Fence Stain Reviews!

Here we are spraying the Stain!

 

Rating the Stains!

How we rate the stains!

        We use the following criteria to rate the listed exterior stains. Check the chart at the bottom. Keep in mind that every stain we rate has performed well for us in the field, or else they would not make the list to be rated here. For this evaluation we have not necessarily sub - divided them into clear, pigmented, oil, water based or any other category. We have chosen all the best stains that we know of, period.

1. Ease of application
2. Fade resistance (ability to retain color)
3. Wear resistance (Deck boards only)
4. Ease of cleaning & re-coating or stripping and re-coating

How we chose which stains to rate here:

        Through our personal trials and errors with the actual product out on the job! We try to evaluate products as they come on the market, or their formulas are updated. These here, are the ones that make the cut, to be worthy of being included in this article. New stains come out in the market place every season. Obviously it takes a little time to be able to apply the product to enough projects, and under enough differing conditions, to be able to give a complete and accurate evaluation of the product. A new product that is a year or two old has not had enough time to be evaluated properly, and may not be included here..

Customer poll for future stain evaluations:

What stain base do you prefer?

• Water Based
• Oil Based
• Acrylic / Oil Formula Based

Like to have your Stain product evaluated?

        If you would like a professional unbiased evaluation of your products we can do that for you. The products you want evaluated will be done so, to the exact product directions under the exact conditions specified. Send a gallon or an appropriate amount to:
Superior Services Deck and Fence 2328 Frisse Ave. Evansville, Indiana 47714
Contact person: John R. Johnson Ph: 812-604-3651 E-mail: john@superiorservicesfences.com

Duckback Super Deck Stain!

Can't go wrong with this stuff.

TWP (Total Wood Preservative)

TWP is one of our top recommended stains!

The Stains!

TWP 1500 (TWP stands for Total Wood Preservative):
Specific Features that we like:
Semi transparent, easy to initially apply, EPA registered wood preservative, oil based formula, low - 250 VOC formula, compliant in all 50 states, excellent penetration, excellent mold and mildew prevention, Very easy to clean and re-apply.
Specific Features that we do not like: Can support mold and algae growth.
Has to be reapplied every year or two. How ever maintenance coats are easy to apply.
Clean up: Mineral spirits
Purchase: Online only
Website: https://www.twpstain.com/
Other info: The TWP company is very easy to work with and their website is outstanding!
Defy Extreme Stain:
Specific Features that we like:
Semi Transparent, New light stabilizing nano-technology, excellent resistance to mold and mildew, water-based with easy soap and water cleanup, VOC compliant in all 50 states, easy application, nano light-stabilizers block the sun's harmful UV rays preventing graying.
Specific Features that we do not like:
Clean up: Soap & Water
Purchase: Online only
Website: https://www.defystain.com/
Bher Premium Plus -Semi Transparent:
Specific Features that we like:
Semi Transparent, 100% acrylic formula, great coverage, longest lasting product, comes in a variety of wood tones and paint colors,
Specific Features that we do not like: Hard to remove
Clean up: soap & water
Purchase: Home Depot
Website: http://www.behr.com/consumer/products/wood-stains-finishes-cleaners-and-strippers

Ready Seal!

Another really good product! The Cedar Tone Color is our favorite!

Flood (CWF-UV5) & (Advanced Semi Transparent):
Specific Features that we like: Excellent adhesion and color retention, rich color choices, formula combines the penetration of oil with the durability of an acrylic resin, mildew-resistant, New or weathered exterior wood,
Specific Features that we do not like:
Clean up:= soap & water for the Advanced semi transparent, and Mineral spirits for CVF-UV5
Purchase: Home Depot
Website: http://www.flood.com/index.do
Duckback - Superdeck:
Specific Features that we like:
Features Carnauba from the "Tree of Life" to give it unsurpassed durability, 63 color palette, contains tung oil for maximum durability, highest quality iron oxide pigments to create long
lasting colors and inhibit UV damage caused by the sun, resist growth of mildew and algae, uses the highest-quality carnauba specially formulated to work with a unique linseed and tung oil system for resilience and protection
Specific Features that we do not like:
Clean up: Mineral spirits
Purchase: Online, or Kight Home Center, on Boonville Hywy
Website: http://www.superdeck.com/about-us/current-news/
Ready Seal:
Specific Features that we like: Easy to apply - will not run, or drip, easy to clean and apply a second coat.
Specific Features that we do not like:
Clean up: Mineral Spirits
Purchase: Online only
Website: http://www.readyseal.com/
Armstrong Clark:
Specific Features that we like: Has both drying and non-drying oils, Transparent, semitransparent, and semi solid, can ba applied in direct sunlight and in the heat of the day, little to no peeling, good UV protection, easy to re-coat..
Specific Features that we do not like: Limited colors
Clean up: Mineral Spirits
Purchase: Online
Website: http://www.armclark.com/
We recommend you order samples of these products so you can see the colors, live.
Penofin:
Specific Features that we like: Non Film forming penetrating stain, 99% UV protection, one of the best appearance and lmost natural looking stains, good wear, easy to strip, and or clean.
Specific Features that we do not like: Darkens in the sun, has a strong odor.
Clean up: Mineral Spirits
Purchase: Online only
Website: http://www.penofin.com/

The Actual Stain Ratings!

(click column header to sort results)

Name	What we Say	Star Rating
Duckback-Superdeck	Superior Stain!	**** 1/2 Stars
Ready Seal	Very Good Stain!	****Stars
Armstrong Clark	Great Stain!	**** Stars
Defy Extreme Stain	One of our Favorites!	***** Stars
Penofin Blue Label	Very Good Stain!	**** Stars
Bher Premium	Good Stain!	***1/2 Stars
Flood CWF UV5	Very Good Stain!	***3/4 Stars
TWP 1500 & 100	The Very Best!	*****Stars

All the products listed here have been tested on actual Decks, Fences, Log Cabins, and Cedar sided houses, by Superior Services Deck and Fence Company, located in Evansville, Indiana. We can not make any guarantee that your results will match ours.

Steps to staining a Deck or Fence!

To Stain a new Deck or Fence:

• Apply Cleaner (make sure it will remove the mill glaze)
• Apply Stain

To Stain a previously stained Deck or Fence "in good condition":

• Apply Cleaner
• Apply Stain

To Stain a previously stained Deck or Fence "in bad condition".

• Apply Stripper
• Apply Cleaner
• Apply Brightner
• Apply Stain

* Note: Some product families have separate products for the Cleaner and Brightner, and some product families have these two products combined into one product.

How these stains will perform for you:

        Every Fence and Deck that we stain has been professionally prepped. It has been pressure washed, using all the exact appropriate products such as, cleaners, glaze removers, brighteners, and strippers. We try to use the same family of products on each job. For instance if we use TWP stain, we will use TWP cleaners, strippers and so forth.
        If you as the customer expect to get our results, then you must use the right products, the correct methods, and be very detailed in your work. Below is a fantastic link on everything you will need to know about Fence and Deck Maintenance! Read it and you'll know almost as much as we do!

Fence and Deck Maintenance!

• The Superior Services Way - Fence & Deck Care Guide! - Google Drive
  Superior Services Deck and Fence, care guide! Everything about Deck and Fence Maintenance!