Quick- What's the world's best deck stain?

LEAKYSEALS951 · 01:40 PM

Last week while I was posting about cutting my wife's lawn, it got me thinking about her deck.

It needs some help. Her fence will need a clear stain as well (and, no, I'm not happy the person who made it put the facing towards us. That's potential trouble in neighborhood HOA world, but that's not important now.)

So, what's the best to use? I prefer carcinogenic expensive things that last. Turn-ons are mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, and oil. Bonus points if it came from Chernobyl. Zinc is tops. It needs to erase brain cells and outlive cockroaches, although I am open to any ideas.
What say ye?

tia,
Ron

Roswell · 05-01-2021, 02:28 PM

This is exactly what you are looking for...

https://www.twpstain.com

porsche930dude · porsche930dude's Garage

we use cheap red barn & fence paint. Seems to last longer than any proper deck stain we have used

stevej37 · 05-01-2021, 05:06 PM

https://www.behr.com/consumer/products/wood-stains-finishes-cleaners-and-strippers/advanced-deckover/

Nostril Cheese · 05-01-2021, 05:22 PM

"Her" lawn and "her" deck.

Mayhaps you ask "her" ideas before spilling a stain?

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

LEAKYSEALS951 · 05-02-2021, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

"Her" lawn and "her" deck.

Mayhaps you ask "her" ideas before spilling a stain?

She states the projects. I get the paint

Thanks all. Everytime I choose something, it seems to not last as much as long as I'd like.

rfuerst911sc · 05-02-2021, 03:33 AM

TWP is highly regarded and is what I used when I redid the deck boards on our deck . I put down one coat on 6 month aged pressure treated 5/4 . The deck has north/east sun exposure and I am in Georgia .

After one year the stain needs to be done again . I am no expert so maybe I applied too thin . Or maybe the first coat was sucked into the wood and needs another coat . I was hoping it would last about 3 years but maybe wishful thinking on my part . I applied with a lambs wool applicator I may try a roller this time . I will say the handrails and posts weathered better than the deck .

Will I use TWP again? Yes . I have 5 gallons left over but would use it again even if I didn't have any leftover . I will try and apply a little thicker if possible but I think as more layers of stain are applied it will start lasting longer .......... I hope so 😁

LEAKYSEALS951 · 05-02-2021, 04:05 AM

Well, My wife is CLEARLY going with Schaeffer's after watching the video!

rusnak · 05-02-2021, 04:07 AM

If my neighbors told me which way to face my fence, I'd tell them to suck it.

Evans, Marv · 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roswell

This is exactly what you are looking for...

https://www.twpstain.com

Yes, this. I've posted about TWP a few times over the years here. I tried three different stains on a redwood deck many years ago, and TWP was clearly the best. Keep in mind the sun and weather will beat down any treatment on outdoor wood. It cost a bit more, but in the long run was the most economical choice.

Edit: In CA, they had to go with water soluble stain many years ago. I bought my first when it was oil based. Although I used the water soluble around a decade ago on my patio, it has held up really well. However, if I had the choice, I'd try to find the oil base in a state it's available in. You might have to get somebody to buy it for you & send it to you if it isn't available in your state.

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Sikkens as sold at Home Depot makes a line that's formulated to go over previously stained decks.

It's solid, covers like paint and has both oil and latex attributes.

It does a great job of filling in gaps, two coats, power-wash and preparation are important.

I know of nothing else that is this good on a deck that's been stained before, read the fine print on other products, the disclaimers will shy you away from using them on an old deck.

A few years ago I helped out a handyman builder because I wanted to get out of the office that summer. Worked with it first hand, soap and water clean up, and cannot praise it more.

aldente · 05-02-2021, 12:36 PM

if it " covers like paint" then you can't tell if the deck is wood

TWP is the best stain, unless you want a latex thing that is to stain as Chicago deep dish is to pizza

gregpark · 05-02-2021, 02:43 PM

Wish I could buy a gallon of TWP but they won't send it
Can't get any of the good stuff in CA
Pisses me off

Zeke · 05-02-2021, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregpark

Wish I could buy a gallon of TWP but they won't send it
Can't get any of the good stuff in CA
Pisses me off

That depends on whom you buy it from. I need lots of things in the world of antiques repair and I find resellers that don't give a crap. I just bought some Briwax which contains toluene, banned from CA products for years now.

