Update on Asking Questions for Defy Stains 2019
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
Can Defy Extreme semitransparent be over and oil based stain if it’s is stripped and neutralized??
If stripped and neutralized, yes.
I have a treated pine deck in an enclosed patio that is about 5 years old Evidently some of the wood was not treated very well and I have replaced random boards last year and again this year. Now the deck is a patchwork and the color inconsistent. I want a semitransparent stain to even out the color preferably in a light driftwood gray. I have had the deck pressure washed and now ready for the next step. What do I do? Does each age of wood have to be prepped differently? Live in the NC coastal area and have… Read more »
Post a picture of the wood.
We bought a house with an approx 5 year old un-stained (pressure treated pine) deck, and I’d like to treat it. Wondering, 1) do I need to use both a cleaner AND brightener on it? 2) If I have RAD cleaner/brightener, will it work just as effectively for this project as the Defy version? 3) Does DEFY Extreme Stain ever peel? Or does it just fade? I’m wondering this mostly because I want re-application down the road to be a breeze
Thanks!
Hello,
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Not if applied correctly. It is fully penetrating.
Clean and recoat when needed down the road.
Great! Thanks for the prompt reply
Can’t wait to get started with your product!!
p.s. forgot to ask: do you I need a sealer on top of the 2 coats of Defy Extreme?
No, you cannot apply a sealer on top of a deck stain.
I have a wood deck that has stain on it that is peeling. What should I use to clean the wood before re staining it? Thank you for your assistance.
Lisa
What brand and type of stain is on there now?
it was a sherwin williams deck stain. I did it last year and it’s already peeling really bad on the horizontal surfaces. The deck itself is approximately 30 years old.
What type of stain? Can you post a picture?
picture of deck and the stain I used
You will need to remove this with the Defy Stain Stripper and then the Defy Wood Brightener.
Thank you! Do I need to wait a certain amount of time after I use the brightener to stain?
48 hours to dry.
Thank you much! You have been very helpful!
Good day. I own a pine log home that is ready to be restained and sealed. And a new pine deck do you recommend your product to treat log homes with
See this for new wood and Defy: https://www.defystainhelp.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains/
You would want the Defy Extreme Stain for both: https://www.defystain.com/wood-restoration/wood-and-deck-stains/defy-extreme.html
Please see attached
I used your product about 5 years ago on a redwood deck. The product label is Defy The Elements Epoxy fortified wood stain light Walnut. What can I purchase to go over this deck again?
This product was replaced with the Defy Extreme Stain: https://www.defystain.com/defy-extreme-stain.html
Colors are the same.
I have a 5 year old treated deck – 1500 sq.ft. total. It`s a wrap around deck, 60×12 one way, 30×12 the other way, an 8×8 landing, 16 steps and railing that is wood/metal mix. How much cleaner, brightener, and stain do I need?
For 1500 Sq feet:
2 Defy Cleaners
2 Defy Brightener
15 Gallons of stain for the 2 coats applied wet on wet.
I have cleaned a Gondola made with treated lumber with the wood cleaner. The dark stain has come completely off in some parts but 75% remains intact. Since I am going to use the solid wood stain, does the old stain have to come completely off? The solid stain should cover both the stained and unstained parts. Correct?
If using the solid stain, yes it will cover it.
I have a 16×16 pressure treated deck that sits in the sun all day long. I previously stained it with Defy Extreme 3 years ago. I am about to clean,brighten and stain the deck again. When watching a how-to video it states not to do it in the direct sun. They only nice weather I will have is sunny days, can I still stain the deck? Also, how much time do I need after staining before rain should get on it?
Stain in the morning or later evening on a sunny day and you should be fine.
The cedar decking arrived reasonably dry and light and was installed over the last week. So far there has been a great deal of rain so the wood isn’t getting any drier. What are the consequences of staining much earlier than recommended if we get a series of sunny days during which the wood may be as dry as it will get?
See this about new wood: https://www.defystainhelp.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains/
Do not do it early, it will not take.
Which product offers the best UV protection from fading on a Tigerwood outdoor railing? I applied the new Extreme, but am wondering if I should have or should now apply a second coat of the Defy for Hardwood. Is there a way to get a gloss finish? Thank you.
