This post was updated on May 9, 2025
Deck Stain Quality at Lowe’s or Home Depot for 2026
At DeckStainHelp.com, we have spent years testing and reviewing deck stains to help homeowners make informed decisions. If you’ve ever purchased a deck stain from Lowe’s or Home Depot, you might have noticed that these products often struggle to withstand the elements and provide long-lasting protection.
In this updated review for 2026, we examine the performance of deck stains sold at these big-box retailers and why they often fall short compared to professional-grade options. If you’ve used a deck stain from Lowe’s or Home Depot, we encourage you to share your experience in the comment section below—include pictures of your results to help other homeowners make the best choice.
Deck Stains at Lowe’s and Home Depot: Do They Hold Up?
Many homeowners opt for deck stains from big-box stores due to their convenience and competitive pricing. However, based on extensive hands-on testing and consumer feedback, these stains often present several common issues:
- Peeling and Premature Wear – Many stains from Lowe’s and Home Depot, such as Behr Premium Wood Stain, have a history of peeling within the first year, especially in harsh weather conditions.
- Difficult Application – Users frequently report struggles with thick, sticky formulas that are challenging to apply evenly.
- Color Inconsistencies – Some stains do not maintain their advertised color once applied, leading to dissatisfaction with the final look.
- Lack of Long-Term Durability – Unlike professional-grade stains, big-box store brands often require more frequent maintenance and reapplication.
Alternative Deck Stains to Consider
For those looking for the best deck stains for 2026, we recommend checking out our Top-Rated Deck Stain Guide for expert-tested products that provide superior protection and longevity.
Comparison: Big-Box Store Stains vs. Professional-Grade Stains
Below is a comparison of commonly available deck stains at Lowe’s and Home Depot versus high-quality, professional-grade stains:
| Feature | Big-Box Store Stains (e.g., Behr, Olympic, Valspar) | Professional-Grade Stains (e.g., TWP, Armstrong-Clark, Restore-A-Deck) |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity | 1-2 years before reapplication needed | 2-5 years depending on wood type and exposure |
| Resistance to Peeling | Prone to peeling, especially in high-traffic areas | Penetrates better, reducing peeling and flaking |
| Ease of Application | Thicker consistency, harder to apply evenly | Smoother application, better absorption |
| Color Retention | Colors can fade or change over time | Maintains original color longer |
| Mold & Mildew Resistance | Often prone to mildew growth | Formulated with better resistance to mold/mildew |
| Reapplication Process | Requires stripping and sanding before restaining | Can be reapplied with light cleaning and maintenance coat |
Olympic Deck Stain Lowes
Deck Stain Home Depot
As a homeowner, you know that regular maintenance can not only prolong the life of your property, it can also increase its curb appeal and value. Nothing is truer when it comes to the exterior surfaces of your home like a deck. Deck maintenance includes regular cleaning and sealing the wood to protect it from the harsh elements. Doing so ensures a lasting surface that will provide years of use and value.
To perform proper deck maintenance it is crucial to use quality products including wood cleaners, brighteners, and especially deck stains. Deck restoration or maintenance can go wrong in a hurry if you use the wrong products. The biggest culprit to deck maintenance gone wrong is applying a cheap or inferior deck stain.
Behr Deck Stain Home Depot
There are plenty of good deck stain products on the market and the key to finding a quality wood stain is looking in the right place, or better yet, knowing where NOT to look. As you know, many of the big box stores carry a wide variety of deck stains. It’s convenient, fairly priced, and you will notice they carry some well-known brands of deck stain such as Cabot and Olympic.
So it would seem the search for a quality deck stain is over that quick or is it? There is no doubt that some of the brands they sell are quality brands but the problem stems from where they are being sold. Manufacturers of products are forced to make a “cheaper version” of their once quality products before being stacked on the shelves of any big box store.
Valspar Deck Stain Lowes
Big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot compete on price, so they literally tell any company wanting in the door that they have to make a cheaper version of their product to sell at a certain price point. This is known as the Wal-Mart Effect.
