Olympic Maximum Stain Review: Sealant in One (2026)
Hi, I’m Scott Paul, a licensed exterior restoration contractor with over 30 years of experience and 10,000+ deck restorations. This review of Olympic Maximum Stain + Sealant in One is based on my own hands-on field testing, not manufacturer claims. See my full credentials and testing stats here.
Note for 2026: this review covers the current Olympic Maximum Stain + Sealant in One, the water-based formula sold today at Lowe’s and Home Depot. Olympic switched Maximum from oil-based to water-based in recent years, and performance dropped as a result. If you’re trying to track down the older oil-based version, see our Olympic Maximum oil-based stain review for how it compares.
- Water-based formula, sold today at Lowe's and Home Depot for $38–$48/gallon
- Scored 6.75/10 in our 2-year field test — noticeably weaker than the discontinued oil-based version (7.38/10)
- Best on vertical surfaces like fences and siding; wears faster on deck floors
- For better deck-floor durability, Armstrong Clark (8.5/10) or Cabot (7.19/10) are stronger picks
Table of Contents
- Olympic Maximum Stain Rating (1–10)
- How Olympic Maximum Stain Compares
- Olympic Maximum Stain FAQ
- Product Information
- Test Deck Stats
- Photos
- Video
OLYMPIC MAXIMUM Deck, Fence & Siding Semi-Transparent Stain provides a subtle color that allows wood’s natural grain and texture to show through. Core-shell hybrid resin technology is built to provide stain penetration, waterproofing, and UV defense to strengthen, protect, and condition wood fibers.
Recommended for use on properly prepared exterior wood, including decks, fences, siding, railings, outdoor furniture, and other wood surfaces.
Note: Olympic Elite Stain is the same stain, just under a different label for different stores.
Olympic Maximum Stain Rating (1–10)
Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 6
Olympic Maximum Stain + Sealant in One is a water-based acrylic-oil hybrid, meaning it’s a waterborne, film-forming stain that doesn’t penetrate deeply into the wood. The Cedar Naturaltone color on our test deck came out a mild orange. We applied it evenly, but the final look was uneven, since some of the stain dried into the wood and some sat on the surface.
Preventing UV Graying at 2-Year Mark: 8
After two years, the water-based Olympic Maximum did a fairly decent job, with only about 30% fading.
Wear/Tear and Peeling: 5
This stain had worn about 50% on the surface and handrails after two years — not a strong showing for a deck floor.
Cost Per Square Foot: 6
We used 10 gallons to cover an 800-square-foot deck and railings, at a cost of about $.53 a foot. Coverage per gallon came in closer to 150 square feet, below the manufacturer’s stated range.
Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 9
Olympic Maximum Stain + Sealant is a water-based stain that did an excellent job preventing mold and algae growth, which is typical of most water-based formulas.
Ease of Application: 6
Average to apply. We applied one thin coat as the manufacturer suggests. Coverage was poor and not close to the labeled specs, and application with a stain pad caused some overlapping.
Color Shifting (Darkening) After 2 Years: 8
OLYMPIC® MAXIMUM lightens in color instead of darkening over time.
Difficulty of Reapplication: 6
Since the stain had worn unevenly, we needed to strip off the rest and start over. This proved slightly difficult, but the old stain did remove after a couple of attempts with a stain remover.
Overall Score: 6.75/10
Olympic Maximum has transitioned from oil-based to water-based formulas in recent years, and unfortunately, performance has declined as a result. Like many brands that have made this shift, the water-based version doesn’t hold up as well on a deck floor. It performs better on vertical surfaces like fences and siding, where wear and foot traffic aren’t a factor.
Important Note on Warranty Claims: OLYMPIC® MAXIMUM advertises a 6-year warranty for decks and longer for other exterior wood surfaces. Warranties promising 5, 6, or even 7 years of performance are often marketing tactics and not reflective of real-world results. Do not rely on these exaggerated claims — they rarely align with actual product performance.
Olympic Deck Stain Photos
My Best Deck Stains 2026 Video – DeckStainHelp.com
How Olympic Maximum Stain Compares
| Stain | Type | DSH Rating | Coverage/Gallon | Cost/Gallon | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Maximum (Water-Based) | Water-based, film-forming | 6.75/10 | ~150 sq ft | $38–$48 | Lowe’s, Home Depot |
| Cabot Australian Timber Oil | Oil-based | 7.19/10 | ~200 sq ft | ~$45–$50 | Available |
| Armstrong Clark | Oil-based, penetrating | 8.5/10 | 150–200 sq ft (300+ on hardwood) | $72.95–$83.95 | Available |
Olympic Maximum Stain FAQ
Is Olympic Maximum stain oil-based or water-based?
Today’s Olympic Maximum Stain + Sealant in One is water-based, a switch PPG made from the older oil-based formula. It’s a film-forming acrylic-oil hybrid rather than a deep-penetrating stain. In our testing it scored 6.75/10, noticeably lower than the discontinued oil-based version’s 7.38/10, with more peeling on deck floors.
How does Olympic Maximum stain compare to Cabot?
Olympic Maximum scored 6.75/10 in our two-year test versus 7.19/10 for Cabot’s Australian Timber Oil. Cabot held up better against wear and peeling on deck floors, while Olympic Maximum resisted mold and mildew better, scoring 9/10 there. Neither matches the durability of a professional-grade penetrating oil like Armstrong Clark.
How does Olympic Maximum stain compare to Armstrong Clark?
Armstrong Clark scored 8.5/10 in our testing, well ahead of Olympic Maximum’s 6.75/10. Armstrong Clark penetrates the wood instead of forming a surface film, which means better wear resistance and less peeling over time. Olympic Maximum is easier to find at big-box stores, but Armstrong Clark is the stronger performer for a deck floor.
How much does Olympic Maximum stain cover per gallon?
