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! 🙂
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 2×6 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! 🙂
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 doesn’t look bad at all…the wood is basically new.
2) would this be good stain for us in your opinion…there are countless options, my head is spinning…
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.
I applied Defy Extreme on a pressure treated wood deck after a year for weathering All walking/seating surfaces were pressure washed and sanded down to 100 grit. After a year, all vertical surfaces (deck overhead, sides of benches, etc.) looked great. But all horizontal surfaces (walking areas, step surfaces) had faded dramatically and look totally different than the vertical surfaces.
I am considering pressure washing the horizontal surfaces and then sanding with 80 grit before applying another coat. Any other ideas or thoughts on how to proceed and why I have experienced this problem?
Why are you sanding? That is your issue. You want the wood porous and not smooth so the stain can soak in correctly.
Hello. I need advice on how to finish my deck staining project. I have read many articles on your site and others but still am unsure of how to proceed with my situation. I have stripped and brightened our 25 year old deck with Defy products.
I used the Defy Extreme Pine color on the fence. Unfortunately, I did not realize until it was too late that I should have applied two coats. Water is beading and rolling off so the wood is protected, but the appearance is a little blotchy and uneven in places. In the end I did apply two coats on one board and it looks great.
I am unsure on how to proceed with the floor area. I have two considerations:
1) I am thinking perhaps I can improve the appearance of the fence when I do the maintenance coat in maybe a year or two. And if that is a valid plan, I am wondering if I should only apply one coat to the flooring so that they will age similarly. Although I am thinking that with age and the stripping it would probably take two coats. But, if possible, I am trying to figure the future fix into how I proceed.
2) I finished prepping the floor about a week ago and I don’t think the weather in Indiana
is going to allow me to stain it for almost two more weeks. I am wondering if I should brighten again before staining.
We have used Defy products for many years. Love them! Thanks for your help.
Althea Evans
PS: Have learned so much from this site. All things considered, and I have learned there are MANY things to consider, deck staining properly is complicated, hard work and very unforgiving of mistakes, so a site with this wealth of information is great for us clueless, weekend deck fixers. Thank you!!!
1. Best to determine this at the time of reapplication if you will need one or two coats on the wood and how the best way to prep. At this time, you leave as is.
2. You will not need to brighten again.
I’m looking for a water-based stained as I prefer it over oil based stains. However, I’m concerned about the nano-particles of the Defy stain penetrating the respirator during application. Any thoughts? Would applying it by brush be safer than using an HVLP sprayer?
Not sure if that is an issue. We like stain pads and brushes for the best application appearance and results.
Defy extreme stain washes away with lots of rain. Being water-based, with a good coat applied on newer dry wood during optimal conditions results in deck areas loosing the stain where rain hiots the surface (under house eves looks great, but that is a small area considering most of the deck is exposed to the rain)
Defy is a penetrating stain so it should not “wash away”. It is possible that it was over-applied to the point it did not soak in correctly.
I don’t think so – stain went on evenly. As previously mentioned, under the house eves where the rain action is very limited shows no sign of washout. However, the vast majority of the exposed deck (especially the horizontal boards) show severe signs of washout (the vertical boards/posts look great). No rain for first 30+ days after initial application. Reapplied it again on the second year wood only to experience the same washout condition (up here in the Pacific Northwest).
Sorry it happened to you but we use it all the time on our customers decks and never had an issue with rain “washing” it away.
I have a pressure treated pine deck that has been stained twice with TWP. The stain has almost completely faded on the floor, and faded a little bit on the rails.
I would like to restrain with defy extreme. Do I need to strip the deck or can I clean and brighten?
Thanks!
Strip and brighten for the prep.
Okay, so I followed all of your helpful instructions for my new deck surface. We installed last June – kiln dried pressure treated yellow southern pine. One year of weathering. We decided on Defy products. We cleaned, brightened and got an entirely fuzzy deck. We sanded this weekend using 60 grit as 80 would not remove the fuzz. We used a palm sander and did the entire 500 square feet. We brightened again. Let dry and stained two sample steps. We took of the stair treads as the risers are solid stain and we didn’t want to get it on them. Holy Cow! This looks terrible. It is one coat of Defy in Driftwood Gray. Hubby thinks it’s the wood. I’m not sure. Another board came out fine, but this one is awful. Are we doing something wrong here?
It is the wood, not the stain.
What do you think is wrong with the wood? Any thoughts? How does one work around this?
Everyday, I get to curse myself for not using Azek! ARRRGGHHH…
Nothing wrong with it, just the way the grain is taking the stain.
How to get around this?? My follow up question has disappeared.
You cannot with a semi-transparent stain. It is part of the wood grain internally.
That is most unfortunate! Would an oil stain like Armstrong Clark do any better?
Thank you!!
No, I do not think so. It is not the stain’s fault but the wood that is causing this internal “discoloration”.
I have a 10-12 year old pressure treated wood deck. I used Cabot or Thompson stain on it initially. Right now the wood is very grey. Should I sand the deck or strip the deck with a stripper, then the brightener , followed by the Defy stains?
Thanks, Skip
Clean and brighten for the prep.
How far in advance should you use the wood brighter before you apply the stain
About 2 days.
Have sanded deck no old stain remains .Do I still need to use the cleaner or can I skip the cleaner and go right to the Brighter. Here is pic of deck a little damp from over night dew.
