Defy Wood Deck Stains

What is Wet On Wet Stain Application?

by Defy Help
Applying Defy Deck Stains

Last Updated on April 28, 2024 by Defy Help

2024 Update for Wet on Wet Application for Defy Exterior Wood and Deck Stains

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


Wet on Wet stain application consists of applying a coat of stain and then applying your second coat of stain while the first coat has not dried or cured completely. This process allows the application to be evenly applied while at the same time, over-application issues are minimized.

So how do you apply Defy Wood and Deck Stains “Wet on Wet”? This article will explain the simple steps taken to help you apply your Defy Stains properly.

Defy Stains Wet on Wet Application Help

  1. Make sure that the wood is properly prepped first. See here for Defy Prepping Instructions
  2. Start with railings first. Apply one coat of stain to all railings. Take care to protect the floor from any drips. After the first coat is applied, apply a light second coat to the top of the railings only. This should be done 20-120 minutes after the first coat is applied.
  3. Repeat Step 2 for any wood benches or other vertical structures.
  4. Once done with the verticals, apply one coat of the Defy Stain to the flooring and walking surfaces. Make sure to do the entire floor.
  5. Reapply a second light coat to the floor within 20-60 minutes of the first coat. it is okay to walk on your first coat of stain even though it has not dried completely. Take care to no step in your second coat of stain.

Defy Stain Tips for Wet on Wet Application

  • Do not apply 2 coats to brand-new wood.
  • Wear shoes that you do not care about getting stain on.
  • Apply quickly to avoid overlaps.
  • Only 1 coat is needed for the verticals while all horizontals should get the second coat
  • Do not over-apply. Two light coats are best.
  • Defy is a penetrating wood stain that works best by diving deep into the wood grain. Make sure to avoid “filming” the stain on the surface from excessive application.
  • Defy Stains are best applied with a stain pad applicator, brush, or sprayer.

If You Need any Help, Please Ask Below!

 
author avatar
Defy Help Owner
Scott only carries deck stains, concrete sealing, and restoration products that perform best based on his experience using the products and his 30+ years of helping others. Scott has been approached about selling numerous restoration products through the years but selects only the products he has used and trusts to perform.
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Rachel
Rachel
5 months ago

I like the look of semi-transparent with sheen, which I gather is achieved by applying two coats of the Ultra semi-transparent stain. I have pressure-treated boards that were newly laid 9 months ago. I gather that “new” pressure-treated boards should not get two coats. But I’ve read advice stating that some, never-previously-stained, pressure-treated boards can at some point get two coats to achieve the sheen. I guess my question is, at what point is never-stained pressure-treated wood “old” enough to get two coats? Thanks!

Rachel
Rachel
5 months ago
Reply to  Defy Help

thank you!

Carol
Carol
1 year ago

When it comes to reapplying a semi-transparent stain down the road after having applied 2 coats of Ultra, will I need to actually re-sand the wood, given the sheen, or will the cleaner and brightener be sufficient as is apparently the case with the Extreme stain.

Doug
Doug
1 year ago

I have a deck that has new wood which has sat for 9 months. I appy a two coat wet coat. Do you recommend applying a third coat after it dries properly

Kelvin
Kelvin
1 year ago

Does Defy Ultra takes longer to dry compared to Defy Extreme? The instructions for applying the 2nd coat for Defy Ultra stated a 1-2 hours wait time. For Defy Extreme, the recommended wait time is 30-60 minutes.

Maria
Maria
1 year ago

We have ordered the Defy clear stain to go over the washed and brightened PT deck both Defy brand. It seems that the brightener made the wood a lot lighter in color. Will the Defy clear stain bring back the original color

R Danelon
R Danelon
1 year ago

What is the sq.ft. wood coverage per gallon of Defy Extreme stains?

Meg Weigel
Meg Weigel
2 years ago

I applied the first coat last night not knowing that I had to apply the second coat immediately. Is there anything I can do to apply a second coat now?

Jennifer
Jennifer
2 years ago

Hi. I want the satin finish. Should I use the Ultra Extreme, or can I achieve this with the Extreme 2 coats? Thanks

Jennifer
Jennifer
2 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

I can with the Ultra, correct?