No, you cannot have a gloss finish on a deck. It will peel. Do not apply another coat.
Do you make a stain with insecticide and UV already in it
UV yes. No on insecticides.
The internet says that cedar is a softwood. Why do you recommend Defy for Hardwoods for a cedar deck?
Yes.
That is not an answer to my question.
It penetrates cedar wood better.
I have a 16×20 pool deck that was stained with Defy Extreme 3 years ago. The deck sits in the sun all day long and get chlorinated pool water on it. I live in the North East so it gets weathered.
Can I just reapply Defy again or will I have to re-prep again?
You always have to prep when you reapply. Prep and reapply the Defy.
I have a 3 year old covered cedar deck in Oregon. I applied one coat Defy Hardwood when it was new 3 years ago. I want to change color so I will sand, strip and brighten, in that order. In one of your posts it says that sanding can hinder stain absorption. My questions are: Should I sand and in the order I posted? Should I use Extreme or Hardwood for cedar in Oregon? 90 degree summers and below freezing winters. Since I am stripping is it considered a new deck so would I follow the directions for new wood… Read more »
No need to sand. Strip and brighten the wood. Use the Hardwood version. No, it is not considered a new deck after stripping. Apply 2 coats wet on wet.
Can you be more clear? Is it considered a new deck or not. You say it IS considered new and this site says a new deck should only have one coat the first year.
Typo. Missed the “not”.
Everywhere I read on the internet it says that cedar is a softwood.Why do you recommend Defy for Hardwoods for cedar?
The internet says that cedar is a softwood. Why do you recommend Defy for Hardwoods for cedar decking?
Well the prep and staining has begun and I am a nervous wreck. The prepping was completed today and I pray we did it correctly. We followed the directions and the deck does look clean and bright. The stain goes on Monday (Memorial Day) I will surely be sending pictures. This is a brand new deck that has cured for 9 months. It was not very dirty at all. My contractor has never used DEFY and he was impressed with the prep materials. We are following directions and only putting one coat on the deck. Should I put on a… Read more »
Only apply a maintenance coat if needed. Use the Defy Cleaner for prep.
I am looking to purchase the Defy Stain Stripper and Brightner to clear off an old oil based stain that has a few years wear. My deck is over a concrete slab. Do I need to cover the slab so it doesn’t absorb any of the stripped stain or will it just power wash off the concrete after I clean up the wood?
Any update here?
Just pressure wash when done. No need to tarp.
I ran out of DEFY Extreme semi trans gray while apply to new Yellawood deck. Can says do not apply on dry stain so what do I do? Can I apply second coat over first IF it gets absorbed or is it always a no no?
THANKS
I should have checked to make sure I had enough — bummer!
You cannot apply a second coat over the first coat if it has already dried an cured.
HELP? I put on first coat of DEFY Extreme semi trans gray and ran out! Can’t get more while the first coat is still wet. Can I apply second coat if first coat is very very light? (I should have checked to make sure I had enough of the product!)
No, you cannot coat it if the first coat has already cured. Best to wait until late Fall or early Spring of next year. Light wash to remove dirt first.
Is Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent Stain supposed to be the consistency of water?
Yes.
Thanks for the prompt response!!
I have a large (32X24) new deck. We have purchased DEFY cleaner, brightener and 25 gallons of DEFY stain. The deck sits about 5′ off the ground and the entire bottom is boxed in with wood and there is a door so we can store stuff under the deck. Of course there is a deck floor, railings and steps. I am not sure where to being the cleaning/brightening process so as not to create streaks. Should I start at the bottom ground level wood and work up or should I start with the railings and work down. Thanks.
Railings first and then floors.
I assume that means we do the wood skirting last?? Thanks.
Yes.
Sorry to be so dumb about this but this is a large, expensive job and I don’t want to make a mistake in prepping. Should I clean all the railings then brighten them…..then move to the floor (clean and then brighten) and then to the lower wood walls (Clean then brighten) OR do I clean it all first then brighten?? Thanks again.
