Hi, I’m Scott Paul
- Thompson's WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector scored a 6.125 out of 10, making it a below-average choice for most homeowners.
- The product earned a score of 1 out of 10 for UV protection, failing to prevent graying on a teak test deck within two years.
- After two years, the entire deck was covered in black mold, suggesting the oils in the formula actually promote mold spore growth.
- Water repellency, initially strong, broke down within 6 to 12 months, falling well short of the brand's claimed four-year lifespan.
- Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain and Armstrong-Clark Transparent Stain are recommended as stronger, longer-lasting alternatives to this product.
- Reapplication requires heavy cleaning to remove mold and graying, adding significant time and cost to ongoing maintenance.
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 adding light color. It is commonly sold as an easy-to-use solution for homeowners looking to seal and protect decks, fences, and other outdoor wood surfaces.
From my experience restoring decks since 1993, Thompson’s WaterSeal products are more of a basic sealer than a true deck stain. While they can provide short-term water protection, they typically lack the UV resistance and long-term durability needed for consistent performance on a deck.
Overall, Thompson’s WaterSeal can be used for temporary protection, but it is not one of the better choices for long-lasting deck staining results.
🔹 Thompson’s WaterSeal Wood Finish – Quick Verdict
- Best For: Short-term water protection and quick projects
- Not Ideal For: Long-term durability and UV protection
- Type: Water-based wood sealer with light pigment
- My Overall Rating: 6.125/10
My Take:
Thompson’s WaterSeal is easy to use and widely available, but from my experience, it does not hold up well long term and requires frequent reapplication.
If you have any experience with this product, we’d love it if you shared your Thompson’s WaterSeal reviews and photos in the comment area below.
Key Takeaways from Our Thompson’s Water Seal Review
- No UV protection – The stain grayed within months, failing its primary job of preserving wood.
- Good water resistance, but short-lived – Initially repels water well, but loses effectiveness by the 2-year mark.
- Mold and mildew issues – Encourages black mold growth over time, making maintenance a hassle.
- Easy to apply – Applies smoothly with a sprayer or pad, with no overlap marks.
- Not recommended – Fails in key areas like UV protection and long-term durability—better alternatives exist.
Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Waterproofer Ratings & Reviews (Out of 10)
How I Rated Thompson’s WaterSeal
My Thompson’s WaterSeal review contains an 8-step process and the final average score. Each step is on a scale of 1-10.
- The appearance of Thompson’s WaterSeal 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’s WaterSeal Final Score
8-Step Review of Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Wood Protector
1. Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 8
This Thompson’s WaterSeal clear waterproofer did not alter the appearance of the wood. After it was fully dry, we tested its ability to repel water, and water did bead on top of the finish and did not absorb into the wood.
2. Preventing UV Graying at 2-Year Mark: 1
As far as we can tell, Thompson’s WaterSeal product does not prevent UV graying. This is a huge disappointment, as preventing UV graying is the number one reason to stain your exterior wood and decking.
3. Wear/Tear and Peeling: 8
The Thompson’s WaterSeal clear waterproofer penetrates deep into the wood. There was no peeling or wearing. We would have given it a 10 if the product still repelled water, but at the 2-year mark, it did not.
4. Cost per Square Foot: 9
Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector is a very inexpensive product with exceptional coverage. Unfortunately, the saying “you get what you pay for” applies here, as Thompson’s WaterSeal product offers no UV protection.
5. Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 2
After 2 years, the entire deck was covered in black mold. It seems that the oils used in Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector feed and promote the growth of mold spores.
6. Ease of Application: 8
Since this is a clear product, it applies exceptionally easily without the need to backwipe. Just apply it with a pump sprayer or stain pad. This finish does not show overlap marks.
7. Color Shifting (Darkening) After 2 Years: 7
This product darkens in color because there is a good amount of mold growing in the finish.
8. Difficulty of Reapplication: 6
A heavy cleaning would be needed to remove the graying and mold from the surface.
Thompson’s Water Seal Clear Waterproofer Overall Score 6.1
Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector: A Clear Disappointment
The Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector falls short of expectations. While it claims to protect exterior wood, it offers zero UV protection, which is critical for preventing graying and preserving the natural beauty of your deck or other wood surfaces.
My Verdict
Any finish that lacks the ability to prevent UV graying simply cannot be recommended for decks or exterior wood. If you’re looking for a product that truly protects and enhances your wood surfaces, we suggest exploring better alternatives.
Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Waterproofer Photos and Results
Product Information
- Cost: $39.99 per gallon
- Stain Type: Clear water repellent
- Available Colors: Clear
- Application Temperature: 45-95 degrees F
- Coats Required: 1
- Coverage per Gallon: 200-300 square feet
- Application Tools: Sprayer, pad, brush, roller
- Dry Time: 48 hours
- Cleanup: Mineral spirits
- VOC Compliance: 250 compliant in all states
- More Info: Product Data
- Manufacturer: Thompson’s
About Our Test Deck
- Deck Wood Type: Teak
- Deck Square Footage: 400 square feet
- UV Exposure: Full sun
- How Many Years Tested: 2 years
- Stain Color Used: Clear
All products tested, and the 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.
Thompson’s WaterSeal FAQs: Oil vs. Water-Based and More
Is Thompson’s WaterSeal Any Good?
Our overall experience with Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector was disappointing, and we would not recommend it. Its inability to prevent UV graying is too harmful to your deck’s wood.
What’s Better Than Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer?