The label claims 150 to 250 square feet per gallon, but our field test came in closer to 150 square feet per gallon on a 600-square-foot pine deck. Budget for the lower end of that range, especially on rougher or more weathered wood, which absorbs more stain per coat than smooth, newer lumber.
How long does Olympic Maximum stain take to dry?
Olympic Maximum Stain + Sealant in One has a labeled dry time of about 24 hours before recoating or heavy use. That’s longer than many water-based competitors. Keep pets, foot traffic, and furniture off the surface for the full 24 hours, and allow extra time in cooler or more humid conditions.
Can Olympic Maximum stain be used on pressure-treated wood?
Yes, Olympic Maximum is labeled for use on pressure-treated wood, along with cedar, redwood, and other exterior lumber. Our test deck was pine and took the stain evenly. For pressure-treated decks specifically, we’ve found penetrating oils like Armstrong Clark hold up longer than film-forming water-based stains like this one.
Product Information
Where To Buy: Lowe’s and Home Depot
Cost: $38–$48 per Gallon, about $42–$44 per Gallon in the 5-Gallon Pail
Stain Type: Semi-Transparent Acrylic Water-Based
Available Colors: Transparent Natural, Transparent Cedar, Clove Brown, Slate Gray
Application Temperature: 45–95°F
Coats Required: 1 Coat
Coverage Per Gallon: 150–250 sq. ft.
Application Tools: Sprayer, Pad, Brush, Roller — back-brush as needed
Dry Time: 24 Hours
Cleanup: Soapy Water
VOC Compliant: 250 Compliant in All 50 States
Manufacturer: PPG
Test Deck Stats
Deck Wood Type: Pine Deck
Deck Square Footage: 600
UV Exposure: Full Sun
How Many Years Tested: 2 Years
Stain Color Used: Cedar Naturaltone
*All products tested and results are from our experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Consider that results may differ due to different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, and natural weathering.
Olympic used to make good stains, but not any more. – In fact, this paint is so bad that you have to wonder whether they did it deliberately on the idea that it just isn’t worth it for the average home-owner to sue them for a couple of thousand dollars worth of wasted time and money. This paint lasts less than a year in the Northwest no matter where you put it. – Sun? Fail! Shade? Fail! Covered area? Fail! Dry area? Fail! Wet area? Fail even more!
I am being serious when I say there is a strong possibility that this was a conscious business decision to defraud buyers into buying one season paint as the paint was being heavily pushed by the reps until quite recently. They even told distributors that the old stains (which actually used to be quite good) were being phased out, – they weren’t, as all the professional builders I know hated the new line,- they cared about the quality of their product whereas Olympic obviously does not.
If you are considering buying this paint you may be better off just taking a few hundred dollar bills and burning them. – You will come out further ahead as you won’t have wasted all that time putting down one of the world’s worst paint products!
This product is complete junk. Do not purchase it! I bought 3 gals of Olympic Maximum Semi-Transparent Stain 716 Cedar Natural-Tone 79561C on Apr 8th 2022 at a cost of 3x$67.99 CAD plus tax. I cleaned all the surfaces and applied as per directions. It took a lot of back-breaking work and I am over 75yrs old. The product states a guaranteed 6 year life on decks. By the fall the stain/sealant was already starting to fade and peel off all the horizontal surfaces. By the spring of 2023 almost all the stain/sealant was gone. I took a picture of the horrible mess and contacted the company ‘PPG’ for a refund. They still have not acknowledged or responded.
Very disappointed with this product! Our deck is a mess! Waste of $$ and our time. Cannot recommend this product. Pictures of deck after one Canadian winter. Can’t attach photo..probably a good thing…. file too big.
Can I get a refund from Olympic or PPG?
Contact them directly for assistance.
Stain has a white look in places, which tells me it did not penetrate the wood evenly. Its a mess and its only 6 months old. I’m so disappointed and we paid 1800 to have this crap applied.
Picked up three gallons of Olympic Maximum recently at Home Depot for $4 a gallon (90 percent off.) The Can looks the same as pictured newer formula but the fine print lists a higher VOC (VOC <600 instead of <100) than what they still sell for full price. Cleanup says mineral spirits. I am looking for a cheap move to an oil-based stain rather than continuing to use Thompson’s water seal every year.
I’m ok with what was reported on the performance of the older version of Olympic linked at the top of this article…the new formula gives me pause. Would it be safe to say I purchased the OK performing older oil formula?
No, that was many years ago.
How many years ago? So which version does your review cover? The higher VOC, apparently water based (with mineral spirit cleanup) that I bought or the newer, even lower VOC version with soap cleanup?
It’s all very confusing.
More than 4-5 years.
Can the Olympic Stain and Sealant be use if you have pets! Is it pet friendly
It should be once fully dried and cured.
I have a half gallon left of Olympic Maximum stain and sealer in one. How many years can it be kept in the can? Would like to use it again eventually.
It will go bad in under 12 months if opened.
What is the difference between Olympic Maximum cedar semi transparent stain and sealer and Olympic WaterGuard cedar semi transparent stain snd sealer ?
Not much as they are both inferior products sold at Home Depot.
Can I use the oil based stain over top of the maximum line win it is time to restrain?
No. You have to remove it fully no matter what when you switch brands. Does not matter the base.
I bought the Maximum Stain + Sealant in One with a 10 year warranty on decks, 25 years on fences/siding. Even had the Good Housekeeping seal of approval. It was easy to apply and looked great after application. Applied in 2017 and started peeling 2 years later. Now at the 4 year mark, the peeling is terrible and the wood is getting wet and mildewing. I would not recommend this product at all. Unless you like having it removing the old paint and repainting every 2 years. I saw they reduced the warranty on this product – smart move on Olympics part. Run as far away from this product as possible!
Recent stained fence what can I put on it to make it semi shiny shiny
You cannot use a shiny coating outside. It will peel.
Do you also review oil based stains for redwood siding or do you just review decks.
I am trying to match olympic redwood stain for redwood shingles and want oil base.