Margo
Margo
2 years ago

What is the best way to apply Defy to a 1.5 month old Redwood horizontal board fence? I’m in Northern California so it won’t rain for months (or years). How many coats? We’re going to use clear, Butternut, or Light Walnut semi transparent, after we apply some small samples to an inconspicuous area.

Kathy
Kathy
2 years ago

Is it ok to mix the crystal clear with colors like pine or walnut for a lighter tone?

Terry
Terry
2 years ago

Hello, if I treated fence ( treated pine ) with Thompson’s clear water proof what would be the best way to apply defy extreme? Can I use a pump sprayer? Also treated porches with Thompson , but much more. What difference will defy have that say an Armstrong Clark or stain and seal expert won’t have? Thanks

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Terry
Terry
2 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Ok great … when using stripper should I use a brush and scrub each board? Also would it be ok to complete stripping over about a week, possibly between rain storms then brighten when completed? Thanks

Terry
Terry
2 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Hello, I decided to clean fence with a cleaner and pressure washer and ended up getting the fuzzy on most fence boards( treated pine) any good ways to smooth out the boards and rid the fuzzy s ? Thanks

Terry
Terry
2 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

I’m also curious, is there a difference in chemicals between defy stripper and others? Can I apply stripper with a pump sprayer ? Thanks

Valerie Malter
Valerie Malter
2 years ago

does my deck need to be completely dry to apply DEFY stain or can I apply it if it rained 12 hours ago?

Marty
Marty
2 years ago

We have a 3 year old cedar deck that was previously stained with another product that turned dark after several months. We have now cleaned, brightened it and have applied a light sanding. We will now be using the Defy Extreme semi transparent cedar tone stain. Would you recommend one coat or two ? Would the second coat make the final look a bit darker ? Thanks

Marty
Marty
2 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, we did remove the prior coats completely. And the preference would be to use a stain pad or synthetic brush to apply ?

Marty
Marty
2 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

How many hours of no rain in the forecast do I need in order stain the deck so as not to take a chance of the rain impacting the applied stain? Thankd.

Chris
Chris
2 years ago

Can I mix clear coat and semi transparent together to lighten the semi transparent. I am going to use the redwood color semi transparent. Thanks

vince capobianco
vince capobianco
2 years ago

how many coats do i need to apply to a new deck? its about 12 months

Donna
Donna
2 years ago

After new pressure treated deck wood has been cleaned and lightened, do I understand correctly we only apply one coat of stain? Must we use only large bristle type brushes?
Thank you

LISA ARMSTRONG
LISA ARMSTRONG
2 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

We just ordered our stain for our 2 yr old pressure treated deck that has never been stained. We should only put 1 coat??? What happens if we do 2?

Craig
Craig
3 years ago

Can you apply your solid stain on the deck with the carwash brush

Tom
Tom
3 years ago

Planning on using Defy solid stain. Can’t find any videos on application of the solid stain, so don’t know how much thicker consistency to expect. I understand the need to prep, brighten, and wait at least 48 hours before staining, and maintaining wet edge while applying. Is the best tool for applying solid stain on deck floor, a brush or stain pad? I will be replacing some deck floor boards (pressure treated first), and railing tops (cedar). Based on this, I’ll plan on doing 1 coat on everything, with 2nd coat next year after cleaning…or are application rules different for solid stain? Also, is any other prep required next year for 2nd coat? And finally, should I restrict next year’s 2nd coat, for railings, only to the top horizontal surfaces? Thank you…

Tom
Tom
3 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Are the 2 coats for the solid stain still required to be wet on wet?

Dustin
Dustin
3 years ago

I have a new Cedar deck. From reading your help instructions, its sounds like I should first clean, then brighten and then apply a single coat of defy Extreme, with the brush (not pads or brushes) being the best tool to apply (just doing deck boards, railings are painted). Do I have that all correct? Any other prep/application tools I should have on hand?

