Defy Extreme Wood and Deck Stain Review
ā Defy Extreme Stain Review (Quick Verdict)
Defy Extreme is a high-quality water-based deck stain that offers excellent UV resistance and color retention. While it requires proper prep and careful application, it performs well for those wanting a durable, eco-friendly alternative to oil-based stains.
- Defy Extreme earned an overall score of 8.5 out of 10 after two years of testing on a 750 square foot pressure treated pine deck.
- Zinc nano-technology gives Defy Extreme outstanding UV protection, scoring a 9 out of 10 for preventing color fade and graying.
- At roughly $0.55 per square foot using two coats, Defy Extreme costs about $55 per gallon with coverage of around 100 square feet per gallon.
- Defy Extreme scored a perfect 10 out of 10 for mold, mildew, and algae resistance, making it a top pick for eco-conscious homeowners.
ā Defy Extreme Stain – Key Takeaways
- Type: Water-based / acrylic penetrating stain
- Durability: Above average with proper prep
- UV Protection: Excellent (zinc nano technology)
- Ease of Application: Moderate (less forgiving than oil)
- Maintenance: Moderateārequires proper prep for recoats
7.5 Rating Defy Extreme Wood Stain
Defy Extreme Stain was introduced in 2008 as the newest member of the Defy Stain family. Defy Extreme Deck Stain is a penetrating water-based stain that does not film on the wood. Defy Extreme contains synthetic epoxy resins that “harden” the wood pores below the surface.
Utilizing nano-technology, Defy Extreme is one of the best stains on the market when it comes to preventing UV graying.
ā What Type of Stain Is Defy Extreme?
Defy Extreme is a water-based semi-transparent wood stain that uses synthetic resins combined with zinc nano-particles for enhanced UV protection. Unlike traditional oil-based stains, it relies more on surface bonding while still offering some penetration into the wood.
Defy Extreme Deck Stain Ratings (1-10)
Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 8.5
– Defy Extreme Stain had a rich look to the wood. Natural grain was highlighted evenly throughout. The Defy Extreme did not mask the grain like other water-based wood stains. The penetration of the stain into the wood was excellent. The Cedartone color was slightly on the “orange” side but acceptable for a cedar deck stain color.
Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 9
– One of the best in the industry. Testing over a 2 year period showed little to no color fade. The zinc oxide nanoparticles seemed to help drastically with the UltraViolet radiation that turns the wood gray.
Wear/Tear and Peeling: 8
– Better than average wear and tear. High traffic areas show some wearing but overall tested
extremely well. No noticeable peeling.
Cost Per Square Foot: 7
– Defy Extreme costs about $55 per gallon. For two coats we got about 100 square feet per gallon. We used 8 gallons for the 750 square foot deck translating to a per square foot price of $.55 a foot.
Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 10
– Defy Extreme Stain is a water-based stain that does not promote mold growth in the stain. A very small amount of algae was noticeable but was only in a shaded area and was on top of the stain. More of an issue with the decks’ location, not the stain itself.
Ease of Application: 7.5
– Fairly easy to apply. One issue we noticed was that it can dry very fast when in direct sunlight and on a hot day. Easy cleanup with water.
Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 9
– Stain changed very little in color after the 2 year period. No noticeable darkening.
Difficulty of Reapplication: 8.5
– No noticeable darkening, deep penetration, and little wearing make the Defy Extreme Stain an easy product to reapply when needed. Mild wood cleaning with the Defy Wood Cleaner and Defy Wood Brightener is what you would need to use to prep.
Overall Score Defy Extreme Stain at 2 Year Period: 8.5
– Defy Extreme is an excellent product and easily outperforms the majority of stains on the market. When it comes to water-based “Eco-Friendly” stains, Defy Extreme is our top choice. Defy Extreme performed in the top three of all stains tested when it comes to preventing UV graying on a horizontal surface. On vertical surfaces such as railings, the Extreme had no color change.
ā Real-World Performance
In real-world use, Defy Extreme performs well in terms of color retention and UV resistance. However, like most water-based stains, it can be less forgiving during application and may require more thorough prep to ensure even absorption and long-term performance.
Product Information:
Help or Questions? Defy Extreme Stain
Cost: $55 per Gallon, $269 per 5 Gallon Pail
Stain Type: Semi-Transparent ā Water Based
Available Colors: Cedartone, Natural Pine, Light Walnut, Clear, Redwood, Butternut, Driftwood Gray
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 2 Coats. āWet on Wetā
Coverage Per Gallon: 100-150 sq. ft
Application Tools: Sprayer, Pad, Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 2-4 Hours
Cleanup: Water
VOC Compliant: 250 Compliant in all States
More Info: Product Data
Manufacturer: Saver Systems
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: Pressure Treated Pine
Deck Square Footage: 750 Square feet
UV Exposure: 90% Full Sun, 10% Shade. South facing.
How Many Years Tested: 2 Years
Stain Color Used:Ā Cedartone
*All products tested and results are from our experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Take into consideration that results may differ due to different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, and natural weathering.
Defy Wood Stain Photos
ā Defy Extreme vs Oil-Based Deck Stains
- Defy Extreme (Water-Based):
- Better UV color retention
- Faster drying
- Lower VOC
- Oil-Based Stains:
- Deeper penetration
- Easier long-term maintenance
- More forgiving application
ā When Defy Extreme Works Best
- Decks in full sun exposure
- Users wanting long-lasting color retention
- Environmentally conscious homeowners
ā When to Avoid Defy Extreme
- Poorly prepped wood surfaces
- Users wanting the easiest maintenance option
- Older decks with heavy wear
FAQs – Defy Extreme Wood Stain
How long does Defy Extreme last?
Typically 2ā3 years depending on exposure and prep.
Is Defy Extreme better than oil-based stains?
It offers better UV resistance but may require more careful application and prep.
Does Defy Extreme peel?
It is less likely to peel than solid stains, but improper prep can lead to adhesion issues.
Is Defy Extreme easy to apply?
Moderateārequires attention to avoid lap marks.
Texas Gulf Coast Dock Application Review.
I have a 2 1/2 year old pressure treated pine dock on the Texas gulf coast that needed a sealer preservative application. I had applied Thompson’s after initially allowing the wood to dry for a few months, but the sealer had lost its effectiveness after only 9 months or so. I researched diligently and chose Defy.
I followed the instructions strictly, using first their wood cleaner, then Brightener, then a week later applying the stain. (I had already pressure washed the deck boards before beginning.)
I am highly impressed by the products thus far. The cleaner was very effective and easy to use. The Brightener was a really easy step that I was curious about, but I did it and I’m glad I did. The Brightener makes a huge difference in opening up the wood pores to receive the stain/sealer.
I then applied the Extreme stain/sealer in Natural Pine color. I sprayed it on with a deck pressure tank sprayer followed immediately by brushing in with a car wash type brush (Unger) and followed with a second wet on wet coat, same steps, within 15 minutes or so, again following the instructions as strictly as I could. I was careful not to over-apply. (The deck is about 500 square feet, but I only used about 3 1/2 gallons.)
I am super happy with the whole process and appearance on completion. It looks fantastic. Really first rate. Let’s see how the next two years of wear and tear go.
Bill in Rockport.
Thanks for your review.
Hey Bill, how did this hold up for you? I’m in Florida and looking to do the same on large deck – blazing sun, humidity and subsequent mildew here is probably similar to Texas conditions. I love the natural pine color but have been wondering if I should consider going darker for the additional UV protection. Thanks! š
What stain, prefer a natural or just clear, that has a cooling technology, that won’t burn feet around a wooden pool deck? Defy Extreme? Would this brand be something to consider in hot summer days? Thank you
No stain has “cooling” technology. Best to use lighter colors so it has less UV reflection.
