Exterior Wood And Deck Help, Reviews, Advice, & Tips

Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Wood Stain Review Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we take pride in the fact that we have become the Internet’s number one reference for all things exterior wood and deck restoration related. Today we are reviewing the Armstrong Clark in the Semi-Solid Colors. We have found that the higher the solid content, the longer the UV protection when using the Armstrong Clark Stains. Newer for Armstrong Clark is the Espresso Semi-Solid color, a rich deep brown tone that promises excellent UV resistance. Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Stains are a highly regarded oil-based stain formulated with 5 generations of stain industry experience. Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Stains are available in 5 colors: Mountain Cedar, Woodland Brown, Oxford Brown, Sequoia, and Espresso. Armstrong…

For years now, TWP has been the brand of choice when it comes to professionals. TWP® stands for “Total Wood Protectant” and has been distributed for over 25 years. Offering Superior Protection from UV discoloration, rotting, and water, TWP® Wood Care, and Deck Stains can be used on virtually any exterior wood surface. Brand new is the TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series Stain! Available in 30 Custom Colors, the TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series will keep your wood beautiful, fresh, and looking new longer! The ease of application and maintenance will allow you to enjoy your investment for years to come. TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series provides a broad spectrum of weather protection, is water repellent, and aids in color retention. TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series resists water absorption that causes…

Tips on Restoring Your Deck in One Day See our Deck Stain Facts section with over 150 simple Q&A articles that answer all the questions that you have regarding deck staining, cleaning, and prep. In recent years there have been a few new deck and wood stains coming to the market that allow the ability to prep and stain your deck all on the same day. As contractors in the deck restoration business, this allows us to save money and more importantly time by completing everything on the same day. No need to wait days or even weeks for the wood to dry or the rainy weather to cooperate. This frees up a lot of time for the average homeowner…

Wood and Deck Stain Question & Answer Videos See our Deck Stain Facts section with over 150 simple Q&A articles that answer all the questions that you have regarding deck staining, cleaning, and prep. Use our search to find deck staining and prepping facts.   Deck Stain Facts Videos Short videos answering the most popular deck stain Questions and Answers to the most common deck staining and prepping inquiries that we receive, making it easier for the consumers to search and find what they are looking for. We will be constantly adding new Q&A videos as needed when new deck restoration questions arise. No tags for this post.

Which Deck Stain Lasts the Longest? See our Deck Stain Facts section with over 150 simple Q&A articles that answer all the questions that you have regarding deck staining, cleaning, and prep. No deck stain can last forever. The best you will get on a horizontal deck surface is 2-3 years and 4-7 years on vertical surfaces like wood railings and wood-sided homes.  Since nothing lasts forever, what you really should be asking is “Which Deck Stain is Easiest to Maintain” while giving the longest life possible? Penetrating Deck Stains Are Best Our favorite deck stains have always been penetrating semi-transparent and semi-solid stains. These stain types allow the wood grain to show, and if they truly soak into the…

Search Deck Staining Facts Use our search to find deck staining and prepping facts.   The Top Deck Staining Questions & Answers In 1993 we started restoring exterior wood and decks and that led us to start DeckStainHelp.com which has become the internet’s largest resource for all things deck restoration related. Our deck restoration business restored over 10,000 decks and during that time, we have tried nearly every brand of deck stain and deck sealant on the market. DeckStainHelp.com was started 10 years ago as a way to help consumers find and use better prep and stain products and give customized help towards each individual deck or wood restoration project out there.  There have been currently over 74,000 Deck Stain…

Deck Stain Not beading? Deck stains come in many different opacities. Transparent, Semi-Transparent, Solid Colors, etc.  All deck stains act as a sealant that protects the wood from weather, moisture, and UV rays. They help to lock out moisture and reduce water intrusion. One question we get often here at DeckStainHelp.com is “why does my deck stain not bead water and what should I do?” Myth About Deck Stains Beading Water For years there have been TV and Radio commercial promoting the need to add a sealer or stain that relies heavily on the ability to bead water. This is not a good idea. High-quality deck stains and sealers actually will shed water, not bead water. The reason is you…

What is the easiest way to apply a deck stain to a deck and which tools to use? This varies on the deck stain type you are using and the brand as well. We will list your best and easiest tool options for applying to each stain type. See our Deck Stain Facts section with over 150 simple Q&A articles that answer all the questions that you have regarding deck staining, cleaning, and prep. How to Apply a Clear Sealer Easily -Clear deck sealers are very easy to apply. Any of these deck staining tools will work: Pump up Sprayer Best way to spray a clear sealer fast. Deck Stain Pads Best option for vertical rails and siding. Floor Soft…

Removing a Solid Color Deck Stain Solid (Opaque) deck stains are not transparent and will cover the wood fully, masking the wood grain. Once applied, a solid color deck stain or paint will film on top of the wood, and because of this, they can be prone to peeling over time. One question we get often here at DeckStainHelp.com is how to remove a solid color deck stain or paint back down to the natural grain of the wood. There are a couple of options that will work for full removal. Tags: Stripping a Solid Deck Stain, Solid Deck Stain Stripper, How To Strip a Solid Deck Stain, Removing Deck Paint, Strip Opaque Deck Stain

