This post was updated on April 6, 2026
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 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.
| Image | Title | Price | Add to cart | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $51.99 | |||
 | Price range: $239.99 through $257.99 |
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.
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 power washed the deck and waited a week to make sure the boards completed dried. Applied 2 coats of the Thompson cedar stain. Looked great through the fall and winter. After snow had melted the deck has lost most of the stain had faded or simply vanished. The only spot unaffected is where it was covered by a storage bin. I am so angry of the time and expense wasted for this project. Headed down to Home Depot tomorrow for their take..
Hi! I used the clear sealer. I made the mistake of not shaking the can before using. Will this cause a problem for me?
Thanks!
Not sure as we do not use this product as it just does not work well. Probably is okay.
Why would it be peeling after only 9 months?
Because it is a poor quality deck finish and lack of penetration into the wood.
I’ll go one step further and say it is a terrible quality deck finish. It used to be ok but not now. I powerwashed, left to dry for two weeks, prepped and then applied Thompson’s. What a blotchy, sugar coated (it left glittery substance) mess. We have a large tiered deck so all that hard work just went down the drain. I wish I had seen this website BEFORE I applied this product to my deck. Ugh!!!
I recently sanded and stained two older outdoor wooden chairs. Afterward, I applied 3 coats of Thompson’s WaterSeal. A week or so later, it rained 3″ and then rained again after another week. When I went out to the chairs, I saw that the shine from Thompson’s WaterSeal was completely gone and that in many areas the stain was missing too leaving grayish wood. Any idea what happened? This all happened in a period of about 3 weeks.
Hi Laura, Thompsons is not supposed to be shiny. If it was, you way over applied and it just washed away. In addition, the Thompsons water seal has zero UV protection from graying.
I used Thompsons transparent stain and waterproofer on a large front porch, stairs and covered back porch. It looked nice, but was super slippery. The day following application, I stepped out my front door onto a rubber backed rug and it slid out from under me, along with my feet!! I called and they said it could be too much product applied, wash it with a brush and it will help. It seemed to help, but always worried about someone falling down and getting hurt as we have a full flight of stairs to our front door. On exposed wood, where it gets walked on, the product has worn off after one year. It does get full sun and rain and we are in a salt air humid environment. But, I am definitely looking for another product as applying it every year as it needs, seems excessive.
Put thompdon clear water seal can i use a darker seal over it now
Not without removing the clear sealer first.
This product didn't even last 2yrs on my deck. It was a complete waste of time and money. Now I have to pressure wash and start over.
I Live in Lone Oak TX. this product did not last 9 mo. before molding well never used again!
We used your deck sealer on a picnic table and a $7,500 gazebo and the decking around it. The new picnic table rotted the same year and the gazebo is rotting all over. We tried to strip it off and it didn't work. The salesman at Menards said it would work on the table and gazebo. Very unhappy customer.
We have used Thompson's Water Sealer on our deck, breezeway, and porch since building our house in 2007 and it's worked well for us. We live in Vermont, where we suffer from sever weather pretty much all year long – wind, rain, freezing rain, ice, snow, sleet, heat, and humidity. Due to where we live we apply Thompson's Water Sealer every spring and fall.
As for mildew and graying, that's regular maintained annually with a pressure washer and solution. It's normal. We actually wanted our deck to look aged and therefore did not get the one that prevented graying, but those too are available.
Stay far, far away from this product…I'm a Cedar decking distributor who specializes in premium Cedar decking. This is the last product you should use. It offers little to no UV protection, stick with a natural oil biased product like Messmers or Sikens. I would also recommend a satin finish, or non-film biased product…this will prevent peeling and the need to sand every 2-3 years when re-application. The beading of Thompsons water seal is cause by wax in the product, which actually burns off very quickly and offers little protection to the wood.
As soon as you pour the cedar tone, semitransparent stain in your can, you will want to return it to the store for a full refund. Why? Because it looks like Pepto-Bismol. Seriously,,, a sickening pinkish salmon color. I applied it to a small section of new railing as a test. Looked just as bad on the railing as in the can. Took pics, found receipt, and was ready to go back to Homer D for refund. But, I decided to wait until it dried to see if it looked any better. Gave it about 30 minutes and went back to check it out. Indeed, it looked a lot better. More of an actual cedar color than pink, I called my wife out to inspect it, and she agreed that it looked OK, So, I applied it to the 150 sq. ft of deck that I cleaned and the new railing that had been installed. Not bad to apply. You have to be careful to brush it out so as not to leave overlap marks. We'll see how it looks 24 hours later.