Hello! I’m considering this product for a client and noticed it says 1 gallon covers approximately 100-150 sq ft, and it also says it requires two coats. My question is: does 1 gallon cover 100-150 sq ft with 1 coat, or 2 coats? If I have a 600 sq ft deck, do I need 8-12 gallons of this stain to apply the two coats? Or would I only need 4-6 gallons to apply 2 coats to 600 sq ft? Thanks very much in advance for any help you can offer!!
That is per coat. It averages about 75-100 sq ft per gallon for 2 coats. You will need about 6-8 gallons.
Hi, we plan to stain a 15 year old pressure-treated wood deck. We used Ben Moore Arborcoat semi-transparent oil stain in Platinum color 13 years ago and nothing since (I know, bad). It was high VOC then and worked beautifully. We have just pressure washed and it doesn’t look too mottled…with a few areas still holding on to gray stronger than others. I would appreciate your recommendation on how to proceed and whether BM’s replacement semi-transparent oil product, WoodLuxe, should be a contender.
Thank you!
You will need to remove it thoroughly first. When done, use one of these brands:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
BM does not make good deck stains.
Thanks for running a really helpful website. I live in the mountains of AZ at 7000ft and get lots of sun, snow, dry, etc so it’s challenging. 20 years ago, I started with Duckback (now Superdeck) semi-trans and it blackened and didn’t last long. Tried Ready Seal semi-trans and it did not last more than a year or so but was easy to recoat. Unfortunately, the colorant in repeated coats added up and I lost the grain. Based on your info, I chose Defy Extreme Butternut 5 or 6 years ago. It has lasted the longest by far (2-3 years on horizontals, longer on railing) but upon recoat I am finding that I am again losing the transparency to the grain, in spite of following instructions to use cleaner and then brightener before recoating. This leads me to two questions:
1) Is there any way to deal with wear in the traffic areas with Defy (i.e. a re-coating strategy)? 95% of the deck often still looks decent and might not re-coating but I’m getting wear in traffic areas down to bare wood. See pic of a darkening re-coated area with some wear spots (not the worst, but it was closest to the recoated stairs) shown next to an area that I just sanded and recoated.
2) Looking again at the pic, is there ANY semi-transparent stain product that is easy to re-coat but DOESN’T accumulate pigment with every re-coat such that the grain gets lost? Maybe this is an inherent function of semi-transparent stain and thus hopeless, but it made me wonder if it’s possible to do a Defy semi-trans initial coat and then re-coat every year with Defy clear – would this work?
Thanks!
You will need to remove all stain down to the bare wood and start over to fix this.
Thanks very much for the speedy reply. I used DeckWise cleaner and then brightener prior to recoating. I had traffic areas that made me want to recoat, but yes it seemed like the wood did not really absorb the recoat with Defy and instead it kind of sat on the surface.
Is it possible that most of the deck was not āreadyā for recoating and is there a solution for this when wanting to recoat?
I am planning to sand and recoat. Stick with Defy or try something else like RAD or TWP?
If you sand it off, do not sand finer than 60-80 grit, and then one coat of the stain:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/
As for recoating in the future, when the time comes, we would need to see pics of the condition to determine the best way to prep and recoat.
Try the TWP or Armstrong Clark this time.
I have 3 questions regarding staining in Florida: 1. I really won’t need to strip the Defy brand semi-transparent before applying a maintenance coat in a couple of years? 2. Several other “pros” have told me that it will peel ” like all water based stains”, but your saying this is a penetrating stain and won’t? 3. Have you ever used there newer Ultra line of stains and is it also penetrating? If so, do you believe it is worth the extra cost to upgrade to the Ultra?
1. Defy Extreme is a penetrating stain that can be cleaned and reapplied as needed.
2. Defy Ultra is not a fully penetrating stain. Any stain brand that films on top of the wood can eventually peel.
We like the Extreme better.
I put one coat of Defy on a new kdat treated lumber dock about 18 months ago. What steps would you recommend before applying the second coat and do we need to apply a second coat to the vertical post as well? Thanks!
Use a deck cleaner and then one coat of the Defy. If verticals look good, then just do the horizontals.
Have a 3 year old cedar deck(2×4) that was originally painted. Would like to stain it. Is it ok to sand it with a belt sander prior to staining? I there something else I should be doing as well? Please advise. Thanks.
You will need to fully remove the paint if you want to stain. See this for tips on removal:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/
I have a new deck , weathered 6 months . I’m ready to clean and brighten . It’s pine , part covered and part uncovered . What’s the main difference in choosing oil or water based ? I really want a stain that is easy to maintain and I don’t need to strip to reapply. Thanks !
See this about new wood:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Does not matter if oil based or water based. What does matter is the quality of the brand and if fully penetrating or not.
It’s been 18 months since our last application of Defy stain on pressure treated pine and the only wear we see is at knot holes, and we would like to reapply the same color. Only the horizontal boards need to be done. The vertical ones look great. Questions:
1. Can we prep with only Defy brightener as the container suggests or do we have to use the cleaner first?
2. Will the brightener running down the vertical boards make them have to be restrained too?
3. What would happen if we just restained without cleaner or brightener (like my husband wants)?
1. Brighteners will not prep this properly for reapplication, you need to Clean and then Brighten.
2. Probably not.
3. Skipping steps causes premature failure that you will blame the stain but actually happened due to not following directions.
can I get away with one coat or do i have to do two coats?
Depends on the age of the wood.
I used Defy for the first time on a newly constructed pressurized pine deck. I let the deck rest for six months before the first application. The paint has a consistency of water and does not yield even color. After once coat, some of the deck had barely any gray color and other sections were dark gray. The color is uneven and splotchy. I will have to paint over this with another brand of paint. I was so disappointed in the results. I have been painting my decks for thirty years and have never been this dissatisfied with a paint product. I can’t return the extra paint because I bought it in the fall and had to wait until spring to paint.
Defy is not a paint but a penetrating stain that enhances the natural grain of the wood. The final color is determined by age, wood type, and the prep of the wood. I believe your expectations were different than what the product is intended to do.
Any issues using Defy: cleaner/brightener/butternut stain on an old deck which was last stained with RAD light walnut @5 yrs ago and is now worn out and in need?
Itās either Defy Butternut or RAD Dark Walnut.
But the nano particles I need!!
I’m not stripping it….
You should strip and brighten if switching brands and or colors. Defienelty if switching brand names.
Hi, I’m a new homeowner looking to restore my deck before it gets colder here in CT. Problem is I have no info about the decks treatment until we moved in so I cant tell if it was ever sealed/ stained. I tested with the water pouring test and it seems to absorb it pretty quickly.
Thanks so much in advance. Attaching photos of different parts with varying shades to give you a clear picture.
Looks just gray and dirty so for prep, use a deck cleaner and a wood brightener. The Defy Extreme Stain would be a very good choice. Look at the Restore A Deck Stains as well. The wood is pressure-treated pine.
Really appreciate the response. Thanks so much Scott!
how much time do i need to apply all three steps cleaner brightner and stain ?
No way to answer this as it is based on your project size and your experience as well.
Hi. Im sorry. what I would like to know is the recommeded drying time between the cleaner / brightner before applying stain? Thank you
48 hours.
Hi. Can I use RAD for all my prep but use Defy stain? Thank you
Yes.
Hi, I have a 8+ year old dock on a very small lake, mostly full sun, Mid-Georgia (so plenty of humidity), pressure treated. It’s in pretty good shape and has been maintained. I want semi-transparent. natural cedar tone.
