Update for 2018: PPG Timeless Deck Stain Review The PPG Timeless Deck Stain was introduced last year into Home Depot. The product is actually the exact same thing as the Olympic Elite Wood Stain, just relabeled for Home Depots use. The review below is a repeat of our testings of the Olympic version. PPG Timeless Advanced Stain + Sealant in One is a deck and wood stain that is ideal for bringing the rich look of interior wood to exterior wood surfaces such as decks, doors, furniture, and trim. Delivering more pronounced color while still enabling wood grain and texture to show, it provides luxurious appeal with a beautiful satin sheen finish. Formulated with both stain and sealant combined, this protective coating offers lasting defense against UV damage, mold, mildew, warping, cracking and more, helping retain your wood’s natural beauty over time. This is for the 550 VOC versions that is an oil-based stain. They also carry a 250 VOC version,…

Your Deck is not a hardwood floor and should not be shiny or excessively sanded smooth. We have had people write in and ask if they should apply polyurethane to an outdoor deck. The notion of having a beautiful shiny, smooth finish like an indoor wood floor on your outdoor deck may seem appealing to some of you, but it is not practical. You should not apply polyurethane to an outdoor deck surface for several reasons. Rain and harsh UV rays from the sun will penetrate the polyurethane cause it to fail quickly, leaving the wood susceptible to weathering. The polyurethane will eventually blister and peel on exterior wood. Those who have experienced a peeling or blistering deck knows how much of a nightmare it is to fix, as heavy sanding will be involved in the removal. Tags: shiny deck stains, polyurethane deck…

Applying a Deck Stain to Damp Wood on the same day as prep? We here at deckstainhelp.com have been receiving inquiries asking how best to apply a deck stain to damp wood. This is a newer concept, as before, stains could only be applied to dry wood that has been prepped with a waiting period of 2-3 days after prep. So far, the only stain that we have tested that can be applied to damp wood is Restore-A- Deck Wood Stain. We recommend you follow this protocol for applying stain to damp wood: Properly prep your wood surface with correct prep products. Prepping is always the key to the stain’s longevity. Any questions on how to prep, please see our extensive articles in the main menu. Wait 2-4 hours after the prep to let the wood dry somewhat. The RAD stain can be applied to damp wood but not to visibly soaking wet wood. Start with vertical surfaces first, such as…

What are the Best Water Based Deck Stains in 2018? We here at deckstainhelp.com hear about the best deck stains directly from thousands of consumers. Water-based deck stains have skyrocketed in popularity over the last 4 years, due in part to the crackdown on environmental regulations. Individual states are adopting lower VOC laws that cause less stress on the environment and are easier to clean up. Water-based stains tend to abide by these stricter VOC regulations, so they are a good choice if this is a priority for you. The two highest rated water-based deck stains are Restore-A-Deck and Defy Extreme. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is a new stain that comes in 4 different semi-transparent finishes and is designed to penetrate deep into wood pores for maximum protection and longevity. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain protects wood from harmful UV rays and mildew growth caused by water penetration. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is safe to use, has a low odor, and is easy to…

When Your Deck Stain Turns Black from Tree Pollen, what happened and how to fix? You’ve followed all the steps to ensure your deck stain project has a beautiful finish. You properly prepped it, allowed for it to dry before staining (unless you used Restore-A-Deck), then stained it meticulously in a beautiful semi-transparent finish. However, you are left with black mildew spots on the finished wood surface down the road. How did this happen? We hear complaints about this problem within our community, and we’ve seen it with our own eyes when we survey wood decks. One thing you may have not considered is whether the deck is near a pollinating tree. Tree pollen can fall on a drying oil-based deck stain project and promote the growth of mildew which causes the black specks or spots. To prevent this, make sure you start your wood stain project when your trees are not going through their peak pollination phase if using…

Staining a Deck in the Spring 2018 Tips With the spring thaw comes the resurface of your wood deck. It’s been a tough winter for your deck with temperatures ranging from brutally cold to near-spring warm in a matter of a few days throughout the winter season. With all this stress on the wood, it may be time for you to treat your wood deck to a fresh coat stain. It is exciting when the weather starts to warm up and you have the urge tackle your deck stain project at the first sign of spring. However, this might be a bad idea. Stop yourself before you run to the store or your web browser to buy your deck stain supplies. Make sure you take a look at the long-term forecast and make sure it won’t rain for the next 48 hours at least and temperatures won’t drop below 50 degrees F. Also, watch out for pollen levels in the…

Update 2018 for Why Choose a Water-Based Deck Stain Here at DeckStainHelp.com we take pride in the fact that our customers come to us for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics. New in 2018 is further confirmation that choosing a semi-transparent, water-based stain really is the best overall choice to enhance your deck’s natural wood grain. As years before, our customers who have used Defy Extreme wood and deck stain continue to be satisfied by the appearance and longevity of their deck stain projects. We appreciate your input. If you have used a water based stain, feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them. When it comes to choosing a deck stain there are a lot of things to consider like how well it is going to protect the deck and what the final finish might look like. In general, there are two basic types of deck stains,…

Update 2018 Whats the Difference Between a Deck Sealer and Deck Stain?: Here at DeckStainHelp.com we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics. See below for an article that sets apart the difference between deck sealer and deck stain, and when is the best time to use each. We appreciate your input. Feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them. Some might think that a deck sealer and a deck stain are basically the same thing but in all actuality, they are two different products. They both share the same purpose in general, to preserve and protect wood but there are same major differences. Most people use sealers or stains to protect exterior wood from the elements. Surfaces such as decks, wood siding, fences, and so on need a protective coating to keep from weathering so fast. A deck sealer is typically…