What this means for a deck stain company is that the formula has to be changed so it is cheaper to produce, allowing them to sell at a lower price. The bottom line is when you buy a quality brand of deck stain at a big box store; you are not buying the same quality formula they have always been known for but rather a watered down version. That’s right! A cheaper, less effective formula of deck stain that does not perform or hold up as well as it should. It is the sad truth and it preys upon unsuspecting homeowners every year. You buy what you thought was a quality wood deck stain and a year after applying it, it begins to fail, leaving you confused, frustrated, and back to square one.
Cabot Deck Stain Home Depot
Let’s Look at the History of Deck Stains at the Big Box Stores:
Penofin: Entered the Home Depot market in the late 1990s and was almost put out of business. They came in with the same formula but was forced to either move their operations offshore to keep the same quality or pull the line. They did the right thing and pulled the line.
Valspar vs Cabot
Cabot Stains: Before Valspar bought Cabot in 2005, Cabot was considered one of the bests. This stain was immediately introduced into the Big Box Stores but with a new modified formula. Cabot has to yet recover the quality it had pre-2005.
Flood: Great stain back in the 1990s. Put into Home Depot with a new formula. Same results as Cabot.
Sikkens: Entered Home Depot in select stores a few years ago. A completely different formula that is sold at the hardware and paint stores. Sikkens was removed from Home Depot as well in 2015/2016.
Behr Wood and Deck Stains: One of the worst stains ever made. Just research the many angry and unhappy consumers on the Internet who have posted reviews.
Don’t fall into the trap of buying deck stain at the big box stores regardless of the brand name. There is a good chance it is not the quality product that you think it is.
Share Your Experience
If you’ve used a deck stain from Lowe’s or Home Depot, we want to hear from you! Please share your feedback in the comments below and include:
- The brand and type of stain you used.
- How it performed over time.
- Any pictures showcasing the results, whether positive or negative.
Your insights help others avoid costly mistakes and choose the best stain for their deck.
Okay I purchased Valspar tinted transparent stain off the shelf at Lowes. The product was used on new pressure treated
built custom deck in 2018. All prep recommendations like cleaning, scrubbing and power washing before applying product even let deck cure 6 months before prepping to let new wood cure from pressure treating process. I noticed while trying to apply product it dried vary rapidly causing dark overlapping. I googled Valspar product to make sure I was
not doing something wrong like applying it in to hot or direct sunlight. Then I seen the multiple complaints reviews about the peeling problems people were having. Next after seeing this I called Valspar directly to talk to tech. I had already struggled with about 10 of 30 (20′ each deck boards). Questioned tech about product which they of course said people were not properly preparing deck and was told that you cannot second coat this product. So now I waited until cooler sunny summer day about 75 degree and waited til neck was in afternoon shade to see if that would help with it drying so fast. I applied product with brush by hand not with a roller to make sure I was getting sufficient amount of product. This actually helped waiting til warm shaded times product seemed to go on more evenly. But being 1/4 way though the deck surface when I called leery of what I had read, I finished the deck surface in about a week waiting for shaded hours. Well NOW I wished I would had stopped and ate the cost of 10 new boards. The product peeled just like everyone else had complained about. The deck was quite a bit more complex project with stone wrapped columns resting on top of the deck surface. I built this as a showpiece to last the next 20 years certainly outlasting me. The product failed within the 1st six months, as soon as winter turned to summer I began to see the nightmare. I have done more turn key construction projects than I can count in my lifetime, this as they say was not my 1st rodeo. So ending my rant, I can only say that I will never use another Valspar product as long as I still draw breath. Cant wait to hear from company rep now after talking to Lowes manager for at least a refund on product (like that’s gonna help a ton in the overall repair of a $7000 project.) because they cant refund on basis of crappy product. Maybe someday someone will start class action to recoop loses not this lip service where they are only responsible for product replacement cost and not labor to fix problem. I would be happy to except emails to get list of people affected by loses.
