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Gemini Coatings Buys TWP Wood & Deck Stains

by Deck Stain Help 05/20/2018

Gemini Coatings Buys TWP Wood & Deck Preservatives and Stains

There has been a big announcement in the deck stain sector as Amteco, owner of TWP stains, has become part of the Gemini Industries’ family.

TWP has been a big player for many years and is used by tradesmen and those who expect quality and durability in their work. TWP stands for ‘Total Wood Protection,’ and the brand is respected as a provider of high-quality stains. Gemini is another well-known name in the wood coatings and protection sector and has been distributing TWP products for over two decades.

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The Great Deck Stain Lie – Why Multi-year Warranties are BS

by Deck Stain Help 06/01/2018

The Great Deck Stain Lie – Why Multi-year Warranties are BS

You should always be wary of companies who make wood stains and claim they will last for years on end. Often this is an exaggeration just to dupe customers into buying their brand.

Wooden decks look great and keeping them looking great is no easy feat. If you own one then you know how high maintenance they can be. You can choose to neglect your decking but you will see how quickly they deteriorate. Companies who offer warranties of up to eight years, however, are complicating things.

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Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Stain Review 2019

by Deck Stain Help 03/05/2019

Update 2019 for Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Stain Review

Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we have worked hard to become the Internet’s number one reference for your deck stain opinions and unbiased reviews. We thank you for your continued support. Our customers who have used Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Stain continue to give poor reviews about the appearance and longevity of their deck stain projects. If you have used Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Stain, we would like to hear what you think, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them.

ArborCoat Stain Review

Important Note: This is our 2nd Benjamin Moore Arborcoat. See our first review here: Benjamin Moore Arborcoat

ARBORCOAT Premium Exterior Stains offer a variety of opacities in an array of captivating colors that let you express your own unique style. These finishes are designed to enhance the appearance of your deck, siding, or outdoor wood furniture with outstanding color retention. All ARBORCOAT finishes are easy to apply and offer superior protection while enriching the texture and grain of exterior wood surfaces.

Benjamin Moore’s Arborcoat Stain Scores (1-10)

Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 5

– Similar to our first review, the Arborcoat after drying had a “plastic” unnatural look to the wood when done. The finished result was a film-forming stain, similar to a varnish.

Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 8

– The Arborcoat does well with UV protection. It has a high solid content, similar to paint. We did use the top coat clear on this deck as well. Not sure if that actually helps with UV protection, but BM claims it does.

Wear/Tear and Peeling: 3

– This product does not perform well on our tests. It is prone to peeling and wearing. After 2 years much if not all of the flooring had peeling issues. Cracking, peeling and mold growth was evident throughout.

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Can You Apply a Clear Sealer or Polyurethane over a Deck Stain?

by Deck Stain Help 03/06/2019

Update 2019 for Clear Sealer or Poly over a Deck Stain?

We here at DeckStainHelp.com thank you for your continued support as we continue to be the internet’s number one reference for all things wood deck restoration related. If you have ever considered using a polyurethane coat to give your outdoor wood deck a smooth appearance, read this article and really think about the potential repercussions. As always, we appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below.

Peeling Deck Varnish

Deck stains are meant as a protective finish for exterior wood. They contain special UV shielding pigments and mildewcides to ward off mold and mildew and to keep the wood from fading. Other sealers or clear finishes will not adhere well to a deck stain and may result in the topcoat failing prematurely. Most likely the clear sealer or polyurethane will end up peeling and flaking off the deck stain.

Unlike paint, stains and sealers are not necessarily designed to adhere to each other. Most are designed to penetrate into the wood or at least adhere to bare wood in the case of film forming stains. Applying a clear sealer over a deck stain is never a good idea. It really won’t help the deck stain or give any added protection more than the deck stain already is. Clear sealers have no pigment and therefore provide zero UV protection. The same goes for polyurethane.

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TWP 100 Wood and Deck Stain Review 2019

by Deck Stain Help 03/05/2019

Update 2019 for TWP 100 Series Review

At Deckstainhelp.com, we take pride in the fact that we are your trusted go-to site for all things exterior wood and deck restoration related. Hearing from our customers who have used TWP 100 Series wood, their decks have held up to the test of time and weather surprisingly well after this harsh winter. As always, we appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them.

TWP 100 Wood Deck Stain

Important Note: This is our 2nd Review of TWP 100 Series, Originally posted Spring 2013 but has been updated.

See our other reviews of the TWP 100 Series here: TWP 100 Wood Stain Reviews

TWP 100 Total Wood Preservative Deck Stain protects and maintains all exterior wooden surfaces. TWP Wood Stain is a special blend of chemicals in a contractor grade formula that safeguards and protects exterior wooden surfaces.

TWP 100 Wood Deck Sealers lock out water and moisture that causes wood to crack, split, and warp. Freeze damage is also prevented in cold climates.

TWP Stains are the only wood and deck stains on the market that are registered as exterior wood preservatives by the EPA.

TWP Stains – 100 Stain Review

TWP 100 Series Wood Deck Stain Scores (1-10)

Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 9

– The TWP 100 Stain was applied to a very large deck surrounding a pool. The wood was about 1 year old at the time and was prepped with the Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener kit. The wood was a knotty cedar and the Cedartone 101 color gave a rich look that is typical of a cedar stain. Knots and grain were enhanced and the stain dried evenly for the 2 coats that were applied to the floor.

Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 8

– Same as the first time tested, The TWP Cedartone 101 retained about 80% of the original color after 2 years of weathering.

Wear/Tear and Peeling: 8

– We found that the TWP did wear slightly in about 20% of the floor area. It was mostly in the high traffic areas that surrounded the pool. The upper-level deck in the back had little to no wearing.

