Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods Review
Hi, I’m Scott Paul, a licensed exterior restoration contractor with over 30 years of experience and 10,000+ deck restorations. This review of Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods is based on my own hands-on field testing, not manufacturer claims. See my full credentials and testing stats here.
Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods was developed to penetrate and protect exotic hardwoods like IPE. It helps preserve and protect hardwoods from UV fading and water absorption, and the two available colors restore the wood’s natural color tones. Messmers was the first stain designed specifically for difficult-to-penetrate exotic woods.
- Overall score: 8.25/10 — a strong, easy-to-apply option specifically designed for exotic hardwoods like IPE
- Retained 70–80% of its color after 1 year on IPE, with no peeling and easy same-day 2-coat application
- Minor mold in shaded areas after 1 year; a good oxygenated wood cleaner resolves it before recoating
- For even longer color retention, TWP Natural Effect (9.2/10) is our top-rated hardwood stain, though it requires a separate top coat step
Table of Contents
- Testing Note for Exotic Hardwoods
- Messmers UV Plus Rating (1–10)
- Overall Score
- How It Compares to Other Hardwood Stains
- FAQ
- Product Information
- Test Deck Stats
- Video
Testing Note for Exotic Hardwood Deck Stains
Exotic hardwoods such as IPE are extremely dense and difficult to penetrate. These wood types will always fade faster than woods like cedar, redwood, and pine once stained. Because of this, our testing window for exotic hardwood stains is 1 year instead of the usual 2 years.
Messmers UV Plus Rating (1–10)
Our review contains an 8-step process and a final average score. Each step is scored on a scale of 1 to 10.
Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 9
We used the Red Mahogany color on our IPE test deck, chosen because the manufacturer said it would last slightly longer than the Natural tint. The stained appearance, once dry, was a beautiful reddish-brown throughout the IPE.
Preventing UV Graying at 1-Year Mark: 8
Messmers retained 70% of its original color after one year in full-sun areas and close to 80% in shaded areas — overall good results for an IPE deck.
Wear/Tear and Peeling: 8
Messmers exhibited little to no peeling on the wood. The stain faded evenly without any wear patterns.
Messmers Hardwood Stain
Cost Per Square Foot: 9
Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods costs $54.99 per gallon. Our IPE decking was 650 square feet, and we used all 3 gallons for 1.5 coats — about $.27 a square foot.
Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 7
After one year, we found a small amount of mold growing on the stain in shaded areas only. It’s nothing major, but a good cleaning with an oxygenated wood cleaner is needed prior to reapplication.
Ease of Application: 8.5
Very easy to apply, with exceptional coverage — the first coat took only two gallons for 650 square feet. We applied a second coat “wet on wet,” since the 10-year-old IPE absorbed the stain quickly, and the second coat took just one gallon. We used a stain pad applicator for the entire floor and finished both coats in 3 hours with no need to back-wipe.
Color Shifting (Darkening) After 1 Year: 8.5
Messmers did not darken but faded in color. There was a little darkening from mold on about 15% of the decking surface.
Difficulty of Reapplication: 8
Messmers needs to be cleaned with an oxygenated wood deck cleaner, which removes the mold, general dirt, and grime. A wood deck brightener is also beneficial.
Overall Score: 8.25/10
Messmers was the first stain company to develop a formula specifically designed to penetrate exotic hardwoods. We expected good results, and we weren’t disappointed. If you want an IPE or hardwood stain that’s easy to maintain annually, Messmers is a top choice.
How Messmers Compares to Other Hardwood Stains
| Stain | DSH Rating | Coverage/Gallon | Cost/Gallon | Coats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Messmers UV Plus | 8.25/10 | 300+ sq ft | $79.99 | 1 coat |
| TWP Natural Effect | 9.2/10 | Varies (2-step system) | $99.99 | 1 coat + top coat |
| IPE Oil | 7.38/10 | 300+ sq ft | $75.99 | 1 coat |
| Penofin Hardwood | 6.0/10 | 300–400 sq ft | $79.99 | 1 coat |
Messmers UV Plus FAQ
What wood types does Messmers UV Plus work on?
Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods was specifically developed for exotic, dense hardwoods like IPE that are difficult for standard stains to penetrate. It’s available in Natural and Red Mahogany. In our testing on a 10-year-old IPE deck, it penetrated well and applied evenly across 650 square feet with no backwiping needed.
How often should Messmers UV Plus be reapplied?
Plan on annual reapplication for exotic hardwoods. Our testing window for hardwood stains is 1 year rather than the usual 2, since dense woods like IPE fade faster than cedar or pine. Messmers retained 70% of its color in full sun and 80% in shade after 1 year, which is a solid result for this category, but still points to yearly maintenance.
How does Messmers compare to Penofin?
Messmers significantly outperforms Penofin in our testing, scoring 8.25/10 versus Penofin’s 6.0/10. Penofin has a well-documented issue with severe darkening and turning black over time, something we’ve seen repeatedly across multiple test decks. Messmers faded evenly instead, without the discoloration problems that plague Penofin.
How does Messmers compare to IPE Oil?
Messmers scored 8.25/10 versus IPE Oil’s 7.38/10 in our testing. Both are solid options for exotic hardwoods with similar coverage rates, but Messmers held up slightly better on mold resistance and offered easier application with faster coverage on our test deck.
Do hardwood stains like Messmers fade faster than regular deck stains?
Yes. Dense exotic hardwoods like IPE are much harder to penetrate than cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated pine, which means any stain applied to them will fade faster. That’s why we test hardwood stains over a 1-year window instead of our standard 2 years. Messmers performed well within that context, retaining 70 to 80% of its color after 1 year.
Messmers UV Plus Hardwood Stain: 8.25 Rating After One Year
Purchasing Info: Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods
Cost: $55.99 per Gallon, $299.99 per 5-Gallon Pail w/Free Delivery
Stain Type: Semi-Transparent — Oil-Based for Hardwoods
Available Colors: Natural, Red Mahogany
Application Temperature: 45–95°F
Coats Required: 1 coat for most hardwood decking surfaces
Coverage Per Gallon: 300+ sq. ft. for Exotic Hardwoods
Application Tools: Sprayer, Pad, Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 4–12 Hours
Cleanup: Mineral Spirits
VOC Compliant: 250 Compliant in all States
Test Deck Stats
Deck Wood Type: IPE Hardwood
Deck Square Footage: 650 Square Feet
UV Exposure: 60% Shade, 40% Sun
How Many Years Tested: 1 Year
Stain Color Used: Red Mahogany
*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.
The Best IPE/Exotic Hardwoods — Video Review
We have a 500sf second floor mahogany deck installed over a membrane, full sun, Pacific NW, We have always used Messmers Natural. We chose white oil based painted railings, beautiful on this 1918 house, but very hard to maintain. A few years ago the railings were “professionally” repainted before oiling and without tarping the deck, leaving large grey-white paint blotches and ground in paint chips. Pretty sure this needs to be sanded. What sandpaper/sander type should be used?
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/
Thanks. I read through that page.. I’m afraid I have to sand it because the white paint has seeped in too far where I tried to clean it up with paint thinner! Botched job all around! Great site. Wish I’d found it years ago….
Hi Thanks for the great article. We are just finishing up installing an 1800 SF wrap around deck with Garapa. We plan to let it age naturally but it is recommended that we do an initial brightening and application of an oil UV treatment?
Do you recommend:
Thanks!
Messmer is much better of the two.
Ok great! Thanks for your help!!
Excellent site. Thanks for all the great info! I have a new ipe deck installed over a flat membrane roof. I plan to oil it annually (will try the Messers, as suggested). Is there any danger to the membrane roof from the oil? Clearly I will try to be careful, but I’m sure some will drip through to the membrane. It’s a brand new roof, and I don’t want to void any warranty.
Thanks!
There should not be any issues with the membrane that we know of.
