Deck stain :-)

[MJA]

taking the forum to a new level

to all the deck stain experts here

I have a solid oak two tier deck 14*14 and 10*10 ft with 12 steps. whats the best brand of stain (oil based) to buy?

weather . northern IL

sun 8 to 10 hours

I been readying a lot on line.many reviews DON'T recommend any store brand at all.

[bendixG15]

I haven't found any that lasts longer than 1 year.

[ranchhand]

I have found that summer sun does far more damage that the nasty northern winters; I live in Northern Illinois also. Like Bendix said above, an exterior stain needs to be applied every year. There are two types of exterior stain; one actually has pigment in it and makes the appearance of a stain but is in practice a paint. I accidentally applied that once and regretted it. After one summer it flaked, chipped and hid the natural grain and beauty of the wood. I sanded it off the following spring and reapplied true stain. Make sure you read the label carefully, they like to squirrel around with the wording. Use a true exterior stain, and use oil not latex. Since your decks are not that large it shouldn't take you very long, stain is quick & easy to apply with a roller and pole. Far as brand name goes, I have found that True Value Hardware or Do It Hardware is as good as any and better than most, but these products go in and out of availability all the time. I tend to avoid Home Depot's Behr brand of anything, I have had several bad experiences with it.

[MJA]

I think the hardest part is cleaning and brightning the deck. TWP 1500 and Defy stain are the top 2.no Trude value stores near dekalb.farm and fleet,menards,and lowes only.
This is my first deck staining job for me one for the few benefits living at APT ( and lawn care)

[didikai]

Make sure it has UV protector. UV is what kills paint and stain. Sikkens products are good but not cheap.

[MJA]

I just ordered a 5 Gallons of TWP 1500,and Restore-A-Deck Package 600( 2 Cleaners / 2 Brighteners)
question is do I have a the patience to do it I get bored very quickly from stuff like this

[TreeTops]

Just tell your kids to do it!

[MJA]

2 and 1/2 years old and and 4 year old girls. this will be their dream come true to play with 5 gallons of stain lol (walls inside the house are my evidence)