Update for 2018: What is a Deck Brightener and Why Use One: We appreciate your input here at Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2018. See below for an article about Step 2 of the deck stain process, using a brightener, and why it is a key component to the deck stain project. Feel free to leave a comment below. Wood care and maintenance are the keys to having a long lasting deck. Every year or two a deck should be cleaned and stained to protect the wood from the harsh elements. UV rays and unwanted moisture can wreak havoc on a deck that is unprotected. The number one reason a deck stain fails is due to the lack of proper wood preparation. Any exterior wood surface needs to be cleaned and prepped correctly in order for the stain to perform as expected. Failure to do…

Update 2018 on the Best Water-Based Deck Stains We appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2018. If you are looking for honest deck stain ratings, look no further. We base our ratings from our personal experieces as well as the input from thousands of project managers. Feel free to leave a comment below about your water based deck stain of choice. With a lot of water based deck stains on the market today it can be difficult to find the best one for your deck stain project. Looking at the reviews for the best water based deck stain, one stands in a class by itself. Defy Extreme deck stain is a newly blended formula using nano particle technology that improves stain performance by 200%-600%. Nano technology uses nano particles and synthetic resins to significantly increase the stain’s functionality. This synthetic resin based deck…

Update for 2018: Stain Your Deck in the Fall We appreciate your input here at Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to expand our content and serve as your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2018. Most people feel the urge to spring clean and tackle their deck stain projects at the first sign of warm weather. Below, we highlight why you may want to consider refurbishing your deck in the fall instead. Feel free to leave a comment below. Owning a wood deck comes with the responsibility of deck care and maintenance. Staying on top of deck care is the best way to ensure you get many years of pleasure and use from your deck. It is best to choose a particular time of year when you inspect your deck and perform maintenance as needed. Having a certain time of year that you are not too busy taking care of other outdoor projects is…

Update 2018 on the Different Types of Deck Stains We appreciate our community of deck stain enthusiasts here at Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to add content and serve as your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2018. In this article, we talk about the different categories of deck stains and what sets them apart. As always, comments are encouraged below. Many people ask what types of deck stains are available when curious about deck care and maintenance. Deck stains, in general, are for preserving and protecting exterior wood. They provide water repellency, UV protection, reduce fungal growth, and enhance the natural beauty of the wood. In 2017 deck stains come in several types of opacity levels all having pros and cons. Solid Deck Stains A coat of a solid deck stain completely hides the wood grain by creating a heavily pigmented film on the surface similar to paint. These come in any color…

Update for 2018: Water Based vs. Oil Based Deck Stains We welcome you to Deckstainhelp.com, where people come to share their knowledge and insights about deck staining in 2018. Please see below for some information that sets the record straight when comparing water based stains with oil based stains. As always, comments are encouraged below. A long debated topic is that of water based vs. oil based deck stains. Which one is better to use and will provide the best protection for a wood deck? Actually, there are advantages to both water and oil based deck stains even though they do have some major differences. Both types of stains can provide a beautiful long lasting finish on all types of wood. Both water based and oil based deck stains help reduce water intrusion and UV damage to increase the longevity of the wood. Oil based deck stains have been around the longest. Oil deck stains can preserve and enhance the…

Update for 2018: How Water Based Wood Stains are Different and Better Today Than They Were 10 Years Ago Welcome to Deckstainhelp.com, the number one source for deck staining tips and latest industry news on the internet in 2018. Water based stains have come a long way as far as quality and longevity go in the last 10+ years. We look back at the progression in the article below. Feel free to leave a comment if you’ve seen the evolution of deck stain technology yourself. A decade ago water based wood stains were not much of a comparison to some of the quality oil based stains. Prior to new technology, water-based stains would not perform well in some conditions. Harsh sunlight and fungal growth were two problems. But as oil based stains started having trouble with VOC compliance laws there was a need for better eco-friendly water based wood stains. A lot as changed in the past 10 years. So…

Update for 2018: Defy Extreme Clear Wood Stain Review Welcome to Deckstainhelp.com, your number one source for deck staining tips and latest industry news on the internet. This year in 2018, Defy Extreme Clear Wood Stain continues to be the leading clear wood stain on the market. Feel free to leave a comment if you’ve used Defy Extreme Clear Wood Stain yourself. Note: This is an updated 2017 Review of our Original Defy Extreme Clear Review Defy Extreme Clear Wood Stain is the leading “crystal clear” deck stain finish on the market today. Defy Extreme Clear uses light stabilizing nano particles of zinc oxide, which is the same product used in sunscreen. The zinc oxide particles reflect and filter UV radiation to help eliminate wood discoloring, graying and fading. Our field test of Defy Extreme Clear Stain was on a wooden fence. A deck surface may have slightly different results. *Important: Defy Extreme Clear is an untinted version of the…

In reviewing some of the top stains on the market for 2018 we could not overlook TWP stain. It is a registered EPA wood preservative that offers excellent protection from UV graying, wood decay and water infiltration. TWP uses select mildewcides that naturally resist fungal growth to help eliminate wood rot. The semi-transparent oil based formula penetrates deeply into wood pores without extreme surface film accumulation. It emphasizes and enhances existing wood grain beauty with color depth and warmth. Our TWP Stain review 2018 shows that this stain goes beyond the TWP claims of being a number one wood preservative. Top contractors and professionals prefer wood stains that penetrate into the wood surface and can be easily maintained and reapplied without sanding. This makes wood maintenance easier, cheaper, more effective and less frequent. Most TWP stained surfaces will last 2-3 years before a recoat is needed. The excellent UV-absorbing pigments eliminate wood discoloring and graying, which is a common problem…