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!!
This is the most disappointing product I have ever used. It completely faded and would peel off with ease during the first year. What a waste of money!!!!
Had to replace 75% of my wood privacy fence after hurricane Irma. Waited 8-10 weeks before using paint sprayer to apply water based clear Thompson’s water seal (not the stain). They also back brushed it for better coverage. The parts of the fence that are exposed to sun 95% of the day are gray and the fence looks old and it hasn’t even been 18 months. The part of the fence that doesn’t get sun has green mold (Florida mold) on it. None of the fence is beading from rain. I think it beaded for a grand total of one month. Will not be using this product ever again.
I trusted Thompson’s claims in their commercials and ended up the next summer with a greyed-out deck and BLACK MOLD. We had a hot summer last year, my deck is in the full sun and after I power washed it, waited a week in 85-92 degree weather for it to dry out. Spent the best part of my week painting the deck and rails with this stuff to find the next summer that it was pointless. Stains on the deck from where leaves had fallen on it, black mold, algae, and it’s greyed out. Looks like CRAP.
bought a five gallon “autumn brown” Started staining the fence. It was darker than i expected, but I thought it would lighten. Did one side of the house. It ended up being a redwood color. Called the store to see if the other containers were that color also, But they were not. they were a darker brown that on the picture also. They did refund my money, and told me the good news is, I should be able to water pressure it off next year, because it doesn’t last long. Needless to say, I wont be using Thompsons again. And am very disappointed .
Prepped surface and applied as per manufacturers directions. Grayed out in less than 1 season. Always felt oily to the touch. Never sealed properly. A huge pain to strip/clean and prep wood for new type of coating after using Thompsons. Would never buy again.
This is horrible! This is what happened after 1 year. Such a bummer. Powered washed before and applied after deck was dried for a couple of days. This review is for the Thompson all in one stain and sealer.
Same happened to my deck floor and the rest of deck has white spots all over. Terrible product!!!!
3 cans of Sierra Brown deck stain and 2 of them were no good. All the color was congealed at the bottom. Waste of money, time, and energy.
Aren’t you supposed to shake the can prior to using ?
Seriously? Yes of course i did that. The color was gummy and chunky, not fluid.
how long does the Thompson stain take to dry
A Few hours
I bought 3 Thompson’s Water Seal aerosol cans, and all of them stopped spraying before they were half used. Two stopped spraying almost instantly. This product sucks.
Exactly! 2 cans here too. Now I get to drive 45 minutes to Lowes to exchange for another brand. So much for getting a bamboo privacy fence up this weekend.
The sealer is best on fences since they are vertical and weather from rain less. Two coat flat decks and support trims on fences. Others cost twice as much and don’t do twice the quality. Have used Thompson’s for 30 years and four different houses and sold all four the first day! Can’t go wrong with the honey almond and autumn brown’s. Love it!
I am not sure why Thompson’s stain gets such bad reviews. Have used it for years. I have also used other stains at 2 to 3 times the cost. More expensive stains, from my experience do not justify the cost. I have found that Thompson’s will last anywhere from 6 month to 2 years, depending on the weather. And from my experience, it is all weather. In the shade, I have had Thompson’s last up to 2 years. Where as in hot sun 16 hours a day will just fade (as do other expensive brands). If you want to spend $30 – 50 a gallon for supposed high quality stains, be my guest – I just have not had great experience with those high price brands.
Because they changed the formulation. It used to be oil based AND CLEAR. Now it’s a milky white gooey gunk that doesn’t spray easily and doesn’t cover the way it did in the past. I’ve used Thompsons for years on three houses. I’ll never buy another can.
I put this on my deck at the trailer an when I went back the following year most of it was gone an what was left was moldy this stuff is Crap
Agreed, it did not do a good job
So disappointed! Less than a year after applying this to our deck most of it is gone. We have to spend more money and do it all over again. It WILL NOT BE THOMPSONS this time!
Use outdoor bleach first and burn the mold and garbage out first. Do the deck twice with the Thompson’s.
Less than 1 year after application most is peeled off! Very dissatisfied with product! Will go with Behr stain next time! What a RIP off!
Behr will peel as well. Just as bad as the Thompsons.
forget about behr that is the reason I am searching
If my water seal has frozen, is it still any good?
Probably not.
Terrible product, if you wanna use it ever year waste your money! Flood is so much better for the price. At last at least 5 hrs. Compared to 1yr.
Flood was one of the worst stains I have used. Will never use again.
change the color to milky in 4 weeks. Now I need to remove all and use a better product. Unsatisfaction guaranteed. 😡
We have restrained 2 times in the last 3 years because the water seal did not hold up. We followed all the directions, clean, dry but did not work. I am very disappointed in your product.