Looking for a one coat exterior stain for wood doors, what do you recommend? Hoping there is something that last more than 1 year. Northern
Utah, 4 season weather.
Previously stained and clear finish, all water based. Sun worn, some peeling. Looking to see some wood grain at finish.
Door coatings are not the same as deck coatings. Sorry.
I have a treated lumber deck that was stained with Sherwin-Williams semi-transparent stain (redwood tint),
just 2 years ago, in central PA (fairly harsh winters and a lot of sun exposure),
it needs restained, what stain do you recommend if I want to keep a similar color and what prep process?
Strip and brighten for prep and try TWP 1500 Series or Armstrong Csalrk wood stains.
So, which stains do you recommend and where do you purchase them?
See here:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
I recently painted my back porch steps with Behr Semi transparent stain and paint. Needles to say, a month later and it’s peeling!!! A MONTH! I’m so mad. I did purchase at Lowe’s also. I’m so glad that I haven’t had time to do the front porch yet because now I know not to use that brand again. Her I thought buying it from a box store was a good idea too.
Does anyone have expetience or comments regarding Sherwin Williams solid deck stains?
We do not like them or any SW deck stains.
Used Valspar semi-transparent precolored on new cedar log. Much darker than sample. Any way to lighten it up?
Strip it all off and start over is the only way.
I have 505 linear feet of horizontal, new, cedar, 6′ privacy fence (6×6) sections to stain. Installed in January, seasoned and ready to go! In the past I had a small paint company, which I used oil stain from Porter Paints usually semi-transparent and sometimes Cabot from the lumber yard depending on the wood, customer etc. Now, I’ve never been more confused as to what stain to buy. As a homeowner with no discount and a very tight budget, yet I know very well you get what you pay for. Labor Day weekend the box stores yelling $10 gal rebates…. Is everything they stock garbage? I need recommendations please! I want cherryish tones? Brownish red color. We have Sherwin Williams & PPG nearby. Oh my other issue, I brushed & rolled back in the day. Rolling a fence this big & horizontal makes my sides sore just thinking about it. I’ve looked at a Graco magnum x5 sprayer. Something under $300. I’d love advise on this too. I live in hot & humid gulf coast Alabama. Thank you in advance!
Best to use a product like the TWP for this. Much better than anything you will find at a Big Box Store or SW. PPG does sell the TWP in some locations. We use pump sprayers for allying the TWP. No need for the Graco.
If I was to redo my deck stain-I would like to spray it on with tank sprayer-can this be done?
Depends on the stain brand and type you are going to use?
Is the TWP the top brand? And in the First and third best of the 4. The Tsp 1500 series was 3. It is now sold at LOWES.
Single girl from Mississippi is confused?
TWP is what we use on a daily basis and our go-to stain for many of our deck restoration projects.
The TWP 1500 is NOT sold at Lowes.
I am in Grants Pass Oregon does anybody close by carry Sikkens stains?
Hi there, we built a new deck in 2016, more than ready to stain now. Do we really ave to sand the deck or is washing it with the wood cleaner and pressure washer sufficient? Also, not sure where to get the Armstrong Clark in northern BC, any feedback on C.I.L. Stain? Found at Home Depot, they did seem to definitely recommend over the Behr
Never used the CIL so no feedback from us. Anything is better than Behr.
Anyone tried the valspar deck stains replacing Olympic at Lowe’s?
We have not.
(New house) We just finished staining two 8×8 decks and left a larger deck for last. We are using Valspar Canyon brown transparent. It applied easily, looks fantastic, and last night’s rain is beading and puddling. I can’t vouch for long term – but we are very pleased
We are looking at using Valspar Canyon Brown transparent on our cedar fence. I was trying to find a pic online of how dark the color is. You used it on the steps in this pic? I’ll admit its darker than I expected but is beautiful!
