This post was updated on April 8, 2026
Defy Extreme Wood and Deck Stain Review
✅ 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 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: Moderate—requires 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.
✅ 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.
✅ 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.
| Image | Title | Price | Add to cart | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $59.99 | |||
 | $269.99 |
Product Information:
Help or Questions? Defy Extreme Stain
Cost: $55 per Gallon, $269 per 5 Gallon Pail
Stain Type: Semi-Transparent – Water Based
Available Colors: Cedartone, Natural Pine, Light Walnut, Clear, Redwood, Butternut, Driftwood Gray
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 2 Coats. “Wet on Wet”
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: 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
✅ 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
✅ When Defy Extreme Works Best
- Decks in full sun exposure
- Users wanting long-lasting color retention
- Environmentally conscious homeowners
❌ 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 2–3 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?
Moderate—requires 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! 🙂
All of the positive reviews here must be payed advertisements. I would not be surprised if this comment gets rejected because it isn’t a bunch of sunshine and roses. In short, DEFY STAIN STINKS!
I applied Defy Extreme Stain (Butternut color if that matters) 6 months ago. Used their cleaner and brightener per their specs and now it’s peeling. 6 MONTHS!!!!!! It looks horrid. AVOID DEFY STAIN! IT IS HORRIBLE!
Tim, there are no paid advertisements here. If it peeled, then something was done wrong. Defy is a penetrating stain. If it cannot penetrate into the wood grain it could potentially peel and this goes for any stain brand, not just Defy. If it did not penetrate into the wood grain, then one or both of these things happened. It was not prepped correctly and/or it was over-applied. We use Defy all the time on our customer’s decks and never have issues as we always prep and apply correctly.
It is a very good stain and there are many positive reviews here and on other websites (Amazon) across the Internet. I would suggest contacting the manufacturer for assistance with this. They will be able to determine what went wrong.
BTW, we did not publish your other posts as they were not “kid” friendly in language.
Just remove my comment if all you’re going to do is use it as a soap box to defend this crap, and blame me for it’s poor performance.
Actually, we prefer to leave your comment. The point of the site is for both good and bad comments/reviews. Thanks for posting your experience.
I live in Georgia and our deck is in the sun most of the day. It is made of 20 yo pressure treated pine. Last year we sanded the deck down and stained it with Ready Seal. It was easy to apply but failed after 1 yer. What would you recommend?
Remove the Ready Seal with the Restore A Deck Stripper Kit and staining with the Defy Extreme would work well.
I plan on building a deck this summer. I will use new cedar 6″ wide boards. I plan on letting the cedar dry for a couple of months and then use Extreme Wood Stain in clear on both the top and bottoms of the boards. Do I need to sand the boards before I use the clear stain? Is one coat enough or should I use two?
You do not need to sand but you do need to prep with a deck cleaner and a wood brightener. This will remove the oxidation from being exposed and the mill glaze that is on the new wood. Just one coat should work for new wood. FYI, the colored tints of the Extreme (Natural Pine, Cedartone, etc) will have 2-3 times the UV protection of the Clear.
Hi. Can I use this on the Extreme Cedar tone old Douglass fir? I know it's a soft wood. I don't know what to use.
Yes you can.
Best stain I ever purchased…loved it!
I have an older type composite deck– will this product work well? The deck has some areas that do not look very clean even after using deck cleaners and power wash cannot be used without significant risk of damage.
The Defy Extreme is not designed for composite decks. Defy does make a composite sealer that is separate. It is clear and not tinted.
