This post was updated on April 25, 2023
Best Hardwood Deck Stains in 2023
DeckStainHelp.com continues to be the Internet’s go-to site for wood deck restoration tips throughout 2023. In this revised Hardwood Deck Stain article, we offer suggestions for how to care for your hardwood deck by applying a high-quality stain. If you have stained a hardwood deck, feel free to leave us a comment with pictures.
#1 Best Hardwood Deck Stain | #2 Best Hardwood Deck Stain | #2 Best Hardwood Deck Stain |
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Page Contents
Hardwood Deck Stain Advice and Tips
Exotic Hardwood Deck Staining
There are many different types of wood used for decking material. While the most common is pressure-treated pine, some of the most beautiful are any of the exotic hardwoods. Woods such as Ipe, Redwood, Brazilian, Mahogany, Teak, and Pau Lupe are very sought after for deck owners looking for a gorgeous yet durable deck.
Hardwood decks, like other wood decks, are subjected to the elements and need to be protected with a deck stain or sealer. Hardwoods have different characteristics from more common wood types used in decking. As the name suggests, they are very hard or dense in nature. This means searching for the right deck stain when it comes to protection.
Top IPE and Exotic Hardwood Stain Ratings
1. Restore-A-Deck Hardwood Stain
2. Armstrong Clark Wood Stain
3. Defy Hardwood/Cedar Stain
Because of the extreme density of an exotic hardwood special hardwood deck stains have been specifically designed with unique penetrating abilities. Regular types of deck stain lack the ability to penetrate the dense wood and will not perform well or last very long.
When looking for a hardwood deck stain look for special penetrating capabilities and one that is not prone to peeling. Special oils are used in hardwood stains that are able to dive into the dense hardwood and help condition the wood fibers. Without the penetrating ability, the stain would remain on top of the surface and would not provide any protection.
IPE and Hardwood Photos
A good hardwood deck stain will also be easy to clean and reapply as needed. Find an exotic wood stain that fades lightly in color as it wears and will not darken. All these characteristics along with high water repellency and enhanced beauty will give your hardwood deck the protection it needs.
Regular wood cleaning maintenance and stain applications will prolong the life of your hardwood deck. Follow these guidelines when choosing hardwood deck stains so the wood gets maximum protection and you get years of use from your exotic wood deck.
Need Help Choosing a Hardwood Decking Stain? Please Ask Below!
The Best IPE Hardwood Deck Stain Video – DeckStainHelp.com
Deck Stain Help & Questions
Stain Reviews & Comparisons
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.
I am building a new deck out of White Oak, what is the best stain to use for that type of wood, I would prefer clear so as to maintain the natural beauty of the wood. Also will the wood be ok if it Is not treated with any copper based type preservatives, like in the pressure treat process. And what about the wood prep process, my plan is to run the boards through my plainer because they are rough sawn , do I need to sand them afterwards, and if so what grit paper ??
See this about new wood first:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
You cannot stain it right away. The wood must be tinted for UV protection.
Oil-based TWP1500 vs. water based Restore-a-deck. Which to choose?
IPE deck, Northern California, mild winter, sunny summer. Deck exposed to bright morning sun. Never stained, weathered for 2 years. Cleaned and sanded, 40grit, with hand orbital sander. I’ll clean & brighten before application.
They are both great stains. For the IPE, we would lean towards the RAD Stain in Light Walnut color.
Hi, We have used TWP 1501 Cedartone on our Brazilian redwood deck in the past. We live in Denver, CO and the deck gets eastern morning sun. We are thinking we need to re-apply (it has been 3 years since last finishing). Attached are pictures. Questions: 1. Do you still feel that TWP is the best finish for our situation? 2. should we expect to have to re-apply every year given our climate? 3. If so, how should we prepare the deck for re-application? We assume we should wash it but do we need the stripper and brightener as well? 4. Do you recommend sanding prior to re-application? Thank you, Bill
1. Yes.
2. Your wood being a hardwood needs annual reapplication.
3. Use their Gemini Restore Kit for prep when reapplying.
4. No need.
Thanks Scott. We have some left over Gemini Restore Kit and TWP 1501 Cedartone from the last time we finished the deck 3 years ago. What is the shelf life of these products and can we use them before going on to a new can? Thank you in advance, Bill
Prep products in powder form should still be good. Opened TWP will go bad in about 12 months. Unopened about 36 months.
I’m going to apply steps 1 and 2 of the Gemini restore a deck. Do I need to protect the stucco on the side of the house, or metal storm doors, from contact with the cleaner or brightener? I have seen directions for completing steps 1 and 2, but I can’t seem to find them on your website. Can you share a link if you have one? Thanks, Bill
See attached PDS sheet. If you prewet and rinse any over spray always while working, you should be okay.
