Defy Wood Deck Stains

Ask Questions on Defy Stains

by Defy Help

Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Defy Help

Update on Defy Stains for 2024

We love hearing from our customers who have used the Defy Stains or have questions on prepping and application. We appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them.


DEFY wood and deck stains contain advanced quality synthetic resins that resist mold and mildew growth, are easy to apply, and are environmentally friendly. How your Defy stands up to the elements varies though. A stain’s longevity is directly related to the preparation of the wood and how the stain is applied.  We want everyone to have the best possible results when using the products we sell.

Please give us some details about your wood restoration project.

  • Structure? Examples: Decking, Fencing, Wood Siding, Dock
  • Wood Type? Examples: Redwood, Cedar, Treated Pine, and Exotic Hardwood.
  • When was Wood Installed?
  • The last Brand of Stain used if any?
  • Additional Info if Needed

Please respond to these questions in the comment area below so we may offer some advice and help.

Thanks

Defy Stain Help Staff

 
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Bryan Collins
Bryan Collins
13 days ago

Thanks. With the vertical posts that are part of a pergola…..i used Defy Extreme transparent cedar on them a few years ago and they have some fading now. No stain peeling, just some fading, can I just recoat them or will they require a different type of prep for this new coat.

Bryan Collins
Bryan Collins
13 days ago

i have a deck and vertical posts that I have previously stained using Defy Extreme semi transparent stain. I am going to be re staining those and was considering using the Defy “ultra” stain this time. Is it ok to use the new “ultra” on wood that had previously had the “extreme” stain applied on it?

Diane Buckner
Diane Buckner
5 months ago

We are in the process of restoring a deck in west Tennessee. It looks like originally it was stained redwood and the previous home owner states he painted it with interrior house paint about 2 years ago
We have replaced damage floor boards with pressure treated pine and replaced all spindles and rails and stairs. Stairs and spindles were replaced about 2 months ago and we are just now finishing.replacing floor boards.

I am looking for a suggestion on solid stain. Will grey solid stain cover all boards evenly, resulting in a cohesive color? What should I do to prep. I have scrapped off all paint I can.

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Diane Buckner
Diane Buckner
5 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Is it possible to remove all the finish and then stain it with semi transparent or transparent?

Diane Buckner
Diane Buckner
5 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Thanks for the quick response. Last question, Do you carry a stripper that would get it all off?

Rex Hirahara
Rex Hirahara
5 months ago

I put two coats of Defy Semi Transparent on my wood deck. I like to put one more coat down but it has dried. Can I put a coat down or do I have to use brightener again first

Van
Van
5 months ago

If I Stained my deck about 18 months ago. And used Defy transparent stain cedar. Can I clean and pressure wash,and reapply same stain without sanding or stripping.

Larry Ryan
Larry Ryan
6 months ago

Just built new cedar deck live in the midwest Chicago area looking for a stain that would give me protection from uv rays and rain and snow but not change the color. What do you recommend. Thankyou

Gloria racey
Gloria racey
8 months ago

Hi, we have installed a new pressured treated pine deck. We are looking for best waterproof, mold UV protection for it. Thanks in advance

elfi
elfi
8 months ago

I am in the process of staining a new redwood deck. I now decided to go with water-based stain DEFY Extreme on new redwood. I try to achieve a most natural look but assume I shouldn’t use just clear because of UV protection. Defy extreme has redwood stain but I read it might turn out very red. Should I try light walnut or pine colored stain instead? I couldn’t find pictures with your redwood stain on new redwood deck to have an idea how the stain turns out. Any suggestions?

Rod Fisher
Rod Fisher
9 months ago

What is the shelf life on an unopened gallon of defy hardwood stain?

Chal
Chal
9 months ago

Not sure how long to wait before staining my new pressure-treated pine fence with Defy Extreme in North Carolina. Defy label advice seems to be to let wood weather “3-6 months” but I was hoping for a more specific moisture content recommendation– like “below 12%”. Can you give me any advice, please?

Matt
Matt
10 months ago

Bought a house with a 30 year old cedar deck that I want to stain with Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent stain. Would love to sand it first to get rid of these big splinters. Could I sand, then clean, brighten and stain?