I had Defy Extreme (Cedar Tone) professionally applied in a single coat to a new deck and fence of PTP ( about 2800 sqft of surface area in total including both horizontal and vertical surfaces) – after 8 months of aging including a Nova Scotia winter. The painting company would only do a standard power wash (bleach/rinse) for surface prep as they had no experience with the Defy cleaning and brightening products and also said the labor costs would be prohibitive . I had bought the wood cleaner and wood brightener, so I applied those per manufacturers specs to a small – 30 sqft patch in order to check for differences. The project took over 50 labor hours in total and used less than 10 gallons in total (about right for the 150ft per gallon for 2 coats mfg spec). The finish was unevenly absorbed by the wood – but the overall appearance is very striking and water bead up on the horizontal surface is fantastic so far. I can see very little difference in product absorption on the area I used the cleaner-brightener versus the simple power washed areas. The plan is to add a second coat next year and then, hopefully be good and sealed for the 2-3 years advertised by the mfg spec. Overall – very happy with the product and the result so far – will check back next year.
I stained my deck floor boards with Defy Extreme this morning. Wood is 6 yrs old, never been treated. Pressured washed, brightened before staining. Started early B4 heat/sun got to it. It's very thin, went through pump sprayer just fine. Closely followed over the sprayed area with a roof brush on a broom handle. The wood was so dry it soaked in the stain immediately, so it wasn't possible to move it around much. Overlapping can be a problem, so be very careful about that. Applied one coat. Plan to do second coat next summer. Overall, I'm real happy with the Defy Extreme Butternut. The color is fantastic, a nice light brown that looks very natural. No red! No orange! I don't know what's in this stuff, but if it sticks to the wood like it sticks to skin, it should be alright. I'm very very glad to have learned about this product here at Deck Stain Help. Thanks!
I can't find your Defy extreme Stain anywhere in San Diego. I've called all suppliers and none of them have heard about your product or carry it. Please advise where I can get samples.
Al, Defy is not our product. Contact manufacturer for assistance. You can also order samples online.
What stain could you you recommend for NJ the deck is dry in full sun, 10 years ago stained with Cabot Decking Stains which I think was oi based. They don't sell oil anymore here.
Prep well and the Defy Extreme would work well.
Hi,
We used Defy Extreme on a new cedar deck last year early summer. We used Restore-A-Deck first. We used one coat of stain (as per the label directions). Now that the snow is melted there are some areas on the flat surface where there is no stain. Should we use the the cleaner and brightener again and then restain the flat surface? Do we need to sand at all?
Thank you for your help,
Christine (Toronto)
Just clean and reapply.
Defy Extreme seems to be a good stain, and was awesome for the first summer. First winter was harsh being cold and a lot of snow, so the following summer was showing a significant wear on the areas on path to the pool from the patio doors and to the BBQ. All of the deck has lost its super water repelling of the first summer. Now approaching the third summer it looks like I will need to redo the Deck as pathways are bare lumber, with un-walked areas still looking like they did after initial staining. Water repelling is so-so on theses areas.
Question is do I have to strip the entire deck and reapply?
No you should be able to clean and reapply. Staining every 2-3 years is normal for a deck floor.
I washed and brightened properly and the wood dried. It sucked up the stain VERY well. Unfortunately, I was running low and put it on a little thin in some places. Can I apply more stain a few days later after the defy has dried?
I would not do it now as it may not take. Better to wait until Fall, lightly wash to remove dirt and apply one coat.
Hello, we used the Defy Extreme in Natural Pine 3 years ago on our Pergola and Deck. It performed well, but we want to go a darker color. How do we prep the wood for this? We are looking for a brown color. Light Walnut?
Going darker is okay as long as you use a deck cleaner for the prep. Light walnut is a reddish brown. For a brown color, look at Butternut.
Defy Extreme is the best water based stain on the market! It is the only water based deck stain that actually penetrates into the wood grain. Does not dry like a paint, on top of the wood. You do have to be careful to not over apply and it does dry faster than oil based stains. Never apply in the full sun and high heat, it will 'flash" dry on you. I have been using it on decks for the past 4 years. Typically reapplying every 2 years to the flooring. Vertical railings and posts still looks great after 2 years.
