I was convinced my old deck stain was fine for another year

After a heavy rain in April, water started beading right through it, which showed me the finish was completely shot. Anyone have a go-to brand for cedar that holds up better?

3 comments

3 Comments

coleman.karen2mo ago

Yeah, that "beading right through" thing is exactly what got me too. I used to just slap on whatever was on sale, thinking it was all the same. After a season like that, I switched to a solid color stain from Cabot. It's oil-based and seems to soak into the cedar better instead of just sitting on top. What are you leaning towards, a clear finish or something with more color?

abby_king222mo ago

Honestly, I'm leaning towards a clear finish to keep the wood grain visible (I love that natural look). My neighbor went with a solid color last year and it's already looking a bit worn in the high-traffic spots.

danieltaylor11d ago

Tbh is it really that deep though? Like a little wear on a deck after a year sounds pretty normal to me unless you're hosting a marching band out there every weekend. Honestly people act like their porch is some museum piece but it's just wood sitting outside getting rained on. Ngl I've had clear finishes hold up just fine for a few years on my own place, and I don't baby it either. Maybe your neighbor just picked a bad brand or didn't prep the surface right.