Also have a deck that has a darker stain, also semi transparent. similar condition, but has some peeling.
I’m surprised at the difference in coverage between those recommended on the site and the Behr’s etc.
Thank you for any suggestions and thanks for the thoughtful website.
You have to remove the current stain first. Post pics for prep help.
Nice site. I’m building a new Japanese “roofed”, rough-out, cedar fence right beside Puget Sound…the rain seldom lets up but when it does, we have glorious periods of heavy mist. Cedar probably will never achieve a low moisture content (We’re drying it in the basement APT).
We need a stain meeting the following criteria, 1st) Prevention of graying, 2nd) Grain Enhancement, 3rd) Prevention of mold/mildew, and 4th) Durability.
Q. Recommendations, Thoughts?
Q. Should I use an oil-based product?
Q. Will Defy Extreme Wood and Deck Stain āNatural Toneā hold up?
Cordially,
Use Restore A Deck Stains in a semi-transparent color. It will give the best option for mildew prevention, and graying protection, and can be applied to damp wood.
how well will this deck stain work in south central Illinois
?
We do not see any issues using it in IL.
Used Cabot Australian Oil Natural on cedar deck—it’s been on for about 10 months. Pleased at first but now water seems to be penetrating/soaking into wood, not beading. Also, mold is a problem here in Northern Virginia. Plan is to clean and brighten deck and reapply Australian Oil—but I’d have to repeat process yearly.
I love the natural look of the cedar (and natural tone of Australian oil). I donāt want an orange toned cedar deck.
āWhat type of stain would you recommend that could give me a longer time in between re-finishing?
āWhat color stain would you recommend to approximate the natural look of cedar (not orange)?
āWhat about a stain stripper and process for any small areas on the cedar deck that might still have Australian oil?
Thank you!
You will need to remove the Cabot. Strip and brighten with the Restore A Deck Prep products. Stain with Restore A Deck Stain in Natural or Defy Extreme in Natural Pine.
Thank you
I have a 15 y/o IPE deck. Which has been treated by the same “Professional ” for 15 yrs. He was using Penofin. Last yr, he stripped and I think cleaned the deck, then applied Penofin after. He did it when it was sunny and 92º , the deck was hot… He applied 2 coats and not wiping down after either of the coats. Needless to say we had problems. it was sticky in spots…the deck chairs would show scratching marks, when moved. He “didn’t know why” !!! He reapplied after cleaning deck again about a month or so after. No change.. He said he though problem was the Penofins and he would contact the Co. But alas, we have not heard from him this yr. SO I AM gonna strip and brighten the deck with the RAD products. Which stain is recommended ? I have seen there have been problems with the Penofin stain with IPE decks, even tho we liked the colors brought out on our deck. Wanting to keep this colors coming thru, which stain, is water based better than oil?? Im thinking Oil based stain. Any help would be so very appreciated… Thanks
Try the Restore A Deck Stain or Defy Hardwood stain. Better results.
Thanks for the reply ! ! ! I guess now it’s which color would I use , respectively for each brand? the Penofin he used had some tint to it, but when it was done right and even in the beginning, it had some nice browns and reds to the IPE wood. Thats what we’re hoping for..I am trying to figure which one of these 2 brands should I use. Im thinking oil base but am open to water base… Ugh!!! Decisions, decisions ! ! ! Any more input, especially anyone use these on IPE decks?? thanks for any help
Try the Light Walnut or Cedar colors. Here is RAD on IPE in Light Walnut in pic.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain-for-exotic-hardwoods-review/
Does this work well on Cedar Play sets?
It will work great.
I am replacing the top of my deck and benches with Trex. The supports for the benches need to be wood so I am using my existing pressure treated supports. What grit sandpaper should I use to strip it before applying defy extreme stain. I’ve seen you recommend a courser grit but what exactly do you consider courser. Thanks.
See here for some tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/
My deck was made with Goodfellow Terra Wood, and I like the reddish undertones but have been burned before by “Redwood” coloured stains that look very red and very fake. (Olympic brand, specifically. I stopped, stripped and switched to “Brick Red” after a few boards because I knew I would hate it.) I have a second, much larger deck to contend with this year. Does the Defy Extreme redwood colour look natural, or should I stick to a cedar tone? I have to order it sight unseen.
All “redwood” colors will be red. Use a lighter color to enhance your wood grain if you do not want it to look bright red.
Unfortunately, I have to sand some parts, so lighter will not work. I wish there were more colour options for your top rated water based stains. Thank you for your help!
Why would a lighter color not work? No matter what, you should remove the current stain if switching brands of semi-transparent stains. This way you can use any color that you like.
The wood in question is currently unstained. Its colour comes from the treatment process and standard deck cleaner does not remove it. I don’t know if brightner would work? The railing really needs sanding because it is rough. I am not willing to sand the whole thing because it is a tiered deck that is encosed on the sides. But the reddish base colour will show through a light semi-transparent where left. I might give up on the water based because your top oil based have better colour options. I really want ease of maintenance, because I am going to have to strip my front deck due to the stain flaking from subpar water-based stain (and full sun application, which I now know not to do.) Glad I did the smaller front deck first…
Post some pictures of the wood.
It has faded a bit, but still very red toned.
Just use a light-colored stain for this, it will be fine. Clean and brighen all wood for prep.
Which color of DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent stainwould best match brown Sienna MicroPro pressure-treated lumber?
Maybe Light Walnut.
Just to be sure, Defy Extreme clear will allow my cedar decking to turn grey, but Defy Extreme semi transparent stain will not? Thanks.
Correct.
We had new floor and top rails put on our 2 decks. Husband power washed rails. There is a lot of color variation. Thinking of using defy, would like it light colored. What is the best way to make it look more uniform? We are both in our 70s. Appreciate advice on the best and easiest way to do this. Thanks. Don’t know how to add pictures, know how with text.
It is not possible to have new and old wood blend when using a semi-transparent stain. No matter what, the new wood will stain lighter the first time staining since it is less absorbent.
Do you have any ideas on what to do with this situation?
There is nothing to do but accept the fact that the new wood will be lighter in color the first time staining.
Did you contact them directly at SaverSystems.com? This is not normal, so something had to have been incorrect during your prep or stain process.
We stained our new deck (weathered for about a year) with Defy Extreme back in 2017. It really needed a maintenance coat last year but we didn’t get it done. This is what it looks like now. Can we just wash it and brighten it and do a maintenance coat or do we need to do something different?
Use their Defy Wood Cleaner and then their Wood Brightener for prep.
What’s your preference, RAD or Defy Extreme? Had lots of darkening and mold problems with Armstrong, so thinking of trying something else. Pacific northwest so lots of rain and winter shade. Looking for durability, ease of application and ease of re-coating a couple years down the road.
We like both but been using the RAD more. We like the same day application as prep.
Hi, I am about to stain my new cedar fence with defy semi-transparent stain. I called defy customer service and they advised me to do 2 coats – wet on wet. I am confused on what to do as you guys recommend only one coat for new wood. Thanks for your help!
Only one coat for new smooth wood. If your fence is rough sawn, then you can do two coats.
I used Defy’s natural pine a year ago on my deck railing and side deck wall, using wet on wet application. I did not do the floor boards at that time so I’m cleaning and brightening those boards before staining this spring. If I decided to restrain the railing again too, do I just clean and brighten that again too, before restraining?
thanks, Verne
Yes, that is correct.
Not sure if my question got posted…….sorry for the repeat if it was.