See here: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews-2020/
You can use a wood or deck stain on exterior siding.
What is the best thing to use to thin the stain+sealant?
You cannot thin it.
We used this on our deck when it was new in 2012. I reapplied three years later, and then again two days ago. It’s warm and sunny, but it’s still oily and and not drying. I don’t know what the deal is, but my husband started trying to soak up the excess with towels and it looks terrible.
This is the worst deck stain I ever used. I stained a new deck that was installed 9 months ago. The stain goes on unevenly. Used 2 gallons for 384 sq ft and couldn’t complete the deck. The color is so uneven I now have to completely redo it with a solid stain. Which will be from another company. Will never use Olympic again.
We bought this can of stain for our deck/fence 3 years ago. Is it the same now? We cleaned the flat surface of the deck and planned to just stain that portion again. We do not want to have to do the rails and side boards. Just wondering if it will match?!
If you can find the same can and color then you should be okay.
Can you use Olympic maximum stain and sealant on an indoor floor
No.
I’ve used the TWP 100 Cedartone color for probably 6-9 years. I typically get two years out of it after each application for my 18 year cedar old deck in Minnesota that is in full sun. I was wanting to switch to something less orange. If I were to switch to the Pecan color in the same stain line or Dark Oak, can I just power wash it and use the cleaner and wood brightener on it or do I need to strip the old stain before the slight color adjustment? The latter two photos were from two years ago when I did it last time. thanks!
Strip and brighten for prep is the best way.
I used the Olympic redwood stain on my very large deck. Took me all summer season to finish the deck and fence around my pool inside and out.
After one winter this stain has peeled and looks terrible.
All summer wasted and over $3000 stain and labor down the drain.
Contractor here. I have a deck that was stained 4 years ago with Olympic Maximum Oil based Water Proofing Sealer-Honey Gold. Will this new Olympic Maximum Stain + Sealant in One is a water based acrylic oil hybrid go over the previous stain? Or do I need to strip the entire deck and start again. Or can I go with another Oil base stain and go over it after it is washed? Thank you.
I was a Solid Color-Honey Gold.
You will need to strip and then brighten the wood. It doesn’t matter if using water or oil-based, you still need to strip it down.
Thank you.
Is there any stain type that you can wash and prep to have a stain re-applied without stripping the entire thing (with previous stain)?
I was lead to believe that you could do that. Appreciate the help.
You can clean and recoat when using the same exact same brand/type/color of stain. See these: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
I installed a new deck in 2017 and had it stained with this product as it came highly rated at the time. 2 years later it has lost all water proofing. In northern exposed areas it is growing algae and mildew like crazy. In southern exposed areas it has worn away from the wood. In all areas, it is no longer repelling water. Definitely not a long term solution & will not use again!
We do not like it either but to be fair, nothing lasts more than 1-2 years on new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
It’s best to let the new wood sit for at least one season before putting on a stain. I even recommended to lightly sand the wood to get the millings off from the lumber mill. It helps the Stain to adhere better and rough up the wood slightly for better absorption. A lot of people make the mistake of putting stain on way too early. Take a little bit of water and put it on the wood if it doesn’t soak in right away it’s not ready yes usually new wood the first coat usually doesn’t last long. These steps will help make it last longer,
I know from experience.
A very disappointing product
We used Olympic Elite Advanced Semi-Transparent Stain and Sealer on a very nice redwood deck in Oct. 2017. PPG shows a “Lifetime Results Guarantee” right on the can. The price was much higher than any stain we’ve used before. It required nearly 4 times as much stain. It wore off in less than a year (less expensive stains lasted 3 times longer), and in less than 2 years our redwood deck went from a really nice deck to several boards rotting. We are waiting to hear PPG’s response. Even if they do refund our money, it doesn’t account for the damage done by their deceptive advertising claims and incredibly inferior product. I’m convinced our deck would be in much better shape if we wouldn’t have used anything at all versus this stuff. How can PPG get away with this? They are advertising a lifetime warranty and guaranteeing this is their best “Elite” product when they surely must know their cheaper 3 and 4 year products last far longer than this one, cost far less, and actually protect wood instead of ruining it.
The deck was scrubbed and prepared very well with Olympic deck cleaner. All instructions on all the Olympic products were followed. The deck was in exceptional shape before application. The product didn’t even last a year and water was soaking right in. At less than two years, several boards are rotting and splitting and need replacing. Redwood decks are tough and rated for 30 years. Ours isn’t even half that old. Several of our exposed boards went from perfect to poor in less than two years after using this product. The stain went on like water and required over 4 times more stain than we ever used before. It seemed to soak past the top layer of the wood, then wore off the surface within a few months. So because of this product, I think water soaks through the top layer very quickly, then sits just under the wood surface and rots the boards faster.
On top of all this, their customer service was really poor. A Lowe’s representative called PPG with me. They were disconnected 3 times. Then they said they would email me a complaint form to fill out and didn’t. After 2 hours, I called back and they acted like it was my fault. Finally, I received the email and they asked every question under the sun about how I prepped it, how I applied it, deck condition, sq. ft., and more. I was very thorough in my response and I asked for a manager to call me. No reply or call yet.
See attached pictures. I have many more before and after photos.
Please tell me what happened. I am experiencing the same thing. Mine is treated pine. I have had several decks and always used Thompson Water Sealer. So disgusted in myself for swaying to Olympic Elite. My boards are rotting daily. What I found on the internet specifically consumer reports is there product doesn’t allow the normal contracting and expansion therefore causing cracking which the water gets into rotting the boards out. The underside of my deck and the frame it is sitting on is in great shape. They have given so many excuses. It is over $1000 in just the wood alone. They offered to reimburse for the product WOW!
If it was already stained with Olympic maximum A year ago. Do I still have to remove that stain from last year even though I’m applying Olympic maximum again?
No, not if same stain and color. Just clean.