Is it the best-looking cedar tone stain ever? No, but it beats Behr's solid cedar deck stain by a mile. That stuff turned my deck into what looked like "pumpkin" color. Looked awful. So far this looks 100% better.
Hi I my name is Dave Hammond. I have been a carpenter for 20 years. I have used Thompson's in the past and had good results with it. Last year I had to build my 86 year old grandfather a ramp so he could get in and out of his home using his Walker or power chair. He live in southern Louisiana and it is very damp. When I built the ramp I lightly sanded using air to dust off boards and applied Thompson's to the boards prior to installing. I used a regular pump style sprayer to apply it and paid close attention to cut ends and bruising in sealer to insure proper coverage. I used kiln dried SPF finish grade 2×6 as deck boards. After I screwed down boards I again coated the ramp and followed with a brush. About a year later I noticed my grandfathers Walker wheel sink threw one of the boards. But because we were having a bad storm and the rain just would not stop. I decided not to tear it apart until the rain stopped. Maybe you saw on the news all the damage and flooding we had down here in southern la. So any way I contacted Thompson's and after a series of emails and pics I was told that I would get some product to replace the bad batch I had gotten. I figure fair enough no one is perfect and I considered the solution acceptable. I was then asked for a batch number on the can I had purchased a year ago. I did still have the can with about 3 gallons left but the can had rusted over the batch code. I took pics of the can and emailed them to Thompson's and told them I was unable to read the number because or the rusted can. I was then sent a email saying that the rot was not rot but mildew and was told that the would advise me on how to clean it up. I responded by telling them that it was in fact rot I just wasn't going to rip it apart in the rain with no end in site until it was going to stop raining. I was then told good luck with my project and that I was indeed rite about the rotten boards. Thanks. I am very disappointed in how I was led to believe I would get some help and then just dropped like they didn't care. This is the first time I've ever had a problem with Thompson's and never thought that this was how problems were resolved. I will say this that the way I was treated it very well may be the last time I have a problem with thompsons. Because I am seriously debating ever using their products again.
i need help… I put redwood stain on a redwood picnic table and seats and to protect it I used Thompson water seal on it .. 5 days and still not dry, and oily feeling. what can I do or will it dry?? I used spray can of it and light coat…
help
I would contact them for assistance with this. We stopped using their products many nay years ago, for obvious reasons.
Treated our picnic table about 2 months ago. It looked great. But it's already developing black discoloration (mold?) in the wood grain on the table top and benchs. The underside still looks like the day we sealed it.
Do not recommend this product – makes my deck look terrible and blotchy the application is not easy as advertised to apply. WORST THING ever done to my deck.
This is the worst thing we could have done to our deck. We spent lots of $$ replacing all of the deck boards only to have applied – or tried to apply this product. It dried too fast – you can't do a second coat – it looke terrible – I wish I could get it off. NEVER put this on your deck. Wish we knew. It is the worst!!!
I have used this product for 3 years and this year's use was a complete disaster. The sealant is much thicker than the 2 previous years and it would not dispense from the sprayer. I contacted Thompson's twice via email and no response. Today, I called and spoke with a representative. He stated that the product had changed due to new EPA guidelines and that the sealant probably would not have dispensed from the sprayer that I have used in the past. He suggested that I purchase a Groundwork sprayer from Tractor Supply. If the Thompson's representative could recommend the proper equipment for the new, thicker formula over the phone, wouldn't it have been a good idea to print this recommendation on the container of the "new and improved" product. I have wasted $150.00 and many hours of labor applying a product that Thompson's knew would not dispense from a commonly used sprayer. Who knows if using a different sprayer would have worked anyway. Sounds to me like the company is using the sprayer theory as a means to avoid their "Satisfaction Guarantee" warranty. Don't buy this product. It is awful. Try Olympic.
This product lines ones amazing when we put it on and after its first winter, the snow melted and the deck was splotchy and ruined. Huge disappointment!
We have to strip the deck and start over which is more time consuming than we ever dreamed of investing.
Seven months after applying (after a Canadian winter, and full sun fall), this stuff is peeling off our deck in strips. It's so bad that Thompson's refunded us (though only about 1/4 of what we paid). All directions were followed. TERRIBLE product!
This is the worst product available. I followed the instructions to the tee and after 6 months, my deck looks like shit! Never again will I waste my labor and money on this crap. Now I have to purchase chemicals to remove and retreat, who pays for this?
Been using this product for 20 years. Last can I bought was so lumpy it clogged the spraying. Took it back to Lowes and got a refund. Bought another can at Walmart; same story. Tried a different sprayer (Ground Works) and got the same clogged tip. Shook, mixed and stirred the crap and still clogged up. Wasted $60.00 dollars and will never buy anything made by Thompson again. Used to be a great product and made the deck look new. Now the deck is splotched and looks terrible. Sad!!!
