This post was updated on April 4, 2025
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Thompson’s Waterseal Stain and Sealer 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.
THOMPSONS WATERSEAL STAIN & SEALER REVIEW 2025
THOMPSONS WATERSEAL STAIN & SEALER REVIEW
We would love to hear from you if you have used THOMPSONS WATERSEAL STAIN & SEALER. Please post a rating in the Consumer Star Ratings below. Thompson’s WaterSeal has not been a consumer favorite with deck stains or sealers. The Transparent and Semi-Transparent versions are prone to premature peeling and wearing after about one year.
Thompsons has 4 different labels for the same stain. They change the name based on the store that carries it, but it is the same product.
Lowes: THOMPSON’S® WATERSEAL® SIGNATURE SERIES – STAIN & SEALER
Menards: THOMPSON’S® WATERSEAL® TOTAL ALL-IN-ONE STAIN AND SEALER
Walmart: THOMPSON’S® WATERSEAL® WATERPROOFER PLUS TINTED WOOD STAIN
Other Retail Stores: THOMPSON’S® WATERSEAL® WATERPROOFING STAINS
If you have any pictures of your experience with the THOMPSONS WATERSEAL STAIN & SEALER you can add them in the comment area with a detailed description.
THOMPSONS WATERSEAL STAIN & SEALER Manufacturer Description
THOMPSONS WATERSEAL STAIN & SEALER provides ultimate protection from water and sun damage. This innovative, pre-mixed formula is quick and easy to apply, with a two-hour dry time and soap and water cleanup. Signature Series All-In-One Stain and Sealer provides long-lasting, durable protection in just one coat.
How I Rated Thompson Water Seal Stain & Sealer
My Thompson Water Seal Stain & Sealer review contains an 8-step process and the final average score. Each step is scored on a scale of 1-10.
- The appearance of Thompson Water Seal Stain & Sealer after Application
- Preventing UV Graying
- Peeling or Wearing
- Cost Per Square Foot
- Preventing Mold and Mildew
- How Easy was the Application
- Color Shifting
- Ease of Reapplication
- Thompson Water Seal Stain & Sealer Final Score
8-Step Review of Thompson Wood Stain
1. Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 7
When applied, Thompson Water Seal Stain & Sealer looked like thin paint. It had a blotchy appearance and did not cover evenly; every brushstroke and roller mark showed. Water beaded on top of the finish and did not absorb into the wood.
2. Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 5
As far as we can tell, THOMPSONS WATERSEAL STAIN & SEALER does not prevent UV graying very well. This is a huge disappointment in less than 6 months, it started to fail. Not only is there visible flaking, but the coating is washing off in areas that are not flaking. There is quite a bit of mold where the coating has come off.
3. Wear/Tear and Peeling: 5
THOMPSONS WATERSEAL STAIN & SEALER does not soak into the wood but dries on top like a paint. It started to fail in less than 6 months. Not only is there visible flaking, but the coating is washing off in areas that are not flaking.
4. Cost Per Square Foot: 8
THOMPSONS STAIN & SEALER is a very inexpensive product. Unfortunately, the saying “you get what you pay for” applies here, as the Thompson Deck Stains do not even last a year.
5. Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 3
After 2 years, most of the deck was covered in black mold. It seems that the oils used in THOMPSONS STAIN & SEALER feed and promote the growth of mold spores in the areas where it had failed.
6. Ease of Application: 5
Very blotchy appearance and it did not cover evenly, every brushstroke and roller mark showed.
7. Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 7
We would say that Thompson’s® darkens in color since there was a good amount of mold growing in the finish.
8. Difficulty of Reapplication: 4
Heavy stripping will be needed to remove the remaining failing stain, as you will need to switch to a better brand of stain.
Overall Score THOMPSONS STAIN & SEALER at 2 Year Period: 5.75
Overall, the THOMPSONS STAIN & SEALER wood finish is a disappointment. Check out the consumer reviews from the Thompsons, Lowes, Walmart, and Menards websites. You will see that this product does not work well and has consistent failure issues.