Restore-A-Deck Semi-transparent Stain and Armstrong-Clark Transparent Stain are excellent alternatives to Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector.
How Long Does Thompson’s WaterSeal Last?
Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector claims to last up to 4 years when applied correctly. In our experience, it held up well but no longer repelled water after 6-12 months.
Is Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproof?
Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector is made to waterproof exterior wood.
Can You Use Too Much Thompson’s WaterSeal?
Yes: Applying too much Thompson’s WaterSeal clear waterproofer will significantly increase the time it takes to dry, and it may not dry properly.
Does Thompson WaterSeal Protect Wood?
Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector is intended to protect wood, as the name would indicate, but our testing produced dismal results. It does a very poor job of preventing black mold and UV graying, which are very harmful to the wood.
Is Thompson’s WaterSeal Water- or Oil-Based?
Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector is an oil-based product.
How Do You Use Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector?
This product is easy to apply with either a stain pad or a pump sprayer.
Does Thompson’s WaterSeal Contain Silicone?
No, this Thompson’s WaterSeal product does not contain silicone.
Does Thompson’s WaterSeal Come in Different Colors?
This particular product is clear, but they also make Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer products that include Thompson’s stain in different colors.
How Many Coats of Thompson’s WaterSeal Do I Need?
In most cases, you will only require one coat.
Can Thompson’s WaterSeal Be Used on Stained Wood?
No, Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector cannot be applied over stained wood, regardless of whether the stain was oil- or water-based.
Does Thompson’s WaterSeal Darken Wood?
Our review of Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector found that it did darken wood over time due to the large amount of black mold that grew in the finish.
How Long Does Thompson’s WaterSeal Take to Dry?
The Thompson’s WaterSeal dry time is approximately 4-24 hours before it is considered safe to walk on.
At What Temperature Can You Apply Thompson’s WaterSeal?
The application temperature for Thompson’s WaterSeal products is between 45°F and 95°F.
🔹 Thompson’s WaterSeal Wood Finish – Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to apply with minimal effort
- Widely available and affordable
- Provides short-term water repellency
- Good for quick projects or temporary protection
- Can be used on multiple exterior wood surfaces
Cons
- Very limited UV protection
- Short lifespan compared to higher-quality stains
- Requires frequent reapplication
- Does not penetrate deeply into the wood
- Not suitable for long-term deck protection
🔹 Best Wood Types for Thompson’s WaterSeal
- Decks needing temporary protection
- Fences or low-traffic wood surfaces
Not Ideal For:
- Full sun decks – will fade quickly
- Decks needing long-term durability
- Hardwoods (IPE, Cumaru, etc.) – not effective
👉 See: Deck Stain for New Wood
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
🔹 Application Tips
- Apply to properly cleaned and prepped wood
- Apply thin, even coats
- Do not over-apply
- Best used in low to moderate exposure conditions
👉 How to Prep a Deck
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-deck-prep-clean-strip-or-sand-the-deck/
👉 How to Stain a Deck
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-stain-a-deck/
🔹 Maintenance & Recoat Tips
Maintenance is frequent with products like Thompson’s WaterSeal.
- Reapply every 6–12 months depending on exposure
- Clean and brighten before reapplication
- Monitor for water absorption and fading
- Expect shorter lifespan compared to true stains
From my experience, these types of sealers require constant upkeep to maintain protection.
👉 Deck Cleaning and Brightening
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/cleaning-wood-deck/
🔹 Who Should Use Thompson’s WaterSeal?
You should consider Thompson’s WaterSeal if:
- You want a quick and inexpensive solution
- You need short-term water protection
- Your project is low priority or temporary
- You are not concerned with long-term durability
You may want to consider other options if:
- You want long-lasting protection
- Your deck is exposed to full sun
- You prefer a stain with better UV resistance and longevity
👉 Best Deck Stains
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
🔹 Thompson’s WaterSeal Wood Finish – Final Thoughts
Thompson’s WaterSeal Wood Finish is a basic water-repellent product that provides short-term protection but lacks the durability and UV resistance needed for long-term deck performance.
From my hands-on experience, products like this require frequent reapplication and do not hold up well compared to higher-quality stains that penetrate and protect the wood more effectively.
If you are looking for a quick, temporary solution, Thompson’s WaterSeal can work. For most deck owners, however, investing in a better-quality stain will provide far better long-term results and easier maintenance.
Do NOT buy this product. We followed the instructions and it did not last even a full year on my deck. It chipped and peeled off the deck wood even though the deck had little traffic or use. We had to buy another gallon of it and we applied it again. Again, it still did not hold up on my deck. I would not recommend this product to anyone, nor will I ever buy it again. I give it a 1 star and that is being generous. Don’t waste your money on this product.
Don’t use this. Applied it per the instructions. The stuff is still sticky going on the 4th day. Do not recommend.
Don’t waste your money on this product. We prepared my large deck. Applied the Thompson water seal transparent on the deck in May of last yr. I spent alot of money on this product. Now that it is spring the stain is almost off, now need to rent a sander to get the rest of it off. This product is awful does not even seem to soak into the wood. I am so glad that I didn’t do my front deck with this product.
Waited 1&1/2 years to treat new deck. Did all prep work applied in August come spring deck is peal and looks terrible . Can not get through on Thompsons phone line or email. Not happy
We didn’t like how red (almost pinkish) after applying the Thompson’ seal and stain in cedar to our new fencing. We did not over appy and followed directions. Thought it might tone down after a day, but it’s still hard to look at. So now we need to spend more money to find some other product to redo the whole fence to get a more true cedar look. Really disappointed!!