We are in the process of stripping a deck that was treated with Sikkens cetol SRD natural oak (005), a product that has been discontinued. A contractor was hired by our insurance company. The horizontal surfaces are being sanded. The vertical surfaces are being left as the are. A couple of questions:
1) after sanding they are going to stain. Should a brighter be applied prior to the stain
2) we are trying to match the stain for the horizontal surfaces to the existing verticals and having some trouble with this. Semi transparent water based stains are too dense. We want the best product the will last the longest and one that we can reapply when needed easily. Any suggestions.
I have included pictures.
1.Upstate NY
2.Partial Shade
3.Pressure Treated Pine
4.Yes
5. Repair of damaged deck
6. Sikkens cetol SRD natural oak (005)
Contractor brought stain Olympic (limited access in our area to recommended products and he wants to use Olympic) Maximum stain and sealant in one. Wrong color and too dense. I would greatly appreciate your help as this has been a very frustrating process and want to make it easier next time around. Thank you.
FYI – deck is 60’x 15’
1. It would help to open the grain of the wood.
2. TWP 1500 or Armstrong Clark.
Might want to get some samples to test.
Purchasing Olympic stain from a paint store. Is it a good quality stain that will last and be realitively easy to reapply when needed? Deck is being redone by a professional.
Nope. This product has issues with peeling and wearing making recoating harder.
Having used the Maximum on both a swing set (4×4 yellow pine) and a deck (2×6 yellow pine) in South Mississippi, it performed about as expected. Waterproofing lasted about 4 years, color faded after 18 months or so. Didn’t have any peeling, and I sanded the entire surface to re-coat
If not Lowes or Home Depot then where do you get good stain/finish?
Contact the manufacturers of the better brands for help locating. Could be independent paint stores, lumber yards, etc.
Not sure how old my deck is. Needs an upgrade. Do not know previous stain use.Thinking of using red wood stain
State: Maryland
Deck is exposed to sun and snow
Currently grey color
Do I need to sand and what stain color/type is best
That is a solid stain on the deck now. Use another solid stain. Try the Flood Solid Stains.
We have a large wrap around deck, pressure treated, in Canada. We tried one Behr product after another, moving from semi-transparent to a solid stain. We were fastidious about stripping and cleaning the deck as per instructions. In every case, the work was intensive and tiring and the product failed withing the year. Behr would always supply another product but of course the time, energy and labor where ours to bear. The last time they said that we should try deck-over. The reviews are abysmal and our experience taught us not to go through all that frustration a third time. We are now having to sand the deck and are treating it with restore 1 and restore 2 and am then using Armstrong Clark’s penetrating stain as per your advice. We appreciate all the information you present on your site and have appreciate the help we have received from you. You are correct in saying that Behr makes a terrible deck stain product.
i have a hardwood deck in Cape May, NJ. I want to clean it and seal with a protector that will bring the natural color of the wood (mahagony or teak I think). I’ve heard that Sikkens is really good. I cannot find the Sikkens deck cleaner products in the USA. Any advice on a good quality cleaner and sealer?
Restore A Deck Prep Kits. Stain with TWP 1500 or Armstrong Clark.
What stain should I use on a pressure treated dock in Annapolis Maryland?
Try the Armstrong Clark or Defy Extreme Stains.
I have been selling paint for 15 years, and power washing and sealing decks also, over 200 times, I’ve worked at 3 big box stores and for PPG. The key to buying good deck stain is simple. Buy OIL based deck sealer/stain! Sikken brand is great, Cabot and Olympic/PPG Timeless modified hybrid oil sealer is good. Any LATEX deck sealer (all solid deck sealers are now latex) does not penetrate or bond well to wood, and soon it will start peeling off. Flood-CWF used to be good 12 years ago because it was oil based back then, but they converted it over to latex.
Has anybody tried PPG Timeless deck stain? It is a new line at Home Depot this year. I needed to stain my fence, and it came down to TWP or PPG. I liked that PPG was one coat, and I liked the PPG color a little bit better. I am part way through my project, and so far so good. I know the true test will be how it holds up in MN harsh winter/summer climate. If it works well on my fence, I will probably do the same finish when I re-do my deck next year.