Looking For the Best Deck Stains? See Below
Thompson’s Deck Stain Photo Issues
THOMPSON’S WATERSEAL TRANSPARENT STAIN & SEALER
Product Information:
Cost: $39.99 per Gallon
Stain Type: Transparent, Semi-Transparent
Available Colors: 4 Colors: Autumn Brown, Natural Cedar, Honey Gold, Timber Brown
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 1 coat for most scenarios
Coverage Per Gallon: 150-200 Square Feet as Tested
Application Tools: Sprayer, Pad, Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 48 Hours
Cleanup: Water
VOC Compliant: 250 Compliant in all States
Manufacturer: Thompson’s
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: Pressure Treated Pine Deck
Deck Square Footage: 400 Square feet
UV Exposure: Full sun
How Many Years Tested: 2 Years
Stain Color Used: Natural Cedar
*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.
I used Thompsons Deck stain and Sealant on my new deck. After one year it looks horrible, fading and peeling. Never again. $3500.00 dollar deck has to be redone, what a waste of money and time on this product.
New deck 14×18 foot, preparing for gazebo installation on it. Used Thompsons signature series (transparent stain/sealer Timber Brown). Second biggest mistake in my life. First biggest mistake was buying it at 20.00+ per gallon. New wood deck, let it dry out for about a week. Rented floor (deck) sander and sanded deck. Used Thompsons above (see before and after photos). Thompsons, what happened to quality. Why has your quality fallen by the wayside like others. Your company used to be the “Go To” to get good high quality sealer….Now I’ve got to hire a professional crew to come out and remove the hundreds of dollars worth of stain and work that I did. I can’t afford to take off work to fix this. I don’t understand….do you not realize just how much wood (treated wood/lumber) cost today??? Let me give you a hint, they don’t give it away. All lumber and 6X6 timber, bolts, screws, nails, sander rental……I’ve got well over 1500.00 in materials not to mention the wasted money on the stain. All of this so my handicapped wife can enjoy being outside in the shade. Now it’s going to be a long time off before I can get this rectified.
Is Thompson Water Stain safe for raised garden boxes used for growing herbs etc?
After it fully cures it should be, but the product itself is very poor. Look for a better brand.
Failing after less than one year. Sanded and prepped some pine boards for use as dividers for my side by side. Followed all instructions for application. Applied with a brush. Less than a year after application, Thompsons is failing on all areas exposed to weather. Flaking, peeling and fading. Very disappointed as I had used this product with much success nearly twenty years ago and was very pleased back then.
I think that the reformulated Signature Series is being confused with the water based Thompson’s that lays on the surface as a water repellant only. The Signature Series is a penetrating oil stain with various polymers added and is formulated with UV protection even in the clear. It gets better reviews from customers than the old Thompson’s products. Time will tell, but we just had a Blue Star Red Meranti kiln dried deck installed. The contractor and crew used 3/8″ rollers and it went on easily from their report and my observation; no blotches, no lap marks, darkened the color slightly as oil will do. The contractor’s impression after research when I asked to use the Thompson’s over Penofin ‘transparent’ that would darken the wood more and add some color we didn’t want is that Thompson’s has had a bad rep but that the Signature Series is a much better product. If it turns out it was a bad choice, my question would be, if after cleaning next year, can I apply a different penetrating oil sealer and which would you recommend for the least change to the color of the wood which I expect will darken some over time and is fine with us as we find the red meranti a bit orange-red for our taste. We had been expecting a match to our old mahogany deck that was replaced–Riverhead Lumber on Long Island sells the Blue Star kiln dried Red Meranti as mahogany but it is less brown than the mahogany we got 22 years ago. Thank you for any reponse to this.
If you strip and brighten you can switch to whatever stain brand that you like. You cannot just clean for prep. Look at TWP stains, they are oil-based and do not darken over time.
The Thompson’s signature series is also oil based and clear so I don’t understand why you can’t just clean in a year and use TWP 1500 since both brands say you can just clean and reapply and don’t have to strip. Every oil based brand comments that the penetrating oils do affect the wood’s color somewhat and use words like darken, so I don’t understand that part of your comment either. The stain/sealer may not darken, but the oils do affect the color of the wood at least somewhat. I see TWP does have a clear as does Penofin. Is there a reason you don’t review Penofin which tends to be contractors go to choice on Long Island.