Just stained deck with Defy Extreme semi-transparent cedar stain. Lower “apron” looked dirty and cleaned with a deck cleaner (not just soap and water). Now the white “foam” won’t go away. What do I do?
Post some pictures.
Used defy extreme cedar color. Top is fine, but side lower apron looked like it needed cleaning. Used deck cleaner (Valspar) and now white foaming on surface won’t wash away. What do I do?
Five year old pressure treated pine deck, mostly shade, very little traffic, one to six feet off the ground with a moisture barrier……..original, first stain Cabot; it peeled. RAD’d with both stripper and lightener and stained with TWP one coat…….it blotched, streaked black, and just generally didn’t look good. RAD’d with cleaner and brightener and re-stained with TWP two coats, wet-on-wet. Got same results as the first time. I again cleaned/brightened and applied wet-on-wet. Same results with some mildew build up [we’ve had a terribly humid, wet summer]. Applied wet & forget after checking with TWPstain who advised it would not hurt surface. Mildew returned immediately.
I just completed a RAD stripper application this week. It stripped maybe 85% but there is no 100% strip anywhere but on the rails.
Is a second stripper application recommended before brightening? Should it strip the remainder? Must it be stripped 100% if I choose to use a darker color?
Does it make sense to try another stain like Defy which is water based rather than oil based and has a mildew resistance and is tolerant of moist conditions?
Picture prior to my last strip job.
Thanks for your adviceā¦ā¦this deck is large 44 X 12 and itās proving to be a real monster.
Strip again, it will need to come all off. You could try the Defy then, it should do better with preventing mildew.
We have a 45 year old cypress deck that’s still in pretty good shape. We’ve replace a few boards, also with cypress. It was treated yearly with Cuprinol for about 25 years so it was a pretty weathered gray. It was neglected for about 5 years, then it was stained brown. That has finally faded and we’ve begun to clean and brighten it. Some boards have been replaced. My hope would be to get it back to a natural weathered gray appearance, but I realize that a lot of time has passed and the wood has been neglected. Would Defy clear or driftwood gray be a good choice? Another option would be to match the deck to the house (which is cedar siding with Cabot Seacoast Gray solid stain), but that would obscure the wood grain and be too matchy-matchy. I don’t want to go brown again. The wood doesn’t have to look perfect. I’m really stumped. The photo shows old boards next to a couple of the new ones. Thanks for any advice!
You can use the Defy Clear for this.
Are there any real life example photos of the “Butternut” color? Trying to decide between this and Light Walnut. I don’t want any orange/red undertones. Thanks!
The Butternut is brown tinted, not orange or red.
Thanks so much!
Can this be used on composite decking. I have old Trex decking.
Not sure. Best to ask them directly.
My home has rough cedar siding that has previously been stained with Cabot Clear Solution, Cedar tint (water based). Since this product is no longer made, I’m trying to find an alternative. I have cleaned my siding, and most of the old stain is removed (but not all). Would Defy Extreme be a good stain to consider for my siding now?
You will need to strip and brighten when switching brands. Use the Restore A Deck Stripper Kits with both additives: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-booster-thickening-gel-review/
This is a very high quality product. I used the solid color stain on 3 separate 35 year old decks at my home. It is well worth the slightly higher price of some other popular brands. It goes on easy with a brush or roller.
Hi I live in Kokomo Indiana. Which is an hour north of Indianapolis. I have cleaned the deck and it is not ready for stain. In the past I have used CWF clear, but I wanted to see if there is a better product out there. I’m ready to stain and need some opinions. Is there any concern of going over the CWF with a new stain if it has been cleaned and power washed?
Thank you
You will have to remove the CWF if switching brands of stain. Strip and or sand and then brighten the wood. Defy is a better brand then the CWF.
Could you emphasize what “2 coats, wet on wet” means exactly? Thank you!
See this: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stain-instructions-for-wet-on-wet
Where can I buy this stain? I’m in the Athens he area.
Check with their website.
We have heat treated deck on fishing pier and on front and back decks on house. What product should I use to avoid orange or yellowing. The fishing pier is 2 years old and the house decks 6 months to a year old. What pre-treatment is recommended? Also, does sealant help protect the nailheads?
Prep with the Defy Wood Cleaner and the Defy Brightener. Stain with the Defy Extreme in Butternut. Stains or sealer will not protect nailheads.
Thanks!
I have a 6 year old cedar deck that was stopped of previous stain which was peeling away year after year. We finally sanded the deck and it’s now prepped for a new application. I’d like to retain the natural color. My brother in Europe recommends just using a natural oil on the deck and stay away from stains. I’m thinking about using DEFY wood oil for decks. Anyone has any experience with that? Will it blacken over time? Peel away? I’m ok with inconsistency in colors as natural wood is but I don’t want to see it peel away.
You need a penetrating stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
They do not blacken over time or peel.
We chose Defy clear on our 1 yr old Cedar deck. Love the ease that it went on but feel I want a little color since it is very clear. Can I put a coat of driftwood over the clear?
No. you would have to strip it off and then brighten the wood.
We have 22 year old deck. Wood is in good shape. It has been retained 3 times. Areas of the deck horizontal surface have started to peel. I stripped, sanded and scraped the deck. this resulted in much but not all of the existing stain coming off the deck. I am looking for the best advice short of stripping all of existing stain to re-stain the deck. How or do I need to treat the deck after stripping and power washing with water. Should I simply reapply what is already on the deck or is there another stain that has a better adhesion capability? thx
Post a picture.
Does Defy Extreme Stain work well on a pressure treated Yellawood fence.
Yes, it does.
Location: Central NY, lake effect snow area
Partial sun AM, Full sun afternoon
Pressure treated wood
No mold or mildew issues
Deck is 4 years old-used Thompsonās water sealer stain year 2-didnāt take, peeled, wore away in high traffic areas. Year 3-current stain is Cabot Gold stain. Same issues-wore away, peeling.
The pictures are after power washing it. We would prefer not to sand it. Iāve read your best of 2020 article and am leaning towards the Defy or restore a deck product lines. If we use the stripper product do we have to use their cleaning product first? The power washer didnāt work to get the stain off of the spindles, what would you recommend? Lastly, whatās the best way to apply? I used a power sprayer and brush last time.
No pictures.
I’m having trouble adding pictures, it’s says maximum file size is 4MB
Here they are…
It looks excessively thick. You will have to sand this off as stripping will probably not remove it fully. Clean and brighten after for final prep.
Thank you. Which product would you recommend for the stain?
Either the RAD or Defy would work well after prep.
When you said it’s excessively thick, did you mean on the spindles or the floor boards?
Both.
You review was not valid. We know who you are Tim Carter, the Handyman who has an agenda and makes up reviews. Stop making fake reviews. Thanks
HORRIBLE DURABILITY!
I purchased Defy wood stain 4 years ago to stain my new deck. I waited 6 months to let the pressure treated pine dry, then cleaned and brightened with Defy brand cleaner and brightener. ALL of the horizontal surfaces on my deck were fading, and peeling within 3 months. I had to reapply the following spring less than one year from the first staining. The second, which I carefully pressure washed, again using Defy brand cleaner and brightener and stain did not last through the summer before deteriorating. I am now preparing for my 4th application of stain in 4 years. the only reason I am still using Defy is because I originally over bought and restocking and return fees were too high, so I decided to keep it for when it was time to re stain, not expecting at the time the horrible performance i have experienced. Since I am stubborn when it comes to wasting money, I have been using it until it’s depleted. I will not use it again. I will however state that all of the vertical surfaces have held up well, especially those that receive the most amount of shade during the day, but that would be the case with any cheap-o stain. Where I was expecting the longevity, and durability of this stain is where it failed most, on the horizontal surfaces that get the most daylight. I have been grossly, and repeatedly disappointed.
