmed what I’ve been learning. This makes me wonder why Backyard Discovery Would sell a pre stained product and then tell you that you need to put protection on it as part of the warranty. I will certainly be asking them.
They are passing the buck in case there are issues. They are clueless to the fact you cannot top coat over an exterior wood stain.
After consulting with staff at a Sherwin Williams, I used Superdeck Exterior Deck Stain Waterborne on an interior stairway application. Given it will not be exposed to the elements, can I safely use a water base polyurethane to create a semi-gloss protective surface. If that is possible how long of a cure does the Superdeck need before Polyurethane is applied. Yes, I do a lot of non traditional and sometimes stupid things.
No, you cannot use poly on outside wood. It will peel.
I read your other responses first and understand that poly can’t be used on outside wood. As I noted in my question, the area I used the stain on is an internal staircase that is not exposed to the elements, only human feet and cat paws. I was more concerned about any chemical issue caused by adding a poly top coat, having had an issue some 30 years ago in a theatrical application where an oil top coat was used over a water based paint.
Sorry. Not sure if a poly will or will not work over an exterior stain on an interior wood case. We have never tried it.
Running a test patch today, will let you know. The stain did a great job making some very old and marred treads, buried under carpet for 40+ years look great.
For the record, test patch went fine. First coat looks great, three more to go for this non traditional use of Superdeck Exterior Deck Stain Waterborne for interior use.
Are you supercell 30 on my fresh concrete, in a process of building it’s got dirty and scratched up would like to change the color any advice thank you
This is a wood and deck stain site, not a concrete site.
Hi. I just put down Sherwin Williams Super Deck Exterior Stain, Waterborne Formula, in Flat Finish on my deck (in the color Iron Ore). Can I apply spar urethane over the Super Deck Exterior Stain, or is it unnecessary and/or harmful to the Super Deck Exterior Stain? Thank you.
No, you can never top coat over a deck stain with a poly or a sealer.
Hello I just purchased a cedar pergulas,
It is stained but not sealed, I would like to polyurethane it so I don’t have to use a sealer every other year.
What are your thoughts
You cannot do this. It will peel if you do.
If I apply this over my painted deck will protect it from foot prints and shoe prints
No. Please read the article. You cannot apply a sealer or poly over paint.
Can you apply 100 % acryic deck stain over spar varnish ?
No, it would peel. You will have to sand off the spar varnish.
Hi Scott – question about our deck – I wash and restain about every other year. My problem is that I forgot what product I used the last time around!!! We live at 9000’ in Colorado so the sun really does a number on the wood. Under our porches I thought it had just not been sun damaged as much as the fully exposed areas so I applied what I thought was the right product but I am pretty sure it is the wrong one. I think I have Behr Waterproofing Wood Finish and I went over it with Woodguard exterior wood preservative (oil based) which is for our logs.
Can I just let this all sit and hopefully dry and then wash/strip next season or will the oil just never absorb and I have to address now?
Thanks so much in advance !!
Ian
Most likely it will not cure and dry correctly.
Hi,
Thinking of using a decking paint instead of decking oil. After reading reviews on decking paint, quite a few have mentioned 12 months after applying, peeling as appeared. So my question is can I use a clear sealer on the decking paint to prolonged it’s life…
No, you cannot apply a clear sealer over a paint.
Okay thanks for your quick response.
Hello,
We had a new redwood deck installed 4 years ago and stained it with PPG ProLuxe SRD RE wood finish. The stain has held up well, but dirt and grime has built up on the surface. I intend to reapply the same stain this year. My question is should I strip the old stain and brighten the wood before re-staining, or can I simply clean and then reapply the stain?
Post some pics in the comments.
The photos are typical of the condition of the deck. Thanks for taking a look.
Clean and recoat should work if using the same exact stain and colot.
Thanks Scott. I recently discovered your website and have marked it as my go to for information on deck/siding maintenance.
You are welcome!
Hello
i am using Behr waterproof opaque stain & sealer on an INDOOR new pi e wood floor.
the staining has led to the wood grain expanding so the surface is now quite rough.
Because i think this will make it hard to keep clean, I want to apply some sort of final clear coating. I was going to use pony but then read your posts!!
Do you have any other ideas?
Thanks!
No, you cannot top coat it, it will peel.
This is not a deck question but… I am making a table top for an outdoor patio table. I am purchasing a high end piece of “plywood”. Having it cut to size. I’m going to sand it down, place Varathon interior wood stain, Weathered gray then I would like to seal it with a marine varnish. Will this work?