Excellent. Thank you for the prompt reply!
I built a large deck using dasso stranded bamboo. It is a very beautiful and a very dense product. It comes with a dark chocolate primer stain which is nice but doesn’t last long. After 6 months I applied cabots australian hardwood penetrating oil. This brought the deck back to its original beauty but after a short time it was faded and blotchy.
I decided to restain with same product. I used a deck cleaner along with a brightner and a stain stripper.
After this the blotches were still there and when i reaplied the cabot on a test area the orange blotches could still be seen. I had to sand entire deck to even everything out. If i apply messmers if uv plus will i have to sand every year before restaining ?
No, you can clean and recoat.
Planning on using this brand for a cedar ship lap ceiling on my covered porch. Cedar is brand new from the mill, smooth. Little to no sunlight, minimal water, zero wear. Really just want to prevent weathering.
Any tips/ recommendations? Many thanks!!
See here: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Is the water that comes off an oil treated deck safe for drinking. After filtering and UV treatment.
No idea.
I am installing a new Cumaru deck on a covered farmers porch and I am struggling with the finishing choices. Would you recommend IPE oil or some type of UV resistant product like Messmers UV Plus? The porch gets scorching direct sunlight from morning till early afternoon?
IPE Oil is the same as Messmers in that it is tinted and UV resistant. See this for some tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/category/deck-product-reviews/ipe-and-hardwood-stain-reviews/
This stain was used on my log home on the inside, what are the dangers of the smell of the product? Is it safe after it is dry?
No issues once it fully cures.
Thanks
I’ve been using this product for about 3 years on an Ipe deck and outdoor kitchen in Silicon Valley. I love the way my wood looks right after it is treated. I follow Messmer’s instructions and do a Part A Cleaner, Part B Brightener before application. After applying, wipe the excess off after 30 minutes and you have a beautiful looking deck.
It is a shame that this has to be done every year. There is no way around it. If you want the right color of Ipe each summer, you need to treat it once a year.
Here is a warning – please follow the manufacturer’s instructions concerning disposal and storage of rags and supplies after use. I just had a garbage can fire because I failed to follow the warnings. The spontaneous ignition warning is for real.
I have a large deck made with pre-treated Messmer’s mahogany. I was told not to add another coat of Messmers the first year. By mid-July, the deck looked bleached. Nevertheless, I did not attempt recoat until the following spring. For 15 years, I have been ‘cleaning’, ‘brightening’ and conditioning that deck with Messmers products. Every year, that deck is dark brown by the end of the summer, in spite of a southern exposure. Messmers wants to say it is my fault. It is not. I read directions and follow them to the letter. During the early years, I would confer with Messmers customer service.
This is the last year I will be ‘finishing’ this deck.
In short, stay away from Messmers mahogany decks. The upkeep is not worth the short period of beauty.
I have a brand new Red Balu deck and am trying to decide between Messmers, IPE Oil, and Armstrong Clark. You rate them all highly, while I will try to reapply yearly -life often gets in the way. What one would you recommend for longer term results with reapplication every 2-3 years. Also would you recommend the same stain every application or would you recommend one for the initial application and another for reapplication? Do I just need to bite the bullet and try to reapply yearly? I'm in Los Angeles California.
P.S. Thanks for such a fantastic site!
Your wood will require a new coating every year, if not sooner. You want a product that can be cleaned and reapplied easily. Stay with the same stain every time.
Next summer, 2016, I need to prep and re-stain our 5-year-old redwood deck in SF Bay Area (California). Plan to use the Restore-a-Deck products for prep (and hiring a qualified painter).
After a fair amount of web reading, I was considering an Olympic stain product (VOC approved), but am now considering Messmer's based on the suggestion of a landscape architect. I'm not seeing any comments on your Messmer's page for REDWOOD decking, just Ipe and other woods. Which Messmer product do you suggest for a "natural" look (but not RED)…especially since it's a re-do, not fresh new wood? Thanks in advance for your reply.