I just did a test patch on a red gum eucalyptus stump that was cut down about 2 weeks ago. I sanded the surface, cleaned and applied a thin coat. It has the appearance of a yellow pine, not the natural red color of the stump. I am waiting 24 hours for dry time, but hope this is not the final color. Is this normal?
Most likely, yes.
I used the Olympic Maximum acrylic/oil stain back in 2012 on a cedar railing. I recently sanded the railing down mostly to bare wood, but not completely as sanding close to other rail material was hard to get it to bare wood so there’s some spots on the vertical 4x4s where it’s not completely bare wood . What brand/type of stain would you recommend to re-coat? Do I still need to use a stripper or a brightener? I live in NJ.
Thanks!
You will have to remove all if switching brands of stain. Feel free to post a picture for help with this.
As a follow up to my previous question, here’s a few pictures. Ideas on further prep and a compatible stain to recoat?
And thanks so much for your advice.
You will need to strip all of this off if you would like to switch brands of stain. Brightener after.
What are the ingredients in this? I want to thin it as it’s settleing and becoming darker than I wantef
Not sure. Most stains cannot be thinned.
What are the ingredients in the stain?
I recently used restore a deck stripper and brightner to remove most of my old Behr transparent deck plus stain. I’m in the process of sanding the boards,but I’m not going to be able to remove the od stain off the handrails and such. I’d love to use a semi-transparent oil based stain, but I don’t think this is an option based on what I’ve read here. Can you confirm? Also, is Olympic Maximum considered an oil based or water based stain? My deck sees a lot of sunlight and use.
Are you using the RAD stripper additives: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-booster-thickening-gel-review/
That should help. Olympic makes both oil and water based versions.
They must have changed their formula. Canyon Brown two years ago does not even come close to the stain now. Impossible to match – project looks horrible. I will never buy olympic brand again. Horrible and pissed for almost $400 worth of stain.
I have the same problem with the color teak.
The colors dont dry close to anything they picture! I’m so upset with the results! I will never recommend this product…quite the opposite!
I applied a single coat yesterday of olympic maximum 10 yr stain an sealer in one, but did not have time to apply a second coat. Is it too late for a second coat. This is siding rails for a utility trailer.
Not sure as we do not use this product due to poor results. Best to ask them directly.
Can you use deck stain after it’s been frozen
Probably not.
I have used this on my deck since it was built in 2012 and it does an amazing job. My deck faces the north. It is amazing! I put it on with a roller and a brush. I do it when it is overcast and breezy and comfortable for working early in the fall. The directions say it dries in 24 hours. That is correct. It is sticky until it is fully dried. When it is fully dried and when the rain does come, the rain puddles on the deck and does not soak in. I will buy no other product. It has kept my deck looking beautiful. I use the Honey Gold color.
I used Olympic elite semi-transparent stain on a newly constructed deck. (2 coats) and it is very slippery when wet! Any suggestions?
There is not a way to stop it from being slippery outside of removing all and starting over.
I have used olympic stain on my new cedar deck 1st application. Just did my 4th redo after 12 years..i have had and do have 2 100 plus pound boxers that are hell on 90 degree corner steps..
Think 1st application was oil base and 2 – 4 th application water based as cant find original. Quality has gone downhill and this crap about 6 yr warranty is b.s.
I’ve painted our decks three times now since they were new in 2013 and all three times I’ve used the same Olympic Maximum Solid Stain Ten Year product that claims to have superior waterproofing, but the water still just soaks in and there’s no beading whatsoever. Now I’m in search of a new brand and trying to research online.
Applied on deck in Salem Oregon . Still feels sticky to walk on after 48 hours now what
Penetrating acrylic/oil formula
Try the Restore A Deck Stripper to remove as much as possible. Sand if needed to remove the rest. Brightener after to neutralize.
What stripper should I use to remove olympic maximum stain and sealant.
Please post a picture of the current condition and did you use the oil or water-based version?
Carolyn
We prepared our deck properly according to a Rep. from Olympic Summit Advanced Stain + Sealant.
Our contractor power washed our deck, drying for over 48 hrs. and sanded the entire floor.
Two coats of Olympic Summit Advanced Stain + Sealant were applied to Rails, Vertical Privacy Fence and Floor of Deck. The Following year the areas that were in full sun and not covered by a table, a swing, outdoor pots, barbecue, the stain was wearing off. We spent over $600 for this Olympic Summit Advanced Stain + Sealant and over $800 to a contractor. We had bought this stain in good faith after speaking with a sales clerk where we purchased this stain and Olympic Warranteed This Stain for 5-6 years.
I contacted Company in Quebec and after sending them many pictures showing the areas of the Stain wearing off, they had the nerve to say there were brown areas and they would not honor their Warranty.
I explained that I wet the deck so that the pictures would show the areas of wearing off and I asked to speak with an expert supervisor. The supervisor and the other man called me on the phone and they were questioning everything we did to prepare our deck; the supervisor was comparing our deck to a bottle of milk left out of the refrigerator for a long period. I sent them more pictures to show that other parts of our deck were fine and only because there was no constant sun on these particular areas; the fact that the stain was still intact demonstrates the deck was prepared correctly, before applying the Stain + Sealant.
This man and woman from Quebec still refused to honor Olympic Summit Advanced Stain + Sealant Warranty!
What stain do you reccomend for staining acomposite deck
Sorry, but we have not stained a composite deck in 10+ years.
Can Olympic stain-sealant be used over texture 111 siding that was previously stained with Olympic oil stain?
No, it cannot.
Stained our deck last summer with this product…wow it is EXTREMELY slippery!!! my two small dogs go skidding across the deck at the first sign of rain..and dont even ask me how it is in the winter!°.We have had to place carpet runners on the deck so no-one slips and falls…we plan to sand this stain completely off the deck this spring. Very unsafe. i am terrified to walk on it.
Did Olympic do anything to reimburse you or recommend a solution to the problem. I’m going out to buy “Sharkgrip” from Sherman Williams, add it to the rest of the paint and apply another coat. Maybe they should have suggested this before customer kill themselves or maybe someone will really get hurt and sue the company.