I applied two coats to my Redwood deck, following the manufacturer's directions. I wanted to apply a third but didn't because I immediately saw it started to bead, unlike coats one and two. It looked good for a short time but soon started to fade under the Utah sun. After one winter, covered in snow, the surface flaked and what was left was a bleached finish that I tried to sand by hand but eventually had to use a belt sander. Now that I'm back to a pretty redwood "finish" I will apply something other than this pain in the posterior product. I purchased this because I wanted to avoid an oil based finish but it looks like TWP will be in my future.
Gerald, sorry if flaked on you. Defy Extreme is a penetrating stain. If it flaked then it did not penetrate into the wood grain. Remember with the next stain that you apply, more is not better. The stain will work better if it fully soaks into the wood grain. Drying on top of the wood can create premature product failure, especially in a cold weather state.
Hi,
We used Defy Extreme on a new cedar deck last year early summer. We used Restore-A-Deck first. We used one coat of stain (as per the label directions). Come Spring should we be doing another coat or using any other products. Stain still looks good.
Thank you for your help,
Christine (Toronto)
Will this product serve well to stain the exterior walls of a log home? The home is located in SE Alabama.
James, you can use this indoors on logs.
Live in Tampa Bay Florida. Where I purchase DEFY products?
Not sure. Contact manufacturer for help locating.
I am thinking about using Defy on the interior wood of my log home, which is pine. How important is it to protect interior wood from UV light and fading? We've got walls of windows in the house.
What kind of Defy should I use? You can apparently use Defy Extreme indoors, but they also make an interior stain as well, but it is transparent and therefore doesn't protect against fading. Thank you! Great website!
I would not worry about UV protection when indoors. Using their indoor finish will also make it easier to clean.
A pressure treated 5/quarter deck that was never treated with anything. Is going on five years old. On lake Michigan bluff elevated all the way around with plenty of air movement below. Badly! molded and mildew. UV concerns are not my first but MOLD and moisture are. I used deck wash at the strongest mix and power washed to remove the black mold fungi etc. The wood is Not damaged from power washing (which I have done) but has the tell tell signs of heavy washing ( fibers raised on surface in many areas). In your opinion will this impede the Defy from getting max absorption? It seems to me to sand will only seal the surface up a little again and impede it. Also will it have an adverse effect on the apperance unless these fibers are removed? Appreciate yours thoughts
Try a floor buffer and a buffing pad to remove the loose wood fibers. Lightly rinse the deck with water when done and then stain.
I just applied this product one day ago and followed the directions on the label. The second coat (which is applied 15 to 20 minutes after the first) beaded up and when it dried left blobs of pigment on the wood. I did a little touch-up the next day, and where the sun was hitting the deck, the stain was a little sticky (it had dried over 16 hours before I walked on it). So far, I'm not too impressed with this stuff.
Steve, once the product starts to cure (within 120) minutes, you cannot apply more stain. Applying a touch up the next day may be an issue.
I live in st croix us virgin islands . Deck is around pool and exposed to the tropical extreme sun. Pine deck being built now.thinking about using the clear, will it hold up to the extreme uv rays? Can it be tinted? Mark
Clear will not give you enough UV protection from graying. You cannot tint the Clear but the Defy Extreme does come in colors that are pre tinted.
Where is the closest retail store to get your product,I live in Dallas, Georgia
Hello, this is not our product. Contact the manufacturer for help locating.
I used the Defy Extreme Stain in the natural pine color 2 years ago. I bought a 5 gallon drum and have about 1 1/2 gallons remaining. Can I use it for another project or does it expire after a certain time period?
Also, does the crystal clear color appear milky white prior to application?
Thanks.
Yes the clear is milky white but dries clear. I believe it will go bad in 6-12 months if opened.
Several weeks ago I stripped, cleaned and brightened my white cedar deck and applied Defy for Hardwoods, two coats, wet on wet, being careful to avoid sunshine or over application. BUT now it is sticky/tacky in spots. How can I eliminate the sticky? Could I recoat without stripping? would I need to wait until next year?