It will peel if exposed to the elements.
It will be somewhat protected from the elements. What do you recommend I do instead?
No filming coating like poly or varnish will work on outside wood. Also, your Varathane stain has zero UV protection for the outside.
You need a penetrating wood stain with UV protecion: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Good morning, I applied the newer Behr advanced deck over smooth to my additions plywood floor and it looks great, my question is because there is still some roughness to the finish not because of the plywood it has a tendency to scuff which isn’t permanent but unsightly and a housekeeping issue. My question is can you apply floor wax over it as I don’t want to spend the time or money using a poly.if that was the case I could have painted it for less money.
You cannot apply floor wax over a deck stain or deck resurface coating. You cannot put anything over the top of the Behr Deck Over.
Thanks, guess will have to wear socks.
We applied Valspar One-coat exterior sealer Clear on our new deck. We were told to use a sprayer for application. The finish turned out horribly. It has bubbles and the finish still feels “sticky”. Now we have one half of our wonderful deck with this mess. The other half has been untouched with the product.
How do we remove this sealer and start over?
Most likley need to sand it to remove it.
Thank you for your help.
You are welcome!
We asked a company to stain our swing set. They power washed then applied stain. They used Varathane interior stain (English Chestnut). It rained two hours later after the wind blew pollen onto the still wet stain. After drying for a few days it still feels sticky. They’re applying more stain today to even out the color. I called Menard’s about sealant and they recommended this and that but then I found this site saying we shouldn’t do that. Help! What should we do to make the best of this disaster? Thanks for any advice.
There are using all the wrong products and adding more will make it worse. The only way to fix is to remove all and that will require power sanding.
I have a mahogany deck about 7 years old. Every year I clean it with 30 second cleaner then seal with Penofin transparent oil finish. Within a month the wood has darkened each time. I live on the coast with full sun and high winds. The wood has never looked like it did when new. I would like to use the Restore a deck water cleaner and water based semi transparent. Do I have to strip this first? It has been a year since I applied the Penofin.
The issue is Penofin has known issues with turning black: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/penofin-exotic-wood-stain-review/
You do need to strip and brighten for prep. The only good thing about Penofin, is that it is easily strippable. Use the RAD Stripper/Brightener Kit for prep and then the RAD stain in Light Walnut
Thanks for the prompt answer. Why would I want to put a color stain on the deck and not keep natural?
Clear (no color) offers zero UV protection from graying. It must be tinted for UV protection. Penofin was tinted as well.
I’m a confused newbie. I’ve done hours of research for this planter (first photo) that I just purchased.
According to many reviews, if some kind of protection is not applied it will look like photo 3 within a few months. Some reviewers have advise water seal or poly with shine to give it a beautiful shine.
After reading your many responses here, my plan is all shut to hell. I had bought on the advise of L*wes worker, Valspar semi transparent Stain and water seal Sunlit copper to give it a reddish tone.
And I was planning on mixing this with Spar varnish to give the Valspar flat color stain some shine in it. Dirt rolls off better off of smooth shiny surfaces than flat coarse like feeling ones.
But you say that these products don’t mix and will peel. What can I use to achieve my goal?
Below is the wishing well description and photos of reviewers.
Thanks in advance for your help.
——————–
The planter made of solid wood has a heavy texture, durable and firm. The surface of the board is smooth, after many times of shaping and grinding, the texture is clear, and the corrosion resistance is durable for a longer time. The surface undergoes high-temperature carbonization treatment.
Fir wood is more secure
Carbonized at high temperature
Surface protection
Rural retro style
Durable and firm
Material: fir wood
Color: carbonized color
It is already stained. Leaver as is until time to redo in 1-2 years. Use a penetrating stain when time to redo. Never apply poly to exterior wood.
I have a new deck made of pressure treated pine deck boards. its now 5 months old and ready to seal it or waterproof it. I want to protect it but I want a natural look, no color. Even like the graying as it gets weathered. what product do you suggest we use?
Defy Extreme Clear or TWP 1500 Series in clear. Both have no color but will protect while graying naturally.
I used Cabot semi-transparent stain and sealer on new wood deck on my trailer. I have let it dry for 48 hours. The instructions say to only use one coat. Would two coats be better, or not?
No.