I did a deck last year with Thompson’s and now want to change to a semi transparent. Do I have to sand all the Thompson’s off first?
Strip and brighten to remove it: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit/
If you apply Thompson’s clear water seal will applying a new coat every year within the year of coating each time / each year,maintenance natural color of wood, and serve as a water proofer ? I have just applied the Thompson’s to a 7 Layer plywood outdoor work table.top.
Or can I recoat over the top with mineral oil now that the Thompson’s dried.
It has been raining and the water is beading up uniformly on the table top now.
After it drys out again, re coating with mineral oil oil a good solution?
Last week I put on two coats of Thompson’s to the new plywood, allowing it to dry three days between coats.
No, it will gray naturally as it has no UV protection and does not last more than a few months. Thompsons has no real value.
You cannot apply mineral oil over it, and mineral oil has no use for exterior wood.
Scott thanks for your help, I am working with an older cedar fence, that I cleaned with bleach and water mix. Used a natural ready seal stain on it and everything I am trying is coming out a darker brown then I want. Trying to get to a color close as I can get to new install. Used Thompson wether seal, everyone right garbage. Going to take a board off that I cleaned to store and put different sample stains on it maybe I’ll get lucky. Thanks again.
You must have tint in your stain for UV protection and that means it will darken or enhance the natural wood color. It is not possible to maintain the “new” wood look and have UV protection from graying:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/will-a-clear-sealer-prevent-graying-on-deck/
Can you put polyurethane on top of Thompson water seal clear to keep it from fading or peeling. Second question. Can you put polyurethane on wood fence after cleaning with bleach and water mixed to keep the lighter color. Thank you
No. Never use poly on exterior wood. It will blister, peel, and be a nightmare to remove it.
Scott, Bob again don’t really see any good reviews for an oil base clear fence stain. If you had any ideas about one that works would help. Curious cleaned fence. Bleach water mix. Can I use just polyurethane on fence instead of stain. Will give me the clear look I am looking for. Thank you.
Never us a poly on exterior wood. It will peel, attract mold, and create dry rot.
Use a semi-transparent stain like TWP 1500 Series or Armstrong Clark. Both are oil-based.
I used Thompsons water sealer, and I am very dissappointed. IT comes off, it discolors, now I am hoping it will melt more ontop, of the stain, but I fear I may have to remove it all, and start again… I can’t believe this, its a 400 sq ft deck.
Thanks for answering last question about Thompson water seal clear stain. Basically everyone saying stuff is crap. ? Since it is water based, can I get this off using a 50/50 mix of bleach and water. And start over and re-stain with a oil base clear product .
No. You will need to chemically strip it. Not easy to strip this. Post some pics.
Using Thompson Clark water seal. Why is it so brown when I put it on fence. Will it lighten up when it dries. Worried I read it will get darker over time
It is a poor stain/sealer and will discolor shortly.
Can you still buy this product
Google Search:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Thompson+WaterSeal+Waterproofer+Plus+Clear+Wood+Protector
don’t confuse Thompson’s water seal with Thompson’s water seal waterproofer plus. the water proofer plus is an excellent product and yes with uv protection. it’s oil based and deeply penetrates into the wood. doesn’t sit on the surface like a stain. there is nothing to peel or wear .I just clean and reapply every two years and deck looks great
I’m water pooling a shade structure over a koi pond How long does it need to cure so it for it to be safe if it rains so it doesn’t hurt the fish
A few days should be okay.
Will applying Thompson’s clear water seal to rough red cedar affect it’s insect repellant qualities?
No, it should not.
I think I used to much it’s been 4 days and it won’t dry what can I do?
You will have to remove all and start over. How to remove, depends on the condition, stain brand, and stain type that was used? Pics would help. You can post them here.
Want to know since Tho
psons is no good for decks whether to use paint or is there any preservative good! It takes a lot of time to do things right and since we have been dealing with CHINA, I lost all my respect! Everything we get is from China and yes all is TRASH!
I have interior wood Latvia’s that look dry! What do you recommend?
The products we review are for exterior use only.
I am doing a small outdoor project using 1/2″ plywood and would like to know the best sealer to use on the surface and sides. The plywood will be exposed year round. The plywood does have some small knots on both sides and some small voids on the edges. I need to do both sides. I guess what I am asking is, what do I do to make my project water proof? Since the rest of the project is natural unstained cedar it would be nice to have the plywood be cedar color or a brown color.
I was going to use Thompson Water Sealer but after reading this article that is not going to happen so i need something different but still economical.
Comments / suggestions would be most welcomed.
Thank you
Randy Marshall
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Try TWP 200 Series or Armstrong Clark stains.
It used to be one of the best products on the market until the EPA made them change the their formula. It is now fair at the very best. I would not use it or recommend it to anyone.
Water Based Nightmare!!
Seems that not too many have good results with this product. I have used it for the last 9 years on my deck and redo every 3 years. The deck does get dirty from the crap from the trees and the dirt in the air. I pressure wash the seams between boards and use bleach to clean the boards before re-applying Thompson’s Clear Sealer. BUT – since everything is now ‘safe for the environment’ I can only get the water based version of this product. I did about 100 sq feet with the oil based stuff I had left over from last sealing and the rest (500sq feet) with the new water based crap. And it is very crappy looking compared to the oil based product.
I guess I will live with this until midsummer and hope that it all fades. Otherwise I will go get a sander and refinish the entire surface. Maybe I can still get the oil based product in the states..
