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Deck Stain Ratings

The 5 Best Deck Stain Reviews and Ratings

Update April 2017:

Best Deck Stain Reviews for 2017

Best Deck Stain Reviews

DeckStainHelp.com is a help and review site with the goal of offering advice to homeowners with the difficult task of restoring their exterior wooden decks, docks, and wood homes. We have been using and reviewing wood and deck stains since we started working on restoring exterior wood in the early 1990s. This site was developed to help consumers research and ask questions on what would be the best deck stain, with the goal of longevity and just as important, the ease of reapplication.

Our favorite deck stains have always been the penetrating semi-transparent stains. These stain types allow the wood grain to show and if they truly soak into the wood grain, reapplying is easier down the road. The problem we have noticed in the last 5-10 years is that not all semi-transparent stains are penetrating. Many manufacturers have gone away with the true penetrating stains due to VOC laws and for profitability. Believe it or not, but deck stains in general performed better 10-20 years ago when it came to wearing and peeling than they do in 2017. There have been some major advancements though when it comes to UV protection in the past 5-10 years. Nano-particles of zinc oxides and improvements to trans-oxides have shown excellent UV resistance.

The good news is you can still find some quality deck stains in 2017 that will offer UV protection, penetrate deep into the wood grain, and highlight the natural beauty of the wood.

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TWP 1500 Wood and Deck Stain Review 2017

TWP 1500 Stain Review

Important Note: This is an updated 2017 TWP 1500 Series Review.

TWP® (Total Wood Preservative) 1500 Series Deck Stain was brought onto the market in 2010 as the permanent substitute for TWP 500 Series. TWP 1500 Wood and Deck Stain is a semi-transparent, oil based, EPA registered wood preservative.

TWP 1500 Stain is specially formulated to use on all exterior wood surfaces. Its outstanding UV resistant blend prevents wood graying and discoloration. It is commonly used on decks, fences, log cabins, wood siding and cedar shakes. It is offered in 10 shades that enhance the natural beauty of the wood.

TWP 1500 Deck Stain Rating

TWP 1500 Series Deck Stain Scores (1-10)

Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 8.5

– The appearance of TWP 1500 Wood Stain on our test deck was a warm rich finish. The wood grain was enhanced and highlighted effortlessly. The 1501 Cedartone color was a little browner (not as orange) than a conventional cedar stain color.

58 comments

Ready Seal Wood and Deck Stain Review 2017

Ready Seal Stain Review

Note: This is our 2nd Review of Ready Seal Stains

Ready Seal® Wood Stain is considered a professional grade exterior wood stain. Ready Seal Wood and Deck Stain is suggested for use on all exterior wood surfaces such as decks, fences, arbors, gazebos, wood siding, roofs, and log homes. Ready Seal was originally designed for contractors but is now available to homeowners through some Home Depot stores in the southern part of the country. Ready Seal Stain is a drip and run free resulting in an even finish. The formula is a special blend of paraffin oil, resins, trans-oxide pigments, and algaecides.

Ready Seal® Stain Scores (1-10)

Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 8

– Ready Seal lived up to their claim and resulted in a nice even finish. The cedar deck we tested definitely looked more enhanced with the Natural Cedar color we applied. With that said, the color did fade quite a bit after several days as the paraffin oils continue to penetrate into the wood grain. We also do not like how the finish stays oily for several days after application or until it fully penetrates into the wood grain.

Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 5

– At our 2-year test mark, there was about 50% color retention.

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2016 Consumer Reports Deck Stain Ratings

The Consumer Reports is the publication of the Consumer’s Union. Many consumers use the publication when making a buying decision. After all, it publishes the ratings of other consumers who have bought the same products. So it would seem a logical place to gather buying information right? Well maybe not. The Consumer Reports publication has long been accused of biased ratings.

This is especially true in the car industry. You can find countless articles of Consumer Reports being falsely suggestive in some of their ratings. Unfair testing and biased ratings seem to be common. More than a dozen large companies, from car manufacturers to electronic companies have sued consumer Reports over the years. It almost seems like for whatever reason, they tend to sway the results of tests and ratings.

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Armstrong Clark Stain Review 2015

Armstrong Clark Deck Stain

Important Note: This is our 2nd Review of Armstrong Clark Stain.

See Here for First Review: Armstrong Clark Stain Review

Armstrong Clark Wood Stain is an oil-based stain backed by 5 generations of experience in the exterior wood stain industry. Armstrong Clark is offered in 3 different versions: Trans parents, Semi-Transparent, and Semi-Solid Colors.

Armstrong’s has nondrying conditioning oils that separate from the drying side of the formula. These oils penetrate deep into the wood fiber where the wood’s natural oils used to be.

This process rejuvenates the wood. The drying oils stay at the surface, lock in the conditioning oils and create a dry to the touch barrier. Armstrong’s formulas also contain vegetable oils, transparent oxide pigments, water repellents, mildewcide, and solvent.

Armstrong Clark Stain Scores (1-10)

Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 9

– We used the Rustic Brown color for our deck. We have used this color many times and really like the look of this. It is mostly brown with a hint of red when applied. Very even appearance after full drying.

Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 7

– We used a semi-transparent color for our second test of the Armstrong Clark. The first test (2010) we used the Mountain Cedar which is a semi-solid color. The Rustic Brown did well but the UV protection was a little less. This is normal for semi-solid colors to have better UV protection and is not related to the Armstrong.

Wear/Tear and Peeling: 9

– The Armstrong Clark showed no signs of peeling. Slight wearing in the high traffic areas. Overall AC penetrates deep into the wood grain so peeling was not expected.

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