PPG deck stains are not close to the quality of the TWP.
I have been a contractor in San Diego for 25 years…have tried all kinds of stains…Behr being one of the worst, Thompsons water seal being the absolute worst for water and sun protection. I found a somewhat local supplier for TWP and have used it ever since…have turned a lot of people on to it. It is by far the best for appearance, longevity and looks….
Ok I understand deck stain manufactures are being forced to sell a lesser quality product to be able to sell there product in the Big Box stores. How can I know I will be getting the real good stuff @ the local builders supply stores? I am interested in buying Defy wood stain.
Defy Extreme has not had any formulation changes. It is also not sold in any Big Box stores.
You recomend TWP 1500. Are you saying if I purchase it at Wal Mart the quality is not as good?
Walmart does not sell TWP nor does any big box stores.
Second time I’ve posted this. Let’s keep it honest on here please. Great stuff, can be bought lots of places
We do not allow links to other sites and no, Walmart does not carry TWP. What you are seeing is a third party vendor selling on the Walmart site, not Walmart stocking or selling TWP. According to TWP manufacturing, these vendors are not authorized TWP dealers.
I have a large deck constructed of Cumaru wood and about 75% of it is covered. It’s about 6 years old and I don’t think any finish was ever put on it. What would you suggest?
For exotic hardwoods, try the Armstrong Clark in Amber color or Defy Hardwood stains.
I used Penofin rose oil deck stain in 1998….bought out what I could since it was going out of business. GREAT stain. Lasted, penetrated, great water resistance, no mildew or mold…. Penofin is back. Is it still as good?? I made the mistake of having someone else do my deck and select the finish…He used a water base and it was awful. My deck aged more in the past 3 years with this stuff on it than it had in the previous 15 years. Trying to find a stain as good as I had…Help!
Thanks so much..
We are not fans of Penofin as it darkens or turns black in color in many instances. We would suggest TWP or Armstrong Clark.
Last spring I purchased Arbour Coat from Hirshfield’s Benjiman Moore. I powerwashed and cleaned my deck and applied according to instructions. By fall, the finish was wearing off and dull. By the next spring the deck looked like it was 7 years old. The company would not stand behind the product and I will end up sanding, stripping, and re-doing it all over again this year. Very poor product! Thought I was doing the right thing by not shopping at a big box store.
How doesthis affect paint on a tin roof or if deck is over a concrete sidewalk?
I am not sure to what your question is? How does “what” affect a roof or concrete?
Deck cleaners and brighteners. Sorry
No issues that we know of for tin roofs. Concrete has no issues.
Tried Cabot Australian Timber Apollo a few years back after properly cleaning our deck and letting it dry. It peeled within 7 months. So did my did my Aunt's deck. We actually contacted Cabot and were refunded for 4-5 cans after sending in pictures. We weren't reimbursed for all the stain that we bought and used.
Very disappointed since we have a very large deck.
Cabot oil base semi solid is now weird. One thin coat took week to dry !!
HELP!!!!! We recently installed a new cedar deck. We stained it with a 3 in 1 semi-transparent cedar stain that we purchased at Home Depot. It turned out HORRIBLE!!! The color is not anything close to what we were expecting, and as a matter of fact, it's ORANGE! I re-sanded the entire deck, but can not get all of the awful color off. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
FYI, you should not stain new wood right away: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
You have to remove all of the old stain. Might want to let it season for a few months and then strip and sand to remove. Brighten the wood and let dry a few days before applying a stain.
Glad I seen this article, guess that's why the stain on my parents deck
didn't last no time.