You would want the regular Messmers UV plus not the Hardwood version. They do have a Natural Tint color.
I'm seeing two versions of the Messmers UV Plus Hardwood available for ordering online (at the Sealer Store, for example), with one indicated as VOC compliant. I believe only the lower VOC is listed on Messmers site, but it's not so clear. Which is the one tested and reviewed here? If not the low VOC, have you since had experience with it? Thank you.
We tested the regular VOC version but have used both. We cannot tell the difference.
We used Messmer's U.V. Plus on our mahogany deck and there are shiny sticky spots now that it is dry.. what can we do to get rid of them
Try removing the over applied stain with mineral spirits and rags. Dispose of the oil rags properly and according to Messmers instructions on the can!
ready to seal or stain a new( mahogany 5/4 x6) deck and want to prestain due to cold weather. What product do you recommend for a porch in New England area that will last that is similar in color to cabots mahogany flame. Afraid to use cabots due to poor reviews. Can you give me a suggestion of where to buy this product you are recommending in Massachusetts area. Thank you for your anticipated answer.
Paul
Look at Armstrong Clark in the Mahogany color as it is very similar in look (and performance) of the old Cabot Mahogany Flame. You would need to contact them as to where to buy. As for prestaining, we do not suggest that but ask them for guidance.
I am ready to install a brand new Iroco deck. I plan to stain all the boards prior to installation.Do they require any pre-staining prep other than just wiping off the dust? I was told to scuff them lightly with 80 grit. Do you think this is necessary?
They are kiln dried boards and look beautiful in their natural state. However, we love the color of Ipe and these boards are quite light and more yellowish in tone. I was thinking of using Messmers Redwood but was wondering if it would be too red as opposed to brown. Also thought of mixing the Natural with the Redwood. Your opinion please.
I do not believe that the Armstrong product is available in Montreal, Quebec.
Yes a light sanding would be helpful if you are pre staining. Just a very light coat as well. Not sure on the mixture with the Messmers color and your wood type. You can mix their colors. See if you can get some samples to test.
I have a 3-year-old Ipe deck. I have so far applied two seasonal applications of Messmer's UV Plus for hardwoods. I'm having a terrible time getting all of the old stain off this year. Sounds like I need to use Restore A Deck stripper. Do you recommend that I strip every year between coats? The second application had some minor blotchy spots, and it looks like this year will be worse unless I use the stripper.
You should stip when the old coatings are too thick to be cleaned correctly and start to wear unevenly. Strip with the RAD and brighten as well.
I live in New Hampshire and have a fairly new, very large IPE and Garapa deck (about 2000 SF) that gets sun ALL day and use Messmers UV Plus Natural. The deck is going on it's 2nd year now and after a record (worst in 150 yrs they say) brutally harsh New England winter, it showed a little bit of darkening from mold. After a little pressure washing, I reapplied Messmers this year and the deck looks really great!! I am very happy with the product (so far) and love how it seems to be keeping the rich look of the real woods.
I have a cumaru deck and have tried Messmers UV plus natural. It looks great but will only last 6 months at most. Last year I tried Armstong mahogany for the first time which has lasted a full year and still looks decent. I actually like the look of the Messmers over the reddish Armstrong which hides a lot of the wood grain. Could I apply a coat of Messmers over Armstrong this year? Any other recommendations? I live in North Carolina.
Jja, I would try the Armstrong Clark in the Amber color as it will be compatible.
I have a team coming tomorrow to stain my new basic pressure treated wood deck that is 4 months old. I cannot get the top rated sealers in time locally. I can get Mesmer and Perofin and any of the lesser rated sealers like cabots. Any very quick suggestions would be appreciated.
Tim, I would suggest Messmers first then Penofin.
I have a team coming tomorrow to stain my new basic pressure treated wood deck; no exotic woods. I cannot get TWP, Defy, or Armstrong Clark locally, so have to go with a lesser rated brand due to the time constraint. I can get Mesmer and Perofin in time as well as many of the lower rated stains. I figure in 2 years I will retreat with the better materials. My deck and pergola are 4 months old and get a lot of sun. I live in Maryland. Quick suggestion, please.