Sorry about previous posts, we have had numerous issues with that “other” person trolling the website.
As for your issues, this is not normal. We have used the Defy many 100s without having any issues. Not sure what the cause is but we would suggest calling Saver Systems for help as they are a great company to work with and they stand behind their products.
We recently stained our deck with Defy Extreme Stain in the natural pine. I realize now that as much as I like the product, I made a mistake with the color. What would I have to do to remove the stain before applying the color I should have used (driftwood gray).
You will have to strip and brighten for prep to remove the Defy: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-deck-stain-strippers/
What is the best product for stripping and the best product for brightening? Will doing that completely remove the current color?
P.S. Our deck was installed last fall so the wood is new wood.
Okay, putting both of my questions in one reply. The deck we stained was a new deck with new wood. What is the best productto use to remove the Extreme defy natural pine and the best product to brighten the deck before restaining with driftwood gray?
Try the Defy Stain Stripper and the Defy Brightener.
Thank you so much. One final question…When we redo the railing would it be better to use the semi-transparent stain or the solid color stain? We are keeping the flooring the semi-transparent.
Either would be fine.
Installed a large swing set (cedar). Exploring using clear (Defy Extreme Clear) vs semi-transparent.
Clear is preferable as I like current swing set colors. But also would like to minimize how often I need to re-apply.
In real life how dose Extreme Clear compare to the their semi-transparent stains?
Can I get away with re-applying Extreme Clear every 2 or 3 years?
The Clear will need to be reapplied every 9-18 months. The Extreme Tinted colors will last 2-3 years.
Our deck surface was replaced with TREX “Tiki Torch”. Is there a specific color that will be a good match when we stain the posts and rails? Because the deck has old and new wood, we plan to use the solid stain.
You can have the paint store custom mix the solid stain to any color you want to try and match the Trex.
We used this on a new doug fir outdoor shower enclosure, fence and pergola late summer 2017. Strictly following the instructions we are very happy. The manufacturer was very responsive to our questions and after 2 1/2 years and 3 New England winters we see no peeling and a little fading. This exceeded our expectation! We used the cleaner and brightener as directed and they were easy to use. We found the stain to be a little difficult to install. You have to work very quickly even in temperatures in the 70s. You also have to make sure that you cover the area you are working on in one session otherwise it leaves hard lines. We went through three different contractors before found someone capable of installing this.
I am a little confused by your rating and comments of this product as compared to the Restore A Deck Wood Stain review. In the comments you state that Defy Extreme Stain is the best water based stain on the market and is your go to brand. However when you rate it is slightly lower than the RAD stain. So how and why is this your favorite, especially since the RAD stain has a lower cost factor than the DES?
Both are excellent products and water-based. Ths review for the Extreme was written prior to the RAD Stain.
Can use water based Defy on a lower deck that’s very low , very close to the ground and in shade . It is under the upper deck . Does Defy come in oil based stain ? Would it be better oil one? We live in MA . Cold , many wet days, long winters .
It only comes in water-based and yes, you can use it here and would work well.
Thank you for your answer. Do I need 2 coats on this lower deck if I get Defy ? Probably darker color better. Butternut instead of Redwood that I have on the upper deck ?!?
There will not be better longevity between those colors. Lasts the same. Two coats.
I see people saying that second coat has to be applied wet on wet within 15 min.
1. My deck is large , 27Ć11 . Should I do it in sections ? How else should I do it without stepping on the area that I just painted ?
2. Do I need to wipe with a rag ? Two years ago I used a roll but the stain didnāt penetrate very deep. I sanded and washed the dust with plain water , no cleaner or brightener.
3. After washing the deck how long to wait until I apply stain ? We have sunny days for next week.
Thank you.
1. Do it all at once. See this for tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stain-instructions-for-wet-on-wet/
2. No need to back wipe but use a stain pad for best application.
3. 48 hours.
I am wrapping 21 porch posts (12 x 12 x 10) with western red cedar. I want to darken the cedar since it is almost the color of pine. What would you recommend?
Try the Defy Extreme in Light Walnut.
Indiana, Fort Wayne – Deck gets 80% full sun, 5yrs old pressure treated pine. I pressure washed the deck and removed current stain. Then applied one coat of the semi transparent light chestnut stain with a brush / roller method. The stain dries up quickly when applying it in full sun conditions. However, the results turned out good. I wanted a stain that was human/pet friendly to use since we have a couple of dogs. This did the trick! I hope it will last us two years before needing to apply the next coat. – Mike
Is this the “light walnut” color?
Looks like Light Walnut
Yes, this is light walnut. It lasted two years. I recently applied the stain this year. However, instead of using a roller, I used a Woodmates Stain Applicator. Much easier applying the stain and took me about 3 hours to do our 20×20 size deck.
Has anyone used these products on a black locust deck? Black locust is extremely hard, requiring predrilled holes for deck screws. Which product Defy Extreme vs. Defy Hardwood, would folks recommend? Also, is powerwashing recommended, as well as use of the Defy deck cleaner as prep? My deck is about 10 years old with no surface coatings ever applied. Thanks.
Defy Hardwood. Yes, you have to prep. Use a deck cleaner and pressure washing.
Thanks!
Do you have to put on 2 coats? If so, how long between coats? Thank you!
If older wood, two coats are suggested. Applied wet on wet. 20-40 minutes after the first coat.
This is a new deck that was built in the fall, with nothing done to it yet. Should there still be 2 coats?
Just one coat for newer wood.
I have a year old Eastern cedar deck that I stained with Benjamin Moore Arbourcoat Translucent natural after it had weathered 6 months (the second deck for 1 month only). I realize from my research now that I should not have relied on the advice of the paint store personnel with respect to deck prep (none) and product. Much of the stain has worn off the horizontal surfaces and is peeling in a major way. There are also a lot of greying and black mold spots.
I will be stripping the deck and then cleaning and brightening it before applying any stain.
I live in Northern Ontario on waterfront property so the conditions include high humidity in the summers and a lot of freezing and thawing in the winter months. Most of the deck is in full sun with no shade. I prefer the look of translucent stain or clear stain but realize from reading up on it now that this will wear too quickly, so I am prepared to use a semi-translucent stain.
I am thinking about Restore A Deck, Defy, TWP 200, Armstrong (staining in the sun). I had planned to use an oil based product because I thought it was better, Am I correct in thinking the water based stains are newer formulations – which makes me wonder if there is enough info yet on how they stand up over time?
What would you recommend for this deck and can you please indicate under which conditions to apply (wet, dry etc.)
Thank you for your help.
The Defy Extreme would work well for this. Make sure to remove all the previous stain. Best to apply the Defy to dry wood.
Thank you!
Defy semi-transparent better than clear for sun protection? Sun protection with clear stain still unattainable?
On a new deck of pressure treated pine (after appropriate weathering period) I applied Defy cleaner, brightener, and clear stain, following the directions closely. One year later there was obvious greying and discoloration from sun. (This deck gets full sun all day.)
One year later I did it all again, although it was looking like the clear wasnāt protecting from sun. The cleaner and brightener did a decent job; although the deck was still discolored, it was brighter and did look better. I applied the clear stain again. Six months later, the deck looks pretty lousy, grey, discolored, etc.
I called Defy and in a moment of candidness, I think, the very helpful customer service guy seemed to suggest the clear wouldnāt really protect from sun. Ironically his does make me trust Defy a little, although the ads promised great sun protection for a clear stain (nano particles and all). I may call them and ask what stain they suggest for sun protection, see what they say, as due to the good reviews I am willing to try another Defy stain.