Terrible, completely peeling and molding after a few months. You can clearly see the part under roof of gazebo looks great, exposed part completely ruined after few months of weather.
It wore off after less than 4 Months!!!! Disgusted!
If a unopened 5 gal can sets outside for a while and can is rusty is it still good
Depends on how long and if it froze. Check to see if the product is fluid without any clumps or skinning on top. If fluid, it is mot likely okay.
Are you the rep?
Nope. We have nothing to do with Thompsons.
We used Thompson’s water seal on our new deck and railing. Looked glorious and in 3 months it is pealing off of the deck and handrail. Looks awful and isn’t going to be protected for the winter. Any options. We are in Eastern Washington.
You will need to remove it by stripping and sanding. Switch to a better brand after. Look at one of these: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
I used the clear Thompsons water seal (waterproofing wood protector) on a new cedar fence a few weeks ago. One section of the fence is now covered in black mold. Any idea 1) why and 2) how to clean/fix? I am headed into cold weather so am not sure what is best done and when.
Strip it off with a pressure washer and the Restore A Deck Stain Stripper Kit. Use the wood brightener after to neutralize. Why it happened is that Thompsons feeds mold growth.
My garage is build with natural wood,Thompson’s Water Seal was a huge disappointment because it didn’t prevent UV graying. After about three months, parts of my garage were covered in black mold. Very disappointed with this product.
I used the clear waterproofing, and now my wife wants a darker color. Can and when can i add more with some color in it
It would be best to remove the clear and start over. Look at the Restore A Deck Stripper kit.
Wow,so many negative reviews on a fine company with great produ ts that do exactly what they are supposed to do Unfortunately Thompsins has mislabeled the application options for this product. Are mislabeled,otherwise it works great for what it was meant for.As for the author of this final review, you are for the most part correct.I am by the way a professional painter in the business for 30 years.We use mid and top level paints and wood/concrete solid,semi solid, and semi transparent stains all the time.Thompsons original water seal has been a staple for inexpensive,temporary,effective, protection on many surfaces since I began.It sprays on easy with a garden type pump sprayer with no back brush required and repels water very well without changing the look of the surface.It is a 6 month and reapply product,period.Its so cheap and easy to do I would do it every 3 on a deck just to see the water beading effect at its best consistantly.Again, does what its supposed to for the amount of time its supposed to.The Thompsons Wood protecter is completely different.It is a thicer product with a viscosity much greater than the original, close to a cheap latex paint,it cannot be successfully applied with a garden sprayer without spreading the excess with a brush or roller.This is the issue with almost all the reviews left before mine.It never dried and ” looked crystallized because it was applied incorrectly.(not your fault, it is mislabelled) It must be atomized through a sprayer like paint. recently did 3 decks with this stuff using a Titan airless and it went on fast and looked great.Did 3 large decks in about an hour! This product is also cheap (around $60 a 5) It will give you about a year then needs reapplication.Long story short if you are looking for a long lasting product for a deck stain it.I prefer the solid ones but they all work fine.If you dont have access to an airless get ready to break out the brush and rollers and that goes for most long lasting deck products like CWF by Flood.Thompsons has it place in this market if you use it as it was meant, but hoping for years of beauty at 10$ a gallon is like buying a Kia and expecting the performance of a Jaguar.(not knocking Kia,I have a Soul) When I want to go fast I hop in my ’88 Bird.Hope this helps someone,happy painting!
Thompsons Clear works just fine on my 26 year old deck subjected to New England’s ice and snow, freeze and thaw, 24-36 inch drifts from a single Northeaster. Never have to strip, just clean with a cheap (Clorox) Outdoor Cleaner. Have used Wet and Forget and Tri-Bor to enhance mildew, fungus and insect prevention. Average annualized humidity is 67%. If no precautions taken, the mildew will take over your roof, walks and foundation over several decades.
Used the Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood protector on my 4 year old deck (never been treated before)
it looks amazing my railings and stairs but it looks horrible on the deck itself. It’s patchy and dark and the deck looks really really old now.. AND it’s now squeaking when we walk on it. Since I only did half of it last weekend (am supposed to do the other half this weekend) I’m not sure what I should do.. dammit..!! 🙁 The untreated part of the deck is still squeak free.. very very weird
I used Thompson’s Waterseal on my deck a month ago. The deck was powerwashed and in good condition prior to applying the seal. Now the knots are starting to rot. Why is this happening and what can I do to prevent further damage
Strip it off and use a quality deck stain like Defy Extreme or TWP 100 Series.
