Defy Epoxy Fortified Stain Review  4.1/5 (5)

This post was updated on February 22, 2024

Defy Epoxy Wood Stain

Defy Epoxy Wood Stain

Discontinued and Replaced with Defy Extreme Stain

Defy Epoxy Fortified Wood Stain is an MPI “green” certified exterior stain that protects wood from the damaging effects of weather. The “Epoxy” is not like a traditional epoxy that goes on a garage floor but rather a synthetic epoxy resin that penetrates deep into the pores of the wood. This epoxy resin hardens inside the wood creating a weather-proof barrier that prevents water damage and UV graying.

Defy Epoxy Wood Stain can be used on all types of unfinished exterior fencing, decking, and wood structures/homes.

Defy Epoxy Wood Stain Scores (1-10)

Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 8

– Defy Epoxy in the Light Walnut color added a rich semi-transparent look to the natural grain. The Light Walnut color was a medium brown with a slight hint of red. Our 300-foot deck attained a nice “mahogany” look to it after drying.

Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 9

– We tested the Defy Epoxy for 2.5 years. When evaluating the deck we would say that 90% of the original color remained on the vertical railings and 80% remained on the horizontal flooring.

Wear/Tear and Peeling: 7.5

– The Defy Epoxy did well on 75% of the deck when it comes to wearing/peeling. There were zero issues with the verticals but there was some wear/tear on the flooring. It is noted that this deck is used for everyday access into the home. This is acceptable in our opinion and other related stains have shown wearing in high-traffic areas.

Defy Epoxy Light Walnut

Defy Epoxy Light Walnut

Cost Per Square Foot: 7

– Defy Epoxy Stain costs $35.99 per gallon. We applied the suggested two coats of stain wet on wet. Three gallons of Epoxy Stain was used for the 300-foot test deck. Translates to $.36 a square foot.

Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 10

– There was no mold or mildew on the deck after 2.5 years.

Ease of Application: 7.5

– We found that the Defy Epoxy Stain was a little difficult to apply. SaverSystems, the manufacturer of Defy products suggests applying two coats of stain “wet on wet”. We watched the free DVD that came with the stain and followed the directions. The first coat penetrated into the wood extremely well. So well that we needed to move fast so the stain would not dry. The second coat was applied 30 minutes after the first coat. This second coat was substantially easier to apply and evened out the overall appearance. We would suggest tarping the floor when staining the rails to avoid drips drying on the floor.

Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 9

– No darkening and just a slight fading after 2.5 years.

Difficulty of Reapplication:8

– Defy Epoxy would be easy to re-coat since the stain penetrated into the wood with little to no darkening. Using the Defy Wood Cleaner would be enough to prep the wood.

Overall Score Defy Epoxy Stain at 2 Year Period: 8.25

– Defy Wood Stains continue to impress. We found that the Defy brand of stains will penetrate better into the wood than any other water-based stain on the market. The Defy Epoxy easily outperforms other water-based stains such as Behr Premium and Sherwin Williams Deckscapes, putting the Defy Stains on par with many high-end oil-based stains.

Product Information:

Help or Questions? Defy Stain
Cost: $35.99 per Gallon, $179.99 per 5 Gallon Pail w/Free Delivery
Stain Type: Semi-Transparent – Water Based
Available Colors: Cedartone, Natural Pine, Light Walnut, Clear, Redwood, Driftwood Gray
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 2 Coats. “Wet on Wet”
Coverage Per Gallon: 100-200 sq. ft
Application Tools: Sprayer, Pad, Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 2-4 Hours
Cleanup: Soap and Water
VOC Compliant: 250 Compliant in all States
More Info: Product Data
Manufacturer: Saver Systems

Test Deck Stats:

When Tested: May 2017
Deck Wood Type: Pressure Treated Pine
Deck Square Footage: 300 Square feet
UV Exposure: 40% Shade 60% Full Sun
How Many Years Tested: 2.5 Years
Stain Color Used: 
Light Walnut

Defy Wood Stain Photos


*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.


Please Rate This. You may also post comments or ask questions below.

author avatar
Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993
#As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. In 1993 he started his first company called Oakland Pressure Wash specializing in exterior pressure washing and deck staining. That company evolved into OPW L.L.C. shortly thereafter concentrating more on exterior wood and deck restoration. Scott and his Deck Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 decks in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. He has become an authority in the deck restoration industry and has contributed to numerous wood restoration forums and informative sites. All the products he suggests through this site are sold through online sites and in retail stores, allowing the consumer to choose their own means of purchase. Scott’s eCommerce sites do sell many top brands he endorses and if you appreciate any of the help he has offered then feel free to purchase from one of them.