You cannot apply a different brand of coating over the Thompons or vice versa. You can clean and recoat penetrating semi-transparent stains or sealers when using the same brand and color.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/remove-deck-stain-when-reapplying/
We have reviewed Penofin numerous times on this site and used it regulary 20 years ago until having issues and then finding better products. It has known issues of darkening or turning black after a year or two. Read the revews and customer comments below reviews.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/?s=penofin+&id=19718&post_type=post
Here’s the basis of my confusion about your prohibition of one brand over another the next time you seal. If the original brand is a penetrating oil sealer and not tinted (as is true for the Thompson’s Signature Clear), then it’s still there below the surface that has weathered when you go to re-seal in the next year or two. It’s only the top layer than has grayed. If you clean and the top layer doesn’t have protection left, why can’t a clear oil penetrating sealer of another brand be used. What will go wrong? Peeling because of incompatible materials or slightly different formulations? Again, the assumption in my question is after normal weathering when both brands are oil based non-tinted sealers. Please a little more detail on why you can’t use a different brand when both or the original is not tinted, so not really a stain. What does a stripper do that makes the difference since the original penetrating oil is still there below the surface? Both Thompson’s and TWP say that their clear formulations over UV protection and are not tinted.
Adhesion and penetration potential issues. Stripping is just as easy as cleaning, so why risk having an issue with your new coating not fully soaking into the wood grain and being replied by your prior coating? Cleaners do not strip deep like a stain stripper will.
In addition, all penetrating deck stain manufacturers will tell you the exact same thing. If you switch, you need to remove all prior coatings first. Oil-based over oil-based or water-based over water-based is immaterial. Not following directions for prep is where 90% of deck stains fail, and the first thing consumers do is blame the stain when it is typically the improper prep that causes the failure.
Once again stripping is just as easy as cleaning. Same steps, just a deeper removal.
I have used your water seal for years and have always been very please. I still am, but you have changed the texture of the clear to a milky white, it does dry clear but the past clear will go in a wood deck. I had to keep painting like you are painting wall. Please go back back to a clear clear instead of a milky that DOES dry clear, it takes much longer to paint. Thanks.
Thompsons has failed again. This is less than a year after application.
It is such a poor product but they continue to sell it.
Hi Scott, thank you for providing such detailed and thorough info! We just bought a house with pressure treated pine that was never sealed or stained. It was in terrible shape. I sanded the deck and applied Thomson’s clear sealer. It soaked it up at twice the rate recommended. It’s gorgeous now and the water beads up on every rain but given your warnings about Thompson’s, what do you recommend now? Should I sand it off or can I apply a better product over it? I am concerned any stain will eventually peel, so I’m fine with clear. Many thanks.
Thomposon Clear Sealer, unfortunatley is not a good product. It will bead water for a short period but it will not protect the wood from UV damage:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/thompsons-waterseal-finish-review/
You cannot apply anything over it. I would suggest wating untel next year and strip and brigthen to remove it. You would then want a penetrating stain:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
What color replaced Autumn Brown in Thompson water seal? Deck stain
Sorry but no idea.
This porch wood paint & stain didn’t even last a year on my front porch. I put it on last Apr 2022 and by Jan 2023 the paint-stain was gone off my porch. I was on shock. Now I have to have the porch repainted & stained. V costly.
Wish I had read this before I applied. Used the t8 Ted water seal last year and now I have a real mess. Has all pealed and flaked off. Not sure what my next step will be. With all the complaints I am surprised this product is still being sold.!!!!!
Post some pics for prep advice. It will need to come off fully.
They must have changed their formula since the original. This product was not originally a surface paint like product. I had used it years ago and it did not bake or flake in the sun, and was not affected by -30C temperatures. The product was basically some sort of wax in a solvent, and when applied in sufficient quantity to DRY WOOD it would soak into the wood fibers, and then the solvent would dry off leaving a waterproof wax imbedded in the wood fibers. Could not be scraped off with snow shovels etc. like all these so called surface plastic coatings. I suppose if it is applied to wet wood it would seal the moisture in, or not penetrate as far etc..