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Bob
Bob
10 months ago

Defy stain stripper
Will it remove
Defy semi transparent stain with nano

Yes or no

Daniel Ventre
Daniel Ventre
10 months ago

I have 3 coats Defy Extreme stain on my deck and want to reapply again. What prep product should I use?

Wendy
Wendy
10 months ago

I have about 2 gallons of leftover Defy Extreme stain in a 5 gallon bucket from 2 years ago. I also have a 1 gallon pail, unopened. It still looks the same as the day I first opened it. How can I tell if it is still good to use?

Wendy
Wendy
10 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

(1) Should the unopened one-gallon pail of stain be mixed with the new stain to maintain colour consistency, or does the age difference make that a bad idea?

(2) If the 2-gallons that were leftover and stored in the 5-gallon bucket were used for other outdoor projects, i.e., benches, what would the result be in colour, UV protection/durability, and how would it affect the re-staining of these items in the future?

Wendy
Wendy
10 months ago

If your calculator says I need 3 gallons of Wood Brightener for my project, does that mean a one-gallon container would suffice since it makes 5 gallons once diluted?

Wendy
Wendy
10 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Deck (600 sq ft), plus deck railing (330 sq ft by my estimate, but your calculator estimates it at 114 sq ft), small shed, deck holding a water barrel, and two garage doors (all three of which add up to 443 sq ft). In total, 1,373 sq ft.

These are all older structures (20-plus years old), The deck had been previously stained with a “semi-transparent” Armour Coat which I sanded off completely in 2020 and then stained that fall with Defy Extreme. The railing looks like it was also stained years ago with the “semi-transparent” Armour Coat. I will be stripping it then staining with Defy Extreme. The shed, water barrel deck, and garage doors were stained 10-plus years ago with a truly semi-transparent redwood stain (unknown brand).

Last edited 10 months ago by Wendy
Wendy
Wendy
10 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Okay, but I was asking about wood brightener, not stain. Your calculator says I need 3 gallons. Is that 3 containers which would dilute to 15 gallons, or 1 container which would dilute to 5 gallons?

Wendy
Wendy
10 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

I am still unsure of what you mean. Is that 1 container or 3 containers? I’m not sure if your calculation is for 2-3 gallons undiluted wood brightener, or 2-3 gallons diluted.

Wendy
Wendy
10 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

So 2-3 gallons of DILUTED Wood Brightener?

John Bertoni
John Bertoni
10 months ago

Does anyone know the coverage for the semi-transparent water base?

Rex Hirahara
Rex Hirahara
11 months ago

I put two coats of DEFY extreme stain on my wood deck and it held up beautifully through our record rainfall in California. there are some flat looking spots id like to put on another coat should I use the stripper or sand it down to fresh wood again? thank you..

Kris
Kris
11 months ago

I stained my deck and porch last year using semi transparent. I noticed now that the snow is gone, there are some spots where the stain already came off. It’s also dirty obviously. What are the steps I need to take, just clean and brighten then apply one or two new coats of the stain? Should I do the entire floor of the deck or just the boards that are needing it?

Kris
Kris
11 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

So I don’t need to strip it correct?

Kris
Kris
11 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Thank you!!

Sue H
Sue H
11 months ago

Just purchased new pressure treated pine to replace old deck. Have read many of the articles for prep and staining. I would like to stain it with the redwood color. Which of the products would you recommend for a new wood deck. Also, do all of the products seal the wood with the stain? The deck is 500 sq ft and is in the sun most of the daylight hrs.

Charlie
Charlie
1 year ago

Live in Western NC near Charlotte. Installed new #2 Treated Pine deck spring of 2021, cured and applied 1 coat Defy Extreme Semi Pine Tint. Has performed and looks great after 2 years but time to do it again. Just to make sure I understand….I need to use Defy Stripper and Brightener, let dry, reapply 2 coats Defy Extreme wet on wet. Does that sound about right?
Thanks much

Bill
Bill
1 year ago

what is the shelf life of opened cans of defy extreme

Beth
Beth
1 year ago

I also have a porch that was stained with Defy right at three years ago. Some areas are still in good shape and the areas in the sun are suffering a bit. I checked yesterday by dropping water in some areas. It beaded up in places that are not exposed to the sun. Should I clean and just re-stain. Will it absorb in the areas not exposed to the sun? I just would like even coverage everywhere. I added some photos!