Clean all first and then brighten all when done. Break the stain up. Railings then the floor.
Thanks. Prepping complete today and staining in 2 days. I cannot wait to see how it all turns out. Will send picture.
I am going to buy Defy Extreme Wood Stain for my deck and I want almost no colour.
I’m choosing between crystal clear and natural pine. It’s on an old deck that is in very
good shape. We live in northern Canada. Do you have a recommendation? Thanks!
If you want UV protection for longer than 1 year than use the Natural Pine.
I applied Defy stain last year to a new deck. I want to restain this year, do I need to use both cleaner and brightener, or can I just use the brightener before restraining?
Use the Cleaner for prep. Brightener alone will not work.
A very hard, dense, heavy South American hardwood was used for my deck. A Super Deck oil based stain was recommended. It was very difficult to use and easily shows overlapping. Can your products be used effectively on this type of wood?
Thanks !
David
Yes but make sure to remove all of the Super Deck Stain first. Use the Defy Hardwood Stains.
Thanks so much for your prompt help !!!
My garden shed has cedar clapboard siding. I stained it stained with an oil transparent stain when new and re-stained about 3 years ago. The siding and finish seem intact, but I now have some mildew I would like to remove before re-staining. Will using your cleaner be sufficient as preparation? I do not see a real need to remove the old stain. Also, is treatment with brightener required?
thanks
Peter
You must remove the old stain when switching brands. Use the Defy Stain Stripper and then use the Defy Wood Brightener.
thanks for your response. I did not intend to change the stain I have been using – in part to avoid issues you refer to in terms of mixing products. I simply wish to remove mildew before re-staining. Would Defy cleaner be a good choice for this purpose?
If you are using the same brand and color of stain as last time, then yes, the cleaner is correct prep.
I have a 20 year old pressure treated deck. Old stains have built up. I plan on sanding the deck to remove all of the old stain. I am reading conflicting reports on the restraining process. Some say to power wash before sanding, then applying the stain. They say if the deck gets wet after sanding, the wood fibers are raised and you must start over. Can you give me the proper order of steps? Brightener, sanding, power wash, stain or power wash, brightener, sanding, stain, or power wash, sanding, brightener, stain? Thank you
Water does not harm the wood and raising the wood fibers actually helps the stain to soak in better. Sand first and pressure wash after with the Deck Cleaner and then wood brightener.
I have a cedar deck that in the past two years has had a clear oil based stain applied each year, but now needs to be cleaned well and restained…can I apply Defy water-based stain after cleaning or would the ? residual oil based product be a problem?
You will need to strip and brightener. Use the Defy Stain Stripper and The Defy Wood Brightener.
Can you do the cleaning and brightening steps in the rain???
Light rain, not pouring rain.
Again, you have been most helpful and I appreciate it. I did try to find answers to these questions before leaving an inquiry but didn’t find anyone else asking the same questions. Thanks.
I just purchased DEFY cleaner, brightener and stain. My deck is new and has never been stained. It is 7 months old. It is also very large. 24X32 and the skirting around the entire deck is solid wood planks too. So there is a lot of wood to clean, brighten and stain. Is it ok to clean the entire deck one day and then brighten the next day? I know it says to brighten right after you clean but it is too big a job to do in one day. So will it be ok to do it over 2… Read more »
Clean and brighten in the same day is the correct way. Brightener is very easy and can be done in an hour or less. Just spray on and rinse after 10 minutes.
But the deck is huge and don’t I have to use the brightener on the entire wood skirting, deck floor, railings, steps and spindles? Just the cleaning of all that is going to take a long time. The can says to do a small area wait 20 minutes and rinse then do another small area…this will take a lot of time to clean. I am doing the cleaning early evening and wanted to brighten the next evening. If it must be done at the same time then I will just reschedule the job. Thanks.
It is designed to brighten and neutralize the cleaner as soon as you are done with the cleaning, not the next day. Best to do it all the same day for best results.
Thanks for you quick responses and help. I have already rescheduled the job so it can be done at the same time.
Good choice!