This is not a question regarding a deck, but thought I would post anyway. We are installing a pine tongue and groove ceiling in our newly built outdoor patio. We already applied Behr Premium transparent waterproofing wood finish in cordova brown (mainly used for fencing, decks, etc…. We really like the color but my husband feels we should now finish it with an outdoor polyurethane. Again, this is a ceiling in an outdoor patio and will be completely protected from rain/water/snow. We are wondering if adding polyurethane is necessary to protect the ceiling from moisture? We live in Michigan so summers are humid and winters are cold. Thank you in advance for any helpful information as we have not been able to find any answers on our question.
Do not put a poly over it. It will peel and attract mildew and the Behr cannot be top coated.
Ok, thank you very much. We will leave it as is and hope for the best!
Hi. I used Ronseal Decking Rescue Paint several years ago. Every year parts of it flake off and needs repainting. Can I buy a product to paint over it to protect it? Some kind of heavy duty varnish? Thank yo.
No, you cannot top coat it with a varnish. It will peel.
My solid deck stain is peeling and due to plants, patio underneath and fish ponds, I can not do a chemical strip. I have been sanding and like the eorn look( kind of like in your photo). Is there anything I could use over the wood and stain. Clear or a very light transparent stain ? Others suggested Spar varnish but…….
No, you cannot topcoat over a solid stain with a sealer, light stain, or varnish. You can recoat over the intact solid stain with another solid stain as long as all failing/peeling stain is removed first.
Can I use Cabot semi transparent stain and sealer in bedroom?
No you cannot.
thank you guys for the reference, am very much interested on this part of the reference|
Clear sealers have no pigment and therefore provide zero UV protection. The same goes for polyurethane. i do a lot of painting and staining, and therefore i like researching and learning new things. I bought a clear sealer for my fence, and right on front of the package it says: WATERPROOF, MOLD AND MILDEW RESISTANCE AND UV PROTECTION. am therefore a little curious when the article says clear sealer do not give UV PROTECTION. i will be very grateful if someone can elaborate on that.If a true clear sealer (with no color or pigment at all) then it will not provide UV protection from graying. Many times stain companies will call a product “clear” when in fact it is not clear but lightly tinted. Basically, if it enhances the natural grain of the wood at all then it is not a true clear and then it will also provide some UV protection since it has pigment.
One caveat on this would be Defy Extreme Clear. It is a true clear with no pigment but it has some nanoparticles of zinc oxide (a white pigment that is invisible to the naked eye) in it that will give a small amount of UV protection. Probably lasts 9-12 months on a deck at most before it starts to gray.
Zinc oxide is the same thing that is in sunscreen. It just does not last very long on a horizontal deck.
I applied deck stain to handmade bed. Can I use a paste wax to give it a more finished look
No. You cannot top coat it.
We stained our old deck with semi solid deck stain with sealant. Can we apply water sealant on top of it for extra protection?
No, you cannot ever apply a sealer over a deck stain.
My client stained his fir mantle and a fir shelf in his brand new house with Sico proluxe.
What can I put on it to give it a smooth furniture feel?
You cannot top coat it. It will peel.
Just stained a tongue and groove ceiling in a covered outdoor patio w a semi transparent deck stain. I’d like to give it a little more sheen w a clear sealer…do I really need to worry about peeling? Obviously with it being a ceiling it won’t see any sun or foot traffic.
You cannot add a clear coat or poly over it. It will peel and fail eventually.
Hello was googling from UK about protection and stains and came across this helpful site.
The old pine window of the pine conservatory was rotten. The whole of the conservatory looks to have been stained with a dark teak when all new. I have made two replacement windows using recycled pine, to fit in the old windows slot (two because a new boiler flew meant original window did not open). The new replacement pine is a mixture of old/new salvaged pine and untreated pine. First time have made windows or anything (apart from decking) to be exposed to the elements. And did not think of issues relating to stains/preservatives/coatings etc. Just thought I could apply deep preservative and then tint or other way round.
Apart from slight difference in color between the pressure treated and untreated pine parts, the New windows seem nice and solid, would like them to stay that way and also blend in as much as possible with existing dark wood. Does not have to be perfect match-up as old conservatory is a bit higgledy piggledy in any case.
Somehow have ended up with a mixture of stains and oils. I also have some clear Decking Preserver, which I previously used on some decking some time ago and it seems to be good
stuff.
I tested the teak stains “Ruskin’s Interior & Exterior Wood Dye – Penetrating stain for all new or stripped wood” on some off-cuts and two coats seems to give a near enough match-up. The stain says it can be diluted with white spirit so I guess it must be an oil based stain.
