Defy Wood Deck Stains

Ask Questions on Defy Stains

by Defy Help

Last Updated on January 30, 2023 by Defy Help

Update on Defy Stains for 2023

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

TWP Stain Help Staff

 
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Rod Fisher
Rod Fisher
21 hours ago

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

Chal
Chal
9 days 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
19 days 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
20 days ago

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

Yes or no

Daniel Ventre
Daniel Ventre
22 days ago

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

Wendy
Wendy
1 month 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
1 month 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
1 month 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
1 month 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 1 month ago by Wendy
Wendy
Wendy
1 month 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
1 month 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
1 month ago
Reply to  Defy Help

So 2-3 gallons of DILUTED Wood Brightener?

John Bertoni
John Bertoni
1 month ago

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

Rex Hirahara
Rex Hirahara
1 month 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
2 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
1 month ago
Reply to  Defy Help

So I don’t need to strip it correct?

Kris
Kris
1 month ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Thank you!!

Sue H
Sue H
2 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
3 months 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
6 months ago

what is the shelf life of opened cans of defy extreme

Beth
Beth
6 months 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!

Porch 1.jpg
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Porch.jpg
Beth
Beth
6 months 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
6 months ago

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

Jerry Smith
Jerry Smith
6 months 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
6 months 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
6 months 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
6 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Thank you! I appreciate you replying so fast!

Mike
Mike
7 months ago

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

Billy
Billy
7 months 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
7 months ago

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

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JBR
JBR
7 months 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
7 months ago

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

New Dock Owner
New Dock Owner
7 months 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
7 months 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
8 months 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
8 months 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
8 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

I was thinking the same. Thanks!

Efrain
Efrain
8 months 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
8 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

thank you!

John Keene
John Keene
8 months 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
8 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Remaining stain

John Keene
John Keene
8 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

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

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Fred
Fred
8 months 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
8 months 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
8 months 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
8 months 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
8 months 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
8 months ago

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

Pat
Pat
8 months 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
8 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Thank you.

Pat
Pat
8 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Before staining

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Richard McKlveen
Richard McKlveen
9 months 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
9 months 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
9 months 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
9 months 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
9 months 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
9 months 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
9 months 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
9 months 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
9 months 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
9 months 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!

Jan
Jan
9 months ago

I have a small deck and won’t use up Defy products with one application. How long can I store the Defy Deck Cleaner, Brightener and Extreme Semi-Transparent Stain without losing any effectiveness? I hope to save them for a few years if possible, so long as they don’t expire. Thanks

Barry Weissglass
Barry Weissglass
9 months ago

Hi. I have just applied the Defy solid white satin to a covered outdoor porch. However, if it rains hard, the floor gets wet. Can I put an outdoor rug down on the porch without damaging the stain under it? Do I have to do something with the rug if it gets wet to prevent damage to the underlying stained wood? Thanks

Steve Marquard
Steve Marquard
9 months ago

What went wrong here? Built new deck in Fall with KDAT. Next Summer used your Clean and brighten and Extreme transparent Stain. Waited one year before repeat to get a more even result as first time I left too many lap marks and uneven color. I sparingly used clean and lighten that second time as I was not entirely trying to remove one year old product. Result looked muck nicer, BUT now it is attracting dirt in the air (lightly dust coated everywhere) and chair leg caps stick, even a full year later! Any ideas?

Steve E Doerr
Steve E Doerr
9 months ago

I completely sanded, big belt, small belt, and then hand-held orbital, my 10 year old redwood deck. Of course there are still color variations (not wood grain). I then used DEFY cleaner and brightner. Many of the color variations are even more evident.

Should I clean and or brighten local spots or sand them? If the answer is sanding, do I need to clean and brighten those areas again?

Steve E Doerr
Steve E Doerr
9 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

I understand that sanding is an option – the one I will choose. I asked if, after sanding, should I treat the newly sanded areas with cleaner and brightener again or just apply stain?


Jan
Jan
9 months ago

I’ve read strippers or sanding may not be good for pressure treated wood decks. Is it advisable to use Defy Stripper for old water-based stain on pressure treated wood or should I just use the Defy Wood Cleaner? Thanks

Wanda
Wanda
9 months ago

Crystal clear wood deck stain is still sticky. Over applied. How do I correct it?

Pete Z
Pete Z
9 months ago

Hi! I had to strip off a thick latex like coating that I had put on my PTL deck years ago by using heavy sanding down to the bare wood and then doing a wet-on-wet application of your stains. However I did have to replace a few boards which I will let weather until next spring before attempting an application of your product. My question is next spring should I just use your deck cleaner product on just the new boards and leave the previously stained boards alone for another summer or should I clean the whole floor and re-stain everything? The older boards were stained with cedar-tone but turned out darker because of their natural aged darker quality. Should I use Light Walnut or Butternut on all the boards next Spring to assure evenness in staining? Thanks!

Dustin
Dustin
10 months ago

Will Defy stripper and brightener harm rubber roofing material? Part of my deck is above a flat roof.

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