Charles P. Brink
Charles P. Brink
3 years ago

I have a 10 year old deck, that I stripped, sanded and brightened. I applied Defy extreme and have a couple of lighter areas that I noticed 10 hours later. Should I apply another coat over just those areas, the whole deck or wait 12 months clean, brighten and reapply stain?

Jeff
Jeff
3 years ago

I am staining a 10+ year old redwood deck that had severe stain buildup (oil based) . I sanded down to bare wood. What prep should I do and how may coats of semi- ?transparent stain should I apply

Jeff
Jeff
3 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Should I apply 1 or 2 coats ?

Jeff
Jeff
3 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Used very coarse 36 Grit to remove old stain layers and then used 80 Grit to finish

Jeff
Jeff
3 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

I’m in Northern CA and the weather is dry and hot. Can I stain in the morning when temps are in the 70’s when the afternoon temps will reach the 90’s ?

Jeff
Jeff
3 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Reading the instructions on the Defy cleaner it says for redwood I must use brightner after on redwood. Is that really necessary ? I am staining with defy extreme Butternut.

Deanna
Deanna
3 years ago

Why do you not apply 2 coats to new wood? And how long do you need it to be rain free after applying

Deanna
Deanna
3 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

My boards have been down for 6 months. Is that enough time for 2 coats

Jim De Brock
Jim De Brock
3 years ago

I am applying the Gray deck stain to a friends deck. I had to sand and strip the old paint off before staying. We only bought three gallons which covered the deck with one coat but it needs a second. He reordered more stain but I won’t be able to do a wet on wet application. Any suggestions before I apply the second coat. It’s been three days since the first coat.

Jim De Brock
Jim De Brock
3 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Ok. Thanks.

Terry
Terry
3 years ago

We have an old pressure treated wood deck that had previously been stained grey. Most of it had peeled off and we replaced several of the boards last year. We have sanded the deck and would like to apply your extreme stain in grey. Previous stain was grey and there is still some grey color to some of the boards. Now that it is sanded (old and new wood). Should the brightener be used on the sanded wood? Since all the wood has been sanded down do I use 1 coat of stain, or 1 coat on new boards, 2 coats on old boards?

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Sid
Sid
4 years ago

I am confused by your wet on wet article. I have a new deck. Do I use 2 coats or 1 coat?

Michael Kostur
Michael Kostur
4 years ago

I have a new pressure treated wood deck. Install finished 9/28. Took a week. Wood is stamped kiln dried. Weather dry. Deck exposed to sun. Deck boards have shrunk to about 1/8” gap between. Massachusetts has drought conditions. I bought 3 gallons of Defy Extreme light walnut. Wood seems ready to stain. Is it necessary to apply wood cleaner and Brightener? Wood is brand new. Also instructions say don’t apply two coats to new wood but same instructions then say apply 2 coats to all horizontals within about an hour of the first coat. Should I just lightly sand? Also contractor and building inspector recommend staining now before it gets colder. I’m confused by the conflicting advice. Can I stain this weekend? Weather appears perfect to do it.Thanks Mike

Scott Monroe
Scott Monroe
4 years ago

We have a ‘new’ cedar deck that was installed abut 10 months ago. Should we use one or two coats? Thanks, looking forward to seeing the results!

Doug A Campbell
Doug A Campbell
4 years ago

What do you mean to not apply 2 coats to ‘brand new’ wood? I will be applying to a few new replacements of vertical grain fir porch flooring. It is not pressure treated and has probably been sitting in the lumber yard for awhile.

Thanks

Doug A Campbell
Doug A Campbell
4 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Because I will be staining old exposed boards along with new wood, should I just stain them all with 1 coat and follow up with a second coat in 12-18 months?

Doug A Campbell
Doug A Campbell
4 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Does the semi-transparent stain lighten or darken with age? Thanks

Doug A Campbell
Doug A Campbell
4 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

What’s the difference between your semi-transparent Extreme and the Extreme 40? Do they both exhibit the same color and matte finish? Thanks

Greg Supplice
Greg Supplice
4 years ago

I am planning to use a Paint Sprayer (Homeright Finish Max Super) to stain my deck. I’m aware I can use airless, but can I use HVLP Sprayers also?

