This post was updated on April 4, 2025
Hi! I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood staining and restoration. My simple deck stain facts and tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor. See here for more info about me.
Question: Will Clear Sealers Prevent Graying?
My Pro Advice On Clear Sealers
No, a clear sealer without any pigment will not prevent UV oxidation and will gray your wood in a matter of months. If you want to prevent graying of your wood, it is best to use a Semi-Transparent Deck Stain. Semi-transparent deck stains are designed to penetrate your wood grain while enhancing the natural grain based on your chosen color.
Note: Stains that are “Natural” in color typically have a tint (not clear) and will enhance the grain like a wet look. Natural tinted stains will provide UV Protection.
Clear Deck Sealer
There are many outdoor elements that cause the weathering of wood decks. Weathering is a general term used to describe how environmental factors can worsen the appearance of a wood deck and create damage that shortens its lifespan. The most problematic of these include water, ice, mold, bird droppings, pollen, wood-destroying pests, and the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Although no decking materials can last forever, those who perform regular maintenance should be able to enjoy their wood deck for 15 to 20 years or more.
One of the most important reasons for diligently maintaining your deck is preventing the wood from turning gray. Let’s explore the best ways of preventing graying on decks with sealer.
Why Decks Turn Gray
When the wood that composes your deck has prolonged, direct exposure to the sun’s UV rays, the surface will begin to degrade. Among the most frustrating problems caused by UV rays and other natural outdoor elements is experiencing your beautiful, natural wood turning gray. Graying is a natural occurrence in wood but is a process that can be slowed down, and existing moderately damaged grey wood can be temporarily restored.. If left untreated, wood boards will soon begin to bend, fracture, and split, which are irreparable conditions.
The power of the sun’s rays should not be overlooked among those with a deck built using artificial alternatives to wood. Composite, a blend of natural fibers and plastic, and vinyl, composed of polyvinyl chloride, a high-density plastic, are both potentially vulnerable to the harmful rays of the sun and may also need some preventative maintenance. Decks made of composite are susceptible to warping, discoloration, and other concerns. Check out my article about the best products to consider for protecting composite decks.
Like any surface exposed to Mother Nature, some composite decking is prone to fading, warping, and so on. To stop these negative effects, a composite deck stain can be applied. Staining composite decks helps block out color-fading UV rays and damaging moisture.
Will a Clear Sealer Prevent Graying on Deck?
Will clear sealer prevent deck graying? No. It will not benefit you to use a clear sealer for graying wood decks. In as little as a few months, wood protected only with a clear option will usually begin to visibly gray. Clear sealers lack key protective elements that help to resist the sun, such as pigment or tint. In producing certain deck stains, trans-oxides and or pigments are added, which support the color needed for achieving the desired tint and also help by forming a protective layer.
There is a misconception among do-it-yourselfers that decks require a separate stain and sealant. Deck stains are also sealants, as they contain materials that protect wood from UV rays, moisture, and other threats.
Best Sealers to Prevent UV Graying on a Deck
What are the best sealers to prevent deck graying? To effectively determine the best stain to prevent greying, it is important to consider the type of wood involved and the current condition of the wood. For example, certain stains are specially formulated to protect certain varieties of wood, such as the stains in the TWP 1500 Series, which are most effective for redwood, cedar, and pressure-treated pine.
Semi-transparent stains are an excellent choice for preventing the graying of wood. I prefer semi-transparent stains that deeply penetrate the surface and absorb into the wood pores. Semi-transparent deck stains have a subtle tint to enhance the wood’s natural grains and provide some surface protection from the sun’s rays.
Deck stains are either oil-based or water-based. Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain is a water-based product containing resins capable of reflecting harmful rays. The product also allows you to both prep and stain your deck on the same day. Defy Extreme Wood Stain is another water-based, semi-transparent option with a unique formula containing synthetic resins that use nano-technology to prevent the graying caused by UV rays.
TWP makes great oil-based, semi-transparent stains in several colors. Generally, darker stains contain more pigment and offer better protection from the sun. Semi-solid stains typically provide additional sun protection. I recommend oil-based semi-solid products from both Armstrong Clark and the TWP Pro Series, which perform well against the sun and still allow the wood grain to be seen.
Tips for Maintaining a Graying-Free Deck
To effectively minimize the graying of a deck, you should always appropriately clean the wood before staining. Here are some tips:
- Choose a good-quality deck cleaner to remove oxidation, dirt, and mold.
- Use a pump sprayer to apply deck cleaner and a scrub brush to agitate the cleaning solution.
- To rinse, use either a pressure washer on a low-pressure setting or a hose with a spray nozzle.
- After washing and rinsing, apply a deck brightener (neutralizer) to open the pores in the wood.
- Ensure that the wood is sufficiently dry before staining by waiting a few days or using a moisture meter to check.
Alternative Solutions for Preventing Deck Graying
For decks with existing sun damage, consider Armstrong Clark wood stains. These stains contain oils that will replenish the natural oils in the wood that are lost and reinvigorate its appearance.
“True” deck sealers are colorless (clear) and primarily repel water, not UV rays, as a deck stain with tint or color would. Transparent deck sealers are lightly pigmented with roughly 30-40% solid content, meaning they offer only low-to-moderate UV protection and will need to be reapplied each year. Transparent sealers will enhance the appearance of the wood grain.
Keep Your Deck Looking New with the Right Sealer
Because they lack the tint or pigment necessary to protect against UV rays from the sun, clear sealers are not a solution for preventing your wood deck from graying. To effectively prevent greying, consider a semi-transparent deck stain that penetrates deeply. Semi-solid options from Armstrong Clark and the TWP Pro Series both perform very well.
Regardless of the option you choose, remember the importance of properly cleaning, rinsing, brightening, and drying the wood before applying a new stain. For further information, please visit my Deck Stain Help Forum.
Have any questions? Ask in the comments below.
I use Readyseal semi-transparent stain.. would a clear uv resistant sealer on top of it make the horizontal areas last longer? Right now I have to refinish every two years.. with the stain looking its best the first year. it’d be nice to make it last at least 4-5yrs, snd have it looking the same as the first year for a few years. Thanks!
No, and you cannot add a sealer over a deck stain. It will peel if you do this. Nothing will last 4-5 years on a deck but there are many better brands than Ready Seal. Ready Seal has known issue with fading fast:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ready-seal-wood-and-deck-stain-review/
What’s the best semi transparent stain
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/