I bought the premium semi transparent deck stain. A 5 gal pail for $166. Not cheap!! I've been staining for years so I know how to apply. It's peeling!! Literally peeling!! I've never had this problem. Wish I had read this. I picked this up at Home Depor. Been using for years and never had a problem. This year omg. I'm so angry. I have huge decks. I'm going to call them but I'm sure they'll blame me somehow. What stains have not changed their formula for the EPA? I couldnt find a decent paint for my exterior door last year. This is ridiculous. Greed or EPA stupidity??!! Behr should have at least tested their new formula before selling. This is going to cost a fortune to sand and redo. I'm furious.
This information was very helpful to me as I was considering buying the Behr deck over at a big box store but this info certainly changed my mind. I will go to a more reputable store like Home Hardware.
So where would you recommend a person to buy stain?
Lumber yards, speciality paint stores, online, etc. Call manufacturers for help locating.
Keep in mind that more stringent EPA regulations with each passing year also caused coatings' manufacturers to change their formulas. More often than not, these changes were for the worse. Definitely agree with what you are saying, but curious how much of this diminished quality had as much (or more) to due with government regulation vs. profitability.
Dave Hydock, President & Founder
Deck Rescue, LLC / Deck Rescue Franchising, LLC
Some of it has to do with VOC changes but not all. Just because someone lives in a low VOC state does not mean there are not any quality stains available. You just will not find them at Lowes or HD.
Did research on the web and learned quickly that my local Home Depot was selling junk. I bought TWP 100 Prairie Gray. I misdiagnosed how much stain was left on deck from previous owner. I didn't want to wait for Restore A Deck to come via the brown Santa Claus (UPS man) so I purchased with hesitation some gel like stripper made by Behr. What a huge mistake. It was brush or roller application and hose off. I failed to wear long sleeves and quickly found a few small alkaline chemical burns on my right forearm. I promptly flushed my arm with water and poured some soda (citric acid) on my arm to neutralize. Cleaned my equipment and then ordered RAD. Don't waste your time at the depot. Order or locally buy the stuff recommended on this site the first time. I found out the hard way. And yes I used proper protective equipment to include long sleeves and clear lenses on my old Oakleys when stripping with RAD.
How did the Restore a Deck work for you that you ordered on-line. Was it a pain to mix as a powder? What type of stain did it have to remove?
Bob
I am about to refinish a house for a man and I am leaning toward cetol 1 and cetol 23 plus as a top coat in a three coat system. The results I got in the past were second to none. I hope this line is still as good as it used to be.
Sikkens still makes those products so if it worked for you and it is the same formulas, it should be okay. Some of their formulas have changed when PPG bought them for North America. Might want to contact Sikkens for help.
I think this whole deck cleaning or stripping, and staining a deck every two to three years is crazy. But I understand it may be a reality. What about products like Restore? Do they last 10 years? What do you do then, a little cleaning and sanding, then re-coat? Who wants to use harsh chemicals to strip? I like the idea of Rhino Shield, but my budget is tight.
I have a multi-level deck with Trex decking and wood railings and frame. I just had my deck reinforced last fall, so there is some new wood and the railing tops were replaced. My deck gets a lot of sun, so I need to get it coated to protect it. I used a Cabot oil based cedar semi-trans stain on it 6 years ago. It looked pretty good at first, but in a year it turned a matt chalk surface. There are a couple of wooden posts that must have received more stain and they seem to have a paint like layer.
I tried cleaning a section, trex decking and railings that had a little mold with Krud Kutter. I liked this cleaning option because, from what I learned, it does not contain bleach. I followed the directions and it didn't do much, so I increased the strength to close to full. It was pretty good, but I still see some faint mold spots. Is that ok?
I'd like to find a one coat stain that will last. I don't like the idea of having to strip my deck every two years and re-stain. I have stripped a lot of furniture, but stripping a deck, that sounds like it will require a lot of harsh chemicals. What is that process like? That's why I'm considering the Restore type product. I'd rather avoid the stripping.
At this point Im pretty confused on what to use to avoid failure.