Wondering if the Sharkgrip worked? Wish I would have read this our deck is so slippery and our old dog can’t even walk on it!
Excellent ease of application to new and old fence panels.
Absolutely the best that I have tried!
Clean Up is easier with a couple of squirts of old fashioned Windex directly to the brush, let it sit for 60 seconds, rinse.
Product has gone downhill significantly in recent years. Very poor appearance and wear. Would not recommend.
Okay to use this product on flooring for dog kennel….cannot find any facts on his directly?
Doubt it will work but call them and ask to make certain.
Can it be used indoors? I want to touch up the door trim. thanks
I do not think so but best to ask them.
How long should Iwait after power washing deck?
Wait to do what? Stain? 48 hours.
How do you strip this her Renda’s product off of a deck? Is it going to be a sanding deal or do any strippers work? I’ve tried the stripper from Home Depot and Lowe’s at this point and neither have really done any more than what could be accomplished by a bunch of elbow grease. Thanks!
You will most likley have to sand it all off.
I had resigned myself to such a reality….sorry you had to agree! Thanks!
I applied this solid paint stain thing to my deck. It held out about as well as water. Unfortunately, in the areas it actually did take, stripping it is impossible. What stripper do you recommend to get this off my deck so I can put an actual sealant on it? Or am I destined to hand sanded the entire bloody deck? I tried a stripper from Home Depot and Lowe’s. Neither did a single thing to this coating.
I purchased Olympic Maximum 6 year stain , natural tone, for my fence, and was told I could use a sprayer, bought a garden sprayer, tested with water first , got the fan I was looking for, when I put the stain in, the water shot first with what was in the hose, then stain , it would only go in a stream. What do I need to do. I have almost 300 feet of fence to stain. I used the 4 year product when I built the fence and had no problems spraying.
You could use an airless sprayer for this.
I apparently put on too many layers of Olympic Maximum on my deck did three instead of two still tacky after three days what should I do
Leave alone and hopefully it cures in a week or less. If it does not, you may need to strip and remove.
I purchased a 5 gallon pail of “White + Base 1” of the Olympic Maximum, water based stain and sealer. How can I color/tint it to be “Chestnut” colored? The pail says it is tintable.
I do not think it is tintable. Best to ask Olympic.
We bought a Log home 11 years ago and used Olympic cedar toner on it and loved the look. Our problem was the only dealer of it was 70 miles away so we eventually switched to Sherwin. Now our local Fleet Farm started carrying Olympic so this spring we purchased 10 gallons for the house exterior. We opened the first can and it was very cloudy like some solid stain had been mixed in with the Toner.. Much to our demise after opening several cans we came to the conclusion that Olympic has changed there recipe which after testing in a couple inconspicuous spots gives the logs an ugly satiny cloudy look not the clear stain it used to be. Now we have ten gallons of fence stain and are going back to the more expensive competitor.
I have used this product for three years and have had terrible results. Each spring there is a bit of peeling when it starts to warm up and within a month most of the floor of the deck has major peeling with bare wood showing. Each year I have stripped and cleaned the deck, applying a new coat as instructed by Lowes staff and on the can . I have only stuck with the product because I don’t want to strip the vertical surfaces to apply something different.
I do not recommend this stain for the deck.
I completely agree with the above post. I have spent probably close to $200 reapplying the stuff every year since I put it on. I am currently attempting to strip as much of it off as possible so I can apply a real stain. The ease of strip is equivalent to the quality of the product…..impossible.
Purchased the transparent olympic maximum sealant from lowes. Applied on my deck with a roller as directed. The first half of the deck came out just fine, the other have has a yellow or mustard toner to it. What do I do now??? Very dissatisfied !!
Do not waste your time or money on this product. Prepped and applied according to instructions and didn’t even last 6 seasons. It is peeling way. I have a very big fence so it took 20 gallons and 55+ hours of my time. Project will have to be re-done within the year 🙁
To what type of substrate did you apply the product? Pressure treated wood, etc?
Good product, went on easily and cleanup,was quick.
Properly seasoned PT pine wood cleaned and prepared. Applied as directed. Less than one season showed severe wear and tear. 1year and looks horrible. Luckily PPG Refunded all of my investment. NEVER AGAIN.
1- How long can I wait between first coat and second coating. there are several areas that do not look completely covered and need touched up
We would suggest following their directions on this. It should be on the can.
Pls HELP! We live in ME & aged our deck & 2 sets of stairs appropriately (18months.) It is pressure treated pine which we used Olympic Premium Deck cleaner on along with sanding down any rough areas prior to staining with Olympic Elite Chestnut a week ago. One set of stairs came out fine; the deck however is a mess. We finished the deck boards last Sat & had no rain until Thur night. It wasn't until it really started to dry that the stain starting peeling off everywhere. This was seen from the house & then when we went out to actually inspect it in bare feet; areas that showed no signs of peeling & were dry but the stain came off & stuck to the bottoms of our feet. We followed every instruction given to us on their site, the products themselves & made sure to check w/Lowes also. What do we do? TY!!
You have to remove and start over. Sanding is likely the only way to remove fully.
Help!!!! We use the Olympic elite on ore deck. So so slippery can't even ask on it help
You have to remove it all to fix. Sanding it all off will most likely be needed.
it there a stain that won't be slippery? can't believe we are the only people that have this issue?
Penetrating stains are not slippery. TWP, Defy, etc.
Why do people buy the deck stain just to have to remove it. Im getting ready to stain my deck. And if the product isnt what they say it is im going to be one upset customer. Seems like false advertisement.
Many brands are filming stains (dry on top of the wood), not penetrating stains. When filming stains fail you may have to remove them when redoing.
That is why we suggest penetrating coats. See here for more info: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
re staining deck 3 years later..