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Staining a New KDAT Deck

by Deck Stain Help 03/05/2019

Update 2019 for Staining a New KDAT Deck

DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to site for all things wood deck restoration related. As before, we recommend you wait 1-2 months to stain new 2019 KDAT wood surfaces to allow the wood to weather, creating an ideal porous surface that will hold the stain better. We encourage customer interaction on our site, so if you have stained a new KDAT surface, we want to hear from you. Feel free to leave us a comment with pictures of your projects if you have them.

When to Stain a New KDAT (Kiln Dried Wood) Deck? Right away or wait?

Although pressure-treated lumber is protected against fungi and insects, regular maintenance is required to achieve optimal weather protection. Staining and occasionally refinishing the wood will ensure your wood project will be enjoyed for years to come.

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Best Deck Stain for Canada

by Deck Stain Help 03/05/2019

Update 2019 for Best Deck Stain for Canada

DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to resource for all things wood deck restoration related. Since this article was first released, Restore-A-Deck Wood Stains was introduced to the market. It is a high quality durable semi-transparent stain that is ideal for Canadian climates. Our go-to stains for Canada’s climate are:

Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain
TWP 200 Series
Armstrong Clark Stains
Defy Extreme Stain

Feel free to leave us a comment below with questions you may have.

What is Best Deck Stain for Canada’s harsh climate?

Choosing a deck stain these days takes more things into consideration such as the environment. Many deck stain companies are being forced to comply with these tighter regulations or be forced out of business. Areas like Canada have stricter guidelines than other areas for shipping deck stain.

Obviously, Canada also has some pretty harsh weather that can wreak havoc on a deck stain. Long hard winters and large amounts of snowfall can deteriorate an unprotected deck in little time. So finding a VOC compliant deck stain that will hold up to Canadian winters can be a little tricky. To answer the common question “what is the best deck stain for Canada” we will take a look at a couple of different brands.

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Acrylic Water Based Deck Stain Issues

by Deck Stain Help 03/05/2019

Update 20189 for Acrylic Water Based Deck Stain Issues

If you have any Acrylic Water Based deck staining questions, feel free to leave us a comment below.

Why Acrylic Water Based Deck Stains Do Not Work Very Well

A major factor in maintaining a deck is keeping the wood protected. A good weather resistant deck stain should be applied to the wood every couple of years to protect it from weather damage. A quality deck stain will not only protect your deck from the weather, it will enhance its beauty and keep it looking good for years to come.

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Letting Wood and Decks Gray Naturally

by Deck Stain Help 03/05/2019

Update 2019 for Letting Wood and Decks Gray Naturally

Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we take pride in the fact that our people come to us for professional deck staining tips and tricks. As years before, we do not recommend you allow your deck to gray naturally from UV rays, as this damages the wood grain. Feel free to leave a comment or question below.

Is It Okay To Let The Wood Gray Naturally?

Most homeowners know that untreated wood left to the elements will gray over time. This graying is due to the sun’s UV rays. When the wood is not treated with the proper wood stain, it turns a rustic looking gray.

Another enemy of exterior wood is moisture. This can cause the wood to warp, crack, splinter and eventually rot. To protect wood from water damage, a stain or sealer can be applied. When a stain with added color or toner is used it will not only protect the wood from water damage but also from sun graying. The added pigment of the toner helps block out the UV rays. When a sealer (clear stain) is used it will only provide water protection and no sun protection.

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How To Change from Water Based to Oil Based Deck Stains

by Deck Stain Help 03/05/2019

Update 2019 for How To Change from Water Based to Oil Based Deck Stains

DeckStainHelp.com continues to be a trusted source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics throughout 2018. Water-based stains and oil-based stains have their advantages and disadvantages. If you wish to change from a water-based to oil-based deck stain, or vice versa, here are some suggestions. Any questions? Ask below!

How to Change From Water Based to Oil Based Exterior Decking Stain and Vice Versa

The longevity of a deck or other exterior wood structure depends highly on how well it is maintained. A wood surface left alone or neglected will not last long in the harsh environment. Wood needs to be sealed and protected from moisture, UV rays, mold, mildew and such contaminants that will cause rot and decay. The most common types of wood protectants are oil and water based.

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Wood Fuzzies (Furring) on Deck

by Deck Stain Help 03/05/2019

Update for 2019: Wood Fuzzies (Furring) on Deck

For 2019 and beyond, Deckstainhelp.com vows to remain committed to being your go-to source for deck staining tips and latest industry news on the internet. Pesky wood fuzzies/furring may show up when you are prepping your deck. If this happens, we have some suggestions on how to fix the problem. If you have any further recommendations we may have left out, please feel free to share them in the comments below. Also, we encourage you to share pictures of your completed super deck projects.

Deck Furring

Wood Fuzzies on Deck After Prepping? Why it happened and how to fix.

Before applying a deck stain or sealer you should prep the wood properly first. Prepping is the most important part of the deck stain’s longevity. When evaluating the prepping process you should look at two options. Does the wood need to be cleaned or does an old stain need to be removed?

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Best Wood Stains for a Log Cabin

by Deck Stain Help 03/06/2019

Update for 2019: Best Wood Stains for a Log Cabin

We at Deckstainhelp.com offer tips for more than staining decks. In this article, we offer our insight on which stains are the best for log cabins. We always appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your log cabin stain projects. For 2019, TWP 1500 Series and the Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain are two excellent examples of log cabin stains.

Log Cabin Stain

Best Exterior Wood Stains for a Log Cabin and Wood Framed Homes

There is no doubt that a log cabin is a thing of beauty in most any type of landscape. To keep a log cabin looking good and lasting for many years, maintenance is key. Log cabins can be very high maintenance and homeowners know all to well the tedious task of keeping it in good condition.

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