The Defy stain that I applied in 2017 is now peeling off in most spots, some with long stain fibres curling up, while areas under a couch are in good shape. With this huge variation in bare spots vs. covered areas, can I get away with prepping and reapplying, or will I have to strip the deck to make it uniform? Ottawa, Canada.
Strip and brighten for a uniform appearance.
I have a composite 12′ x 20′ decking (installed in early 2008 on a Ryan built home) and it is beginning to spall. I think it may be due in part by the joints being too tight and dirt clogged them. That clog could allow water to pool and with winter freezing / thawing the spalling resulted. However, I never saw pooling even when it rains hard. I was going to open joints by with a thin blade skill saw, power wash, and then paint the surface with some sort of sealer or epoxy paint. Love to hear your thoughts… Read more »
We have Defy Composite Sealer but we do not have any paints or epoxies. https://www.defystain.com/wood-restoration/wood-and-deck-stains/defy-composite-deck.html
I have a mahogany floor on my screen porch and plan to re-stain with Defy. The online guidance suggest one rather than two coats on dense woods. I presume mahogany falls in that category. Any suggestions?
Yes, just one coat. Use the Defy Hardwood Stain.
Can I use Defy Wood Brightener on Trex decking to make it shine?
No. A brightener will have no effect on Trex.
I have a screen porch with a mahogany floor. Stained with oil based stain about 7 years ago. Any problem with using Defy stain over top of that? Will be cleaning it with a oxygenated bleach cleaner in advance to kill mildew/mold.
You cannot use Defy or any other brand over what you currently have with removing the first coat first. Strip and brighten for prep.
I have an older deck that was stained with other products in the past. I am going to use Defy deck Stripper then the Defy Wood Brightener. My first question is: After rinsing well, can I use both products right after one another? Also it has been raining everyday so can I apply these steps and wait out the rain for a week or so then Stain the deck when it has had time to dry for 48 hours, or will the deck need to be brighten again before staining?
Thank you for you time.
Yes. Apply brightener right after the stripper. Stain within 10-14 days.
Thank you, it’s nice getting answers and so promptly. Thanks
You are welcome!
i treated my outdoor cedar potting bench with extreme wood stain. how long will this last?
2-3 years.
We did full prep (cleaner and brightener) and applied DEFY extreme stain on our new wood roof deck 2 years ago. The wood was new, so no other stain was used on it. Now, it needs maintenance coat. I have 2 questions: 1. Is brightener necessary, or can we just wash with soapy water using light pressure with pressure washer? 2. How dry does the wood need to be before applying the maintenance coat? Is one sunny day enough, or should it be dried out for longer? If drying for 12-24 hours, the surface will be dry, but the interior… Read more »
Use both the Defy Cleaner and then the Wood Brightener. 48 Hours after prep before applying the stain.
We have rough cedar siding and limestone on our home.
1)How long after cleaning the cedar siding does it need to dry before applying the wood brightner product?
2)How long after the brighter product is applied can the sealer be applied?
3)Does the limestone need to be protected from either the brighter or sealer?
4)Will either of these products damage the flowers/vegetation or our honeybee hives?(the hives are 50 ft away from the house)
5)What is the best method for applying the Brightner and the Sealer?
1. You apply the brightener right after the cleaner, while wood is wet.
2. 48 Hours
3. Yes.
4. No, they should not.
5. Pump sprayer for prep products. Use a stain pad or brush for the stain.
You stated that you should use a stain pad or a brush for stain. Does that mean a brush to use by hand or a soft bristle brush that you attach to end of a push handle? I’ve heard from a paint store that sells Defy to use a paint brush, and also have seen online videos of using the push handle brush method
Brush attached to a handle and a hand brush will work.
We ordered cedar tone Defy Extreme last fall after stripping the deck with Restore a Deck stripper we decided to wait until this spring to stain given less than ideal staining conditions in the fall. We have stripped again and brightened this weekend. We have stored your stain according to the directions. We usually brush each board end to end then apply a 2nd coat. In the past we have used Flood and Total Wood Protection both have lasted about a year on this 6 year old cedar deck with eastern exposure in suburban St Louis, Missouri. We plan to… Read more »
Do not over apply. Only apply as much as the wood will allow to fully soak into the grain. Use a staining pad for best application. This way the stain will soak in deeper.