I have a HUGE problem here. Picked up some stain for a friend to apply at my house. When I came back I now have what looks like paint all over my nice wood. How could a semi be this paint like? I am assuming some sort of packaging / labeling error. Here are some photos. This is crazy. Where on this pail can I pull codes so you can look into this. Purchased some lowes, I assume there are others on the shelf also wrong and or already purchased. And if was noticed, they should have been pulled.
What can I do now???
You will need to sand it off to fix. 🙁
I bought two 5 gallons of redwood and one was as dark as the canyon brown, Olympic said they would refund my money for the 5 gallons but nothing to fix it..pretty crappy
so think sprayer wouldn't spray. comes out like molassas. No information for thinning
Easy to apply, looked great for Spring, Summer and Fall but did not survive a mild NJ winter. It chipped and peeled . Areas under the furniture were fine but so disappointed that exposed areas to the elements did not fair well! After all,that work, prepping and cleaning the deck as per instructions, we will have to do it again this year!!! So much for the three year warranty!!! I wish I had saved all my receipts for a refund!!!
I have just stained my front porch and the color is very uneven. Some places are black and some areas look really good you can see the wood grain! Wood was cleaned very well before stain was applied! !! It's still feels sticky when you walk on it!! HELP
You will need to remove and start over. Not sure what caused this, but the only way to fix is to remove it.
I stained my back porch this past weekend and it still feels sticky when you walk on it too. Did yours ever get better or did you have to remove it?
Just applied this to my handicap ramp/deck today.
Very pleased with the ease of application the color of the stain. I will have to report back at a later time as to how it stands up after a year and two years.
Anyone live in Hawaii that has any reviews or insight on Olympia Rescue it (moderate) Deck Paint. Seems like there are a lot of horror stories regarding this deck rescue product, but maybe it does not do well in the extreme weather changes of snow, rain and heat. Does anyone know first hand if this product fairs well in Hawaii's climate of sunny and rain. Pls advise on the GOOD or BAD stories. Mahalo.
I used Olympic Maximum Semi Transparent Cedartone on our 600-700 sq. ft. PT deck 2 years ago. This is a good time to submit a review as I've had some experience with it and done tons of research on this (excellent) website. While I no longer see this product in my local Lowes (it appears they are now calling their product "Elite"), I do see it still for sale online. So, I want to let others know about my experience before they consider this product. Hopefully the Elite will do better.
For the most part, it applied with little problems. I used a pad for the deck boards and brush for other sections. Despite my best efforts, the stain pad did leave several overlapping marks that were impossible to mask. Pretty frustrating. Like others who have posted, I was not happy with the color (more "orangey" than shown on the sample at Lowes). But the worst part was the peeling. If I recall correctly it started peeling in parts within 6-9 months. Now it's possible that I didn't prep it perfectly (I used Olympic Deck Cleaner with a pressure washer and let it dry for a few days). It did not require any stripping as outside of a clear protectant a year earlier (soon after it was built), I had not stained it. I did not bother using a brightener either.
I put up with the peeling for another year and a half and finally began considering stripping and starting over. By this point, it had peeled in several other spots and I started seeing some cracking in the deck boards. Not sure if this is b/c the stain had not done it's job or not. It does get a good amount of sun. I visited Lowes and they confirmed that the product had not performed so well. I filed a warranty claim with Olympic and sent them pictures of the peeling. They refunded me my $ for the 2 gallons I had bought. Too bad they can't refund the time I spent!
I recently began stripping and brightening the deck (Restore a Deck products). For the most part, the stain came off (pressure washer). However, there are still some areas where I'm going to have to sand. Will be using something better this time around (Defy Extreme…prefer the water base). I would say if you have a small deck, small budget, prep it properly, and don't mind possibly redoing it in a year or two, go for this product or their Elite. However, I suggest spending a little more $ and going with something better from this site (TWP, Defy, etc.).
People on here saying no deck finish last a few years. That was wrong of the previous made oil based Olympic Deck treatment. The water based I just used doesn't seem to be as good, but clean up sure is easier. The oil based formula would put a protectant barrier on the wood that would protect it for a very long time. The new stuff, I don't see it happening, to thin~!
that Olympic maximum stain is garbage
I applied 15 gallons of Olympic Maximum stain and sealer to a 5 month old fence that I had cleaned and looked new. The first two weeks it was exactly what I expected. Great sealing but the golden color has faded and now most of the fence has turned grey and dull. It has great water repellent properties but the fence looks bad. I followed all the directions of prepping the fence and application. I am very disappointed with this color change. Close to my house they used the same product on the same type of fence and I looks outstanding, that is why I went and applied the product on mine. The only way to fix this would be to have a solid color applied over the sealer. I wanted to see the grain in the wood. Not happy
Six year warranty, I don't think so. Pealing and flaking less than one year later. Deck prepared prior to application.
Same issue last year and received free replacement, same product. Applied again and same issue. Don't use this product.
Thank you so much for posting this information about this brand of deck stain. I just bought a gallon of Olympic Maximum stain + sealer. I know from the comments I need to take this crap back and get a refund from Lowes. I have not applied a single drop to my new fence. Thanks again, also I will tell all of my friends and neighbors NOT to buy this CRAP ever.
I spent an entire day power washing my deck and preparing it for stain. The next day, after it was all dry, my husband and I spent the whole day staining it with this Olympic Maximum product. It is a large deck. This was in September 2014, on a nice and sunny day. Now, six months later, the stain is flaking off in several spots and my deck looks TERRIBLE! If you go on Olympic's Facebook page, you'll see picture after picture of people who have had the same issue with some sort of Olympic deck product. I had previously power washed and stained the same deck several years ago and the stain lasted a long time. I expected the same from this product, but it is far, far inferior. I would never, ever buy this again. I wasted over $70 and a whole weekend initially staining the deck, and now I have to waste more time and money fixing it. I contacted customer service and the rep, Cheryl McClain, did not even apologize for the product's poor performance. I don't see how this company stays in business.