Best to do both. It will help the stain soak in better.
If doing both cleaning and brightening do you do on same day or cleaning first then wait how long to. Brighten.
Same day. Brighten as soon as you are done.
1)Can you do cleaner a brighter same day or what is best timeline.
2)Can I use someone else cleaner your product not sold around here. Got brighter and stain off internet I have a old redwood deck that I have just completely sand down to bare wood.
3) For cleaner and brighter how heavy should the coats be and what is best way to apply
4) Do you rinse cleaner and brighter off with water or what.
5)Best tool to apply cleaner and brighter, roller ,brush ,stain pad or what please advise.
6)Same for the stain best way to apply it on.
7) On the stain I believe I read it is the bestfor the deck is two
Coats both fairly light coats not very thick please confirm.
8) Also please give any other suggestions.
Done all this work don’ t want to screw up now like some of the other reviews that have had problems!!!!!!! Those reviews are making me apprehensive toward my stain choice.
JAMIE
1. Yes, same day
2. Depends on if a quality prep productsor not?
3. Heavy? It is not applied Heavy.
4. Yes
5. Pump Sprayer
6. Stain pads or brush
7. Yes that is correct
8. Might want to read Defy’s instructions as they answer all these questions. 🙂
Thanks
When washing off the deck cleaner and then the deck brighter should you use a hose or power washer.
Either but easier with a pressure washer.
I have had a very difficult time getting the stain shipped to me but I think I have that corrected.
I am now way behind on my project can I put down the clearer and brighter now and stain the deck a week from now or should I wait to clean and brighten till I get closer to staining the deck .
You can prep now and stain in a week or two at the most.
I used cleaner and then brighter on my deck this morning and is drying now. I have a lot of brighter left over is it a good idea to re wet the deck and put another coat of brighter on say tomorrow. Not staining till next weekend
No need. If you store it where it cannot freeze, it should keep for next time.
Where can this brand be purchased?
Check with the Manufacturer for assistance.
Had same problem finally found some who who ship it
Call 866 856-3325 they sent it out the day I order it.
Can this product be used on cedar siding?
Yes it can.
I would not recommend defy deck stain. My husband spent days prepping and a large sum of money to buy what we thought was the best deck stain only to have it not last one season. We did the deck in September 2017 and now May 2018 we have a horrible looking deck. We did all the prep we were advised by a defy representative and are extremely disappointed with defy product. The first picture is before and the second two are after. A picture speaks a thousand words. Stay clear of this product.
Jim and Andrea Fatta
Looks like it was over applied and did not soak into the wood. This is why it lifted off in spots.
I have a 5 year old deck.ni used Thompsons timber oil 2 years ago. I am leaning towards the defy extreme stain. Would this be a good option if I previously used timber oil?
If you remove the Thompsons, then yes, you can use the Defy Extreme.
Thank you for the quick response. So I should use the stripper and then the brightener. Then let dry for a couple days and then apply the defy… Right? When I did the Thompsons timber oil, all I did was power wash. I didn’t use a stripper or brightener. Perhaps that is why they never looked entirely finished and didn’t last long. The one picture is before the timber oil, and 1 is afterwards
Strip and brighten is correct.
By mistake I sprayed a portion of my deck with full strength brightener. Should I remove it and start over or will it be ok? Thanks for all the great help.
It should be fine. Just rinse very well.
I have some shelves built by someone who is no longer around. I wanted to add two shelves like the old set. So I cut the poplar (same wood) and trimmed the pieces like the existing shelves. I tried regular stain, semi-transparent stain, stain with poly, etc. None of them had the correct opacity.
That’s when I realized that I needed semi-solid stain. But where can I purchase a small can? I don’t want to buy a gallon to throw almost all of it out. I just need enough to cover two shelves. Any suggestions?
Sorry but no. Stains only come in gallons and 5-gallons.
We are staining a pergola to match our composite deck. Can any of these recommended stains be mixed to match?
You can mix stains of the same brand and type together.
Two days ago I stripped my cedar deck with RAD stripper using a deck sprayer and a 1700 psi pressure washer with a turbo tip. I followed this with RAD brightener. This morning I applied Defy Extreme (redwood color) to one test board with a brush. The result is a splotchy look with a couple of light areas and several blackish areas along the whole board. This board looked clean and light before I started. The rest of the deck still has some gray and dark grey areas even where I pressure washed heavily. Do you think I still have mildew? Should I pressure wash again? If so, with or without more stripper?
Once I get this perfect and as long as I continue to use Defy Extreme Stain, same color, every 2-3 years, will I ever need to strip it again or can I just clean with Defy Cleaner and Brightener?
Try stripping again and when done, apply the wood brightener heavily and evenly. Leave that on to dry. No rinsing. Just clean and brighten every 2-3 years or as needed.
The stain on the test board evened out a lot after the sun reached it and it dried. I have already sanded a lot of the deck with a random orbital sander, 80 grit, because there is a lot of fuzziness from the pressure washing. If I just sand a little extra where there are still grey spots, will that be adequate?
Proably.
Love the product , how do you apply it so there are no areas where you stopped to reload stain on brush, pad or roller and then worked from wet area to dry areas? I have definite marks. Also the label says to reapply second coat before first coat dries, how would you do that?
Always keep a wet edge to avoid overlap marks. See this for wet on wet applications tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stain-instructions-for-wet-on-wet/