We were told to wait at least a year before staining our new deck with Thompson’s Water Seal and Stain. We stained last fall. This is what it looks like less than 7 months later. We applied a thin coat of stain to dry deck boards. Not very happy with the results and not real sure how we can fix this horrible mess. Suggestions appreciated.
Remove is all. Strip with the Restore A Deck Stripper and both additives: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-booster-thickening-gel-review/
The RAD Brightener after.
Used this on several items. Looks awful after one year.
Why won’t this dry? I used it on a bench which must dry for people to sit on but now I have to sand it back down so I can use something else on it. Not happy at all with this product!!!!!! I got it at Lowes and I am not sure if it is not any good or not but it looks milky and it should be clear. I will never buy this again.
It is a very poor product. Many issues with drying and performance.
Put the sealer on my deck used cedar and it’s coming off within a year and a half. What went wrong?
It is a very poor product. Does not work well and does not last. So what went wrong was not your fault, but their’s for selling it in the first place.
So what sealer/stain is quality and do I need to sand the deck. I need to know what steps to take to redo my deck. Thank you so much for your input.
Strip and brighen to remove the Thompsons fully. Stain with TWP Stains or Restore A Deck Stains.
Thank you!
Spent several days cleaning my 300 sq ft deck with pressure washer. Let the deck dry for about a week (no rain). Bought a gallon of Thompson’s clear and sprayed on with a pump sprayer. The Thompson’s gunked up about an hour after it was applied. Hour or two later there was a chalked substance on the surface of the wood. Used a steel brush to remove it. Wood surface has yet to dry completely after 3 days and is so slick, slippery you can hardly walk on it. The wood is now very dark as if it had been a fire. Thompson’s solution is to take sealer back for a refund. Junk.. Anyone know what to do next?
Post some pictures for help.
The surface is so slick that you can’t walk on it. Also, when I go out to cook on the deck, I have to wear booties to prevent tracking up my hardwood and rugs inside.
You will need to remove it. Strip and brighten with Restore A Deck Stripper and Brightener Kits.
Thank you Einstein! Your product is the worst!
I think you are missing the point of who we are. We are not Thompsons or make it but an independent review site that agrees that Thompson is poor. If you do not want our help with trying to fix it, then why ask and then be rude about it?
I thought you were Thompson’s.. I truly apologize. Thanks for your suggestion.
No issues, their products are very poor. Hope it all works out for you.
we applied the product a week ago and it will not dry, very sticky, stepping on it sticks to the shoes and we ended up with the sticky shoe prints through my dinning room floor. We cannot get it off my floor. I’ve since returned the product got my money back. But now i have damage to my floors. I am very very disappointed in it. I will not recommend this product. In order to get my deck back I am going to have to buy paint thinner to remove it they the store manager said. And it will take a lot I imagine. Grrr I am not a happy camper with this product.
Was very disappointed with “Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector” This was the “Clear” version of the product, with no Tint or Stain.
I have a video of the application but was limited to a snapshot of the video, due to upload size limitations. Even from the attached snapshot, you can see the product turned my wood much darker than the original color. Definitely, NOT CLEAR.
I power washed the wood over a week ago, and following the direction on the can, made sure the wood was dry, the can was well shaken, and it was above 50 degrees. The attached picture was a second attempt, done with a hand roller as shown in the Thompson’s site video applying the product and using a minimal amount of the product. This is 36 hours after I applied the product, and I do not see it lightening up any, to match my original wood color.
As you can “clearly” see (sorry for the pun) the wood is a much darker color than my original wood color. I also did another attempt and used a small sprayer to apply the product and ended up with the same outcome.
If you need to be a professional painter to use this product, they shouldn’t sell it to the layperson.
Is 2 coats of Thompson’s WaterSealer/Advanced on a decks bettwr than I coat?
No. Zero is better than any. Choose a better product.
We had a New 14′ x 12′ deck built in November 2020. We sealed it in March 2021 with Thompson All in One Stain and Sealer Honey Gold. It is now Going into July 2021 and i have black streaks dots and spots all over where the sun hits. Tried to use Valspar Deck cleaner today with no such luck on the black coming off, or the streaks. It now has a white bleach look. I’m lost at what to do next!
You will probably have to remove it all by stripping and or sanding to fix. Brighener after.
Stain with a higher quality stain after:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Thank You. I kind of figured that is what i was going to have to do. I have been searching for the best stain, cleaner and brightener to use. No more Being Cheap!
Looked good first summer. Winter and snow came and in the spring at least 50% was gone. Two years 90% gone. Very dissatisfied.
Can you reapply the clear watersealant a year later with out removing the previous application?
No, you have to prep.
Why won’t it work with a sprayer. I tried 2 different sprayers and all the different tips. It seems to be to thick. What do I do to make sprayer work???
You cannot spray it with a pump sprayer if too thick. Only an airless sprayer.
Very dissatisfied with Thompsons product. Peeling and white color when wet. I now have to remove what is left on porch before re staining with oil base stain. because Thompsons did not last for two years my porch became weather damaged and the color is uneven. Again, VERY dissatisfied😠
Applied water seal last summer, it began peeling and flaking over the winter, now this spring I will have to redo the whole deck. I’ll find another product and hope for better results. I will not recommend this product.
I’m in the same boat. Very disappointing.