I have heard the IPE oil is a private brand made by Messmers, and is in fact almost exactly their natural. In some sample boards of both stains, it is very similar, do you know for fact?
Paul, I do not know if this is true or not. I have seen both products personally and the colors are not the same. The Ipe Oil is darker.
I have used Cabot Australian Timber oil (natural) for 10years on my ipe deck and staircase. Looked beautiful, but held up for less than 4 months before it turned gray. This time, the Cabot A. TImber oil is a new formula (less VOCs) and this new EPA approved product stinks. In less than one month of exposure to sun and a few rainy days (in San Francisco's sunny Mission District) and the wood is already graying. Any comments about this new product (the can has a blue top)?
Gideon, Cabot has changed their formula foe the ATO a few times I believe. It used to be a very good product 10 years ago but ever since Valspar bought them, it has not been the same. I think it is time that you switched.
I live in Western MA, just installed a screen house, using PT and Spruce-Can I use Messmer's UV Plus for hardwood on both these surfaces? (Spruce base plate and studs) Both are kiln dried/heat treated material, so is it best to pre-clean/stain in a few months, or are they ready to go now?.
Paul, probably can prep now and stain but your wood types do not need the Messmers Hardwood stain. This stain is for exotic hardwoods such as IPE.
We live in the Seattle area and have a 900 sf tigerwood deck that was installed 3 years ago but we moved into the house 2 years ago. We learned that the previous owners used Biowash Natural Deck Oil previously. We have had it power-washed off. The power washer seems to have done a fairly good job of washing the dirt, moss and old stain off, however, after drying a couple days, the wood appears to have some white streaks in places throughout the deck. What are your recommendations for next steps? Do we still need to use a cleaner, stripper and/or brightener? We've also been considering using Ipe Oil or Messmers Natural UV Plus, after reading your reviews. Thanks in advance for your help and for this very informative and helpful site.
Clean and brighten the wood for the prep to make sure it is done correctly. Either of the stains will work but also consider the Armstrong Clark in the Amber color.
Hi- Do you know if their natural product will successfully prevent graying if I apply it yearly? Your testing was done on the red mahogany color, did you test the natural? I have a mahogany deck, in massachusetts, now 9 months old, sheen of gray. I am going to clean and brighten and I would like to apply a natural so as not to change the natural color, but am worried about graying. thanks!
Steve
Steve, the natural gives UV protection as well but it is tinted, not clear. It will enhance the wood grain as if wet with water.
We live in Canada and crazy as it may sound, had a 1000 sq. foot tigerwood deck installed in our back yard. We used a contractor inexperienced in hardwood decks and had a few nightmares with installation and particularly the first staining. However, this is the second year and my husband and I took on the staining job ourselves. We used Mesmers cleaner, brightener, and UV Plus Naural stain. The result of our efforts is BEAUTIFUL!!! I would highly recommend Mesmers products. There is a catch, though. As we learned observing contractors apply, strip, and reappy the stain last year, you must do it right. We were so paranoid, that we got down on our hands and knees and stained painstakingly with rags. We also tacked every single board 30 minutes after application. It was well worth the effort. We used less stain. It dried much faster. There are no tacky spots, and the deck looks amazing! It took the two of us 2 1/2 days to clean, brighten, stain and tack a 1000 sq ft deck. We think that's reasonable for the fabulous deck we enjoy for the whole summer! We have no reservations about having to do this every year. It is well worth it.
I have an ironwood deck that I used Sikkens on two years ago. I spent days on the deck prepping and staining. I followed the rep's directions to a tee but it only lasted 6 months.
The deck is now gray and I will be using the deck restore system for prep. The deck is 8 years old. Is their a driftwood stain available for hardwood decks that I can use, if not, what stain would be your pick. Cedarstones or Browns would be okay, just not any redtones.
