Update on Asking Questions for Defy Stains 2020
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 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. At DefyStainHelp.com, we want everyone to have to 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, 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
What is the shelf life of Defy Semi-Transparent Stain. Would the balance of a 5 gallon bucket still be good in 2 years to do a recoat?
Thanks
No, 12 months, if opened, is the shelf life.
Thanks!
Hello,
I started stripping the stain from my deck (PT wood) and I run out of stripper half way through the job
There was a lot of stain on the deck.
Shall I use the brightener on the stripped part of the deck (I started stripping yesterday), or can I wait 4 days for the stripper to be shipped and continue where I finished?
Thank you!
Marcin
Finish the stripping and then brighten all when done.
Thank you so much for the quick response!
I have 1100 sf of 20 year old original Trex composite weathered gray decking. I would like to coat it with a different color that would cover the imperfections and give the deck a new look. What would you recommend?
Sorry but Defy stains are not designed for composite decks.
I used Deck Stain for Hardwood on a deck and railings. Can Defy Extreme be applied over it? It has held up very well but I applied Extreme to the same type of wood (Eastern White Cedar) on the walls of a shed and it looks brilliant. I would like that appearance on the deck.
If you strip it and then brighten for prep you can then apply it.
If staining with Defy Extreme solid stain over old Defy semi-transparent (mostly worn off, some areas not as weathered), does all the old stain need to be removed before staining? (will I need stripper in case the cleaner doesn’t remove all the old stain?)
You do not have to remove all. Clean and pressure wash off loose stain and dirt.
Can a car wash brush be used to apply Defy solid deck stain on horizontal surfaces? Also, what is the fastest way to apply solid stain to the railings / pickets? Thanks again.
No, you would need a roller and a regular paint brush. You can also use an airless paint sprayer.
Hi, What is the difference between Defy extreme semi-transparent in Crystal clear and Defy extreme Clear in Crystal Clear?
We have a house with cedar siding. Some semi-transparent stain have been put several years ago but nothing since then. The wood has now different brown/dark hue that we’d like to keep which is why we are looking at a crystal clear stain with no color on it although we know that it will darken the wood a bit.
Which one would you recommend us? I have attached pics.
Thanks a lot
Patrick
They are the same thing. You cannot add a clear sealer like the Defy or any other clear sealer brand over a semi-transparent stain.
Thanks! sooo… what do you recommend?
You cannot maintain your current appearance by adding something on top. Your options are to leave is for now or do a full and proper redo that would include stripping, brightening, and then restaining.
I want to spray a wood shed with Defy Extreme. If Defy gets on firewood (through the air gaps in the walls) will it effect a metal chimney or cast iron stove?
No, it should not.
Hi. Last fall I applied Defy Cleaner, Brightener and Stain to my 3-year old cedar deck. I applied it during a warm week with no rain. By this spring, much of stain had been washed out in those areas exposed to rain and snow. I am quite disappointed as it was a big job and I thought it would be years before it would have to be redone.
A picture is attached.
What do I do now to restore the deck?
Do you have a roofline over that part of the deck/porch? Looks like heavy rain from the roof washed it off there?
To fix, you would need to clean and apply one coat.
can I mix a stain left over from staining 2 years ago with the same kind of stain for maintence coating now?
If the stain was opened it has most likely gone bad.
We built a new pressure treated pine deck, summer, 2020. How long do we wait to treat it. We’re in north central PA. Which stain do you recommend? THANK YOU
See here: https://www.defystainhelp.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains/
How to remove a dried spot of stain on glass and vinyl?
Use a graffiti remover cleaner.
My question is about the cleaner and brightener products. The deck railing has metal balusters and there is a concrete patio and veneer stone wall below. Will these products damage any these surfaces?
They should not.
Water stops beading on my wooden deck about one month after application of Defy stain. Does this mean that the wood is not being protected?
Water is not supposed to bead with the Defy Stains. The stain sheds water as the Defy Stains are breathable.
Then how do I know when to reapply the Defy stain. Is there another product in your line that should be used to protect wooden decks? Thank you.
Deck stains should never bead water that means it will not be able to breathe and will cause dry rot if 100% sealed. The need to bead water is a myth. Redo every 2-3 years when it starts to fade or wear.
I have some older brightener powder from 2016. I see that you now sell it as a liquid concentrate. Is the powder still good, or better to go with the newer formulation? Stored in cool basement.