Never seen the Defy be tacky. It is a full curing stain so it should not. Was it tacky since day one or later on? You may have over applied. Defy is supposed to penetrate into the wood and not leave a shine or film. Does it look shiny in spots? Adding more stain will make it worse so you might need to address the issue next Spring.
I forgot my other question. When reapplying after one winter, do you need one or two coats of Defy? Does it make any difference If I'm using a darker shade?
Typically just the one coat when applying the same as a maintenance coat.
I need to restain my front deck and back landing. I had previously used Deck Scapes (water based), tinted to match house color. What would you recommend for a tinted solid colored (light colored beige) stain, water based? We are in Seattle area, so lots of rain, but not lots of sun.
Flood Solid color decking stains or Cabot when looking for a solid color stain. Defy does not make a solid stain.
Are these water based? I have never heard of Flood. Thanks for the input.
yes
what is the maximum amount of time to stain after cleaning and brightening? it looks like rain in our forcast for the next week. can we clean and brighten now and stain in a week or wait ?
1-2 weeks and you should be okay.
Have any ratings for the new "SuperDeck" by Sherwin Williams?
On this link: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/superdeck-stain-revi…
Have a cedar deck and thinking of using Defy Extreme on it. Previously used Armstrong-Clark, which looked nice initially going on. However, because of the deck's location and me being in hot and humid mid-Atlantic (with also some snow in winter), my complaint with AC is that it turned black in places after one season. Thinking of Defy because more mildew-resistance. But, worry is that it will be more difficult to apply maintenance coats and–after several years–strip, because it is water-based, not an oil. How easy is it to maintain, and can it be stripped as easily as AC and TWP?
That\’s to bad with the AC. We do not see it turn black in our area. Maybe your environment? Defy is the best penetrating water based we have used but it is still not quite as good as an oil. Close though. Is it as easy to maintain? Yes but only of you do not over apply. Issue is that is easier to over apply a water based stain then an oil. If you follow the directions and make sure it is prepped well first and you make sure all of the Defy penetrates into the wood grain then there really is no difference between Defy or the TWP, AC or any oil based stain as far as wearing and reapplying.
I'm living at Toronto as well, just purchased 5 gallon from US online store and shipped to Niagara falls US side storage, will pick up this weekend and work on my cedar deck in 2 weeks. Believe this product is perfect stain/sealer for cedar deck based on all kinds of reviews.
What are your storage details please?….considering that avenue.
where can i buy this product in st cloud mn? dick
Best to contact the manufacturer for help with this.
In St. Cloud you can buy Defy at Simonson Lumber.
Ugh so many comments of stains. Will this work on cedar decking we just put down Ok to weather in Ohio climate? I see I can purchase in Dublin Ohio?
It should but they suggest using their Defy Hardwood stain for cedar wood.
Hello,
Why do they suggest Defy Hardwood for cedar wood?
Soaks in deeper into cedar wood.
I reside north of Toronto, Ontario and have an untreated cedar deck that faces west, is subject to considerable snowfall and requires treating. It is in good condition and I would like a recommendation as per a suitable deck stain. I have read positive comments concerning Defy Extreme, but I am not sure if I can purchase it here in Canada. Also, in light of our unsympathetic climate should I consider a penetrating stain for hardwood instead?
Thanks kindly, Paul
Look at Defy or Armstrong Clark for Canada. You definitely want a penetrating stain for your climate. Less chance of peeling.
I just had 5 gallons of semi-transparent delivered, they don't sell it around her. , It's not as dark as I thought it would be. Is there a type of tint I can use to darken it?
I do not believe you can tint it. Might want to call manufacturer to see.
Can Defy Extreme Stain be purchased in Toronto, Ontario. If so, where?
I am not sure. Best to contact them for some help.
I have a brand new rough sawn redwood fence that looks great, and I want to preserve the color. I live in Clayton, California, where it occasionally gets a light freeze in winter up to 108 degrees in summer.