I’ve used this product for several years. It looks good after applying but doesn’t last. I apply every spring. Starts flaking in winter and looks horrible by spring. I would change product but I would have to restain the vertical slats to match the planks. I reapply every spring to the horizontal planks and touch up the rest of the deck. It would be best to avoid this product from the start.
Mine also started flaking about 3 weeks later. I worked so hard on staying my deck and I am very disappointed.
I used this last year. Completely pressure washed the whole deck and waited a week to be sure it was dried before I applied the stain. Went on good, looked good. Dried quickly. It rained about a week later and noticed it repelled good, but it left water rings. Got thru the winter and half of the stain has peeled up everywhere by spring. I couldn’t believe it. Will not use this product again. Deck paint would have held up better. Very disappointed.
Hi
I want to seal a pew for outdoor use.
Do I need to sand the pew first? It’s an old church pew, already stained.
You cannot apply a sealer over stained wood. You would have to fully remove the old coatings first and then use an outside stain.
Is this review of the Thompsons water-base or oil-base sealer? I have an oil-based thompsons clear that now I’m worried about using on my new fence.
The clear will be useless on your fence when it comes to UV protection. It will gray in months. Review is for the oil version but the water based is just as bad.
Last spring I sanded my deck to bare wood and fully cleaned and dried it before applying Thompson’s WaterSeal Semi-Transparent. No issues with stickiness, looked great for awhile, but it’s now ten months later and half of it has peeled off. Looks awful, no protection. Guess I get to do it all again, with a different brand this time. 🙁
I sealed my deck about 5 days ago with Thompsons clear. I dont see how your sprayers didn’t work. Mine worked fine. It was all dry in about 2 days like the can said. No stickiness what so ever. I think the only thing I can think of is people are way oversmdoing the amount if its not dry after weeks or using. The only concern I have is that little water rings are left behind where the water was sitting after my sprinklers went off. I hope after a rain the whole deck doesn’t look like that. I’ve used this product before with no problem. Did the ingredients change?
I stained my new deck 3 years ago with Thompsons water sealer and I loved it. It looked great and no issues with being sticky. One month ago I had to stain my deck so I bought the same brand and color of water sealer. I did all the prep just like the bottle said, and I let the deck dry for 4 days. This time after using Thompson’s water sealer I am very disappointed. The deck is sticky, so sticky my shoes stuck to the stairs and i fell down.
I really injured my leg and back. I don’t let anyone out on my deck. I need to hire someone to remove Thompson’s water sealer and apply a different brand. After calling the company they said we can refund your money as long as you have your bill. I got my money back but now I have a bigger problem and it’s going to cost me a lot because I am unable to do the work after injuring myself. STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS PRODUCT.
I WILL NEVER EVER BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN…
Can you paint over it
No, it will repel the stain or paint and it will peel.
2 WEEKS AND STILL NOT DRY! We had our porch redone by a company and they used this product. We were told to not walk on the porch and use our back door for 2 days. We’re now going on week 2 of this issue. The porch remains sticky. What a nightmare.
Can u apply it 2 days after applying Cabot stain on your deck?
No, you can never apply a sealer over a deck stain.
Sikkens offers clear coat for over their stains[cetol maintenence]
Yes, and it will peel.
Does Thompson waterproof honey stain peel?
Probably will.
How long does it take to dry? Its been 24 hours and is still wet and oily.
It should dry soon, if not, you will have to remove and start over with a better brand.
Try wiping the excess off Mary, the wood will only absorb so much and the rest will just sit there.
Product is crap don’t waste your time or money! Wish I had of read the reviews first!!
I am only giving them a one star review because I can’t post with a no star ! we have always used their water sealer and when I reached out to customer service for a problem no one returned my emails even though it says they will get back to you in one business day!!! And I couldn’t get through on the phone so a product is only good if a company stands behind it very disappointed . Will not buy it again.
Looks lovely when dry but don’t use this product unless you want to be mopping puddles up off your deck every day. Water just sits on the deck now and creates a slipping hazard
I put Thompson water sealer on my deck 10’x42′ it repelled water for the first year and everytime it rained you could see the oil coming to the surface and it cupped up almost all of the 5/4 deck boards and most of them began to squeak had 3 screws in each joist , had to screw 2 more screws in to stop squeaks graying and molding after 1st year this stuff is crap will never use again
Does Thompson’s water seal and the others need UV light in order to cure properly?
Almost all stains or sealers need the sun to help it cure.
This product ran down wooden columns colllecting on concrete patio floor. Right now it is still not completely dry. What is the best way to get it off the concrete?
Honestly, I do not think you can as it is designed to penetrate deep.
Daughter and son on law in NOLA, used a Thompsons water sealant in April, in July their deck is still super sticky.
Sealed my whole deck , low and behold we had a thunderstorm and it rained 3 hours later .. will I have to reapply?
Hard to say. Probably okay.
I sealed my deck , but as my misfortune we had a thunderstorm and it rained .. it only had 3 hours drying time . Will I have to reapply ?
Last summer I applied Thompson waterseal in the cedar tone to a cedar deck. This spring it has mostly flaked off or is flaking. Would not recommend this product
Will this particular product leave a sticky residue
Maybe as it has issues drying.
No it doesn’t. Just make sure it’s clean and dry and use a staining pad to apply evenly. I’ve only used Thompson’s water seal and my fence looks as good now as it did 16 yrs ago. I touch up a section every year for my own personal preference. Dries quickly.
My deck, same.