The instructions on the Decking Preserver indicate that it cannot be over-coated. And that it should not be used on timber that has been treated with a preserver.
Main concern is with giving new windows as much protection against the elements and rot as possible. i.e. the preserver I already have. But if I apply the oil based
stain first to get the color I want, will this prevent the preserver from fully working?
Hate waste and like to use things at hand, but maybe this is not possible this time after reading some of the comments here.
Before I buy and hope for good match-up, is my only option to try and get some preservative with the same color as the existing conservatory.
Thanks for any help.
No need to use the preserver. Just use the stain and then you are done.
Thanks for reply. So does the stain also act as a preserver? Mainly concerned about the new bits of timber which were not pressure treated when I got them.
Sorry, I suppose the answer is in the fact that the stain is for “exterior” use. I guess that
implies protection.
Thanks again.
Hi, I stained my house and I used the stain to do my breezeway deck can I apply a sealant to protect it?
No, you cannot apply a sealer over a deck or exterior wood stain.
I power washed my deck and most of the stain came off I want to know if I can seal it or re stain it
Post some pictures of your prep.
My small deck is 3 years old, never had anything put on it. After powerwashing it, I really like the colors that popped out. Blendings of gold, red, and green. They faded as it dried. Anything I can put on it to bring out those colors and then a recommendation for a sealer to protect it?
?
Use Restore A Deck Stain in Natural or Armstrong Clark in Amber color. Never apply a sealer over a deck stain.
We did a solid dark gray stain on a new deck. Love the color but it looks dirty and you can see every footprint. I have spent lots of time cleaning with deck wash and water but this seems never ending. Anything you can suggest for a easy cleanup?
No. There is nothing you can add on top to prevent dirt and there is not an easy way to clean off the dirt besides soap and some scrubbing.
I have a deck at a remote location by the Atlantic Ocean. One of them was stained with solid water based stain years ago.
I was wondering if I no longer want to keep putting solid stain on it, 50% pealed now can I put Thompson’s water sealer over it for this year to help protect it from water this year?
We come here every year for 3 weeks and running out of time to try to strip it all off, not to mention it is 12 feet off the ground so striping will be a big job.
I don’t care how it looks but if applying water sealer helps that’s all I can do right now. I power washed off what I could already.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Dale G
No, you can never apply a sealer over a deck stain.
What can be used on deck to give wet look it has been stained couple years ago or longer not sure it has a Thompsons water seal on it but customer wants a wet look what to use What to use any ideas hum?
Strip off the Thompsons and then use a stain like TWP in Honeytone color or Restore A Deck Stain in Natural tint for a wet look.
I am leading a team to build benches with 150 year old oak barn wood for my Eagle Scout project.The wood isn’t stained but is a beautiful dark color when wet. From what I have read, I think I can use a clear, oil-based, polyurethane. Is that correct? The benches will be outside.
No, it will peel if you do this as the above article explains. You need a penetrating stain instead.
What would you recommend for a protectant then? I do not want to stain it, I only want to protect it from the elements.
It will gray in months if you do not have a stain. Are you okay with this?
Can I add a dark regular stain to a deck sealer? If the sealer is water based I could use a water based stain.
No, you cannot add a stain into a sealer and there would be no point. Just use a quality deck stain as they all seal the wood as well.
I live in an apartment where I’ve taken up the old carpeting and stripped the glued padding. Now I found they actually used deck wood in this room (don’t ask me why). I’m going to sand it and clean it but would like to paint it and put polyurethane over the paint. Can you think of a better way to deal with an indoor deck floor?
You cannot apply a poly over paint. It will not adhere.
Are you sure about that?
There are hoards of videos on YouTube showing you how to poly over paint.
Yes, it will peel.
I just purchased a wooden swing set for outdoors is it OK to stain and then put polyurethane on it what do you suggest
No, never use a poly on outside wood. See here about staining new wood:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
I Had My Deck Rebuilt, With Brand New Decking, And Railings, Let It Cure For A Year With Nothing On It, Then Used Lowes Valspar Semi-Transparent One-Coat Exterior Stain & Sealer, 1 Year Goes By, The Following Summer, I Am Hosing It Off My Just A Garden Hose, No Pressure, And The Stain Literally Peels Right Off, So I Sand, With A Palm Sander The Top Rail & Floor As Much As Possible, Hose The Saw Dust Off, Now Am Using Olympic Elite Solid Stain & Sealer, Should I Put Down Two Coats On The Floor?? Also, Do I Need To Seal This On Top To Keep It Beautiful!! The 1st Photo Valsar, 2nd Photo Peeled, 3rd Photo Olympic Elite!