I want to protect the wood now, but I'm seeing that TWP and Defy both recommend waiting. Is there any brand that is great that I can use now, or should I just wait?
Rough sawn wood can be stained right away with no prep as long as the wood is dry. You can use either of those products.
When using a sprayer and pads to apply defy extreme, what is the best way to get the groves in between the boards, spray and angle pad into groove and back brush. Or cut in the grooves with brush, spray and then back brush the horizontal boards?
Spray first and back brush.
We have a cedar deck that is 5 years old that we power washed last summer but did not reapply anything at that time. It looks like the power washing stripped down to the wood. We want to use Defy Extreme this spring and are wondering what we need to do to prep. Do we need to use the Defy cleaner and the brightener at this point? We are hoping to just use the brightener after a general cleaning of the wood.
You have to use both the cleaner and wood brightener for the brightener with a light pressure washing again. You cannot just apply the brightener and then stain.
I did a lot of research after buying a home in North Texas with a worn out painted deck. I didn't want to completely redo the deck every few years (strip and sand), and Defy Extreme seemed the best option. That first time, I stripped the deck of that horrible paint, sanded the whole thing down, and applied Defy Extreme. We have a big deck so it was time consuming, but the stain went on very easily and the color (light walnut) was beautiful when done. This was all completed in November 2012.
It is now March 2015 and I am buying my second pail of Defy Extreme. The deck has worn out as I anticipated thanks to the Texas sun and heavy rain, but there is no peeling and still enough color that it doesn't look terrible. There is no graying, but I can tell the wood is accepting too much water when it rains. From everything I read, I expected 2 years of good use and that is what I got.
I am SO happy I don't have to strip or sand again! All I have to do is a quick rinse (with Dawn was recommended) and break out the paint brush again. I plan to continue using Defy Extreme for as long as it is available (and will probably cry if it ever disappears). 🙂
A couple tips:
You have to treat the stain like paint. Shake or stir it up thoroughly each time before applying. Use a smaller container to carry if you get the 5-gallon pail. I found application to be very easy with a paint brush and would not use a roller. Go all the way down one row of boards and then go down the same row again immediately.
All the prep can be a real pain, but you have to do it the first time to get good results. If you strip the wood first, balance out the pH before applying the stain. If you have spots of paint, gray wood, or rough boards, sand everything. If you try to paint a wall that isn’t prepped properly, paint isn’t going to magically cover the imperfections; same with the stain.
I used a hand sander on the entire deck and it took forever, but I don’t have to sand again and certainly don’t have to strip anything. You can’t just go back and paint over worn out and peeling paint, you have to get it off first. It will be an even bigger mess in the end and you won’t be enjoying the beautiful color of your deck’s wood in the meantime.
Started chilling within 6 months. Does not stand up to northwest winters.
thinking of staining our cedar siding on our home. we live on the Oregon coast. haven't seen much info on cedar siding. it is 12 years old. what should I use?
im 73 and don't want to do it again in the future. water repellency is our main concern. sun graying would a concern also.
The Defy Extreme works great on siding and should last 4-8 years or longer depending on exposure to the UV rays. Prep is key. Make sure it is clean and free of old coatings before applying a new stain.
I am going to be installing new decking on my deck. I am going to use douglas fir. Do I have to wait 4 plus months to treat it? I was going to stain them before I put them on so I could get stain on the sides of the boards and the ends. I live in Washington state out towards the coast and we don't get a lot of days without rain for the deck to dry properly.
Yes you should wait. Defy wants 3-6 months after install and proper prep first. This means using their cleaner and brightener. Only one coat as well.
I just used DEFY Extreme on my abaco deck, it look very ugly after the rain got freeze, unfreeze, and dry. I have yellow spots all over my deck. Anyone has the same problem? The yellow spots look like the DEFY Extreme got peel off, it can be scrape off with a lot of effort and the surface looks very bad. Is there a way to get the yellow spots off without scraping? I tried normal household dish detergent but no help.