So glad you had good luck with it. Maybe it’s OK on a fence but definitely not on a deck even though we had no rain it didn’t dry and now when you walk in onto the hardwood floors it leaves foot prints !!So frustrating as I have tried to contact a company multiple times and nobody returned your emails
This is what’s happening to us. It’s dry because water beads up on the deck, but when we walk on the deck some kind of residue is on our shoes/socks/feet and it gets on our hardwood. We may nave to have deck shoes only allowed for the deck…
Ugh so much work for nothing 😣 even my dogs leave foot prints! I am going to try dawn dish soap as a degreaser fingers crossed
I have used this product many times and it has never left a sticky residue.
Just used Thompson’s Waterseal Waterproof Solid Stain in Acorn color on my deck. I completely sanded it down to bare wood (pain in the ass!) and applied the stain EXACTLY as directed. Dried in about two hours, looked great – then, today, 4 days after I stained the deck, it rained. It did seal the wood, the water pooled on top of the wood but, as it evaporated it left milky white patches and spots all over the deck – like putting a wet glass down on a piece of wood furniture will do.
I’m completely disgusted with the amount of time, effort,and money I put into this and got to enjoy it for a whole 3 days! Is there a way to prevent this from happening? What a nightmare! I’ll never use Thompson’s products ever again.
Thompsons Water Seal multi-surface waterproofer:
Twenty months ago I cleaned our screened redwood porch floor as well as our treated outside deck with Jomax deck cleaner as I had done 18 months prior, and so on ad nauseam for the past 17 yrs. and applied Thompsons Water Sealer according to the directions on the cans. The porch floor is still tacky. The deck less so but not ‘sealed feeling’ as in previous years. The only variation I can imagine is the higher humidity during the application. In the past, the sealer has worked as advertised and loses effectiveness (depending on weather) between 12-10 months. I was willing to repeat the
process in such a short time because it offered an opportunity to keep a close eye on the aging materials and construction.
Now I find myself with another costly (both time and money) step in order to seal my outside non-painted wood. It seems the only way to get rid of the tackiness is with a lacquer thinner wipe after the cleaning. I’m hesitant to apply TWS ever again. Unfortunately, I still have enough product safely stored to do half the project. What a waste.
I used Thompson weatherseal with a tint last summer, this spring after the snow left it had already peeled and looks horrible! It in most places is not repealing any water. What can I do now? Can I restrain with a better product?? I was told that once you use Thompson’s you can never use anything else because the silicone goes down in the boards and then a stain can’t properly penetrate? I already pressured washed and then stripped off the remaining , is it true now that I can’t stain? I don’t want to be doing this every year.
Sand or strip it off to remove it fully. You can use a different stain after. Try one of these: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
I have replaced the floor of my 21 year old deck with composite planks. The original joists and supporting posts are pressure treated lumber, in good condition presently but 21 years old. What can I do to help preserve the wood from rot and protect my investment?
There is no need to apply anything to the joists or posts under the deck nor would it help.
Have a deck 30 plus years old none pressure treated . Each spring and fall I pressure wash and reapply it has been an awesome product for me the proof is in the deck. Our winters here ( PEI Canada) are long and harsh but the product has proven up to the challenge.
Product states it can be applied by spraying. No matter how much I mixed or shook it, it would not spray in my (Decks and More) sprayer. All the parameters of temperature and thorough mixing were observed and applied. I ended up having to brush it on which make a 5 hour job take 16 hours. Wow! What a disappointment. I’ve used this brand and other deck sealer brands in the past and applied all of them with a sprayer with satisfactory results. However, this clear sealer this time would not spray no matter what I tried. Also, my sprayed is always cleaned and properly maintained. This wasn’t the issue. Probably won,t buy Thompson,s water seal again. Instructions for application are misleading.
I completely agree with you. I had to apply witth a roller. Have used many times before but will not use again. Too thick to be applied by spayer. I even bought a new sprayer just for this application.
Same problem with Deckers and More sprayers
Live in PA
Deck has sun most of the day. Thompson’s WaterSeal semitransparent wood stain was applied in the Fall 2019 after cleaning the surface according to the label. Initially the deck looked great. May 2020 – Spring has arrived and it looks terrible. Most of the stain is gone. See pic attached. What is my next step to improve the deck?
Thanks,
Carol
Strip and brighten for prep. Use the Restore A Deck Kits. Stain with a better brand: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Am I understanding correctly? This product can not seal previously stained pine boards? I applied on some stained 1×8 pine boards and it’s taking forever to dry.
You cannot apply a sealer over a deck stain.
Ty, would the sealer work if it was regular interior trim stain? The pine 1xs are in a high humidity room, regular stain was previously applied, but not sealed or polyurethane applied. Thank you
No.
How long should it take to dry? I sanded wooden arms on an aluminum lawn chair, then applied wood stain two days later applied Thompsons, two coats following more than two hours between . It’s been 10 days and they still feel tacky!! Anything I can do at this point?
You over applied it. Remove and start over with a better product.
Take a rag with mineral spirits on it wring it out and wipe off the access. Let it air dry, it should be fine. Two coats was not necessary. Way over applied. It’s not varnish or polyurethane! I put a coat on my new pine shed when I bought it. One year later, in New England, it was still good. Water still beading up. I’m convinced, less is more with a product like this. The wood is only going to absorb so much at one time. Plus I’m sure those chair arms had a finish of some type on them once.
Is this Thompson’s product anti-termites?
No deck stain is ant-termite.
what will happen if you did put the sealer over the paint on a wood canoe
It will not work. You cannot add a sealer over a paint or deck stain.