You can NEVER top coat over a deck stain. It will peel if you do.
Hi I live in Ontario Canada and I have a problem with my deck.
I completely sanded the deck last year and applied a Home Hardware stain that has a plant oil base.
The stain went on well however the this spring where ever there was a knot or imperfection in the boards the stain came off.
I do not want to sand the deck again so looking for a product to cover the knots and imperfections and apply the same stain or a product that I can apply over the complete deck.
See file for picture.
Thanks,
Dave
Cover with a quality solid stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
I have a 5 year old deck. I stained it a dark brown. Everyone around me has bird feeders. The birds sit on my deck and poop!!!!! YUK. I have a hard time cleaning it off the deck and railing. I want to put a clear coat on the deck to make cleaning it easier. what can I use????
Not possible to top coat or seal over a deck stain.
Applied restore a deck stripper and brightener. Am I ok to apply stain after 48hours of drying? Is this the way it’s suppose to look?
Looks good to stain.
Thanks! Suppose to get rain every other day for the week is it ok to wait to stain?
Yes.
I stained deck 2 coats wet on wet of twp100 it rained about 36hr after do I need to put another coat on it or do I just leave it? Or is there anything I have to do before adding another coat?
It is fine and does not need more stain.
Thanks for all you help. I’m happy with all the products you recommended and how it turned out
Clean and brighten the wood for prep. Use one of these hardwood stains: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
We have a deck constructed with Trex or similar, but the railings and posts are an exotic wood (IPE?) and the finish has faded over about 6 years. Not sure what was on them previously. Recommendations to refinish the railings-stain vs. urethane vs something else?
Im going to stain my deck that has been sanded.Should i put thompsons water seal over it when its dry
No, you can never top coat over a deck stain. Plus Thompsons is useless.
What about a spar urethane with regular maintenance? Was thinking along the lines of 1-2 re-coats a season. I know it’s softer, but was curious about speed of wear. My deck isn’t a typical gathering place.
It will peel and blister and be a huge pain to fix.
I gave my deck three coats of glossy stain and now there are always white water marks on it
Yep, and it will peel. You will have to sand it off to fix.
I just put a coat of stain and sealant in one and it was the wrong color I need to know if I can us the same product just a different color on top of it or will it not stick
Depends on the brand of stain but in many cases this will lead to failure or peeling.
What if it Behr Semi-transparent stain and seale?!…. Behr says I can but second coat of stain not penetrating which we know it is a sealer so how could it?? Not using Behr on main deck what should I use? It gets a lot of shade therefore I’m thinking it will get mossy then too therefore I went with the water based Behr.
It will peel of you do this but Behr peels no matter what. It is a very poor stain:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deck-stain-review/
I have an interior stain that I would like to use on our porch floor and deck. Can I seal it with a clear seal coat for decks.
The stain will not work outside for UV protection and it will peel if you top coat outside. Do not do it.
I have power washed my deck then sanded then applied Cabot deck stain do I now need to put a clear sealer on it or not?
You can never top coat a sealer over a deck stain.
Why is that?
It will peel. Outside stains cannot be coated over top. Also no need.
I have a cedar gazebo that needs some TLC, I stained raw cedar with Sekins Log and siding cedar stain color , I’m going to clean and redcoat, it been about 6 years since It was done, any suggestions for this project for longevity
Use one of these top brands: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Can polyurethane be painted over MgO for added protection
No, it will peel.
Hi. I am about to stain and seal my new deck (new treated pine wood and has never has been stained or sealed) and want to know if I can use two different colors of stain + sealer. I want to have dark highlights on the flooring. I’ll attach a pic of what I am trying to achieve. Is it possible to use two different colored stain + sealers to do this or should i use another technique or product? Basically how can i get my deck to look similiar to the pic? I have tried to look up DIY tutorials and haven’t had any luck. Thanks!
No picture.
I attached a pic.
That is IPE wood, you will not get your pine to look like this. You can use a dark color for borders and a light color for other areas though. Maybe Restore A Deck Stain in Dark Walnut and then the Natural color. Another option is TWP in Dark Oak and Honeytone. See this first about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Thanks for the quick reply and for the info. .. So are all milticolored wood deck flooring IPE then? For example this pic attached doesnt look like IPE to me. It looksnasnif someone stained the wood to get that effect. I was originally going to do the picture frame edge I have in a darker color as suggested but was hoping I could blend in some of the darker color into the flooring as well. But I seriously do not want to make a mess of it and have to redo anything. As per my previous post, can you layer over a lighter colored semitransparent stain and seal with a darker colored one to create that kind of effect? Or will that cause peeling or other problems? Thanks again.