My deck is south exposed with NO shade.
Thanks
Kirk, Messmers does not make a gray for their hardwood stain. I do not think any hardwood stains come in a gray color. Most are reds and browns. Might be best to get some samples online.
I agree. I will order some samples. Thank you for the advice
If the ironwood is the Brasillian stuff called Ipe, do not use Messmer's on it. We have used it on deck and vertical siding that is Ipe and it just washes off. Completely useless. After 6 months it looks like the deck has never been treated at all
Terence, nothing lasts long on IPE. All stains will need to be reapplied every year or even less if in full sun.
Teresa, We would strip and brighten to prep the deck, not sand. Never applied the Mahogany to Tigerwood. I am sure it would look nice but you may want to get a sample from the manufacturer to test.
Just used Red mahogany on our upper deck. Way to red for our taste. I am concerned that the natural would be too light on our lower deck. Could I mix the two colors gallon/gallon?
Stephanie, yes you can mix the two colors together.
Thanks so much for your help. We did a little experimenting today and came up with the perfect result for our deck.
We have a new Ipe deck and we plan to use Messmer's UV Plus for Hardwoods . Trying to decide between Natural (MH-500) and Red Mahogany (MH-505). I see the color swatches on Messmer's web site, but I was hoping you had photos of complete decks, one in each color? Thanks!
Guest,
Sorry but we do not have pictures of them both. I would look for some color samples and get some of those before buying.
We have a Garapa deck and had a difficult time deciding as well. We ordered the Red Mahogany and applied to our upper deck. I did not like the results. It was very red on our deck. A local supplier had one gallon of natural in stock. We mixed one cup of red mahogany with one cup of natural and again decided it was too red. Next we returned the two cups (one red and one natural) to the natural container. Too brown this time, so finally added another cup of red to the last mixture. Perfect result for us. At least it will be easy to duplicate. All we will need to do is add two cups of red mahogany to a gallon of natural. Hope this helps. Another thing we noticed is that the stain dried to a matte finish, so look at the dry result before you make a decision. Good Luck!
Scope, glad you found a mixture that worked!
We have an IPE deck that was stained by previous owners and no idea what they used on it. It was quie greyed and we decided we liked he Cabot's Austrailian Timber Oil in Jarah Brown. Painters we hired power washed and sanded let it dry but when they appplied the Timber Oil it must have gone on to thick as areas never dried and was tacky. They tried wiping it down with lacquer thinner which helped but created the newer problem of uneven stain look. They are going to redo the deck and we have decided that the first color choice was to dark and resulted in a very hot deck. What would you suggest for correcting the staining job and what type of clear coat or light toned in color stain would you reccommend?
Rae, you would need to use a stain stripper to remove the Cabot then stain with Armstrong Clark in the Mahogany color or Amber color. Might want to wait until Spring. It will be easier to remove the Cabot and your deck will look great for the entire season.
My boat dock is constructed of about 1000' of IPE…about 6 years old. I originally used Cabot Red Mahogany Australian Oil. Beautiful color but stuff lasted less than 3-4 month. I have power washed much of it off with a couple of stubborn spots left. What should I use to remove the remaining Cabot? Chemical or sandpaper? What stain should I use? How many gallons? Thanks!
Billy H, IPE will need re-coating annually or sooner. I would use a stripper such to remove the rest then brighten the wood. As for stain, I would look at the Armstrong Clark in the Mahogany color as it holds color extremely well for IPE.
We have used Benjamin Moores Moore Guard natural stain on our house for years but it is getting harder to get and it is not holding the way I think it should. The problem is it is not very compatible with most other stains to cover over. What suggestions would you have for our house. We have tongue and grooved cedar siding.
RJ, you would need to remove the BM first before switching for maximum results. Once off then you can use any brand.
Thanks for all the help you provide!