1) Does anyone else have observations on the sun performance of clear Defy?
2) Is it foolish to expect sun protection from any clear stain?
3) How about their semi-transparent stains? I am inclined to go as light as possible.
4) Does how light the semi-transparent stain is affect sun protection?
Thanks in advance.
The colored stains will last 2-3 times longer than the Clear. Much better. Clear offers minimal protection in the Defy line. 1 year at most with their Clear. 2-3 years with the semi-transparent colors. Lighter colors will fade faster.
Thanks! Called Defy earlier. They are very upfront that pigment lasts longer. Still communicating with them, but let’s just say that so far customer service is phenomenal!
Question/Review: What should I do now?
Almost two years ago we moved into a house with a deck needing some TLC.
What we did: Scrubbed off lots of mold/mildew/algae, sanded off old stain etc, applied Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent. We were pretty happy with how it turned out.
Now: It’s been a year and a half. Obviously there’s been some wear. There is also some significant mold/mildew/algae growth, but, much less than when we moved in. It is on the shaded parts and we do get a lot of moisture, so anything less than a bleach forcefield wouldn’t keep that green sheen at bay forever.
Also, rain doesn’t bead up anymore. not on any part of the deck any more. So, this means it’s ready to recoat right?
What do I do?
Defy Safe Oxygenated Bleach Wood Cleaner, then rinse, then Defy Wood Brightener (same day), then rinse, then let dry for (some days)? Then apply Defy stain (same stain as before)? Is that right?
How long should the deck dry (after brightening) before applying stain?
If rain happens between brightening and staining, do I have to start over with cleaning/brightening, or can I still just wait and stain when it finally dries out? The pH talk kind of confused me, and my current forecast includes rain for 10 of the next 10 days, so, I’m gonna need to know what to do if it rains. (Yes I am waiting for a better stretch of weather than 10 days of rain before I start this project. But still want to know, because rain happens here).
How long does the stain need to dry after applying, in terms of weather– how soon can it safely rain after applying the stain without it affecting the job?
Thanks!
Time to redo. apply the cleaner and then pressure wash off. No need for the Brightener this time. Let dry and apply with same stain and color a couple of days after the prep. If it rains after prep but before staining, just wait for it to dry for 48 hours. It can rain 4-8 hours after applying.
I know this is a deck forum but I have a question about solid stain. I built an 800 foot fence, pressure treated pine, and was wondering what you would recommend for a solid stain. From what I’ve read, the Defy product looks pretty promising but would like your advice. Would you have any idea how much stain I would need as well?
Thanks
See this for our solid stain reviews: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
As for how much, we would need a total sq footage of wood to be stained.
Definitely appreciate your information but am hesitant to get started on our deck because of a tree incident. We live in the Midwest and our deck is made with treated lumber. It is 2 years old and was initially treated with Thompson water seal a year ago. Useless stuff. This past January a tree fell on our house taking out part of our house and part of our deck. We are finally back in our house and now are ready to work on the deck. One side of our deck was replaced with new lumber—spindles, top rail and two horizontal floor planks. We have a combo of color on the deck. Most of it has worn naturally and has a light grey color. I have cleaned the deck and would like to give a fresh and uniform look while using a semi transparent stain. Would really appreciate any and all advice.
Cannot really match new and old wood the first time staining as the new wood will be lighter in colors since it is less absorbent.
Can this product be used on a 14 yo TREX deck? Fading and mold/mildew are main problem currently.
No.
Defy Semi Transparent wood stain should NOT be used on Cedar. It ruined my 10 month old 800sq ft beautiful cedar deck, see attached pictures. I used Defy Wood cleaner, which was quite an effort in itself, then Defy Wood Brightener followed by Defy Semi-transparent stain in Cedar. The stain left darker sports wherever it overlapped. I have never seen such discoloration after a short period of overlap. Once I started and saw the staining I tried to prevent overlap but the watery consistence make it impossible to not have at a minimum drops fall into the area immediately coated alongside the planks I was staining and the overlap grew into a dark hideous color. I bought DEFY after reviews on this site; I’m not sure if all of them can be trusted. It may work on other wood but not on Cedar. I am sick to my stomach, can’t stand to look at my deck and I on;y stained it yesterday!!
We use the Defy Extreme all the time for cedar and never have issues like this. Water-based semi-transparent stains like Defy can be applied evenly without the issue you are having. The pictures show clearly that you did not apply it evenly. The directions state to apply each board end to end and not overlap or stop in the middle of a board. I am guessing you applied in direct sunlight as well? Surface temps cannot be above 85 and could be another reason for this. See this for more info in this potential issue: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/applying-a-deck-stain-in-full-sun/
I know you are frustrated but you are blaming the stain when it was actually applied incorrectly.
We have a new pressure treated deck and the moisture levels are now low enough for us to stain. For the Defy Extreme Wood Stain, would this me all we would use or is there a sealer that would need to be added as well?
You have to let new wood weather as it is not based on moisture levels as to when you can stain new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
You cannot apply a sealer over a deck stain nor do you need to.
How is it on a previously stained deck that was done about 10 years ago in gray. I will be using gray again
It cannot be applied over a stain of a different brand. That would have to be removed first.
Does it come in a solid color gray , where can it be bought at and get color chart ?
Jay
See this: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/defy-extreme-solid-color-stain-review/
or if you want a premixed solid gray, use this brand: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-solid-color-stain-review/
I live on the water on the Texas Gulf Coast and used Defy Extreme (light walnut) on my deck and boat dock two years ago just before hurricane Harvey. It has held up to the elements and the Texas sun very well. But it is now time for a renewing maintenance coat and can’t find the proper application instructions for that anywhere on your web sight. What is the best way to apply a maintenance coat? I will be using the same Extreme stain in the same light walnut color.
Thanks for the advice – Keith on Padre Island
Use their Defy Wood Cleaner for the prep.
would it be possible to send a few photos of your deck. I like to see the light walnut color.
I had a brand new deck installed with pre-treated lumber 2 years ago. Last summer I cleaned, brightened and stained with Defy extreme stain and products. This summer I need to do some work on my deck. Can you tell me if I need to strip my deck or just clean it before I brighten and stain? Here on some pics of what is going on with it.
Some places look great, and other places peeled.
Clean and recoat.
I installed new pressure treated pine deck last August. Size is 20 x 30′ (600sq) I had expected to use clear or semi clear product as I wanted a light grey end finish. What Defy product do you recommend and what amount will I need?
I see that Restore-A-Deck markets that, because it’s water-based, you can clean/brighten and stain all on the same day. Since Defy Extreme is also water-based, is this true of it as well?
No, the Defy Extreme cannot be applied the same day as the prep.
We have a brand new deck and will be staining it for the first time. It was built about 7 months ago. It was recommended that we only apply 1 coat of stain the first time then 6-9 months later apply the second coat. Do you agree or should we do 2 coats right up front. I think by applying one coat it would reduce the chance of peeling but I have read so many theories and reviews at this point I am so confused as to what to do or what to buy. Price doesn’t matter. Quality is the key for us. Something that will look good and last at least 3 years.
1 coat now is correct. More is not better and can lead to premature failure if you overapply.
My wife and I worked very hard last July and August (2018) stripping, cleaning/brightening our 12 year old cedar deck. Finally, in September 2018, we applied the Defy Extreme Semi Transparent stain. Everything looked great initially. Then 3 months later, we started to notice lots of flaking. All the vertical parts of the deck look fine. But the horizontal parts (floor boards and top railing) have lost a significant amount of stain due to flaking.