Recently purchase five gallons of Olympic Semi-Transparent Stain (teak 730) as a deck application which, over the years, has been protected by a clear Olympic deck sealer. The deck was cleaned by using your deck cleaner which appeared to go a fairly good job. We have two decks comprising a total area of approx. 1800 sq. ft. so we were careful in selecting our color. To our disappointment the color (Teak) showed up with a slight red tint and not at all like the color chart. Now the question is, what to do to give our deck a brown appearance? Also, is it possible to go back over the area already painted with a darker stain (Black Oak) with results? Would appreciate your input before running to Home Depot to purchase.
Did u ever find an answer to your question. I just stained my deck with Russett color and it came out almost cedar in color. I hate it. Thinking about going over it with another color. Please email me if u had luck. Johnmueller@chasseligman.com
I’d like to know the answer to this as well? Anyone have luck going over a freshly stained deck with another color?
You will have to strip and start over.
i used it and am extremely happy with it, only problem is it is extremely slippery, anyone have a solution to this?
Bill, there is not a way to help with the slippery issue.
We used the Olympic elite stain on steps that are in a coveted area. We did like the color but not the way it felt. We then used a sealer on it. After 24 hours it is still wet and sticky. We had a dehumidifier on and a fan. Still wet. What do we do now. We would not recommended this product to anyone. Sure wish we could get our money back….
The issue is most likely related to the sealer you added on top. You are not supposed to do that. You need to most likely strip it all off and start over if it does not dry withing a few more days.
My husband and I had a deck added to our home last summer. This April or May we applied the Olympic Maximum Cedar Tone Stain and Sealant in one. We absolutely loved it at first. The color was beautiful and looked great with the house. Now the deck is turning black, has become very slippery, and water no longer beads up on the wood but soaks in completely. The product was supposed to last for 3-4 years and it hasn’t even made it 3-4 months. Help! Not sure what to do to fix the problem. Can we powerwash the deck and reseal it?
You need to strip it off and brighten for the prep. No stain lasts more then 2-3 years on a deck surface. You want a stain that penetrates deep, holds color, does not turn black and can be easily maintained. Try the TWP 100 Series.
BTW, beading water is not important.
I am staining that is 12 years old, has never had stain on it. please what kind of stain should be put on it. going crazy looking at all the stains out there. guess I just need something that would hold up for a couple of years.
Use the TWP stains or the Defy Extreme.
I'm struggling and need some assistance. Spending hours looking at consumer reviews is a bit overwhelming. I'm looking at doing a porch (railings only) and deck (Trex flooring and wood railings). With regards to the porch, it's about 7-8 years old and looks atrocious as it was never cared for (as does the deck railings). I appreciate the necessity of prepping accordingly (pressure wash, strip, brighten) prior to staining. However, I see mixed reviews for Cabot and Olympic stains. I'm looking at doing a semi-transparent (or semi-solid) on the porch and curious if anyone has had experience with Olympic's new brand Elite stain (I believe on difference, outside of expense, is that it's oil based). Additionally, I'll probably do a solid on the deck (wear and tear from birds and cats and kids) and want to know if I can use the same stain on the railings and composite Trex flooring. Thanks
Has anyone use the new Elite product by Olympic? I'm curious how this compares to their Maximum line. Thanks. Also, any suggestions for solid stain for Trex decking in terms of who to use (I may be stuck with Behr vs Olympic due to availability of product). I'm in Asheville, NC where is seems to rain much more than I think it should….
Scott
We have tried it and were not impressed. It is basically the same as the maximum line. Look for TWP in your area. Solid stains on Trex will mean peeling.
Thanks for the reply. I've been looking like mad for TWP but cannot find anyone in my area that has it. If I can find it, is this a product that I would need to add a mildewcide (tropical climate)? Can anything go down on Trex?
Also (sorry); is the only difference between the Elite vs Maximum line is the base (oil for Elite and water for the maximum now sold at Lowes)?
Makes sense. The old maximum was oil based and basically the same as the elite. Not a bad product.
Penetrating oils are better for trex. SW stores can order in TWP or you can order online for faster service.
I was able to find a place that does sell the TWP. Seems like this is a pretty decent product (superior to Cabot and Olympic?). But the store only has TWP 100. Is there a huge difference between the 100 vs 1500? Doesn't look like I would need to aid a mildewcide by what the container says. Thanks, again.
TWP contains a EPA registered mildewcide already. Use the 100 Series if you can find it.
I just used the Olympic maxim semi transparent. I have been building homes for 25 years and I would have to say this is absolutely the WORST stain I have ever seen or used!!! Not even remotely close to the color chart in the store. Cedar natural tone. Not even close. Try more of a orange/ red appearance. Don't let a drip or run set for more than 3 seconds or you will not be able to cover it. I pretty much wasted 1000$ worth of cedar on this most worthless, destructive product. I can't imagine how they can even sell this and sleep at night. Buyers beware. Do more research and steer clear of this stain. I give it a rating of – 10!!!!!
I had my deck and steps stained last year professionally and they did all the proper prep work. After a lot of snow on the deck this winter. We had a canoe and paddle boat on the deck, and when we put them in the water, the deck underneath was in good shape, but all the horizontals that had nothing on them where horrible. those areas had to be scraped and all the deck repainted which means a blotched job. I am very unhappy with this. I went back to Kent, where I bought this product and the paint manager told me of the many complaints she has had since this product has been changed in their VOC;s. so I will contact the company to see what they will do for me. I am speaking loud and clear to the many homeowners who are building and are building decks on our lake.
After using the Cape Cod gray I found it to be very uneven and worst of all when the snow melted it has flaked and peeled where the deck looks an if it were stained a few years ago instead of last October. Just a terrible product and would never recommend it. I contacted the parent company and they sent me letter of credit paying for 5 gallons of stain. Are they kidding?
I live in Virginia. My deck is one year old and we need to put a protectant/stain on it. It is around a pool. Please help. Please advise as I am confused and want to use a quality product.
