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
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?
Prep and recoat all floors. Clean and brighten.
So I don’t need to strip it correct?
Correct.
Thank you!!
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.
See here about new wood: https://www.deckstain.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains
Use the Defy Extreme after wait and prep. All deck stains act as sealers as well.
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
You can use the Defy Wood Cleaner and then the Defy Brightener for prep. Apply the two coats wet on wet after.
what is the shelf life of opened cans of defy extreme
12 months.
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!
We would suggest stripping and brightening for prep and even coverage. Use the Defy Stripper and then the Defy Brightener.
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.
It would be the proper way to make it is all even when done.
I’m reapplying stain to a deck I stained two years ago. What’s the best prep for this?
Using the Defy Stain over a previous coating of Defy? Same color?
Yes, same color of Defy. Also some areas are still repelling water and some areas are not.
Post some pics.
Here’s a couple of pictures. It rained last night so here’s some pics with rain on the deck and stairs.
We would suggest stripping and brightening for prep and even coverage. Use the Defy Stripper and then the Defy Brightener.
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.
Best to stain within 2 weeks of the prep.
Thank you! I appreciate you replying so fast!
How long between stain application and expected rain? Do I need a 24 hour window? Thanks!
12-24 hours after staining before rain is safe.
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?
Entire time and above 50 is best.
I think this is a clearer image of the weather chart.
thank you
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.
Friday and Saturday next week if taking two days.
How many coats of the extreme semi transparent on brand new KDAT pine?
One coat. Make sure to clean and brighten with the Defy products first.
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.
Yes, clean and brighten for prep. You could mix 50/50 for a light gray tint.
(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.
Yes but make sure to prep by removing any dirt and loose stain. The solid is thicker.
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?
Did you mix it well first? Was the wood new? It is a transparent stain so it will not look opaque. Please post some pics.
Post some pics. Also, is the wood new and did you premix the stain?
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?
Sounds like the wood is not dry enough for you to stain it yet.
I was thinking the same. Thanks!
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?
Clean and brighten.
thank you!
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 ?
Please post some pics.
Remaining stain
Remaing stain after using defy stripper. Looks like I need to sand
What is left looks opaque. You can try to strip it again or sand it all off.
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?
Use the Defy Stripper and then Defy Brightener on the clear sealer.
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?
2 coats. Clean and brighten for prep.
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..
Yes, that is correct.
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?
They have all the info to properly tint it through do-It best corporate purchasing. In fact, it cannot be sold unless it is tinted. The person you talked to is uninformed.
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.
No, do not apply more. It will not take.
Should I use a pressure washer to rinse the cleaner off of the deck?
Yes. Pressure wash off.
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?
Yes.
Thank you.
Before staining
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?
No, and adding another coat now will not take since the other coats have fully cured.
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.
No and never apply a varnish or any coating over a wood stain like Defy. It would peel if you did.
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
It is possible that it will fail prematurely since you did not follow the directions but not likely.
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.
You cannot spot fix so it would have to be fully removed and start over. It will dull down and be less noticeable over time.
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
24 hours is okay.
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?
You can use the Defy Extreme Semi-transparent colors but a solid will not work.
Thank you, will a semi transparent stain tint my old gray looking decking?
What color would you recommend to give it the deepest color?
Try Butternut color. You can test samples here: https://www.defystain.com/defy-stain-samples.html
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?
Yes, it will work well. Try two light coats applied wet on wet.
https://www.defystain.com/wood-and-deck-stains.html
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?
Clean and brighen and you can use the solid stain.
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!
No need to use a strainer.
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
After being opened, the shelf life is 12 months for the stain. Unmixed cleaner and brightener will last longer and can be used years down the road.
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
You can use any rug that is breathable and can dry out with no issues.
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?
Sound like it was over-applied or you did not prep correctly and is not curing correctly because of it. When you prep, removing any old stain is actually good so the new coating can fully soak into the wood grain. You will need to strip and brighen to fix.
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?
Are you trying to even out your “uneven” sanding? The only way to do that would be to sand all evenly or let the wood sit and weather for a couple of months and then clean and brighen for final prep.
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?
Clean and brighten.
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
If you have an old stain then you have to strip and brighten for prep.
Crystal clear wood deck stain is still sticky. Over applied. How do I correct it?
Strip it off with the Defy Stripper and then the Defy Brightener and start over.
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!
It is not possible to blend the new wood old wood as the new wood will be lighter. Using a darker color will not make much of a difference if any. Yes you have to prep before applying.
Will Defy stripper and brightener harm rubber roofing material? Part of my deck is above a flat roof.
No.
Just applied Defy Extreme semitransparent wood stain, Cedar Tone to a new Douglas Fir timber frame pavilion. The color is very orange so I want to change it to Walnut. How should I prep the wood?
Strip and brighten to rmeove and start over.
Is there a way to strip off the Cedar Tone stain other than sanding?
Strip and or sanding to remove.
I am year 4 or 5 of using Defy on my deck. Started with orbital sanding and then staining. Then, 2019, cleaned deck with Dawn (per your instructions, then) and put down a maintenance coat. In 2021, “started over” by stripping and brightening before applying new “wet on wet” coats.
I now want to just do a maintenance coat. It seems that your instructions have changed. I did clean with Dawn again, but I seem to have a lot of pollen imbedded in the grain still (?). Can I just brighten and then put down a single maintenance coat of the Butternut that I have been using? Or do I need to use the Cleaner and then the Brightener?
Cleaner and then the Brightener is the correct way.
Can I mix colors? Talking Defy Extreme semi transparent
Yes.
Deck is 8 months old. Pressure Treated Pine. Atlanta, GA Never treated with anything. Pressure washed one week ago. Interested in Butternut Extreme. Recommendations for preparation and application. Wet on Wet?
Use the Defy Wood Cleaner for prep and apply 1 coat of the stain.
I put a coat of extreme semi transparent wood stain (cedar tone) on today. It looks a little light in places can I put 2nd coat on soon?
No, second coats have to be applied wet on wet. You can lightly clean and add another coat in 6-12 months.
The instructions for stain say to let the deck dry for 72 hours after cleaning and brightening. What would the necessary moisture content be using a moisture meter? Thanks
15% or less.
Does 2nd coat of butternut darken the color or should clear be used for 2nd coat
If doing a second coat, it needs to be applied wet on wet and has to be the same color.
https://www.deckstain.com/what-is-wet-on-wet-stain-application/
Hello, I stained my deck using Defy Cedar color. I cleaned and brightened – let it dry and stained. I have some drip marks in certain areas. Can I sand with an orbital sander and reapply just the stain/?
Thanks,
David
It will probably not blend if you attempt to spot fix it.
Hello, the color is a bit bright-almost orange- what do I have to do to go over it with a pine color to tone it down?
You cannot tone it down by adding another color on top.
so my guess is to sand and start from scratch?
Strip and brighten for prep if you want to remove it.
What is the shelf life of the five gallon container of semi-transparent stain once opened? How much stain should I plan on for fully sanded 35 year old 450sq ft wood for only one coat? I am trying to determine if the remaining unused will still be usable for another coat next spring.
12 months after being opened. About 3-4 gallons.