Powder brightener is okay once you mix with water.
Quick question, will cleaning and brightening remove pine sap? Sap is on bare wood.
Thanks!
Sorry but no, that will not remove tree sap. Not an easy way to remove this.
In rereading your instructions I’m
More confusing.
When to apply on new redwood deck?
Do I only apply one coat the first time??
What prep is needed for new redwood deck?
Next Spring is fine: https://www.defystainhelp.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains/
Hi,
I am getting ready to apply a maintenance coat to my deck. Upon reviewing the “prep” recommendations, there seems to be conflicting advice as to what product to use. The following are listed in different advice column: 1) regular detergent + water, 2) defy cleaner, and also 3) defy brightener. The deck is not in bad shape but water absorption has increased to the point that I think maintenance is needed.
Please let me know what product you recommend
Thanks in advance,
The Defy Wood Cleaner and then the Defy Brightener.
Last fall cleaned, brightened, and had time for one coat only of extreme stain. Need to recoat now. Thought I read to brighten only then recoat. Is that ok, and can I do 2 wet on wet recoat applications?
Clea and then coat, not brighten. Just one coat.
I have a cedar deck that was stained with oil stain (it is now wearing off in high traffic areas). How would you clean/prep the deck for new stain and what Defy stain would you recommend? I also have a treated deck (not cedar) that was stained with latex stain (it is now pealing). How would you clean/prep the deck for new stain and what Defy stain would you recommend? What color choices do you have and is there an ability to make custom colors? Thank you for your help.
Please respond with pictures of each area that need to be prepped. We do not do custom colors, only stock colors: https://www.defystainhelp.com/tips/need-help/defy-stain-color-tips/
Stained cedar sided house with defy epoxy about 18 years ago. Need to restain with defy. Do I have to strip the old stain off or just use brightener and restain?
Clean and brighten for prep and then use the Defy Extreme: https://www.defystain.com/wood-and-deck-stains.html
Best way to remove dried Defy overspray from vinyl siding.
Try a graffiti remover cleaner from a paint store.
Have to complement Defy Stain – it’s the best. Still looking pretty good in pics, used light walnut for cedar. Applied it to a new cedar board on board (BOB) fence, total length 150 ft in 2011, both sides, took most of 25 gallons. I recently power washed to bare wood, redid a 40 ft section that caught harsh west sun in 2018 and recoated top of 2×8 boards. Most of it still looks great. Time for a redo on exterior sides. One note – the cedar 2×4 interior stringers don’t hold the stain as long as the boards, flaked… Read more »
For prep on the older fence, you use the Defy Wood Cleaner (not Brightener) and light pressure washing. Probably just the one coat will work.
For the new fence, see this: https://www.defystainhelp.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains/
Just one coat after the wait and proper prep. Coverage is about 150 sq feet per gallon for one coat.
Use the Defy Extreme Stain since it is vertical wood.
That’s interesting info on the one coat for new wood after wait time and prep. I gather it should be a generous coating with back brushing. The 2011 fence was a two-coat job per your instructions back then if I recall correctly. I was of the notion that it took two wet on wet coats, but then I did not prep it the same way as you suggested. Only waited about six weeks to dry on the 2011 fence. That was the MO on what I’ve done in the past for two fences I’ve used it on before. I did… Read more »
Why am I getting very dark spots and very light spots on my decking? I installed the cedar last year and allowed it to dry in-place. I sanded w/60 grit paper and cleaned with Sherwin-Williams Revive according to package instructions. After waiting two days I applied two wet-on-wet coats of your Extreme in Cedar Tone.
That is something in the wood causing this, not the stain itself. It almost looks like you “burned” the wood with the sanding.
Burning is possible as my sanding disc would get clogged with dried stain and could overheat. However, the discoloration didn’t present until the stain was applied. And it’s just around knots, screw holes, and board ends. Could it be moisture in the wood? I let it dry for two days but our humidity is high. Do you have any recommendation to repair it? I’ll probably have to strip it but then what?
No, not moisture. Stains will enhance the natural color of the wood when applied, that is why is showed after it was applied and shows that the discoloration was already in the wood grain. To fix you would have to strip it all down and then brighten the wood.
I applied Defy Extreme wood stain today with the wet on wet method for the second coat. Hours later I noticed I missed a spot on one of the boards. What can I do at this point to fix it? The color is Butternut and it’s very noticeable.