That is fake wood in the last picture. You cannot get a stain to look like that.
Ok thank you for your help.
I built a patio sofa out of reclaimed 2″ x 4″s. My wife likes a stain only available in an inside stain. Is there any way to stain it with interior stain and still put a water seal, such as Thompson’s, over it?
Nope. It will fail and peel.
We had cedar posts built for our front porch out of rough cut cedar .. the co tractor told me to seal them.. at the time I just used a water based transparent sealer about a year ago .. I now would like the cedar posts to be darker and would like to use a semi transparent stain by Sherwin Williams in chestnut ..can I do this? Do I need to pressure wash first and sand the posts? And then apply the new semi transparent stain ?
You will need to strip and brighten for prep. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-injectable-deck-stain-stripper-review/
I just bought two Adrionick chairs for my back deck. I stained them with Cabot. I ordered a lifetime wood preserver. After reading some of your comments, I’m wondering if I should apply the lifetime preserver over the stain or just leave it like it is.
It is not possible to apply over it.
Used valspar one coat stain last fall. Deck has lots of white water marks and looks dry. Can I oil the deck this year over the valspar stain from last year to refresh it? What product can I use?
No, you cannot apply anything over the Valspar, it will peel.
Is it ever appropriate to use an exterior linseed oil/ alkaloid based weather resistance deck stain on a historic small space wood floor? Are there chemicals in the exterior stain that prohibit application to interior floors, even if all precautions are taken during application and drying. Thank you.
Highly doubt there would ever be any advantage to this and only possible disadvantages. We would nevr do it.
We built a pool deck last spring with pressure treated lumber and stained with Thomson’s water seal in Sept 2020. We put no furniture back on the deck. We went up on the deck about a month ago and it looked like it had been stained five years ago. It’s peeling up and chipping off. The deck gets full sun, wind, rain, snow and whatever else Mother Nature throws at us. What will be best to repair this and hopefully make the stain stick and hopefully last longer than a few months. I’m not looking for an easy way out, just the best method and stain. Thank you!
Pictures?
Made the mistake of using Valspar’s “one coat clear exterior sealer”. My boards are now a disgusting yellow tint. Have any ideas of a stain or product I can put right over the top to at least darken it into a tan or brown? I am not up for stripping it at this point. Thanks for any ideas you might have.
Sorry, that is not possible, it has to be removed.
It will not work on outside wood.
My deck has been painted but needs to be repainted this spring. Steps and entry ways to the deck that have been exposed to weather and sun need to be sanded to bare wood. One contractor wants to sand the entire deck to bare wood. Repaint with two coats and optionally add a clear coat. While other contractors only want to sand weather worn areas then paint and no clear coat. There is a significant price difference. Which would you recommend? Full strip or only areas needed?
The clear coat will not work and it will peel. The second contractor is correct.
I have used a Cabot’s polyerthane matt finish and I am unhappy with it on the shiplap cladding at my house
Can I sand it back slightly with a 160 grit and then use a natural decking oil?
No, you must fully remove it first.
We recently built a shop and used decking materials on the INSIDE railing and staircase . I used deck stain for the durability ( work boots ,etc) I would like to use water-based poly over the water-based decking stain to repel the dust that shows so bad on the stair treads. Can see every footprint. Would it peel even though its not outside in the sunlight?
It will proabbly peel or wear.
We live in South Carolina and have an unstained wood deck. There is no space between the planks, which causes the water water from rain to collect there. In our heat and humidity, this almost immediately creates green mold. Also, on other parts of the deck, even if I have my planters on trivets, green mold and mildew will appear within a week or two of cleaning. What is the best thing for us to do to improve the situation? We are willing to start from scratch.
We live in South Carolina and have an unfinished wood deck. There is no space between the planks. As a result of this, water collects in the grooves and turns green quickly. Green spaces also appear where I have plants on the deck, even if the plants are standing on trivets. There’s been so much water accumulating on the deck that many places at the edge of rotted. What do you recommend we do? We are willing to start from scratch.Thank you so much for your unbiased responses. We really appreciate it
You cannot prevent mildew or algae 100% and the only way to have the wood drain properly is to redeck all the boards so there is a proper gap between them.