How to remove mold in the wood veins. Should we sandblast the outdoor wood walls before using the oil ?
Post some pics of the mold in the comments.
What is the best stain for a rough cut oak hardwood deck and what do I need to do to prep it
Try Restore A Deck stains or Armstrong Clark stains. As for prep, that would vary based on the condition and if stained prior.
It’s new wood
If it is rough cut then you can stain now as long as it is clean and dry.
I have a Sapele deck that I would like to stain in an orange tone, closer to a cedar tone. So far the stains I’ve sampled only amplify the natural color of the wood, a more reddish tone. Any suggestions in stains that would achieve this?
If the wood internally is red then it is not possible to enhance it lighter to a more golden or orange color.
What is the best stain and/or finish on African Mahogany Exterior Steps that is close to the beach elements and won’t be slippery?
Restore A Deck Wood stain in Light Walnut color.
I have a teak deck, an IPE deck, and a Batu deck. Is there a single stain that I can use on all 3? I always thought I had to use teak-specific stain (from a marine store) but I haven’t been happy with the color and how it has held up over the last year.
You can use a hardwood deck stain for all your wood types. Try Armstrong Clark in one of their hardwood colors or Restore A Deck Semi-transparent stains.
What is the best stain for a mahogany deck?
Try the Restore A Deck Stain in Light Walnut color or Armstrong Clark Stain in Mahogany color.
Hi I’m building a deck and looking at a red balau unfinished deck board and a mahogany deck board that’s been dipped in sikkens stain I’m wondering which one would be a better option? Thanks
Really depends on which wood type and appearance you like? The Messmers dipped wood will have to be refinished in 6-12 months so being pre-stained has no advantages.
The color variations in the pre stained wood look better but I’m not sure if that’s just because it’s already stained. I guess my main question is, is it beneficial to have all sides coated or is it just as easy to lay down unfinished and coat it afterwards?
No advantage to coating all sides and in some cases can be a disadvantage. Stains are for exposed areas only and staining all sides can create issues with allowing the wood to properly breathe.
Looking for a deck stain for 15 year old mahagany that has been sanded down. Some boards ghave been replaced. Want natural look but not stripes with new boards. Should I go with semi transparent with color? Just dont want to loose natural mahagany look, and definately dont want an orange looking deck. Please advise and thanks!
The new wood needs to weather: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
After prep all with a deck cleaner and a wood brightener and then use a hardwood stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
I want to preserve my deck for as long as I can. I am hiring someone to sand and treat my deck and benches. He is going to sink the nails first. What kind of treatment, product would you think best? I do not know how old the deck is, but the house is 40 years old so I suppose it could be that old. I am glad I found your site and hope you can help.
After fully removing the current stain, try the Restore A Deck Wood Stains. Light Walnut color.
What is the best deck stain for mahogany that has been stained before? One that allows water to
“bead” up?
Beading water is a myth. You want it to breathe and “shed” water, not bead. See here for the best hardwood stains: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
I have a 1200 sq. ft. deck covered in cumaru (800 sq. ft.) and purple heart (400 sq. ft.). Cumaru is 2 years old, stained 1 time and has darkened. Purple heart is 4 years old, stained 2 times and has darkened. I would like to lighten both woods and use a sealer that would hold up for more than 2 years if possible. Your input would be greatly appreciated and if affordable it will be followed. Thank you Charles Miller
One year is the max for exotic hardwoods. Post some pics so we can help with prep.
Can you stain your deck kebony wood deck in the fall
Not if new. Also depends on the stain brand more than the wood type.
What are the stain colors in the pics above on the site
The colors are labeled for each picture in the photo album.
I have a mahogany porch that I’ve used Defy Deck Stain for Hardwood in Pine. I have trouble doing the wet on wet 2 coat application as it dries so quickly. I also find that I have to wait at least 2 years before I can reapply the stain because the stain doesn’t adhere over the old coat until it’s very worn and I haven’t had much success with the stripper products that I used.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a better stain to use such as the Restore-A-Deck, Armstrong Clark or some other that is designed for an exotic hardwood such as mahogany? Thank you.
Try the AC but make sure to fully remove the old coatings first.
Hello,
Thanks for this site – great for folks like us who are new to staining. We have just had a new Mohagony porch put on our 100+ year-old Victorian. We are having difficulty deciding whether to use Ben Moore Translucent Natural or Translucent Mahogany stains. As I understand it, the Translucent “natural” is a clear stain, while Translucent Mahogany adds some dark stain color. We like the natural wood color and do not want to darken it. Right now, the new untreated wood looks a little washed out, probably because it’s dried out a bit. I’m wondering what you’d recommend doing to moisturize the wood without darkening it significantly while also protecting it from the weather.