Apparently it promotes mold growth. Isn’t that convenient. My deck is a disaster from this garbage product.
I have about 900 square feet of deck that I completly striped to bare wood I than used 12 gallons of thompson water seal to cover it , the deck now is completely ruined..Needless to say I will never use this thompson water seal again..
This stuff refused to dry! Waxy, oily sticky mess. Clean dry deck and dry sunny weather too! Gave up and used solvents to remove this gunk before I pressure washed deck again. Never again…
it has been 4 days and it is not drying – i only put a light coat and and followed the directions
Will Thompson tinted water sealer peel off the surface of wood or will it wear off? Will it have to be sanded every year befor reapplication
It is a filming stain so it peels.
I have applied the water sealer and it has been five days and is still tacky, what is wrong
Over applied or bad prep possibly in combination with a poor quality product is most likley one of the reasons.
Can you use this product on already treated surfaces, if it does not penetrate would it peel off in time,.
You cannot apply a sealer like this over another coating/stain.
This product is horrible! I just Power washed my deck, let it dry for two days, and applied the clear coat. My deck looks blotchy and super aged. It looks like I dumped grease on certain areas and didn’t penetrate other areas even though I applied evenly with a garden sprayer. Some areas are crystallized and look like I splashed them with glitter. I will never buy this product again. Do not waste your money. Many many hours of power washing and prep work down the drain.
I know what you mean. The same thing happened to us. It looks like we sprinkled the deck with a granular sugary substance. Not impressed. This after spending hours power washing the deck and giving it two weeks to dry before applying the Thompson’s Waterseal. What a disappointment. I purchased some for my 86 year old father’s deck. I will be returning it to the store. I’m not ruining another deck!
Can this b used on an indoor wood floor where poly is worn away. I hv a kitty that leaves drips outside litter box and floor is getting ruined. Thank you 🙂
No you cannot.
Could you explain the reasons why it should not be applied inside? I am looking for a wood sealer for my sailboat floor.
I would ask Thompsons why it cannot.
The best thing I have found for interior wood floors is a polyurethane called Fabulon. You apply it with a flat pad that you can screw on the end of a broom handle. It goes on very easy and smooth and dries to a beautiful tough finish.
Washed and stained one year old deck as per instructions this spring approximately 6 weeks ago Deck looks 5 years old dingy, dirty and full of mold and blotchy already. I have just washed the lower portion to see if there is any improvement. This is a one year old deck it looks horrible I’m beyond disappointed with this product I would not recommend it to anyone don’t waste your time or your money on this product
used thompsons deck treatment with brown tint on large deck on rental property.took entire 5 gallon bucket.went on good looked good .no one walks on deck renter drives truck comes home once a month.6 months later entire deck has peeled and turned gray.had to powerwash deck again and then put on floods cwf treatment.have never had a problem with it.other friends have had problems with thompsons not drying staying sticky.dont waste your time and money on thompsons!
I would not recommend this product. Very disappointed in the quality of the product. Would never buy again!
Has this seal ever caused a fire ??? Or can it just from applying it ?
what happens if I apply thompson’s water seal in the morning and I get a shower in the afternoon ? Do I need to redo the entire process ?
It is possible it will need to be redone.
I redid it the next day.. Thanks
Product is terrible on horizontal surfaces. Began peeling during 1st season. Would not recommend to anyone.
Thompson’s wood stain and sealer are the worst products I have ever used…It sucks big time……You cant even cover it up with anything. And impossible to remove this crap without costing a fortune and heavy manual labor………………
Just applied “Clear” Thompsons on my deck, turned out uneven and splotchy the sealer now instead of being clear is thick and white will never buy again! The old Thompson’s would at least go on and penetrate and wood would have a even pine color now it is splotchy and ashy looking horrible product. Can’t even tell it was washed.
can I apply Thompson water seal over the original stain
This fence looks like it is fading and is only 2 years old
hopefully I do not have to sand the old stuff off
Not you cannot put a sealer over a deck stain. Best to use the same as you used before or remove all and start over with a better product.
It is not a deck but a long high fence So are you telling me I can Put the same product down
over top and will it dry.
THIS HAS BEEN A REAL NIGHTMARE
I NOW KNOW YOUR PRODUCT IS CRAP.
Do you know how many hours it would take to remove the old stuff?
This product should be taken off the market .
David, this is not “our” product and we are not fans of the Thompsons either. We are just trying to offer you advice.
