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

Behr Deck Cleaner Review 2026 BEHR Premium 2-In-1 Deck Cleaner is a cleaner specifically formulated to clean and brighten wood surfaces and remove mildew stains. This unique product will also remove tannin bleed, red clay stains, rust stains on wood and masonry, and clean vinyl/aluminum siding, composite decks, and more! BEHR Premium 2-In-1 Deck Cleaner Rating (1-10) Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 5 – The BEHR Premium 2-In-1 Deck Cleaner did a poor job of cleaning and removing the graying. The cleaner did not remove any of the mold or mildew from the wood. It lightened the color of the wood slightly. On inspection of the contents, it was determined that this product is more of a wood brightener than …

Wolman Deck Brite Deck Cleaner Review – Updated 2026 Wolman™ DeckBrite Wood Cleaner is an oxygen-powered wood cleaner used to clean and restore decks and other weathered wood. When mixed with water, DeckBrite quickly and safely restores dirty, weathered-gray, mildew, and algae-stained wood to its bright, natural, like-new look. DeckBrite is used to prep for the reapplication of wood stains as well.   Wolman™ DeckBrite™ Wood Deck Cleaner Rating (1-10) Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 7 – Wolman™ DeckBrite cleans and removes grayed wood very effectively. We prefer oxygenated-based wood cleaners and the DeckBrite performs as we would expect. Cost Per Square Foot: 9 – Excellent! Powdered deck cleaners are hard to beat when it comes to cost.

Restore-A-Deck Cleaner Review Important Note: This is our 2nd Review of the Restore A Deck Kits. See Here for First Review: Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kit Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kit Review We would love to hear from you if you have used the Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kit on your wood or deck. Please post a rating in the Consumer Star Ratings below. Consumer reviews below in the comment section have shown excellent results when using the Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kits. If you have any pictures of your experience with Restore-A-Deck, you can add them in the comment area with a detailed description. Restore A Deck Cleaner Restore A Deck Cleaner is a specially designed two-part …

Wolman DuraStain Review 2026 Wolman™ DuraStain Semi-Transparent Stain protects new and older decking/wood from UV radiation, mold growth, and rotting. Beautifies wood with a richly pigmented, semi-transparent, matte finish while providing durability and prolonged color retention. Retains color longer than traditional semi-transparent stains. Ideal for wood exposed to the severe sun. Wolman™ DuraStain Stain Rating (1-10) Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 3 – When applied the Wolman™ DuraStain looks very unnatural. The stain sits on top of the wood similar to a paint or solid deck stain. It actually looks like paint with just a small amount of transparency. The Natural Redwood color used masked the wood grain instead of enhancing the wood grain. Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood cleaning. My Defy Stain Stripper review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. Defy Stain Stripper Review 2026 I would love to hear from you about whether you have used the Defy Stain Stripper. Please post a rating in the Consumer Star Ratings below. If you have any pictures of your experience with the Defy Stain Stripper, you can add them in the comment area with a detailed description. Defy Exterior Wood and …

Penofin Blue Label Review 2026 Penofin Blue Lable continues to have issues with darkening or turning black on a vast majority of wood decks and exterior wood. Penofin (PENetrating Oil FINish) Blue Label preserves and protects exterior wood. Using trans-oxide pigments, Penofin Blue label retains the wood’s natural colors while penetrating deep into the wood fibers. Use Penofin Blue Label on fences, decks, and unfinished exterior wood siding. Note: For this test, we used the Penofin Blue label on a vertical fence in Texas. Penofin Blue Label Wood Deck Stain Rating (1-10) Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 9 – Penofin stains always present some of the most natural-looking wood. The Cedar color used highlighted the grain without adding too much …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood cleaning. My HD80 review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. HD80 Deck Stripper Ratings (1-10) Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 9 – HD80 as with most stains stripper scores exceptionally well when it comes to the removal of dirt, grime, and mold. How I Rated HD80 My HD80 review contains a 4-step process and the final average score. Each step is on a scale of 1-10. Cost Per Square Foot Removal of …

Olympic Deck Stain Reviews 2026 OLYMPIC® MAXIMUM Semi-Transparent Stain by OLYMPIC provides a beautiful, subtle color that allows wood’s natural grain and texture to show through. The superior hybrid resin technology penetrates deep into your wood to strengthen, protect, and condition wood fibers, ensuring the Natural Beauty of your wood lasts. Note: Olympic has changed formulas to the newer water-based Olympic Maximum Stain + Sealant OLYMPIC® MAXIMUM Stain Rating (1-10) Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 7 – The Olympic Maximum in the Cedar Naturaltone is a mix of golden caramel tones. The grain of the treated pine deck had a nice overall color. The knots of the wood were a little light but that can be normal for a deep …