You must have a tint if you want UV protection from graying. The clear will turn gray in months.
I am not sure what type wood this is or what I would need to use to protect or make uniform in color. I’m in New England so don’t mind the weathered gray look. Just need to treat / refresh so it looks more uniform.
Looks like IPE or Mahogany. You will need to clean and brighten the wood first and then use a hardwood stain like the ones mentioned in the article above.
I have two mahogany porches with both horizontal floorboards/ stair treads and vertical railings and slats covering the under porch area as well as screen frames. After the porch was installed 15 years ago I used Cabot’s Australian Timber Oil doing the work myself. I hired a contractor approximately 5 years ago who insisted I use Benjamin Moore Semi Transparent stain which was applied with a sprayer snd back brushed. Some parts (railings and stair treads) have not weathered well and consequently are cracking. I now need to bring the deck back and do not want to use either one of those previous products. I am not sure where to begin and welcome your suggestions. Thank you!!
Please post some pictures here in the comments for prep help.
We had a beautiful IPE fence installed around our community pool. Sadly the installer did not seal the ends as we learned too late and he sub contracted a company to apply an “oil” finish I order to maintain the beautiful natural brown tones. As you see in the pictures from months ago the oil dripped down as well as terribly uneven. Please let us know how to fix this problem ? We do not want it to grey snd are willing to properly apply what is needed when needed but how do we get this mess back to square one? HELP!!
Strip and brighten for prep with Restore A Deck Stripper/Brighener Kits. Stain with Restore A Deck Stain in Light Walnut or Armstrong Clark in Amber.
What is the best clear sealer for a mahogany wood deck?
Must be tinted for UV protection from graying. Try Amber from Armstrong Clark or Restore a Deck Stain in Natural.
I do not mind if the deck turns gray. I just want to give the mahogany some protection. The deck is one year old and I am planning to powerwash it and then apply something. I am trying to figure out what to apply.
Use TWP in Clear. It will gray naturally but protected from other elements.
I have 5 month old ipe deck that weathered Ct. shoreline winter. I want to stain it. I’ve decided on Messmer but torn between natural and mahogany semi-transparent. I want to retain the natural color. I’ve read the natural will a) fade more quickly and b) won’t protect against silvering- which is the point. But I’ve also read that it does protect against silvering. Which is correct? Will the mahogany change the color forever?
The Messmers Natural is tinted, not clear so it will provide UV graying protection. Both colors will fade naturally and will need to be applied annually on IPE.
Thanks!
Would you recommend for or against using Benjamin Moore Translucent stains on a mahogany deck?
No, BM does not make quality deck stains: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/tag/benjamin-moore-arborcoat/
Thank you for the reply, it is what I expected. So for mahogany decking are you recommending the Armstrong Clark or would I be better off with Penofin Oil? And how often you do recommend treating the deck which is full sun most of the day in the northeast.
Penofin has issues with turning black. Mahogany being a hardwood requires annual prep and application: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
I was getting ready to grab some Penofin and I was told that I can’t or maybe shouldn’t apply it to a deck that had been previously treated with another product. If it does have another product on it then I need to wash it and sand it down …. I really don;t want to go through sanding the deck down because it looks “fine” and just dry. Was the representative correct in telling me not to put Penofin down over a different product?
Yes, and that goes with any brand of stain. You have to remove current coatings when switching brands. You will have to do this when you switch from Penofin after it turns black or dirty on you.
I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PREP AND TREAT AN OUTSIDE DECK THAT WAS INSTALLED ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO. IT IS NOW DULL AND NEEDS SOME KIND OF TREATMENT TO BRIGHTEN UP. THANKS
Send pictures.
I have a 25 year old mahogany deck in Portland , OR, stripped and brightened 6 weeks ago. No rain for 48 hours and forecast is for highs 50-51, lows 35-37, no rain next 72 hours. Should I let them sand and stain with Cabot’s oil-based Australian Timber Oil or wait for Spring?
You have to reclean and brighten since it has been 6 weeks. Do now or Spring. Do not use the Cabot. Not the same formula as it used to be. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
Is it possible to achieve a chocolate color with Red Balau wood?
Try Armstrong Clark in Black Walnut.
Thank you!
My mahogany deck is not new. It has been stripped, cleaned and brightened. I can’t decide between Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent or Deckwise Ipe Oil Semi-transparent.? And how soon after rain and before it will rain ? One side gets sun most of the day.