Beware of the aerosol can! I had a new can of the Thompson Water Sealant that exploded when I removed the cap. The nozzle popped off and it released the sealant everywhere including my face. Thankfully I avoided a bad chemical burn because of wearing glasses. A small amount got in my eye and I washed it out and called my eye doctor who said he needed to check eye. Luckily I only needed antibiotic drops. This was an unexpected medical bill.
If there is a lawsuit PLEASE sign me up. Why are you still selling Thompson's WaterSeal? This is a bad product . Take it off the market. Home Depot should be ashamed to even sell it. Enough said it is a bad,bad product.
Me TOO!!! I am having to completely re-do my whole entire deck because of this product – buyers beware!!!!
There is a class action investigation ongoing now..please contact chemicles lawfirm
The worst product I have ever used. Did all our decks last summer with the Thompson Seal with Stain. The stain colour has come off all over. Now we have to redo everything. Complete waste of money and effort. I would NEVER use this product again. Garbage!
Ditto
I used Thompson deck sealer (accord color) last fall around October 2015. I pressure washed the deck, waited a week, then applied the sealer. This spring 2016 the color sealer is peeling??? What causes the peeling already??? I am going to have to redo the deck again.
Peeling means it did not penetrate into the wood grain. Might want to switch brands after removing the Thompsons first.
STOP! DON'T USE! Thompson's WaterSeal is the very worst ever. I have a huge deck which is 5 years old. I had waterproofed each spring with Home Hardware sealer and deck shed water and remained it's original natural color. Last year Thompson's was on sale and I sealed my deck with this product. It was a nightmare, the next day the entire deck was black…and almost felt greasy. It looked absolutely terrible and I was constantly asked "OMG! What did you do to your deck?" I wrote to Thompson with my problem and to this date they have not had the courtesy to reply. This spring the little grandsons were playing on the deck with their trucks…we looked down and both had black hands, cheeks and their clothes were filthy…all from the deck finish. Now I am working at removing it with a power washer and scraper and it will take weeks and is one soupy mess. RUN…FROM THIS PRODUCT !!!
Same thing happened to my deck. Looking for other stains/products to cover it up with. Any suggestions?
You cannot cover this. You need to remove and start over. Stripping and sanding for removal.
We just replaced our aged deck and wanted to seal it with Thompson's waterseal. I had an old plastic hospital pan that I poured the sealer in. We purchased the 5 gallon and transferred it into 1 gallon water jugs we had saved up. This is a long process. I started in the morning, we had a breeze here in Florida but at about lunch time it got hot. I had purchased Mineral spirits to clean the pad out with, followed by a soapy wash. Around 3 pm, I started back to finish the other half of our 40 to 50 sq ft deck. I sure am hoping that some of the results stated here won't happen to me. I put it down thin but made sure it got into the wood. Hope this helps someone!
Do not buy, black mildew and discoloration. Now have a major fix project. Dissapointed.
Omg! Stop! Don't use the Thompson multi surface waterproofing sealer. Horrible, horrible, horrible. I just had someone power wash my wooden fence and use the sealer. The results were horrendously. It became tacky and blotchy with a white film that created a thick coating in some areas. It puddled at the base of the fence ending up in the soil. Unfortunately, my guy was unaware that they had changed the formula and it was no longer clear and loose. Wished I would have read these reviews prior to the job. Now my poor guy has to do everything over again.
My son sprayed it on his cedar siding and flaked the next day. Called the company and they don't stand behind it, told my husband he must have done it wrong, but I see from other comments, many people are having the same issue.
Started flaking off after 3 months waste of many hours and money! What a joke of a product! Don't buy!
mold? some are saying thompsons are paraffin/wax based for beading. they do not say so nor do they say the product inhibits mold. some say paraffin some say not promote mold growth. at any rate: it is unreliable to attribute thompsons performace to paraffin: whatever the secret ingredients i would think thompsons does NOT contain paraffin or contains only small concocted ammounts of; subject to change and not revealed.
john, the only sure way to verify what's in a product is to check the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which is a legally required document. The MSDS for Thompson's NEW formula (no, 2180) shows two types of paraffinic oil, having a total of 83% of the total.