Hi, I’m Scott Paul As a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking, I’ve worked extensively with a variety of products to protect and enhance wood surfaces. My review of Thompson’s Water Seal is rooted in decades of hands-on testing and my professional experience as a wood restoration contractor. My goal is to provide you with honest insights and guide you toward the best deck stain options to ensure your project’s success. For more about my background and expertise, feel free to read more about me here. 6.125 Overall Rating Thompsons WaterSeal Thompson’s WaterSeal Wood Finish is a widely available water-repellent product designed to protect exterior wood from moisture while …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood cleaning. My Behr Premium Stain and Finisher Stripper review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. 4.625 Overall Rating Behr Premium Stain and Finisher Stripper Behr Premium Stain & Finisher Stripper is a ready-to-use product marketed as a simple solution for removing old stains and coatings from exterior wood. It is commonly found at big box stores and is aimed at DIY users looking for an easy stripping option. From my experience restoring …

Messmers Deck Cleaner Review 2026 Messmer’s Wood and Deck Cleaner can be used to prepare old, weathered wood for prior to applying a stain, or as part of regular wood care maintenance to keep your deck, fence, log home, or other wood surfaces looking great. The Messmers Part A Cleaner is a concentrated wood and deck cleaner. Mix one 16oz container into 5 gallons of water. Messmers Wood Deck Cleaner Rating (1-10) Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 8 – Messmers Wood Deck Cleaner did a pretty decent job at removing graying and dirt. The cleaner restored the IPE deck back to a natural blond color. Cost Per Square Foot: 8 – The Messmers Deck Cleaner comes in a 16 oz …

Penofin Hardwood and IPE Stain continues to have issues with darkening or turning black on a vast majority of wood decks and exterior wood. Penofin For Hardwood Stain is a 99% UV protection Brazilian Rosewood Oil finish. This stain was developed to protect and preserve Hardwoods such as IPE and Mahogany. Their exotic hardwood formula penetrates deep into the wood cells. This results in a natural finished look to your wood. Penofin Penetrating Oil Finish can meet the needs of hardwood in fiber protection, penetration, stabilizing, and nourishment. Important Note: Testing for Exotic Hardwood Deck Stains Exotic hardwoods such as IPE are extremely dense and difficult to penetrate. These wood types when stained, will always fade faster the other woods …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Benjamin Moore Deck Stain reviews are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. 5.75 Overall Rating Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Stain Benjamin Moore’s Arborcoat is a 100% acrylic exterior wood stain that provides water repellency, mildew resistance, and UV protection. It is waterborne and available in various colors. This wood and deck stain is marketed as a good solution to help you protect and beautify your outdoor furniture, deck, and siding. However, our …

Sherwin Williams DeckScapes Advanced Waterborne Transparent Stain offers 3 way UV protection for wood by absorbing, blocking, and stabilizing the wood fibers. DeskScapes enhances the natural wood grain while preventing mold and mildew. Note: We used SW’s DeckScapes in their water-based toner formula for our test and review. Note: Sherwin-Williams Deckscapes was discontinued in 2016. It was replaced by Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck. Sherwin Williams DeckScapes Stain Scores (1-10) Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 5 – Sherwin Williams DeckScapes is a water-based acrylic formula that created a film on top of the wood after drying. The overall appearance of the redwood color was poor and the stain dried unevenly even though it was applied properly. Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: …

Messmers UV Plus Wood Stain Review 2026 Messmers UV Plus Wood Stain has been manufactured for over 20 years in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. Using a combination of natural oils (linseed) and synthetic oils, Messmers will protect exterior wood with 8 different transparent and semi-transparent colors. The trans-oxides will absorb the UV while preventing oxidation/graying. Update: Messmers UV Plus Wood Stain We would love to hear from you if you have used Messmers UV Plus Wood Stain on your wood or deck. Please post a rating in the Consumer Star Ratings below. If you have any pictures of your experience with Messmers UV Plus Wood Stains, you can add them in the comment area with a detailed description. …

Penofin Red Label Reviews Penofin continues to have issues with darkening or turning black on a vast majority of wood decks and exterior wood. Penofin (PENetrating Oil FINish) Ultra Red Label wood and deck stain contains a Brazillian Rosewood Oil that allows the stain to penetrate deeply into the wood. Formulated for maximum protection for all types of exterior wood. Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label is perfect where rain, wind, snow or high elevations are encountered. Trans-oxide pigments offer 99% Ultra-Violet Radiation protection Penofin Ultra Red Label Wood Stain Rating (1-10) Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 9 – Penofin Ultra in the Western Red Cedar color has a beautiful appearance when dried. One of the best stains we have tested …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood brightening. My Defy Wood Brightener review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. Defy Wood Brightener Review 2026 Defy Wood Brightener is an oxalic acid blend deck brightener and neutralizer. Designed to be used with either the Defy Wood Cleaner or the Defy Stain Stripper. Defy’s Wood Brightener is a concentrated liquid gallon that can make up to 5 gallons, covering about 750 square feet. This product aims to “brighten” the wood’s appearance …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood brightening. My Citralic Wood Brightener & Neutralizer review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. Our Woodrich Brand 2lb Citralic Wood Brightener & Neutralizer covers up to 750 square feet of wood. Citralic is a specifically formulated blend of acids and surfactants designed to neutralize and brighten wood quickly without unwanted bleaching or damage. This step in professional wood restoration achieves the like-new look of fresh-cut wood. How I Rated Citralic Wood Brightener …