I have to do this as soon as possible !
Use the AC. Wait 48 hours after any rain to stain and not rain for 24 hours.
G’day
Just spent best part of a year building a Cumaru deck in Michigan only to have the Penofin penetrating rosewood oil the lumber yard recommended and sold to me fail after the first winter (looked very dry and blotchy).
I pressure washed and applied another coat in the spring hoping to recover (I got sold a number of tins with the Cumaru…). It then quickly went black in the summer which I was not expecting. Pressure washing helped get some of the black off but seemed to take the oil with it and did not get all the black off. West facing deck gets full sun in summer, horizontal surfaces are a joke after just a few months – summer or winter.
I used a deck cleaner product and gave it another pressure wash and then reapplied the last of the Penofin to make it look reasonable before an October party. Also started doing more research bringing me here. Penofin looks great out of the tin but it seems I’ve been riding a dead horse on this product and / or my prep and come next spring I want to start fresh.
How best can I reset from whats left of my Penofin mess and start again with a better prep and product?
I accept it will likely be a yearly maintenance thing but for that effort it should look reasonable coming up to 12 months, not blacken and ideally it would have a slight sheen to it when dry. What tint would you recommend to bring out the rich colors of Cumaru?
I’ve moved from Australia to the US and don’t recall these types of problems on various Merbau hardwood decks friends have built over there, granted they don’t get the same winters.
Thanks, Scott
The issue is the Penofin. It doesn’t last and turns black. Strip and brighten to remove it with Restore A Deck Stripper Kits. Stain with one of these top brands: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
I’m reading references to “cleaning” and “brightening” before using the stain. I have a very hard wood Brazilian deck that I have just finished thoroughly pressure washing. Can I just apply this Restore-A-Deck stain or do I need other products first?
Use the RAD Cleaner and Brightener with pressure washing.
To clarify, you are saying that I should use the RAD cleaner and brightener after having finished the pressure wash? Is there a time constraint between the pressure washing and the cleaning and brightening? I’m going to add some info here as well: The deck is ten years old and was stained three times with the last time being 5 years ago. The stain used before is unknown to me. The wood is so hard it breaks screws as it warps in the sun (not so much anymore but when it was first installed.)
It actually looks pretty clean so you probably do not need to clean and brighten anymore.
Here is a picture of the wood. This wood is so strong that the sun warped boards slightly when we first installed it and it broke screws. The deck is 10 years old, it’s been stained before about three times but it’s likely been 5 years since last staining. I can’t say what the last stain used was. 600 square feet. (Trying to answer the questions I’m seeing on other posts.)
Hi, I have a hardwood fence rail that was stained 2 years ago with Flood Hardwood stain. I’m think of using Armstrong Clark stain this time. Is it necessary to sand the old stain before re-staining?
Yes, you have to remove the Flood if switching.
Thanks. Would I need to use a stripper or cleaner?
Strip and possiblly sand. Brighten after.
Hi. Have you reviewed the PENOFIN ARCHITECTURAL GRADE TMF HARDWOOD?
If so, please let me know your thoughts on this product. Thanks
All Penofin products have issues with turning dark or black on decks. They do look great initially but it will fade within a few months. We would not use any of them: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/penofin-hardwood-wood-stain-review-2014/
So that’s a no? You haven’t tried or reviewed PENOFIN ARCHITECTURAL GRADE TMF or TMS HARDWOOD sealer? It isn’t a stain.. More of a sealer and is transparent. This is not the same as cheaper Penofin products. Looking for an honest review and looks like I need to keep looking
We have used and it did not last. Looks great when applied to IPE, faded away in 6-7 months. We have not written a review as of yet.
So, just for clarification, Has the team used the “Architectural” version of Penofin. Not the normal one. This is the $80 a gallon version with a 2-year guarantee. I’m seriously considering it, but haven’t seen any comparison/reviews of the Penofin Architectural Grade
All Penofin turns black or dark in color sand odes not last. We would not suggest it or use it.
I’m using Penofin TMF Hardwood (transparent matte finish) on my Cumaru deck today. I have Cumaru in my shower entry and the finish is amazing.
Penofin has issues with turning black in color over a short time after applying it on decks and it will wash away from your shower wood in a month or two if the water gets on it.
Can hardwood stains be used on pine and cedare?
Yes, but the colors will be different.
We are gong to put up approx 700 sf of red balau shiplap siding in san diego approx .25 mi from ocean with heavy sun exposure. I have read that you recommend waiting a couple months before staining/sealing, but given that it will be installed vertically is there any tricks you recommend? Or do I just wait the 2 months clean and apply once it’s up?