You can try and touch it up but it may not blend as it has already cured by now.
Not staining a deck, but looking for the best stain for a split rail fence. Is there anything to consider specifically for staining split rail fencing?
Nothing special to consider. Just prep and stain with the Defy Extreme: https://www.defystain.com/wood-and-deck-stains.html
I have a piece of outdoor furniture I want to build and would ideally like to use treated 2 x 4’s for the upper part of that piece of furniture. However, visiting the lumber yard, I looked thru dozens of treated 2 x 4’s and the quality was terrible – hacked up, warped, knots-galore. On the other hand, the regular untreated 2 x 4’s were great, not hacked-up, straight, etc. My question is given that I live in fairly dry central Texas, and that there will be no ground contact for the pieces in question, would staining with Defy Extreme… Read more »
A deck stain will not provide termite resistance. Also, see this about new wood: https://www.defystainhelp.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains/
After 14 months, did a single defy extreme maintenance coat on an impregnated pine deck. Did it on mid 80F day that was humid and had high clouds (not direct sun but kind of a whitish scattered light). Some areas of the deck are now “sticky” Can anything be done to alleviate this condition???
It should dry and cure on its own. Just leave if for a few more days or a week.
We have a 1 year old cedar deck that was previously stained (much too early we now know) with an oil based stain. We have successfully stripped and brightened the deck and have dried it for 48 hours. We have the DEFY Extreme hardwood stain here and are looking to apply it. (You had previously recommended the hardwood stain due to the young age of the cedar). My question is, would you recommend 1 coat or 2 coats? If two, how do we ensure that we are not over applying it? Should we test a small area first, and what… Read more »
2 light coats wet on wet: https://www.defystainhelp.com/what-is-wet-on-wet-stain-application/
Thank you.
I’m getting a patio table made of composite wood. Can I use Defy to seal and preserve it (color) without any kind of residue or tacky/stickiness?
You would need the Defy Composite sealer for this.
Is the Defy Deck Cleaner and Brightener environmentally safe to use on a dock over a fresh water lake? Thanks Ken.
Yes.
Hello, I recently stained a deck using the Defy extreme semitransparent butternut stain. I removed all of the old stain, sanded all surfaces with a random orbital sander/sanding attachment on multi tool, pressure washed, cleaned with the Defy wood cleaner followed by the wood Brightener. The deck boards are several years old although the exact age is unknown since I bought the house about a year ago. It seems that sap is coming up out of the boards. The deck was stained about 2 weeks ago and looked great for a few days. Any suggestions on what to do? Is… Read more »
Yes, that is sap leeching out. No way to stop it and the only way to remove would be to sand it off. Easiest to just leave as is.
I have a 300 SQ ft pressure treated wood deck more that 20 years old. I have power washed it, used Defy Deck Brightener, and sanded it. I need some Defy Extreme deck stain. Redwood. I have some questions. I assume I will need 3 gallons: Is that correct? I live in Montreal Canada. How long will it take to get here? Does shipping include cost of Canadian customs clearance ? Will it be shipped direct to my door? Your website says not to stain the deck in mid-summer. I have no choice. But my deck faces east so it… Read more »
Yes, about 3 gallons. Shipping about 1-2 weeks. Shipping includes all customers, duty, etc. Direct to your door. You can stain in mid-summer, just not in the very high heat of the day. Later in the afternoon would be best. It can be sprayed.
I sanded a section of cedar siding that had been stained a dark color. The majority sanded off well but there was residual stain left in the corners and grooves. I purchased Defy Exterior Wood Stain Stripper to remove the rest of it. Easy directions to follow, but the cedar is now the shade of coffee. It has the appearance of being restained. Applied twice, still coffee. What happened?
You must brighten the wood after stripping to restore the natural pH balance of the wood.
What is the difference between the extreme wood stain and the extreme 40 stain? Is one a better product for cedar siding located in mid Missouri, USA?
Thanks
You would want the normal Extreme for MO. The “40” is only for the counties of Los Angeles.
my deck has a semi transparent stain on it but the weathering is so back that i may need to do a fair amount of belt sanding (to remove the splinters). So what is the best order to do the process, is it to first use the stripper and power wash, then use the belt sander then use the brightner and then finally stain the deck? ive read that i should use the brightner within 24 hours of doing the stripping.
thanks