2 years ago I used the relatively new water-based Thompson’s Water Seal on a wooden cover for my heat pump (HP) – keeps ice & snow out of the HP. 35 years earlier I used the oil-based Thompson’s Water Seal on similar 1/2″ plywood for a dog house, so I can now compare the two products.The new product is very thin and “watery” to apply, whereas the oil based stuff reminded me more of furniture varnish – the old stuff had a strong odor but I used it outdoors as instructed.The oil based product required 24 hours to dry but man, what a deep, beautiful semi-gloss finish it left.The new stuff only needed about an hour to dry enough for a 2nd coat. In an afternoon I gave my plywood cover (see photo) 3 coats with about 2 hours drying between each. Immediately after coating, the wood had a beautiful rich color. The plywood board was stored in a garage for a week before it was attached to the final HP cover. The oil-based sealer I used 35 years ago was also 3 layers with about 12 hours in between coats. Again, after 72 hours my 1/2″ plywood boards were used to make a dog house. That dog house lasted for 18+ years outdoors in rain, sun, heavy wind, ice, snow with only very minor deterioration – so tearing it down for the bulk trash pickup was physically a difficult job – those boards were still amazingly strong. The newer water base Thompson’s is really not a heavy duty product at all, it may be ok for indoor wood products that only ocassionally get wet, or only occasionally get direct sunlight but it does Not Stand Up to 24/7 sun, wind, rain, snow, & ice. I am really disappointed.Thompson’s has ruined their once-fine reputation with this lame ‘User Friendly’ product. After I sand and refinish the plywood top for my HP cover, I am going to see if Thompson still makes the older real-deal oil-based formula – maybe not because of the strong fumes that it and almost every other wood coating and exterior paint had in those days.
buenas noches quiero 4 galones del sellador thompsons waterseal signatures series all in one stain & sealer semi-transparent honey gold
Check with Thompsons website for help.
I had the worst experience with Thomson’s Water Seal. The boards on my deck have turned black as though they are dirty. I’m having to re-sand it all. The stuff is so hard to get off. Do not recommend and would never use it again.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE OVER WORN PREVIOUSLY STAINED DECK SURFACES. After cleaning and pressure washing deck and rails ,allowing 3 days to dry, applied the Chest Nut brown solid stain. This product is for use on bare wood only as it does not adhere to older painted areas. Second coats beads up and does not adhere to areas that were previously painted. Customer service advised to SAND those areas before applying. WHY did they not include that statement on back panel???? Don’t waster your time or money on this.
FYI, no sealer can be applied over a stain. Does not matter the brand.
How do you apply the stain without getting marks and blotches? We can not make it look good no matter what we try.
Switching to a better stain brand probably would help. Thompsons has a lot of issues.
What are the sparkles stuff in Thompson wood water seal
No idea what you are referring to.
If Thompson’s wood sealer is no good what is the best product for decks and fences
See here for our list of the top wood stain brands: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
4 years ago I applied Thompsons water seal and stain(transparent)Maple Brown. There’s not much of the transparent left after 4 years and I plan on sanding and power washing whatever is left on the deck.
Can I apply Thompsons water seal and stain(semi-transparent)Maple Brown, over Thompsons water seal and stain(transparent)Maple Brown?
You should be okay as long as you prep.
I bought this stain July 2020 after waiting a full year to stain it. This is the worse product ever, the color looked like Redwood not brown like the picture, didn’t soak into the wood laid on top like paint and it started peeling off in strips at around 6 months. I got my money back but now my deck looks awful and I’ll have to power wash it to remove this crap. Do not buy!!
I used Thompson clear water seal on vertical pine siding on a garage now im thinking of adding a color will the color still soak into the wood or will it dry and peal?Is there any other options to add stain to the siding?
You will need to strip off the Thompsons first and then you can use a tinted exterior wood stain.
We used Thompson’s Water Sealer on a new cedar deck last September It was applied with a brush. Half way through the year, the cedar looked dried out as if no sealer had ever been used. We recently cleaned the deck with a pressure washer, let it dry for a few days, then reapplied Thompson’s. It was awful. The sealer stayed tacky and black streaks appeared. After reading reviews today, I believe the black streaks were mildew that imbedded the wood, which indicates this products did not do what it says by sealing the wood. I now have one big mess and will have to strip the sealer that I just put on and reapply a DIFFERENT BRAND of sealer.This was a BIG WASTE of TIME and MONEY.
Worst deck stain ever! Bought it because we had used Thompson’s in the past. Stain was flaking off at 6 months!!! Removing it to restain has been a nightmare. Don’t use this product!
Thompsons is absolute garbage…more like melted crayon wax and paint, no penetration and adhesion to a meticulously and properly preparred and fresh sanded deck…literally a perfect situation for a deck stain to succeed. Best thing about it was it completely lifted in 2 years, so redoing with a quality stain now.
I did a Canadian Spruce Log Cabin 2 years ago. Peeling off in blotches now and the deck railings are coming apart. Used the deck stain, peeling off too. Would not use this product again and is going to be expensive to fix the damage this product has done.
How do you rate Thompson’s timber oil.
All Thompsons products are poor. We would never use them and they have terrible customer reviews.