Installing an IPE deck now, 5 1/2 wider boards with the hidden clips. The builder has shown several pictures of IPE decks they have put in and had someone come in and stain (I am responsible for staining and might do it myself). He seems to like Sikkens and almost all of the deck colors are a dark mahogony color. I really prefer the reddish-brown color, and I have read not-so-good reviews of Sikkens. About half of the deck will be covered, half getting a fair amount of sun. Does the Messers red mahogany give that reddish-brown color that are seen in a lot of the IPE deck photos online? The slightly lighter reddish color appeals much more to what I want.
Thanks!
Terry
Terry, I would say that the Red Mahogany is a medium red color. I would also strongly suggest the Armstrong Clark Stain in their Mahogany color.
Wow! What an awesome site! Thanks for a lot of great info. Just moved into a new home, with a wrap-around mahogany front porch (500+ sf), it's mostly covered, but some areas do get afternoon sun. Previous owners stained and then put -GASP- VARNISH on top! It's peeling and flaking everywhere. I have been painstakingly stripping off the varnish and stain and sanding the wood (by hand with a progression of 60-80-100-120 grit) in prep for a new stain that is more appropriate for the type of wood. I really love the Mahogany Flame color of Cabots ATO, but have heard lots of negative about it, and the good stuff (aka 3400 series) I cannot get in NJ. Sales guy recommended Messmers UV Plus for hardwood in Red Mahogany. My main concerns are 1. Water-resistance 2. Graying 3. Wear and Tear and of course 4. a pretty color. What are your thoughts? do you have any recommendations? Thanks very much!
Melissa, first off I would not sand more the 60-80 grit. Over sanding can prevent the stain for absorbing well. I would highly suggest the Armstrong Clark Stain in the Mahogany color for your deck.
Thanks for getting back to me! Sanding to only 60-80 is a lot less work! Why did you recommend the Armstrong over the Messmers? (Solids content? Oil type? etc?). Also, as I mentioned I need to strip stain and varnish, any recommendations on a stripper that won't damage the mahogany? I've tested a few caustic strippers in small areas, came out great, but it's messy and burns if you get it on you. It doesn't appear to do any damage, but regardless I was looking at a stripper called Smart Strip, it's biodegradable and doesn't alter the pH of the wood. Any suggestions on wood strippers?
Melissa, I suggested the Armstrong as the Mahogany color closely resembles the Mahogany Flame in Cabot and lasts much longer as well. I would use the Restore-A-Deck Stripper but it is caustic. Never heard of the Smart Strip. Not sure if it will work.
We have a Tigerwood deck on a home in the mid-west with all day west sun exposure. Deck looks great right after initial application, but starts to grey after 6 months or so. Have always use Messers UV Plus. Considering something different this time…any suggestions?
Kim, the exotic hardwood stain that seems to hold the color the longest is the Armstrong Clark Stain in the Mahogany color.
I have used this product on my mahogany deck for over 12 years and have had great results. I live close to the ocean so the deck gets its fair share of abuse.
Alex H, Thanks for your input!
We are looking for a semi-transparent stain for an 8 year old Ipe deck. We have tried a number of the hardwood-specific products (Superdeck, Penofin) but they are too transparent for our current needs, which include trying to blend the old decking with some new pieces that were installed as repairs when we changed railings. The only semi-transparent stain that I can find specific for IPE is Wolman's EHT, but it is hard to find ratings and feedback on this product. Do you have experience with this product and/or any alternatives that are available in a dark finish?
Sarah, We have tried the EHT but have not rated it. It seems to be an okay product. What do you mean by dark? You want a dark brown or a deck red?
Why isn't Messmers listed in your top stain ratings? I liked tour site and found it very interesting and helpful! I'm a contractor in New York area.
Messmers is rated one of the top stains for hardwood decks such as IPE or Mahogany. This is a specialty stain and is not used for woods such as PTP or cedar.
Not worth 6 months of a Pacific Northwest winter. Grayed up in 5 months. I applied in a heated shop in November and installed first week of December. By April all exposed to rain was washed away.
Thomas, what type of wood did you apply it to? Did you prep it first? New wood should not be stained without proper cleaning and brightening.