I am not sure which brand of semi-transparent stain was on the deck previously. We did remove all the old stain and the deck looked almost as good as when first installed. Needless to say, we are very upset and frustrated. I do have before, during and after pictures but not sure how to include them with this post.
Will someone please help?
Thank you
Sounds like you over applied. It can only wear like this if too much stain is applied during the staining process resulting in the stain drying/filming on top of the wood. At this point, you should strip off the floor and brighten. Apply the two coats wet on wet but make sure all of the Defy stain is able to soak into the wood grain. That way it will not repeat the issue.
Any suggestions as to how to prevent stripper from affecting areas that are not in need of stripping. (That is, all 200+ spindles, posts and skirting). Sounds like a major project……again! When I rinse off the stripper, it will be everywhere.
Also, When I applied the stain to the horizontal pieces, my application technique was no different than the vertical pieces. All spindles and skirting were removed before stripping, brightening and staining. All this was done horizontally on saw horses and planks.
Thoughts???
Apply the stripper to the floor with a pump sprayer. Immediately rinse any spindles that the strip may have gotten on. Pressure wash the floor and make sure to continually rinse the railings/skirt. Rines well and brighten when done. You may have a few small areas to touch up on the railings but, for the most part, it will not be affected.
Hello, I have an 18 foot 10″x8″ wood beam installed in my home (Pine I think) and I want to make it a little darker to match the Saltillo floors; which product do you recommend I use to stain it and is pre-treating necessary? Thank You!
You would want an interior stain, not exterior. This site is for exterior products only.
I run a one man painting business in central Arkansas. Every home home has a outdoor deck with a lot of exposure to rain and hot sun. A client of mine wants to use defy. Client has a new deck surface that has now aged for 5 months. I plan on power washing with a wood cleaner on the surface. Will I need a brightness as well? The spindles on the deck are rough sawn cedar that have been previously stained. Will the old stain need to be stripped before applying defy? If not is there a solid stain to use that would match what is applied to the deck surface.
Yes on a brightener. Yes, you will need to remove the old stain by sanding or stripping. Defy does not come in a solid stain.
I have a gazebo that has never been treated. I am going to hire someone to pressure wash & stain it. Hoping for something to protect it from the hot Central Texas sun, & from mildew from the rain and clay soil here. What do you recommend?
Defy Extreme Stain or Armstrong Clark Wood Stains.
Thank you for your quick response. I’m so grateful to have found your website. I find your information to be so much more thorough & helpful than the others I searched. Thanks so much!
You are welcome!
Are there any special considerations relative to staining when installing a tongue and groove fir deck?
Treat it as new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
If new decking is supposed to weather for a number of months prior to staining how is it that many experts suggest pre-staining all sides prior to installation? (i.e. how do you seal the underside after the fact?)
Those “experts” are wrong and are not following the advice of stain brand manufacturers and deck restoration contractors like us who do this for a living. Only the exposed side is supposed to be stained/sealed. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/stain-all-sides-of-deck-board/
Thanks for all of your great feedback (you’ve responded to various questions I’ve posed recently all regarding the same project, where we pre-stained t & g fir decking prior to installing). The manufacturer in question (ICP/Storm System 2) suggests that we remove the stain and brighten (using their products) than sand prior to re-staining. They “highly recommend” sanding to remove any remaining mil glaze and to further soften the wood to get better stain penetration (suggest 100 grit or less). Does that sound reasonable or do we stick to your thoughts that discourage sanding?
Sanding reduces stain penetration so we do not suggest it unless needed to remove a previous coating that cannot be stripped. 60-80 grit at most.
I just had a new deck installed around an inground pool using pressure treated wood.
How long should I wait to use the Defy Extreme Wood Stain?
Thank you.
3-6 months. Prep with a deck cleaner and then a wood brightener after the weathering.
I have cedar shake siding on my home (vertical) and had used Arborcoat exterior oil based stain, Translucent / Natural. Beautiful color. However, certain “sides” of my home have a lot of mold due to weather and the feeding off oil resins. Once I clean, and wanted to try Defy, would I use exterior crystal clear / clear to try to get the same color effect and will less mold build up?
You cannot apply the Defy over the Arborcoat. You will need to remove it first by stripping and or sanding. Once removed, you can use the Defy but you would want one of the semi-transparent tinted colors for maximum longevity.
thanks, would using Arborcoat water base be a better alternative for me in terms of less mold / coloring?
I do not think so. You cannot apply the water-based over the oil based. Still needs to be stripped first.
I have a deck with solid stain ,Last stained about 3 yrs ago. with a cabot product, i am planning on power washing as only prep. Will this scenario work to produce a good result? The deck is redwood placed 15yrs plus. Has been stained at least 3 times
You cannot use the Defy Extreme. You need another solid stain to cover the solid stain that you have.
Can you use this product on new rough cut pine and if so what preparation should you do prior to staining.
You can stain right away if rough sawn. No prep is needed as long as the wood is clean and dry.
We prepped our 15 year old deck for staining a few days ago and now rain is forecasted for the next week or so. We live in the Midwest. If we aren’t able to stain it for 2 or 3 weeks do we need to do the prep all over again?
Thanks
J. Bridges
Yes if longer than 2-3 weeks. Lightly wash and brighten again.
Just finished applying Extreme exterior semi-transparent a few days ago on the horizontal areas of my deck. Live in western NY so summer sun and winter snow. A family member recommends I follow up with a coat of Thompson’s clear. Would this work okay to better protect the surface?
You cannot apply a clear sealer over top of a deck stain. It will ruin it.
Thank you! I appreciate your help.
We have a Doug fir porch that we treated with linseed oil upon contactor recommendation. What a disaster! Some parts turned black. Yuck! Treated today with cleaner and brightener. Looks great but the wood looks kind of fuzzy now. Should we sand before staining?
See this for some help: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-fuzzies-furring-on-deck/
We tried that but it didn’t work. 60 grit will though. What happens if we don’t remove? The surface feels smooth though we can see the fibers.
If the fuzzies do not show when wet than it should not show when stained.
I have a 20 year old redwood deck under covered porch with some afternoon sun on parts of it (central CA mountains).Deck has never been sealed or stained, I have cleaned and brightened how many coats of Defy Extreme semi should I apply.
2 coats applied wet on wet.
Here’s my story. Southeastern PA hot (85-100) humid summer, cold winter (0-35). Deck eastern white cedar 15 year old. Initial stain Cabot Australian oil every 3 years. At 9 years used Cedarcide wood preservative, no stain. Now at 15 years deck worn so the knots higher than wood. Contacted Cedarcide was told its lasts about 6-7 years. Power planned to level planks (removed screws first). Cleaned with Oxyclean to remove residual gray wood. Reapplied Cedarcide preservative May 2018, instructed by Cedarcide to wait 72 hours before staining process. Finally got to cleaning, brightening ( Penofin), September 2018. Began staining ( Defy Extreme Butternut) with a pad, wood damp to touch but readily absorbed water drops. Defy instructions states1 gallon per 100- 150sqft. Used only 2 gallons to cover 600 sqft, not even close to the 100 – 150 sqft per gallon estimate. Decided to do wet an wet 2nd coat, the first coat had not dried. 2nd coat absorbed at 2gallons per 600 sqft, almost the same rate as first. No puddling or shine was apparent. Morning after deck very blotchy with Butternut and gray coloration (see attached photo). Taken after morning rain, sorry.
Any ideas on options, we are prepping the house for sale..
Looks like the Defy could not soak in either due to the Cedarcide or damp wood. This caused the high spread rate and dark gray spots. It if does not go away on its own in a few days, you may need to remove all and start over.