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Porch.jpg
Beth
Beth
1 year ago
Reply to  Defy Help

The area of the porch is very large! Probably 1200 sq ft or more. Looks like it might be somewhat cost prohibitive to use the stripper.

Jerry Smith
Jerry Smith
1 year ago

I’m reapplying stain to a deck I stained two years ago. What’s the best prep for this?

Jerry Smith
Jerry Smith
1 year ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Yes, same color of Defy. Also some areas are still repelling water and some areas are not.

Jerry Smith
Jerry Smith
1 year ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Here’s a couple of pictures. It rained last night so here’s some pics with rain on the deck and stairs.

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Melissa
Melissa
1 year ago

What is the longest I should wait between the cleaning/brightening process and the staining? Would 10-14 days be too long? I’m trying to fit the project into the weekends that have suitable weather. Thanks.

Melissa
Melissa
1 year ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Thank you! I appreciate you replying so fast!

Mike
Mike
1 year ago

How long between stain application and expected rain? Do I need a 24 hour window? Thanks!

Billy
Billy
1 year ago

Does the temperature need to stay above 45 degrees for the entire 24 hours after applying the extreme simi transparent stain or just during the application process?

JBR
JBR
1 year ago

I think this is a clearer image of the weather chart.
thank you

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JBR
JBR
1 year ago

Our 18 month old PT wood deck was just power washed and brightened. We have a couple sunny warmish weekend days, then a rain-likely day ahead. This coming week will be colder..
Based on this weather chart which days would be best for staining with Defy Extreme semi-transparent. We’ll probably need a 1 1/2 days.

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Billy Collins
Billy Collins
1 year ago

How many coats of the extreme semi transparent on brand new KDAT pine?

New Dock Owner
New Dock Owner
1 year ago

I have a pressure treated wood dock that was built one year ago on a freshwater lake here in South Carolina. I was told to stain it after one year.

I guess I should use the Defy clean and bright and pressure wash it to prep it first?

I want the dock to have a clear but slightly grey tint to it. Will the Extreme Crystal Clear Wood Stain product be the best for that? Or should I select the Extreme semi-transparent wood stain driftwood gray ( EXT-NP1) for that sort of transparent, slight grey tint? Or should I mix those products 50/50? I don’t want the finish to be too grey.

Any insight would be much appreciated.

John Mathes
John Mathes
1 year ago

(1) Can I apply the Defy Solid Stain on a deck that has had Defy Semi-transparent Stain for 10 years? (2) Is the solid as thin and watery as the semi? Thanks… love your products.

Bob St John
Bob St John
1 year ago

I applied your cleaner and brightened product to our pressure treated deck. We applied two coats of your extreme wood stain”gray” per the directions. 3 hours later the stain looks transparent. Any ideas or suggestions?

Doug Nelms
Doug Nelms
1 year ago

We stripped and stained our deck with Defy Extreme semi-transparent stain exactly 2 years ago. I tried the “water test” after cleaning and brightening the deck. The water doesn’t soak into the wood in a “few seconds”, it takes 30 seconds to a minute for the water drops. It is OK so go ahead and put on a maintenance coat now?

Doug Nelms
Doug Nelms
1 year ago
Reply to  Defy Help

I was thinking the same. Thanks!

Efrain
Efrain
1 year ago

I used defy extreme stain 2 years ago for my pressure treated deck, I am about to prep to reapply the stain again. Do i just use the cleaner + brightener or do i need to use the stripper?

Efrain
Efrain
1 year ago
Reply to  Defy Help

thank you!

John Keene
John Keene
1 year ago

I recently used the Defy stripper on my cedar deck that is 12 years old. Most recently had applied Super Deck Waterborn Acrylic stain in 2020. The Defy stripper didn’t remove all acrylic stain. What did I do wrong ?

John Keene
John Keene
1 year ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Remaining stain

John Keene
John Keene
1 year ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Remaing stain after using defy stripper. Looks like I need to sand

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Fred
Fred
1 year ago

We had a screen porch built two years ago using a good grade of deck boards as the flooring and also for the outside steps and banisters. I’m going to use your Wood Cleaner to prep the flooring, which has never been treated, and Defy Extreme to stain it. My question pertains to the outside steps and banisters. They were treated using a clear stain (I don’t whether it was oil or water based) when they were built two years ago and need to be treated again. How should I prep the stairs and banisters to use the Defy Extreme on them?