Val, look at the Defy Extreme or the Armstrong Clark Stain for this. Prep first with a deck cleaner and wood brightener before applying.
this stain has made my deck extremely slippery now that it has snown on it .although it sweeps off with no ice build-up….any ideas for how to make this more safe ….
Brenda, there is nothing that we know of that can stop a stain from being slippery once applied and cured.
I have question on some oak furniture I just restained. Sanded off old finish down to bare wood and restained slats from chairs, but after 2 days they are still tacky? Is that because we used 2 coats? and what can we do to fix it?
Mike, it is because it was over applied and the stain did not soak into the wood. You could try wiping off the excess with paint thinner and some rags.
Hi Barry, looks like I have a one of a kind question. I am updating my house myself so needless to say am running into a lot of problems. I removed the carpet off my stairs, sanded and primed them. I first used Valspar Oil Porch and Flooring paint (on a recommendation at Loews). That stuff was sooooo horrible, each step looked like a pool of molasses and way to glossy. I stripped it off, resanded, primed and now have used Olympic Maximum stain and sealant (they the chocolate color to it) (another Loews recommendation). I've applied 2 coats (thin). Have done every other to keep traffic off. I haven't done anything else to them in about a week because I noticed that they are still tacky under foot. To touch they feel dry. How long does it take to dry?? I want to put a clear coat of something to really seal the steps. The risers are being painted white. I couldn't just do a normal stain and varnish job of these steps because whoever built this house used really crappy wood knowing carpet was going over them. Can I use a polyurethane over this olympic product?
Diane, you cannot apply a poly on top of an exterior deck stain like the Olympic.
I put this on my 11'x10' lower redwood deck in April 2012. It has easily been scratched off my my yellow lab's walking on it. It looks an aweful orange and doesn't seem to repel water like earlier coatings. I want it off and want something better. So what do I do to remove it? Sand it, or is there a stripper? No oil coatings allowed in Orange County, CA so what should I use next?
Barry, for removal you could strip off as much as possible, sand the rest, and brighten the wood when done. Oil based stains will penetrate deeper into the wood and they are still allowed in LA area as long as they are VOC compliant. Both the TWP 1500 Series and the Armstrong Clark can be used there.
Wish I had read these posts before buying the Olympic Maximum stain and sealant in the Cedar Naturaltone. My husband believed the pitch "natural tone" and even though I thought it was a bit orangey, I let him have this one. Well, half our 30 year old cedar fence is an extremely bright, garish pumpkin orange. Not at all what we expected or wanted. Now he wants to pull it down and replace it with pressure treated pine to avoid stripping, cleaning, brightening (none of which he did beforehand) and re-staining. Is it at all possible to apply another stain over it? I read here they won’t blend, but has anyone actually tried that? We live in South Florida so the fence gets baked by the sun and soaked by the rain but the cedar has held up pretty well overall.
Morrin, apply on top does not always give the results desired and you would need to use the same brand. You could do a test spot to see.
I just finished staining my deck with this product (walnut semi transparent… fantastic color btw!) at 5pm today, and now light rain has decided to sneak it's way toward me starting at 4am (forecast was clear of rain this morning). Dang Washington weather. The stain is still tacky to the touch and I'm concerned all my hard work will have been for nothing. Will the light rain leave water spots or wash away in places? If so, what are my options since the manufacturer doesn't recommend 2 coats?
MLR, I would wait until the rain stops and dries off the deck. Hard to say if it will be effective but is is probably okay.
Can you put a oil based water sealant over this Olympic maximum stain and sealant? I just did my porches and put two coats on. Love the color but want it to last.
No you cannot add anything on top of it.
Performance of the older, oil-based product and the newer water-based formula are as different as night and day. I had used only the older, oil-based product on the two decks my late husband and I had built roughly 30 and 25 years ago with excellent results: only needed to stain horizontal surfaces every 2 years, vertical every 4 years. People often remarked they could not believe the decks were that old because they looked new. But last year when I went to Lowe's to buy Olympic stain, I was told the formula was changed. Because the color we'd chosen for our decks is a little unusual- a bluish gray, I was hesitant to switch to another product and bought the new formula. What a disaster! While both decks initially looked fine, the finish almost totally wore off in high traffic areas after a particularly bad winter. There is also some dry rot on the newer deck which I have never had before. So back to Lowe's I went again, but this time only for one gallon to redo the worn areas, and then I wrote to manufacturer and requested a refund. I'll never buy this product again
I'am using this exact product right now in Sierra color and at $38.00 a gallon it better hold up and work!! Not to happy with what I have read here on these post's. I also thought this was oil based and the water based products are just crap everyone is right. This stain is being put on a 800 sq ft deck with cedar-tone boards which are Ac2 treated with a cedar tone color that has weathered one year. I will report back in spring will see how it holds up over the fall and winter months?
Actually you are wrong. It is a water based stain. It is acrylic and has soap and water cleanup. That makes it water based. It does not perform anywhere near what a oil base stain will.
Lee, not sure. I would contact the manufacturer directly.
I just finished a table using the Maximum stain and sealant (two in one). Really awful color It was SUPPOSED come out clear but it's super orange like an egg, not even close to the pressure treated sample in the store. we're going to have to strip and start over. I did not build this table just to ruin it with this inferior product. DON'T WAST YOUR MONEY ON THIS ORANGE EGGED PRODUCT.
I was very happy with the color, but did not even get 1yr out of it! Stain and Sealant in one?! No. No it is not.
When or what year did Olympic reformulate to the new water based version?
Jason, I think it was within the last year or two.
Thanks! I've been running into a lot of decks lately that were stained with Olympic Max. What is the easiest way to determine if a previous stain on a deck was on oil or acrylic?
Jason, oil based stains penetrate into the wood. Water based Olympic films on top of the wood.
Sandi, the water based version is not the same and cannot be applied on top of the old Olympic oil based version.