Dave: If original is Thompson’s Clear you can apply Thompson’s Clear again. There is no “skin” to be stripped. It will lighten up as the surface paraffin oils are worn away by rain and snow: a very slow process with a vertical fence. Make sure you stay with oil based (look for clean up with mineral spirits, not water). For a long cedar fence, Thompson’s make regular maintenance easy and affordable. I will not use a product that requires stripping. A light cleaning then re-application makes sense. Never had to strip my house before I refinished it and decks should be the same. Water based “paint-stains” are the garbage that require stripping because they peel terribly. If you want to prevent mildew, apply Wet and Forget with a garden sprayer. If you want to prevent mildew, fungus, rot, and insects, apply Wet and Forget followed by Tri-Bor and after it dries thoroughly, apply a deep penetrating true stain that leaves nothing on the surface as a skin. The chemicals will be drawn into the wood and will be vastly superior to “in the can” fungicides. Watch out for products like Cabot’s that have disclaimers about mildew because they have no fungicides in their product so they make a disclaimer that they are not responsible for the resulting mildew and discoloration. If you ever need to clean a deck (or fence), try a cleaner that contains both sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. Clorox makes one that costs $8 a gallon and has to be diluted, making a dozen gallons of cleaner that washes off with water, kills mildew and fungus and removes dirt easily with a brush on a broom stick. A hose works fine for rinsing and it doesn’t hurt grass. I have a power washer but I only use it to strip paint and never to clean siding or a deck. The chemistry behind cleaning, stains and paints is well known. Buyer beware of new water based products to satisfy VOC requirements without regard to a homeowner’s time and labor. Most of them are junk and some of the new “oil” products are cheap copycat knockoffs of the tried and true contractor quality like TWP and Defy.
I’m going out on a limb here to say I like it. Ya, not a huge fan of the cedar color but it’s ok. It has a durable finish, stand up well to constant dog and kid traffic. I just had to scrub what may have been mildew off tonight, but it came off easy. It still repeals water after a year. I used the oil based one on a deck many years ago, and it was amazing. I am not sure the new one is on par, being new improved and water based BIUT I don’t hate it. This is only year one, but so far so good.
This is the worst deck sealer I have ever used. It started peeling after six months. Don’t waist your money on this product.
You used water based. The “pigments” are paint based and not carried deep into the wood which takes a solvent that “dissolves” the pigments. It left a skin on top and that is what is peeling. Always check for “method of cleanup”. If it cleans up with soap and water, it is water based. Look for “clean up with mineral spirits”. A deep penetrating stain colors the wood, not coats it with a cheap, thin paint pigment that won’t last and makes a mess that has to be removed before you reapply. Cleaning the deck surface isn’t that hard but stripping it is a lot of work. I won’t use a Paint-Stain ever again. If you want a hard. lasting surface, then you can paint with a glossy alkyd paint (clean the deck and use an oil based primer first). You might want to sprinkle some abrasive on steps and landings. Glossy alkyd paint can be very slippery when wet or in winter. For a dissolved pigment true stain, TWP, Armstrong-Clark, Penofin are fine products and are oil based to carry the pigments into the wood and not just coat it on the surface. Recently used Penofin Rainier for PT SYP decking. A true stain that was so dense with color it amazed the four of us. Very unfussy with no lap marks, brush marks, Very forgiving. We completed a 12 X 20 deck with two of us using good quality nylon brushes in 3 hours. The decking was KD PT SYP Prime Heartwood with 12 grooves in every board, The stain was amazing to apply and looked fantastic…dark reddish brown like mahogany out of SYP
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Hi put a coat of solid stain on yesterday. tried to put second on today and it just beads up,
According to the directions, a second coat is supposed to be applied within 2 hours of the original coat. The stain needs to soak into the wood; waiting till the next day means the first coat dried and the second coat cannot soak in, and therefore simply beads up on top of the first coat.
I have had the same issue as everyone else here with the stain coming off or partially off the boards every year and having to re-stain every spring.But only on the flooring not the sides. Of course with new application it’s dark where the stain is still present and lighter where it has completely disappeared. My question is what do you do now? Do you use a pressure washer to try to remove what’s left? I did try sanding but in the areas where the stain actually did absorb into the wood it isn’t going to come off. Is there something out there anyone has found that can be painted over top that covers the mess? My deck is large and I don’t quite know where to start. I just bought 2 new cans but I think I’ll take them back.
Try a stain stripper and pressure washer to remove as much as possible. Sand the rest off. Painting over this will not fix the problem and will most likley compound it, making it even worse.
after applying I have silver streaks on my deck
Maybe you did not remove the oxidation in the prep?