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Genevieve
Genevieve
6 years ago

I have rustolium on now, which is past due and very faded, can I stain over it? Can you tell me where to find the better products, ugh. I only have home depot lowes and walmart in my area?

Michael Ratcliffe
Michael Ratcliffe
6 years ago

Defy epoxe fortified stain was applied to my log home six months after it was built. The contractor had quite a few problems with his spray equipment gumming up during application but the finished product looked great.
It is now five years old and needing refinishing. The south end has turned dark and all exposed surfaces are thinned to the point of being very transparent or flaking off.
No graying of the logs has occurred. Surfaces protected by roof overhang and porch roofs look good as new.
Due to the thinning of the finish over time, chemical stripping should work well for preparing to recoat the house.
I do not plan to recoat with Defy however because of the short (my opinion ) lifetime of the product.

Gary
Gary
9 years ago

Hello, I have a cedar deck. I removed each board and sanded with a belt sander. I would like to used the epoxy fortified deck stain stain, but was wondering if it works on cedar decking. I reside in central Oregon, where the climate is dry, less then 20" of rain a year, but is in the snow zone (4000 ft elevation). Thanks Gary.

Trudy H
Trudy H
10 years ago

I started with my stain removal and I'm wondering if 100% removal means every single spot. I've been using a chemical stain remover and its leaving behind small spots and patches. Is there something else I need to do to get this off?

Trudy H
Trudy H
10 years ago

Hello. Need to apply a new coat of stain to my deck which was stained with a water based stain about 3 years ago. It was a solid stain that is mostly stripped from the deck floor at this point. I would like to use the Defy brand but I don't know which one of their stains would work. I would appreciate some advice.

Trudy H
Trudy H
10 years ago

Thanks!

Kevin R Hall
Kevin R Hall
10 years ago

I have about 2.5 gallons of Defy Epoxy Fortified Stain left that i bought in Sept 2007. It has been in my non heated garage all those years. Any ideas on whether it would still be OK to use?

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[…] Important Note:  This is Our 2nd Review of Defy Epoxy Fortified Wood Stain. Our first review of the Defy Epoxy Stain was started in 2007 and completed in 2009.  See Here for First Review: Defy Epoxy Stain Review […]

Mike
Mike
11 years ago

I live in Omaha, Nebraska and had a new Cedar fence put up in November. I plan on staining it this spring and wanted you suggestion on what stain to use. I would like to preserve the Cedar natural look, but a stain that will provide the longest amount of protection. Considering it will only be a few months after the fence was up, do I need apply any cleaning products as part of the preparation process or would a power wash alone be sufficient?

Teri
Teri
11 years ago

Can this product be applied to Trex decking? We live in southern New Mexico and our deck is starting to deteriorate so we need to seal it.

bill edens
bill edens
11 years ago

you are not supposed to apply a second coat if the first is dry. so how do you apply second coat wet on last section where you only have one exit.

Donna Downeast
Donna Downeast
11 years ago

We have a white cedar deck that has not been treated. It was installed last summer/fall and is a weathered grey color right now. I need to treat it with something in the next few weeks.

I have had very bad experience with Cabot's water-based deck stain and wouldn't go with water-based again. All I want to do is apply a product that will protect the wood, not change the color much.

I live on the ocean in Maine where the weather is challenging, to put it mildly. Part of this deck is on the water-facing side and also a Southern exposure, so it takes a beating.

Recommendations? I looked up TWP and Defy stains and it seems they're not available in my area…

Tony
Tony
11 years ago

Do you have any pictures of this deck? We are building a home on the panhandle of florida and have a 400 sq ft pressure treated pine deck that I plan on staining in a couple of months. I am thinking about using the Defy Extreme in walnut. I know you tested the Defy Extreme but I think it was in the cedar color. Do you recommend both a wood cleaner and brightner prior to applying the stain? One more question. When you apply wet on wet, recommendations on what to do to prevent stepping on areas already stained when applying the second coat.Really enjoy your site as it is packed with excellent information and helped me with my choosing a stain.

Carole
Carole
11 years ago

Are you aware that your pages will not print? I wanted to print-out the info and then confer with my husband. Soome pages will print, but never the first page.

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[…] Defy Extreme Wood Stain is an improved version of the Defy Epoxy Fortified Wood Stain. Containing the same ingredients but with the added UV protection of the zinc oxide nano particles […]

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