Prepping for Solid Color Deck Stain Reapplication Solid (Opaque) deck stains are not transparent and will cover the wood fully, masking the wood grain. Once you apply a solid decking stain, there is little chance you will ever be able to go back to a transparent stain unless you want to heavily power sand. One question we get often here at DeckStainHelp.com is how to prep for reapplying a solid color deck stain and is it needed to remove the prior solid color deck stain first? Note: If you want to remove a solid color deck stain fully you will have to power sand or use a product like the RAD PaintStrip Solid Stain and Paint Stripping Gel. No tags…

Cleaning Deck Stain with Mold Mold and mildew can cause aesthetic, safety, and health issues when they grow on top or within the wood of decks. Often time mildew and mold will grow on top of your deck stain and you would like to remove it, but not harm or hinder your deck stain coating. When this happens it is not suggested to use a regular Wood or Deck Cleaner or Wood Deck Stain Stripper unless you plan on reapplying another coat of your deck stain. How to Clean Mildew From Deck Stains The best option is to use a Mildew Cleaner and Preventer that will clean and prevent the stains from returning but will not harm your wood/deck stain…

Before staining a deck you need to figure out the deck’s total square footage. Once this calculation is considered, you can figure out how many gallons of deck stain you need by reading the coverage rate of the stain you are buying. On average most deck stains cover 150-300 sq. ft. per gallon (per coat) depending on the age, condition, and porosity of the wood. Calculate Deck Stain Needed This deck stain calculator will help you determine the proper amount of stain and prepping supplies needed to refinish your deck using most deck stain brands and types. This calculator is intended to provide you with an approximate estimate and varies by brand and type of stains. Best to always follow…

Can you Paint Over a Deck Stain? No, you should never use paint on a deck as it will lead to peeling and will be a huge burden to fix. If you want a solid opaque appearance, then use a Solid Color Deck Stain on your deck. Solid color deck stains are designed to penetrate and adhere better to a horizontal deck surface but will at the same time, give a full opaque appearance to the wood. Prepping for a Solid Color Deck Stain When applying a solid color deck stain over a previously coated deck, the key is to remove any dirt, mildew, and old peeling stain. The best way to do this is to use a deck stain…

Deck Staining Tips 2023 We have been restoring decks in the midwest for over 25+ years now and have used numerous different methods, applicators, sprayers, staining pads, and brushes when it comes to applying a deck stain. We average around 500 deck restorations in a year and when dealing with a shortened season and constant weather-related issues, we have to be as efficient as possible when applying a deck stain so we can get as many done in a day as possible. On average it will take a 2 man crew 1-2 hours to stain a 500 sq foot deck when using the proper tools and techniques. Following these tips, any residential homeowner will be able to stain a deck…

Tips for staining a deck yourself Deck staining is a very important process that improves the appearance of your deck and helps to protect it from the elements. A good quality stain can help your deck last for a much longer period of time than if left untreated. There are many different reasons you would want to stain or re-stain your deck, but it might be too expensive for you to hire a professional company, or you may just enjoy taking on DIY projects. Whatever the reason, if you are looking for tips on how to stain a deck on your own, this article aims to provide you with tips on how to complete a stained deck yourself  – to…

Exterior Wood and Deck Staining Help and How-To Videos DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to site for all things exterior wood and deck restoration-related. New for 2023 are our exterior wood and deck restoration how-to videos. We will add more How-To Videos throughout the year. Please subscribe to our video channel for new videos as they come out. If you have a request for a deck restoration how-to video, please ask in the comment area below and we will consider getting this on our to-do list. Tags: Deck Cleaning Videos, Deck Staining Videos, Deck Restoration Videos, Deck Stain Videos

Can Clear Sealers Prevent Graying? No, a clear sealer without any pigment will not prevent UV oxidation and will gray in a matter of months If you want to prevent graying of your wood it is best to use a Semi-Transparent Deck Stain on your deck. Semi-transparent deck stains are designed to penetrate into your wood grain while enhancing the natural grain based on the color you choose. Note: Stains that are “Natural” in color typically have a tint (not clear) and will enhance the grain like a wet look. Natural tinted stains will provide UV Protection. Best for Preventing UV Graying on a Deck With all of these different types of products, we prefer penetrating semi-transparent products as they…

Will a Deck Stain Freeze in Winter? Yes. Does not matter if water or oil-based. If you leave your deck stain in a garage or shed where temps can fall below freezing, there is a very good chance your stain will be ruined. Signs that your deck stain has gone bad are excessive thickening, jelling/clumping of the deck stain, or skinning on the top portion. When storing your stain, make sure to 100% close the lid or top so there is not any evaporation. Store the excess stain in a temperature-controlled room but away from any heat such as furnaces or water heaters. No tags for this post.