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Susan
Susan
1 year ago

Deck is pressure treated wood in Illinois – almost two years since installed but it has never been treated. Should I use one or two coats?

Bruce Gordon
Bruce Gordon
1 year ago

I stained a new treated pine deck two years ago with Defy Extreme. Followed the cleaner/brightener prep for it. Stain really soaked in and you told me to wait a year and apply a second coat. Didn’t get to it last year so it’s been two years now. I’ve purchased tbe Defy stain and the cleaner and prep. Just wanted to make sure that it’s proper to use the cleaner and brightener on it since it had its first cost two years ago. Thanks..

Barb
Barb
1 year ago

Your site states that the Defy Extreme Solid Wood Stain is tintable. We went to the nearest Do-It-Best store in our area and requested that the Defy Extreme Solid Wood Stain be tinted. They said couldn’t tint it because they don’t know what base to use to tint it. Don’t you provide this information to authorized dealers of your stain products?

Dave Decker
Dave Decker
1 year ago

I put 2 coats of defy extreme stain on 1 week ago on Red Cedar, I have stain left over will it give the wood additional protection if I out another coat on? Thanks.

Jillpez
Jillpez
1 year ago

Should I use a pressure washer to rinse the cleaner off of the deck?

Pat
Pat
1 year ago

I bought a 5 gallon pail of defy extreme natural pine. I did not realize that it is “Extreme for hardwoods”. Will this work on pressure treated wood?

Pat
Pat
1 year ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Thank you.

Pat
Pat
1 year ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Before staining

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Richard McKlveen
Richard McKlveen
1 year ago

My deck was stained with Defy Extreme semi-trans stain using the wet on wet process last week so it is totally dry and looks great. Two questions that have a related subject: A cat left paw marks while the stain was still tacky. Also, there are three boards that absorbed more of the stain and are a lighter shade. Can I stain over these areas and expect the stain to dry completely and look good?

grace
grace
1 year ago

we have a 17 yr old cedar garage door that we just stained with defy extreme semi penetrating stain in buttternut. aw applied 2 coats but not wet to wet(didn’t know). It looks nice but looks matt. Does it need a varnish coat for additional protection? thank you.

grace
grace
1 year ago
Reply to  Defy Help

thanks for your prompt response. Also anything we should be aware of since we put the second coat dry and not wet to wet? thx again

Fred
Fred
1 year ago

Howdy. Anything I can do about shiny/tacky spots where I apparently didn’t wipe well enough?

Can I fix it without starting over completely? Will the tackiness disappear on its own? If so, long will that take? Thanks.

Jan
Jan
1 year ago

Is 24 hours totally sufficient for Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent Wood Stain to dry before rain? Or would 48 hours of drying time be even better? Thank you

Stephen P Begonis
Stephen P Begonis
1 year ago

I have an old original (composite) trex deck that has no wood grain to it, just plain semi-smooth surface and lost its original cedar tint within a year after installation (probably 20 years ago). We want to seal / color it to make it look better.
What product do you recommend and will it be ok to use a solid stain so we can have a color other than silver (current color – look)?
I dont want it to wear off in traffic areas and now I have a maintenance nightmare on my hands?
Please advise?

Stephen Begonis
Stephen Begonis
1 year ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Thank you, will a semi transparent stain tint my old gray looking decking?
What color would you recommend to give it the deepest color?

MSM
MSM
1 year ago

25 year old PT deck that I removed old Cabot Australian Timber Oil with Restore a Deck stripper and 60 grit orbital sander. Using RAD Brightener, rinsing well then drying 2 days (started removal project before deciding what brand of stain to use)

I don’t want to do the stripping ever again. In Northern Michigan-will the Extreme hold up? Are 2 coats required after sanding prep?

Isaac
Isaac
1 year ago

If I have a previous coat of Defy semi transparent stain, can I apply Defy solid stain over that, or does the old semi transparent stain need to be removed first?

Jan
Jan
1 year ago

Is a paint strainer sock recommended to be used in a hand pump sprayer when applying Defy Wood Cleaner? Or just make sure all the oxygenated bleach is dissolved in the water? Thanks!

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