Nothing lasts more then 2-3 years. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying to gain sales. Read here for reviews on the Restore and Deckover products: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deckover-olympi…
Best to find a penetrating oil based stain that cab be easily cleaner and recoated every couple of years without the need for stripping. TWP or Armstrong Clark.
Dave,
When the deck installer came to do our railings and spindles, we switched to vinyl balusters (white) and switched out the wooden ones. The top and bottom rails were switched to Trax. They did not make a simple solution for installing the vinyl, so we ripped down some trex to 1x1x1 so they would fit into the hollow core of the vinyl baluster, and then screwed them onto the bottom and top rail.
Much happier now that all we stain is the deck floor. And it looks much nicer. We had Lighted Landings supply the vinyl balusters for much cheaper as we are familiar with them.
Do not use restore I did on two decks. Bad mistake with in one year of doing it. The product failed and I wrote them a e-mail with photos of a proper preparation before hand. They tried to say I did not prepare it right but I had back up proof. Still waiting on a response back from them.
Now looking for a semi deck stain that will,last.
Lowes in the Philadelphia market no longer sells Cabot. I previously purchased Cabot from them around
2006/7 & went back this year to find they no longer do. I do wish Lowes & Cabots
would remove each other off their websites as a distributor.
I found Cabot at an independent hardware store in the burbs instead. If it ever stops raining
we can restain.
I live in Burnaby BC and am considering purchasing the SIKKENS SRD 077 semi trans stain for my new cedar fence. I was told by a retailer that a new version of this stain is now available. I know nothing about the old version of this stain, but does anyone know about the new version verses the old version. I am to understand that this stain requires only one coat. True or false.
The new version is junk – totally different than the original. My refinishing project was a disaster. Now stripping my deck and starting over!
Lowe’s no longer carries Cabot deck stains. In the Midwest, Menards supposedly carries it,
Thank you! Time flies when you're having fun!
I agree, nothing like a true long-oil stain for lasting beauty. However, all manufacturers are/will be forced to reformulate thanks to new regs. Even the venerable TWP isn't what it used to be. Remember TWP 500 Series and the high-solids oil formulation to make it VOC compliant? How did that go? Now that's been replaced by TWP 1500 oil modified. If you can still find TWP 100 Series buy every last drop!
Do you think we can get deck stains classified as "industrial"? Bring back oil!
The TWP 1500 is the improved version of the 500 Series. Dries and cures more like the 100 Series and lasts about the same. It is a true oil based stain and not a \”oil modified\” stain.
One thing to note with the TWP is that they are registered under \”wood preservatives\” by the EPA and not architectural coatings as the rest of the stains are. This gives the TWP 1500 a 350 VOC restriction, not a 250 VOC restriction for the states that have adopted the new regs.
I don't see my comment from 2 weeks ago…what, you're afraid to post the truth because it might expose you as not always knowing the facts?
BTW – Lowe's no longer to carry Cabot Exterior; dropping entire line.
First your other comment was from 6 days ago, not 2 weeks. Second, while you are correct with the VOC changes requiring reformulation, the VOC changes were for the states on the east coast but from what we can tell they changed formulas for states they did not have to. They could have kept the original formulation for the other 37 states.
Honestly it is probably a combination of both (buyout and VOC) that caused Cabot\’s reformulations. The issue is that their products are nowhere near the same as they used to be. Ask any contractor who used to use their stain\’s and they will agree.
BTW, oil modified water based stains still perform like water based stains in our experience. They are not new and definitely not better then a true oil based stain when it comes to performance or penetration into the wood.
A product called Eco Wood treatment has worked very well for us , its a powder, you mix with water , We used it on our new Redwood deck ,beautiful, silvery gray color,
Your premise that manufacturers are forced to make a cheaper version of their products just isn't true regarding Cabot exterior deck stains. The exact same products are sold at Lowe's as in the independent paint and hardware stores.