Ok, I chose an inferior product in Thompson’s Water Seal to seal my bare fence. Now I see conflicting advice out there on how to improve from here. Even worse I used the clear version.
Are my only options to wait a few months and then go over it with Thompson’s Water Seal with stain and reapply every year?
You will want to remove it by stripping and brightening and then go with a better brand as all Thompsons deck products are poor. Look at one of these brands: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Can Thompson’s be used over paint to help waterproof ? I.E, railings on out door deck
No, you can never apply a sealer over a deck stain or paint.
This is our brand new deck, built with pressure treated wood in 2019, sealed August 2019- pictures taken March 2020. We are very frustrated and unimpressed with this product. A waste of money and most importantly time. Strongly advise NOT to use this product
what does it look like? I can’t see pictures. Did it peel?
Same with us large pool deck and walls done in August 2018. Stained August 2019, April 2020 and it’s a disaster. Bought 12 cans of this and what a mess. I’m so disappointed. The time and money put into this and it’s all flakey
What is in the clear Thompsons Waterseal? I keep reading that it is basically wax dissolved in mineral spirits but cannot find any information that proves the ingredients.
Their SDS says Parafin Wax and Solvent.
I have been unable to find a copy of the SDS. Would you happen to have a link?
Just do a search on google for it. It was the first result.
Ipe wood to follow up first questions. Thanks.
My Deck contractor just used Thompson’s water seal on my brand new deck and swears by it. I live in SoCal. I do not like the idea of some of these suggested oils that darken the wood. After looking at these awful reviews for Thompson’s, what is my next step??
Rookie deck owner
You will need to strip it off and then brighten the wood. At this point, just do it next Spring or Summer.
We had a simple days rain and already have mass water stains on the wood. Is there a way to stop these stains from forming? Even dew drops from eves seem to make water marks. Suggestions?
No way to prevent this. You might want to strip it now so it naturally weathers for a time as he prematurely stained it: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
You have a hardwood deck so look at this in the Spring: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
Can the wood be painted after water seal treatment?
No, it will probably not adhere correctly.
Should this product be milky?
No.
It is when it goes on, yes. It won’t be when it dries. I used the clear stain on my natural pine shed. It darkened it just a bit. Looks fine. A few hours after application and you notice it’s wet in a few spots, wipe it with a rag or go over it with a brush. The product dried, and wasn’t sticky at all. Have used it 2 years in a row with the same result.
I am using semi transparent stain and sealer autumn brown. Can I add a anti skid to it and what kind? Thanks
No, it will not work.
Will my deck become slippery in the winter or will the ice and snow be easily removed?
Thompsons is a poor stain so it is possible it will be slippery when it freezes.
This product is TERRIBLE! Sikkens seems to work the best in coastal areas.
Do I need to shake or stir Thompson’s water seal before applying it to a new deck. Deck installer said stir but clerk at store was going to shake it
Stir it.
Either or, makes no difference.
we applied Thompsons water shield to our new deck last year. Over the winter, all surfaces that were not vertical – all the floor and seats – faded badly . The paint dealer says lots of people have reported the same problem . He has no answer to the problem. Surely we do not have to stain it every year??
Strip and sand it to remove it fully and then brighten the wood. Try a better stain like Armstrong or TWP: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
I used Thompsons deck cleaner and washed with the hose. When I applied the Thompsons natural sealer, it left tiny bits on the finish. It seems to be interacting with the cleaner. When I apply to a piece of wood that hasn’t been cleaned, it doesn’t do this. Am I not rincing it well enough?
Never heard of this but does not surprise as Thpomosn makes poor products. Can you reply with a picture?
Review of Thompson’s advanced water based stain ? Prod #: THC051711
All Thompsons products for deck have poor results. See consumer comments below.
Used on deck boards. Less then a year later it’s all peeled up and looks like shit. Two other families I know have used it and have had the same experience. STAY AWAY.
My deck was sanded and blond I applied Thompson’s clear and now it’s a gray/ brown color I hope when it dries that what they say is true and the natural color comes back, “Maintains woods natural color” I’m doubting it,
It will not come back.
Can you stain a color over Thompson water sealer
No.
I used Thompson’s Water Seal Oil Based Stain (Hazelnut) on my new deck and there are silver or white spots that have appeared after 2 weeks. Spots are mostly around knot wholes in the wood. I pressure washed my deck before applying the stain. What would cause this?
Post a picture.
I used the clear over Home depot pressure treated cedar tone wood. After it dried and even a year later the color is rubbing off. I’m not sure if its this product or the wood.
Product. It is not good.
I purchased 3 cans. Two at one location And one at another. The first 2 cans were clear and liquid and the last one was much thicker and a little opaque. All cans are exactly the same Thompson’s water seal plus. Why the difference.
Not sure. We do not use their products due to all the issues.
dhansen from Toledo,OH. here I work at a Home Improvement Store,.. we stress to people that the Batch Number should all match when purchasing any type of Paints or Stains or varnishes anything that has will cause color change to any project. the reason is simple but most are not aware of… the batches in which products are made in,.. numbers matching are all made of the Exact same recipe,quantities of ingredients or chemicals. the next batch may ( Possibly ) & ( May ) Very Just enough to cause these color changes. Just some Friendly F.Y.I. Take Care & Best of Luck – Always. Most Sincerely, dhansen from Toledo, OH.
This product is not suitable to be sprayed from a garden sprayer. It’s viscosity is that of house paint. Don’t purchase if you plan to apply by spraying. Very frustrating and time consuming to apply. Will not be purchasing this again.