Thanks for the prompt and helpful reply. Staining pad it is.
Thanks for your help. It is finished. Used the staining pad and did not over apply.
Nice job!
thanks
WOW looks great.
thanks, nothing like real wood.
We have a large deck and Pergola that has been covered in Sherwin Williams Semi Solid stain. Peeling and terrible. We are currently sanding off the color on the deck – but the Pergola is proving more difficult.
Thinking for our main deck we might be able to use the Butternut Semi Transparent -but utilize a Solid stain for the Pergola. Do you have a match for Butternut in Solid?
We do not sell solid stains on the website. They have to be custom mixed at paint stores.
Which is best on cedar decking that has been powerwashed? Hardwood or Extreme?
Hardwood.
Can you mix cedar tone Hardwood and Extreme?
No.
I cleaned, brightened and stain my deck with Defy products (stain was Butternut semi-transparent water based, and I applied 2 coats). It looked beautiful last year, but now that we have gone through winter all of the knots in the wood look like they don’t have stain on them and are white-ish in color. Do you have any tips on how to correct this or prevent it from happening again? Do I re-stain and then put a clear finish on to protect it?
Thanks in advance for you help!
Use the Defy Cleaner and reapply one light coat in the same color. You cannot apply a clear os sealer over a deck stain.
Hi – I previously used Sierra Silver on my log house. Now that you’ve discontinued that color, what do you recommend? The Driftwood Gray looks similar, I guess, but maybe Crystal Clear would work as well.
Clear would not work. Driftwood Gray is closest.
Located in Northern Illinois. Deck was built one year ago and am now preparing to stain it. Wood decking is WeatherShield from Home Depot. Is this a one or two coat(s) stain situation?
Use the Defy Wood Cleaner and then Defy Brightener for prep. Apply 2 light coats of the Defy Extreme Stain with wet on wet application: https://www.defystainhelp.com/what-is-wet-on-wet-stain-application/
From one are of your website it looks like gallon containers are free shipping. Other verbiage says that only 5 gallon containers ship free. I need approx. 4 gallons. IF there is shipping costs on gallon containers, am I better off ordering 5 gallons with free shipping or 4 gallons and paying for shipping? Also, I used this product in 2015. This is my first reapplication in 2019. I am very pleased with it and how it has held up. My goal is using the cleaner then two wet coats of Defy Clear. Is that the proper path?
Single gallons are now shipping free as a special this month for the Defy Extreme. Cleaner ships free as well. https://www.defystain.com/wood-restoration/wood-and-deck-stains/defy-extreme.html
Clean and then stain is correct.
Can the hardwood stain be applied to a softwood like pine?
Yes it can.
We have a new deck and we are a little confused about whether we need to apply one or two coats of Defy Marine Stain to new wood. We have a railing and the decking to stain. Can you please clarify ?
One coat. See this about new wood: https://www.defystainhelp.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains/
I was told I could apply 2 coats to new wood as long as it soaked in and didn’t puddle. Is this ok. I am prepping my new 24X32 deck now for its first staining and don’t want to make an expensive mistake by applying too much stain. I was just told to stick with one if I see that the 2nd coat is not absorbing. Thanks.
One coat for new wood. Applying too much and it will not soak in, causing issues.
I used your stain for my deck and it looks great. I can’t send you a photo because the deck is still buried in snow. I have a lot of wood siding that a company stained with “Flood stain”. Can I use Defy on my siding?
Not over the Flood. When switching brands, you will need to remove the previous coating first. Once stripped and or sanded, brighten all the wood. You can then use the Defy.
Follow-up post to add to previous post. The deck was built in 2007. All flooring, posts, railings and spindles are cedar. I am not sure which stain brand was applied previously but I know that it was a semi-transparent stain.
Hello,
Defy is a penetrating wood stain. It cannot peel or wear if it fully soaks into the wood grain as it is designed to do. If it does not soak in fully and dries and cures on top of the wood then one of two things happened during the process. It was not prepped correctly, it was over applied or possibly even both. For more info, please contact SaverSystems at 800-860-6327.