It's worth noting that there are several different kinds of Thompson's products out there, so you need to check the label, as the formula and performance very widely.
waited 2 months after installing brand new t-111 to put the thompsons clear down around april..by the summer the wood in some areas were graying….sprayed the gray and mold off with a power washer and applied more thompsons again, 3 months later the gray is back and its even worse…i would paint the t-111 instead of using thompsons
We applied this on a new deck, 5 months after it was built. With the first heavy rain it mildewed. I called Thompsons and they seemed to feel this was normal. I now am going to remove the Thompsons product, they are sending me the remover but labor is at my expense. I am sorry I ever used their product and as a home builder I will not use anything from them or Sherwin Williams, the parent company again.
Should I seal my wood before I build my gate or deck?
No you should not pre seal wood.
I ratededs graying and wear and tear at 2 because I have only a short time experience with this stain, but I made this rating because I am sooooooo unhappy with the color. I used the semi-transparent cedar tint, and I now have an ORANGE deck. It is repelling water, and that is good, but the color is absolutely horrible. I hope it wears off, but even if it does, that color will be stuck in all those out-of-the-traffic-pattern, out-of-the-sun places for a long time. I have a beautiful natural cedar ceiling on my deck with a hideous ORANGE pine floor and railing. We did allow the wood to cure before applying the Thompson's.
Used Thompson Harvest Gold on old weathered graying privacy fence, looks great, easily applied and used less than most stains stated their product would take. Used Thompson Sequoia Red on a new deck, six weeks old, easily applied, looks great and dries quickly. Thompson wood protector with stain is one of the best, easiest products I have used on wood products and I have worked with wood for 40 plus years.
used this product before, i have to use it every year because the water beading doesnt work after that. power washed my de cks have 2 decks , the wood looked great the grain looked awsome put thompsons clear on and it did not bring the grain out looks darker and has a milkey finish where the roller streaks were what other product can i use over itto bring the grain back out and maybe a little shine to it help
You cannot use anything over it. It must be removed by stripping if possible or sanding it all off. Never add a shinny finish to a deck. It will peel!
Stained back porch and front deck this year in May with Nutmeg Brown solid……it is terrible…both have pealed so badly we are now in September having to re-do both of them….this product is terrible especially for $24.99 a gallon and we used 5 gallons.would NOT recommend to anyone…and neither one had been previously stained or painted the front de k was seasoned wood approx 4 years and the back porch approx 2 years so that is not the issue….Very,Very, dissatisfied and unhappy!
I have a six month old deck that I am going to stain for the first time. After 4 months in the hottest summer ever a few boards warped very badly. I have tried a few sample cans from the local hardward store on the warped boards that were removed. I decided that Thompsons clear water seal gave me the look I was looking for. All the other stains tested were semi transparent but the tint removied the natural look of the wood. Even the clear stain had a tint to it. I later learned that the tint is for UV protection. My question is, what product should I use that will give me a true clear finish and protect from mold? Also, does applying a second coat of Thompsons offer better protection against mold? I asked this because I tried both one coat and a second on separate boards.
Bill, look at a different brand as Thompson\’s does not do so well with mold. If you want a true clear (no uv protection) and good mold prevention, then you would want the Defy Extreme Clear.
This is the first time I've ever felt compelled to write an online complaint, but I am so disappointed with this product, that I shall add my name to the list here. Sadly, I found this review page AFTER using the waterseal. I followed the directions exactly–and even viewed their youtube video to make sure I applied it properly. Three days later we still have an oily deck. I contacted the company and was told that I must have used "a slight bit too much." Now they "recommend cleaning the deck with a degreaser." I hope others check this site BEFORE investing in Thompson's.
Full sun. Spent 20,000.00 for new deck after the six month mark the deck was in full gray..
Our deck gets full afternoon sun, and this is just an OK product, not great. It lasts about 1.5 years then the wood darkens and the mold comes back. You definitely have to power wash because a deck cleaner won't get it clean enough.
You have to strip and remove the Thompsons even after cleaning the graying. If not you will be left a milky looking finish on the wood. Once this stuff is applied its a you know what to remove.
I've used Thompson's Plus Wood Protector on a pressure treated pine deck for the last 10-12 years (2 applications with same product). I mix 2 parts Tinted Natural Cedar with 1 part Clear to obtain color darkness I want (to make knots in wood less obvious without loosing grain look). I checked with manufacturer and they said that's OK as both are made with same formula. Deck exposure is partial sun (high noon). I typically reapply every 5 years (probably should do it every 4 years), or when deck appears to need it. I have never experienced any mold issues. Gradually looses it's color tint luster, but then no sealer lasts forever. I use a bio-deck cleaner with a pressure washer to lift out dirt that is absorbed into the wood over time. Never any issues with peeling, gumyness, it applies easily, good cleanup with pump sprayer and brush. It is water based product and drying time is a couple days. You need to let "new" wood to cure for 30 days before sealing. If you want a pristine looking deck that doesn't need periodic maintenance, then suggest you go with a composite deck. Otherwise from what I've read, full direct sun exposure needs sealer every year or 2, and partial sun (half day) every 4 years. My deck is original 1972ish, lived there for going on 20 years, and only replaced about 10-15% of 2×4 decking 4 years ago. Note that I live in Chicago area, and not in Arizona or Florida climate. Ahhh, the beauty of real wood.