I agree this product is not suitable to sprayed from any sprayer. I’m not sure in the change in the product because have always used before with sprayer and it did a great job. Will not purchase Thompson’s again. Had to hand brush lattice work which took hours. Even spraying on floor boards and fencing spray turned out terrible. Again will not purchase ever again
There is a Paint sprayer that can be used for such projects, I don’t know if it still around,.. Hopefully it was called The ” Wagner Power Painter/Sprayer” it was designed to have a Multi – Purpose Function in mind. Good Luck & Best Wishes,…I hope things work out for the Best Guy’s. dhansen from Toledo,OH.
As suggested we applied with a hand held sprayer, which coated the deck thick like paint. Now we’ve spent too much trying to remove it. Brand new deck looks like crap. Used Thompsons stripper…garbage
Tried to contact the company for advice, cannot get in touch with anyone and they haven’t replied after a couple weeks.
Id strongly suggest you research more and avoid this product.
I used the Thompson’s water seal wood stain & sealer in woodland sealer on rough cedar in the Texas Hill Country and on the west side the stain is half gone from pealing. the sun is killing the stain. the north side is not bad. sanded down and started to re-apply but after reading the reviews I think I am going to be wasting my time ( even though I have 3 gallons I can’t take back.) covered porch is made with deck wood Pine and has 100’s of tiny places that are peeling. Can I paint over this mess with a porch paint after sanding.
Cover with a solid stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
Applied 2 years ago on my summer trailer deck. After one season – patches off, looked worse than before. Last year sanded down stairs – to the bare wood – and applied it again (did not touch the deck) – came this year in May and almost cried – the worst product! Should be pulled off the shelves. Took me 2 days to strip it from the stairs – first deck stripper (Sico) than today run over with mineral spirits (had 2 rainy days in between). Thompson is gone but my arms and hands are dying. Lot’s of scrubbing.
Do not buy it. Stay away.
I usually google stuff before I buy – I didn’t with Thompson so I paid high price for it.
YES – mold grows on it like crazy!
When went to the store to grab stripper and showed them the picture they said – that’s what Thompson does 🙁
Both deck stripper and mineral spirits worked, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to strip it off the deck – too big. Maybe I’ll wait until next year when more of that nasty stuff will come off by itself.
the problem is I hate bare wood, looks like unfinished to me. They told me it will be hard to stain it again after stripping. Was wondering if oiling would work, will have to try.
Picture shows stairs 3 weeks ago before stripping Thompson.
Had same problem, over the winter the nut meg stain looked like the skin on a 105 year old person .
I power washed it and removed most of it. Our sections I used heavy duty deck stripper and then applied 3 in 1 deck cleaner and brightner, Right now waiting for warmer and dry weather in northern Ontario Canada.
Planning on using Thompson clear waterseal. Am told it is a different base and will not go waving and wrinkly
Just like everyone else, after the one year mark there is tons of mold growing on it and it turned gray. It’s also change colors with spots of white. It’s a terrible product
Di you make a eco friendly product that won’t change the colour of my deck
No.
I used Thompson’s clear stain for several years until last summer switched to one of their coloured stains. Over the winter , sections of the deck that were exposed to the elements started to peel and after scrubbing and hosing this spring, most parts of the coloured portions came off and even looks like the original clear stain seems to have lifted too.
Any suggestions on what went wrong ?
Bad product. Seems many people have similar issues.
I just used your product, I’m 65 yo and I can’t believe you put out such a crappy item. Just worked my ass off and it looks worst than before. I would at least like my money back for three gallons of this crap. Pull it off the shelves now!
It is not our product, not sure why you are blaming us? We are an independent review site that has nothing to do with this product and agree that Thompsons is not good.
What kind of oils are contained in Thonpson’s Water Seal?
Not sure.
Its is a parrafin oil, aka WAX. Short cut product. AVOID
Applied Thompson’s waterseal as per manufacturer recommendation .
looked good after 1 month . 3 monthes later peeling and flaking , will have to do over entire deck
Complete waste of money !
NOT RECOMMENDED
new wood deck from Menards. Seasoned for a year. Looked perfect for the summer after staining then during winter about 75% peeled off and faded . I have to strip and restore with another product. Waste of money
thompson water seal to tick for sprayer – how do you thin it down?
You cannot thin it. It should spray though.
It doesn’t though. First can quit spraying right away. Second can same thing. Now I’m left with a 4×5 lattice not protected but for half of one side. Obviously this crappy sealant isn’t going to work on my new bamboo fencing.
Deck was pressure-washed and cleaned ahead of time. The new formulation of Waterseal (milky white) does NOT cover as effectively as the old oil-based finish. It also takes forever to dry and heaven forbid it should rain during the next 24 hours. My deck is a complete mess. Almost bad enough I’m considering replacing the entire gooey mess.
Deck was cleaned and prepped, and product applied per instructions, Redwood semi-solid product failed within 3 months. Bad enough if a clear coating fails but the colored product peeling made the deck look worse than before we applied it. If there was an overall negative star rating that’s what it would get.
Have white spots all over my deck and floor of deck is graying in color, just stained the deck last year. Terrible product and waste of moneyl!!
Have white spots all over my treated deck after dealing with Thompson.s. Never had this problem before. Why did this happen?
Honestly, because Thompsons does not make quality products.
Did some more research on this product and it keeps coming back the same. GARBAGE! don’t waste your time and money. They shouldn’t be allowed to even sell this.