You are confused by the Cabot line reformulation due to VOC regs which were changing around the same time Valspar purchased Cabot. They changed the oil-based products to be VOC compliant, not to make them "cheaper". They actually sell at a higher retail. And for the states with the strictest VOC regs, Cabot recently introduced their oil-modified version deck stains that perform like oil stains but are water clean-up. Again, better not cheaper.
Your derision should be toward the EPA and state governments, not Cabot. You can have an opinion but at least know the facts.
Cabot is horrible. It peeled like crazy. Do not buy water based as it ruins your deck. I will never purchase anything made by this company. I don't care if it is new or old formula.
I tried to contact Defy a while back. Nobody answered the phone and after I left an answering machine message they didn't call back. I know Home Depot and Lowe's can be rip offs. No question. For example, they sell Husqvarna chain saws which are no longer very good quality. But I can go to a local store and buy a Stihl saw for a little more and have a quality tool that will last me years.
So why is it that these top stains like Defy are only available on the Internet? And why is it that Defy doesn't answer their phones or return messages? If you are right that they are the best out there, why hasn't someone figured this out and found a way to bring these stains to market at the local paint and hardware stores? It's truly odd to me. I can't think of another product that is so impossible to get locally.
Coss Cob, all of the stains we rate are available in select stores throughout the country. They are not always available in every market though.
So then, am I forced to try to buy online? It is annoying the highest rated products TWP and Defy are not sold in Canadian stores. I have only found an online retailer of Defy's stains thus far. Does anyone know a good store to purchase a test pot from in Calgary Canada?
You need to change your statement about Sikkens products being sold a Home Depot.
I just got off the telephone with Sikkens customer support they tell me that there is no difference in the formula between SRD products sold at Home Depot or Retail Stores (such as hirshfield's, etc.) They do limit the product lines at big box stores (such as Home Depot or Walmart) however the products that have the exact same name are the exact same product at both retail outlets (they don't make two different formula's under the same name)
Conclusion the "Cetol SRD" at Home Depot is exactly the same "Cetol SRD" product you can pay a premium for at a boutique supplier.
Peter, I disagree as we have compared them side by side. The sikkens is a completely different texture and color.
My deck was finished with Sikkens by the builder 4 years ago. I refinished it 2 years ago with great results. This year when I bought the Sikkens stain at my Benjamin Moore dealer he warned me the brand had been sold and reformulated. My refinishing was a disaster – blotchey and dull looking. This is a completely different product. Now I'm stripping and looking to use a different brand. Buyer beware!
Peter, depending on the ethics of the manufacturer, you would get that type of answer. Haven't you noticed that things are not the same that they used to be? I had a Eureka vacuum for 13 years. Within the last 10 years, I have had over 7 different brands and types. Nothing is the same quality nor do they really stand by their guarantees. Look at the Behr and Rust-Oleum complaints and you will see the same pattern. Rust-Oleum I think copies and pastes their answers…redo the whole process…never money back or real fix. I was looking to redo my deck with restore or deckover, but the cost of the products compared to the reviews are pathetic. I believe Dave is really trying to inform the public on the short falls on unethical companies that now have ops overseas and have lower quality standards. You cannot tell me things from yester year works the same today. Take a look at TWP website about "Big Box Stores". Also, haven't you noticed that wally world used to proudly display "Made In USA" now it is "Made In China" and the quality has bottomed out. Sadly, most things are owned by the same company, i.e. 3 main manufacturers for all TVs. Do your research and you will see and put the blame where it belongs – unethical companies that want your almighty dollar and doesn't stand behind their products. Hopefully you get the gest and this has opened your eyes to such people like Dave.
Whats the best stain out there?
After reading all the reviews, I am totally confused. Please let me know what is the best stain to use on my very discolored deck?
Prep is key to remove all previous coatings and any dirt, etc. Look at one of these brands:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
What is the best stain to use for a deck (not a new deck)? Also, where do you buy it if not at a big box? I was getting read to buy that Behr stain tomorrow and I think you may have saved me from a big mess. Thank you for this blog.
Use on of these brands: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Contact the manufacturers for locating or buying.