Someone please help! I went to our local home Depot because we wanted to redo our deck it's not a stained deck but a painted one instead. We were told to purchase a certain type of paint and told to top it off with Thompsons waterproofing and clear wood protector once the paint had dried, omg what a mess it's still wet after 5 days and worse the parts that are somewhat dry are beyond slippery. We went back to home Depot and we were just told they made a mistake and that we need to repaint the deck again, that that is the only way to remove the slip. Is this true? Is there anything else we can do?
You can sand it off. Most likely adding more paint will make it worse.
We bought a new, stained wood, deck furniture set at a Mennonite farm store that makes high-end furniture and outbuildings. The store manager told us to apply Thompson's Water Seal Clear Multi-Surface Waterproofer to protect the set. I tried to spray it on and it beaded up and puddled so I brushed on a thin coat. That was five days ago and it is still tacky. I even brought a small bench inside to see if it would dry better in the house. No difference. I am concerned that the Thompson's product just ruined $450 worth of deck furniture!
You probably have to strip and or sand it off.
Worst water sealer I have ever used.. Water based water repellent? ? It repels itself and looks horrible
Thompson water seal is turning to gel. IS THERE ANY WAY TO BRING IT BACK TO ORIGINAL TEXTURE?
No there is not.
I have sent an email to Thompson's to verify a possible change in formula, but am posting this to make readers aware that it appears there has a been a change in in the formula for THOMPSON'S WATER SEAL Waterproofer PLUS Clear Wood Protector.
From viewing the MSDS information, it appears the "newer" formula (model 2180-) has a much higher percentage (close to 100%) of paraffin oil than the "older" formula (model 1180-). There also appears to be a noticeable difference in consistency, with the older formula have a more oily clearer appearance, and the new formula being thicker.
At this point, I don't know how this might effect performance, but possibly DeckStainHelp can comment.
Noticed a major difference in the old and new product. Sprayed 3/4 of my deck with old formula with no problem at all. Bought new product and can't spray at all. I can't say how "new" product will protect because I can't applied.
Started to attempt to spray our cedar siding on a 1920's home we just purchased a few months ago thank god it right away clogged the spayer as I quickly noticed it turned the cedar a dark color with a Metalic glitter on it I was horrified I'm so glad I started reading the reviews before continuing horrible situation avoided
For what it's worth, I had the same problem with application. The "new" formula clogged my sprayer, so I used up the rest of the "old" formula with my hand held sprayer. I couldn't get the new, thicker, formula to work with my sprayer, so I brushed and rolled it on the remaining part of the deck and it soaked in well (I have pressure treated limber, seasoned for 3 years).
Now, about 40 weeks later, with rain and snow over the winter, the new formula is still beading up like I put it on last month. It's definitely a different formula, and DeckStainHelp should consider re-evaluating this.
My name is Sean. I live in Westbury NY. I have a pressure treated wood deck that is at least 30 + years. It was always maintained by your products. But given its age I new it was time to rebuild. As I started the demo I noticed the bottom of the deck boards were in good condition. So I decided to flip and recut the old boards and only replace what I needed. I used your cleaning product when I was done. I was very happy with the results. I decided to let the wood dry and fade for a year. About a month ago I was in the homedepo in East meadow NY were I had the pleasure of meeting one of your sales reps. He introduced himself as Rick, and asked me if I had any questions. I proceeded to tell him my story. He seemed very interested. Then in a Boston accent he explained the difference in the various types of stains and clear. While we were talking I find out he is from the cape code area. Well after a great conversation about building and refurbishment of decks I had to leave to go make a call to the higher powers(my mother and my wife) . Well I won. I took a chance and brought Thompson water seal stain color maple. Your product was so simple and a pleasure to use. I would like to give Mr Rick from Boston and Thompson water seal a great round of applause. People come to the house and think all the wood is new. When I tell them what Boston Rick recommend and what I did there amazed. Thank you Thompson your vender Boston Rick. Sincerely Sean C. PS Boston Rick I hope your home project comes out as nice as mine if not better. THANK YOu