Came from GA. I don't mind the shipping if I need it. Briwax is nearly 35 bucks for a 16 oz can so shipping is not a concern.

I've seen paint stores in Reno put stuff on a common carrier truck bound for CA. I think you could convince some of the sellers to pack it up and put it on the Greyhound.

Fook CA.

gregpark · 05-02-2021, 06:37 PM

Customers tell me all the time to just trash their old toilet, they'll buy a new one. I ask are you sure you want to do that? You won't find a full flush in CA

Fook CA

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by aldente

if it " covers like paint" then you can't tell if the deck is wood

TWP is the best stain, unless you want a latex thing that is to stain as Chicago deep dish is to pizza

If you have an old deck, all those pits and grain that have opened up need to be sealed, otherwise water gets in and does even more damage.

No semi-transparent stain will fix a deck in such condition, and so there is solid Sikkens that is like spackle (or a good paint) filling it all back in.

If one has a deck NOT on it's last legs the TWP product sounds nice.

I'd like so see some more TWP photos. The one customer with poor coverage on their website was told they didn't properly prepare the deck and all the old flaws telegraphed through. His photos were bad, not sure he did much prep at all.

By comparison the Sikkens is very forgiving, but don't expect a lick of depth, there just isn't any as it's monolithic/monotone.

In short, if you are on the line between replacing the wood and staining, Sikkens solid is an option. TWP looks to be an option if your deck isn't shot and you are meticulous about preparation.

On a covered front porch cedar floor on my former house I started with Penofin and when that wore out did a several heavy coats of Duckback semi. No way around a constant maintenance cycle and from what I've been reading it's that way with every product even TWP.

LEAKYSEALS951 · 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kach22i

If you have an old deck, all those pits and grain that have opened up need to be sealed, otherwise water gets in and does even more damage.

No semi-transparent stain will fix a deck in such condition, and so there is solid Sikkens that is like spackle (or a good paint) filling it all back in.

If one has a deck NOT on it's last legs the TWP product sounds nice.

I'd like so see some more TWP photos. The one customer with poor coverage on their website was told they didn't properly prepare the deck and all the old flaws telegraphed through. His photos were bad, not sure he did much prep at all.

By comparison the Sikkens is very forgiving, but don't expect a lick of depth, there just isn't any as it's monolithic/monotone.

In short, if you are on the line between replacing the wood and staining, Sikkens solid is an option. TWP looks to be an option if your deck isn't shot and you are meticulous about preparation.

On a covered front porch cedar floor on my former house I started with Penofin and when that wore out did a several heavy coats of Duckback semi. No way around a constant maintenance cycle and from what I've been reading it's that way with every product even TWP.

I was thinking possibly TWP on the fence (it's new) and something like Sikkens on the deck. The deck is older, and will be a combination of filling/ and some board replacement. For example- rail top in the pic would be replaced.

Zeke · 05-03-2021, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregpark

Customers tell me all the time to just trash their old toilet, they'll buy a new one. I ask are you sure you want to do that? You won't find a full flush in CA

Fook CA

True, but I'm happy with a better than bare bones Toto. Actually does just as good as s 5 gallon flush model of yesteryear. So there's that. If they go to the HD and buy an American Standard, then they are stupid.

dad911 · 05-03-2021, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kach22i

If you have an old deck, all those pits and grain that have opened up need to be sealed, otherwise water gets in and does even more damage.

No semi-transparent stain will fix a deck in such condition, and so there is solid Sikkens that is like spackle (or a good paint) filling it all back in.

If one has a deck NOT on it's last legs the TWP product sounds nice.
.......

Agree. We've had great results with solid deck coating, even after 10 years exposure. But you have to like the look. We did it for maintenance on a rental.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

True, but I'm happy with a better than bare bones Toto. Actually does just as good as s 5 gallon flush model of yesteryear. So there's that. If they go to the HD and buy an American Standard, then they are stupid.

I used to use only Toto, but have found the $170 Kohler deals at Depot and Lowes perform just as well in the field as the Totos.