BTW, this is not the Defy’s fault as something underneath the Defy stain created this problem.
I figured it was my technique, just hoping I didn’t have to strip the deck. I usually use Soy Gel for stripping, don’t like chemicals, or should I use another stripper? Perhaps RAD stain would be a better choice, it seems to handle dampness the best. Rain started about 12 hours after I finished Thursday evening and since then we have had 2+ inches of rain. When the sun did come out, the gray spots seemed to get a bit smaller. As we are under a firm time constraint and the weather is not cooperating, would deck paint be an option?
Thank you for your reply/advise!
Give it a few days and possibly the gray spots will go away. If not, the easiest solution would be to cover all with a solid stain.
We have a pine pressure treated deck. Over the years we have replaced rotted/warped boards. How would you suggest preparing and re staining the deck? The deck is about 12 years old, and about 600 sq ft. Thank you
Does it have a previous coating on the wood now? Pictures would help.
Yes. Olympic Semi Transparent
Strip, pressure wash, and possibly sand to remove the Olympic. Brighten all when done. Stain with the Defy Extreme wood stains.
What grit sandpaper should be used?
60-80 grit.
Not sure if my response went through. Just in case, will do it again. Yes it was stained about three years ago with Olympic Semi Transparent Stain. Picture enclosed
After letting my new deck age for 7 months I’m about to clean/brighten/stain using the Defy Wood Cleaner, Brightener and RAD stain products. I live in Northeast Florida. Hot (90s most days and it’s in the 80s by 10am), humid and our deck is in the morning and early afternoon sun. So if temperature is a factor the morning will be the coolest. But we won’t have shade to work in until mid to late afternoon / evening when we also have to contend with sudden thunderstorms. Any advice on what weather conditions and sun vs shade we need to pay attention to?
It is a lot easier to apply in the shade compared to direct stain. Do that if possible. It can take a good rain within about 4 hours.
Can previously painted decks be prepared to accept stain? This deck has not been painted or stained for 10-15 years and has weathered down to the bare wood, though there are a couple or boards that still have residual paint.
I have replaced some of the 2Ć6 deck planks this year. Is it best to not stain, or, if necessary (ref quest 1) paint these this year?
By the way thank you for such a wonderfully informative site.
We had a 16X20 deck built last June of pressurized wood outside Austin, Texas, so it gets lots of sun and heat. (I have just used the Behr All in One wood cleaner/brightener, and was surprised at how much the wood had discolored in the past year.)
Apparently, the info I was originally given that I should wait a year before staining/sealing was not current, but I would like to make sure I do what I can to protect my investment. I’m looking at either the Defy Extreme or Restore a Deck based on the reviews I’ve seen. We would prefer a natural look. Will the Clear or Natural Pine colors protect the wood as much as say, the Cedartone you used? Also, I think I understand the “wet on wet” application to mean that I wouldn’t need to wait to apply a second coat. Is that correct? Also, would the vertical surfaces need to get a second coat?
Thanks for your help!
Clear has no UV protection but the Natural is tinted and will provide the same UV protection as the Cedar for the most part. When wet on wet, you apply your second coat within about 30 minutes of your first coat. No need for this on verticals as one coat is usually enough.
Thank you! š
Oops! One more question… once I clean the wood, is waiting up to 5 days to stain using either the Defy Extreme or RAD okay?
Yes that is fine.
We built a new pressure treated deck with KDAT lumber. About 2 weeks after completed I used Defy cleaner and brightener then used Defy extreme natural pine stain. Only used one coat since instructions say only one coat on new lumber. Now 3 months later there is mold growing on all surfaces, not too impressed by Defy. What went wrong? I have used Cabot on old deck that we replaced for years and never had a problem with mold.
A couple of things. You stained this wood too early. Defy suggests waiting a few months to season the wood for normal wood and 1-2 months for KDAT wood. As for the mildew, Defy will prevent mildew from growing or feeding on the stain but if it grows on top, there is nothing any brand of deck stain can do to prevent this. In other words, it is impossible for a deck stain or sealer to prevent mildew from growing on top of the stain. If you have this, then it is something part of your environment this year that is causing the problem. Pollen for one is a major contributor to mildew growth on top of a coating.
You could try a product like wet and forget. This would help to prevent or eliminate the growth on top of the stain.
We have a large 60 year old cedar home with a 3tier railed deck. 5 years ago we powerwashed the entire home and stained with Sikkens ProLuxe Translucent Matte in ‘Cedar’ and its weathering great. Now we’d like to vamp up the one note wonder by staining the window trims, decking and railings in a solid stain of contrasting color. Over the last years here, we’ve powerwashed areas of the deck thinking we were just going to stay with the sikkens translucent but have had a change to do trim decking in solid. As well, some of the areas of deck are still 60 years and holding. So in summary, our deck has some 60 year old shiny solid stain that WONT come off, some areas are powerwashed, some are PW and Sikkens stained and our house trim is sikkens stained. Any suggestions for solid stain brand? prep? and also, how long does powerwash last for staining, before having to touch up again? days, weeks? Thanks so much for any advice.
Try Flood Pro Series Solid Stains. Pressure wash for prep.
I have a double level deck that is in real need of preserving. The deck is pressure treated pine, is 13 years old, and has never been stained. It is located on the east side of my home, so the top deck gets sun exposure until around 1 PM, then shade the rest of the day. Because we live in north Georgia, the lower deck is prone to algae growth. We have recently cleaned all surfaces with Olympic deck cleaner and replaced all the top rail boards with new pressure treated pine boards (2 x 6), so it looks pretty decent now except that the upper deck walking surface is pretty grayed out and weathered. We are considering applying Defy extreme water based deck stain in two tones – one tone for all vertical surfaces and a different one for the top rails and all walking surfaces (just to have some contrast). Please provide some advice on our approach.
Yes, you could do that. Maybe Butternut color for the verticals and a lighter tint for the horizontals like the Natural Pine. You will have to be careful of tarping the floor while doing the verticals.
Is Defy Extreme our best water-based option for stain?
That or Restore A Deck Wood Stains.
Any better recommendations for stain other than Defy Extreme? Picked this one based on my research.
Not really. Some are as good though.
How well does the Driftwood Gray cover on pressure treated pine. I just finished with the wood brightener, so the deck looks a lot more yellow/brown, which would look fine showing through one of the wood tone colors. I’m wondering how the Driftwood Gray will look with those undertones in the wood. Also, since the wood tends to turn gray as it ages, will that later blend better with the gray stain on top?
It should blend as it ages. As for how it will look when applied, we would suggest getting a sample to test.
We just finished building our 16×16 flat deck. (The details were just added, the base was finished in the spring). It is pretreated wood bought from Lowe’s/Menards. Most of the wood is over 4 months old. We’ve scrubbed it down and washed it off.
1) do we really need to do any other prep work? I was told to brighten it? But the deck doesnāt look bad at allā¦the wood is basically new.
2) would this be good stain for us in your opinionā¦there are countless options, my head is spinningā¦
THANKS!
1. Clean and brighten to remove oxidation and mill glaze is needed.
2. Try the Armstrong Clark wood stains.
I have a 17-year old pressure treated wood deck in CO that has been stained multiple times throughout the years, the most recent being in 2013. Here are pictures of how it currently looks. It clearly needs to be re-stained. Which of the following should I do before staining – pressure wash, sand, strip, brighten?
That is a solid color deck stain on there now. You will need to stay with a solid color deck stain going forward. The Defy Extreme products would not work as it does not come in solid colors. It is a semi-transparent.
Thank you. What prep work should I do before re-staining?
Pressure wash.