Mike, I have never heard of this happening before. Very odd. Best to call manufacturer direct with some help and guidance.
Has anyone applied the DEFY Extreme Wood Stain with its "state of the art Nano-Technology" to Red Cedar? I'm in the middle of re-doing our Red Cedar railing. I have always used DEFY's Hardwood Stain before. However, we no longer have a DEFY dealer in our area. A neighbor offered me some DEFY Extreme Wood Stain to use. But, it is not specifically formulated to work with hard/oily wood like Red Cedar. I'd prefer to use it since it is supposed to weather better, but am concerned it won't work as well. Any thoughts?
We like the Hardwood version for Cedar better. It will penetrate deeper into the wood grain.
I have a 15 year old deck in north Louisiana that has never been treated. It faces west with shade in the morning and partial sun in the afternoon. The deck is pressure treated pine and has lots of wear from grandkids, friends, their dogs and our dogs. Part of the deck had mold and mildew to the point of being slippery. My husband just power cleaned it with bleach and water to remove the slippery and stained areas. It has more grain to it now. Some of the screws are protruding slightly…not good for bare feet. He will not love the idea of sanding but it may need it. From what I have read on your informative site I feel that Defy Extreme Stain in Natural Pine may be the stain of choice. What would you suggest that we do from this point. Ease of application is important due to our age. We are on a lake and humidity is a problem. Thanks for any advice you can give us.
the Defy would be a good choice for this as long as all of the old coatings have been removed. Make sure hammer down the nails first.
Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida_Full shade_Pressure treated pine_Mold: yes Mildew: yes_Several layers of oil based transparent stain have built up in areas and did not obsorb into the wood in areas of less traffic.
Strip and brighten for prep to remove the layers of buildup. Stain with the Defy once removed. Much better at mildew protection.
Similar to the Canadian above, I also found ease of application very difficult. I live in Boston area and followed all the cleaning/brightening steps for preparing my weathered pressure treated lumber deck. I thought the staining would be a joy. Yesterday I did only the rails, and it took all day. I agree with the comment that "It is just like painting with water: drippy, runny, ultra fast drying" and we were working on a cloudy day with no direct sunlight, so drying shouldn't have been a problem. Because it has no viscosity at all, it doesn't seem to cling to a paintbrush at all. Not only is it difficult and slow to apply, you have to rush to apply the second coat in 20 minutes per the instructions, so you can only do very small sections and must keep track of exactly what you did already. The whole process had me wondering if I was doing something wrong, using the wrong tools and brushes, etc.
Any advice or suggestions? Will applying the stain to the floorboards be much easier, I wonder?
We do not use brushes with Defy. Use a stain pad applicator. Look for Shurline brand at your local store. Floors are much easier!!
Thanks for the speedy response! You don't use brushes at all with Defy? Even on the rails and verticals? A video on their site shows the stain going onto the rails easily with a paintbrush but was not my experience at all. I had 100+ thin, close-together verticals to paint. If I was to do it again, should I have used a tiny stain pad?
I hope the floors go much smoother!
We never use brushes. Stain pads are better in our opinion. We use large floor pads for the decking that range form 12-18\” and smaller ones for the verticals parts. Usually about 6\” in length.
Honestly for rails we spray them all quickly with a pump sprayer then immediately back brush with pads. We can do 50 feet of railing in 30-45 minutes this way. We do tarp the floors so catch over-spray.
Thanks for all your research. I put in a new cedar deck about 13-14 months ago and I'm getting set to apply the DEFY Extreme semi-transparent based on your reviews (including cleaning and brightening). However, I noticed that the new wood has many long gouges thanks to some poorly-made deck furniture we used last year. Will the stain highlight these marks? If so, do I need to sand or what? Any advice would be appreciated.
I would leave them alone as sanding them out would make it worse. Spot sanding will show lighter when stained.