Also, we are hoping to get a rich darker brown color (similar to ipe). Is there a color tint you recommend for the Balau?
You will need to let it weather and prep. No way to speed that up. Not sure what Balau looks like when stained. Can you post a picture of it wet with water and then we can help from there.
What is best way to remove stain from mahogany deck?
That would depend on the type and brand of stain you are removing? See this for tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-deck-prep-clean-strip-or-sand-the-deck/
Looking for a good deck oil/sealer for a new Balu mahogany deck. It’s got beautiful color and I’d like to keep it that way. I have yet to fasten it to the frame as I’d like to oil both sides. I’ve been told that ipe oil is a good product, but having never used it before I’m Leary as I got burned with a product once before…
No need to stain both sides. Try Armstrong Clark in Amber color. It is tinted and you must have a tint for UV protection.
We are having tongue and groove mahogany installed in a 3 season porch that does have heating/ac but it will only be heated when we are using the room. What type of sealer do you recommend for this application? We live in Massachusetts so it gets cold in the winter.
Look at the Defy Hardwood Stain or the Restore A Deck Wood Stain.
I have a new ipe deck that was just installed but the wood looks like it was in the lumbar yard for awhile. Would like to clean and brighten and sand lightly any areas that may need it and then stain. The deck is in Florida and gets full sun.
Is my prep process correct?
What are your thoughts on Penofin Architectural Stain for Hardwood?
What stain would you recommend?
Thank you
The new IPE needs to sit for a few months and then cleaned and brightened for the prep before staining. Penofin turns black and has very poor UV resistance. Try Defy Hardwood stain or Armstrong Clark in one of their hardwood colors.
It seems you only have review for the penofin hardwood. Have you tried their architectural grade tsf or tmf? They quote much longer times between application than the brown cans.
We have not tried them.
Hi, We have a 3yr old mahogany deck. If we sand the deck do we need to use a cleaner and a brightener? Also what stain would you recommend. We live in Colorado and the deck faces west so we get strong sunlight most of the year as well as snow. Its a very dry climate. The stain we previously used is Cabot Australian Timber Oil. Attached is a photo of the deck’s current condition.
The best prep would be to strip and brighten the wood. Much easier than sanding and will leave the wood in a proper “porous” state.
Previous comment, Ridgewood was supposed to be Tiger Wood
7 year old Ridgewood deck needs refreshing. what is the best transparent penetrating stain to use on Tiger Wood?
Try Armstrong Clark in one of their hardwood colors or Defy Hardwood Stain.
Hi, Thank you for your extensive collection of articles educating consumers on the various options available in the stain and deck care space. We live in Connecticut and have a covered front porch and back deck both of mahogany.
Front porch is well protected from the elements and gets relatively little foot traffic and is in relatively good shape. The back deck gets sun , snow and everything in between and has been neglected resulting in cracks in some areas on the wood.
What preparation and hardwood stains do you recommend I use on these decks to preserve them and improve their resistance to wear and tear. The deck was last treated with Cabot Australian Timber Oil, do I need to strip the existing stain off before application of a new stain? If yes is it best to do this via light sanding or with a stain stripper product?
One of the products recommended to me was the “Duckback (now Sherwin Williams ) penetrating exotic hardwood stain” which I do not see a review of on your site. Do you have an opinion on this product. Look forward to your response.
-DJ
Yes, stain stripper and brightener for the prep. Easy to remove the Cabot ATO.
The SuperDeck Exotic is the same as the regular SuperDeck, just a different label: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/sherwin-williams-superdeck-stain-review-2017/
Thanks for the quick reply. I see that SuperDeck has very poor reviews on your site and the Cabot ATO is also reviewed as doing very poorly in the winter and snow which is something we have experienced first hand. Two questions
1) Is there an alternate stain that would work better under the conditions, as I mentioned we are in Connecticut and the back deck receives both snow and direct sun
2) What do you recommend for filling in the cracks/splinters on the back deck?
-DJ
1. TWP 1500 or Armstrong Clark
2. You cannot use crack filler on decks. Will not work nor will it blend with the stain.
Hi, I’m about to install a tongue & groove mahogany porch floor. I was thinking about using the penofin hardwood penetrating oil on all sides before installing it. Is there a better product to use for this application? Should I wait before installing it? The boards have been acclimating for a few months, but they’ve been covered. Thanks!
You cannot stain this right away and no need to stain all sides. Install, wait 2-3 months, clean for the prep, and just stain the exposed side. Penofin turns dark brown or black after a year. Try the Armstrong Clark in a Hardwood color or Defy Hardwood Stains.