Greg Supplice
Greg Supplice
4 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

Thank You.

Penny Streets
Penny Streets
4 years ago

I have a grill gazebo and a natural gas grill on my upper deck, why couldn’t I work around those if it is ok to walk on 1st coat of stain?

Sheryl Montgomery
Sheryl Montgomery
4 years ago

I am going to use your product on a new redwood deck. I plan on waiting for it to totally cure. So next Spring. But I read in your literature to NOT apply to new wood. Please explain.

Grayson B Grant
Grayson B Grant
4 years ago

My pressure treated pine deck is approx 6 months old. Is this considered new? Do I need one or two coats?

Mark
Mark
4 years ago

Are you able to provide more detail on the recommended “brush” for applying your wet on wet method? What kind of brush is it exactly? It says a “car brush” but the youtube video seems to show more of a brush broom. Thanks

Stacey
Stacey
3 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

This product description states handle must be purchased separately. Can you confirm a push handle can be attached and do you offer it for order on your website?

John Leach
John Leach
4 years ago

It has been over 2 weeks since I cleaned and brightened my cedar siding. I read here it is best to apply stain within 2 weeks. Can I reapply brightener and let dry a few days then apply stain or should I use cleaner then brighten again before staining? Or as a third option, just apply stain?
Thanks

JEFF THOMAS
JEFF THOMAS
4 years ago

I recently put together a pre-fabricated and pre-stained Backyard Discovery cedar pergola. The manufacture’s stain is very thin with limited penetration and they stated the pergola should be sealed right away. Can I directly apply the Extreme stain to the manufacture’s stain and will it seal the cedar wood properly. Thank you

JEFF THOMAS
JEFF THOMAS
4 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

In regards to your answer the manufacturer stated this “This wood on our products are flash heated which dries the stain fast into only the first few layers. This allows you to re-stain or paint with a different color on top of the pre-stained wood, you can also use a water or oil based sealent on the pre-stained wood as well.”
What are your thoughts using the Extreme based on this additional information?
Thank you

Ken Doane
Ken Doane
4 years ago

I’m in the middle of staining my pine deck with butternut. I’ve been trying to protect the deck from drips, but I still ended up with some drips and patches of stain that I created by trying to fix the drips. I’m not a perfectionist and what I’ve done looks good to me so far. Should I sand the drips/patches of stain on boards before I coat them? I just want to make sure the board accepts the stain. Thank you! Really loving your products.

Dana Meyer
Dana Meyer
4 years ago

We sanded off the old oil based sealer from my Cedar deck. 2 days later we applied the Defy Cedar tint stain, 2 coats, wet on wet. It did not dry evenly. The sales person at the hardware store said we could use a roller to apply the stain, but you can see areas where my son stopped and started again and areas where the stain went on thicker vs lighter. What do I do to give it an even look? Can I put a third coat on in early fall, 4 months from now? Will that even help?

Dana Meyer
Dana Meyer
4 years ago
Reply to  Defy Help

What do you recommend to strip it?

Jack Pittrof
Jack Pittrof
4 years ago

As a precursor to ordering a sample/or quantity of Extreme semi-transparent stain, do you have a color cross reference of your Driftwood Gray to Olympic Cape Cod Gray or Valspar Cottage Gray, both semi-transparent? Application vertical cedar siding properly prepared.
My concern is getting a close match to existing as the entire job will span 2 summers.
Thanks for any help,
Jack

lee mclaughlin
lee mclaughlin
4 years ago

hello I have a a new pressure treated deck 16 by 34 by salt water marsh, I want to use extreme , one coat or 2 and how much will I need to order?

sharon m stanton
sharon m stanton
4 years ago

Can I strip and brighten the deck on one weekend, and then wait one to two weeks before applying stain?
sometimes the weather does not give us back to back good ,dry days.

Luke
Luke
4 years ago

I am planning to strip and brighten prior to applying stain. I know I need to wait 48 hours after brightening prior to applying stain. If it rains during this time do I need to wait an additional 48 hours? If it rains between periods does it effect the stain should I just wait for a clear forecast?