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Semi-solid stain vs Semi-Transparent stain...which is best?
Posted on 4/5/21 at 3:36 pm
Posted on 4/5/21 at 3:36 pm
I had an approximately 900 sq. ft. pressure treated pine deck with attached railings and privacy fencing built around my above ground pool in July 2020 located in Louisiana. My deck is exposed to 100% sun all year. I’m now planning to stain the deck this Spring. I’ve been researching oil based semi solid stains vs. semi transparent stains over the past few days. Both stain options has its own pros and cons, but I like the look of semi-transparent stains because it allows the wood grain to show. However, based on what I’ve read thus far I will have to keep reapplying the semi-transparent stain every year or so because of it being exposed 100% to the full sun. I would rather not have to deal with constantly staining the deck every year. Please provide some guidance to what stain option will be best for my situation. Also, would I also need to do any kind of specialized cleaning beside pressure washing the structure to prep it for staining?
3
Posted on 4/5/21 at 9:14 pm to Hammond Tiger Fan
UV is the killer and pine moves a lot expanding contracting and most finishes harden and then when the wood moves the finish delaminates its self from the wood and it fails. You need a penetrating stain you apply like a linseed oil base product but UV is the killer look at Sikkens products. You may be able to stretch your dollar using a couple coats of boiled linseed oil then apply the Sikkens last. Hell with the price of treated lumber these days don’t spare any expense protecting the wood.
Posted on 4/5/21 at 9:41 pm to Hammond Tiger Fan
I wished I had gone with a solid as my semi transparent seal is starting to wear after less than a year. Get the longest nap roller you can find. I found that pressure washing was enough but deck brightener doesn’t hurt and is easy to apply. Be sure you like the color because getting seal off is a mother fricker.
This post was edited on 4/5/21 at 9:43 pm
Posted on 4/6/21 at 8:32 am to Hammond Tiger Fan
I have a solid on my fence and it was rated for 10 years. I think I got a good 5 but it still looks weathered. I also didn’t really like the look of it. It basically looks painted.
I used a semi transparent on my decked porch. Its only about 3 months old so its hard to tell. I took a palm sander and ran it over it lightly to clean it. I also gave it some time to dry out before I stained it. I also have the semi transparent stain on my cypress posts.
The good thing about either of them is even if you recoat its not as bad as the first time. It really didn’t take long to coat it. The prep work and dry time took the longest. I had to put 3 coats to make it look even. My wood sucked up the stain so fast it left roller marks. I would ask the paint store guy how to prevent roller marks. It may be I used the wrong nap roller.
I used a semi transparent on my decked porch. Its only about 3 months old so its hard to tell. I took a palm sander and ran it over it lightly to clean it. I also gave it some time to dry out before I stained it. I also have the semi transparent stain on my cypress posts.
The good thing about either of them is even if you recoat its not as bad as the first time. It really didn’t take long to coat it. The prep work and dry time took the longest. I had to put 3 coats to make it look even. My wood sucked up the stain so fast it left roller marks. I would ask the paint store guy how to prevent roller marks. It may be I used the wrong nap roller.
Posted on 4/6/21 at 10:28 am to tigereye58
quote:
The good thing about either of them is even if you recoat its not as bad as the first time. It really didn’t take long to coat it. The prep work and dry time took the longest. I had to put 3 coats to make it look even. My wood sucked up the stain so fast it left roller marks. I would ask the paint store guy how to prevent roller marks. It may be I used the wrong nap roller.
We went with a semi-solid back in the fall when we were having ours built. It really needs multiple coats to get good coverage. We wanted to be able to see some wood grain, but didn't want it to just look sealed. I forget the color we went with, but it was a Sherwin-Williams deck stain.
The crew did I think 2 coats on the posts and railings, and a 3rd on the floorboards. This made the floor look almost painted, where we could still see through to wood grain on the posts and railings. Obviously I wanted it to all look uniform, so I made them do another coat. He said they had done extra on the floor because of foot traffic. It has been completed about 6 months now, and holding up very well to 3 kids and the weather. I'm sure I'll have to recoat the exterior and the stairs in a few years, but with the deck being screened in I hope it lasts much longer.
Also, they used a sprayer to put it down, not a roller. They taped some plastic sheeting up to cover the brick and painted walls, and covered the screens and ceiling too. Sprayed it once, starting from the house and working their way out. Did that one afternoon and came back the next morning to do the second coat. Told me to stay off of it for some time period, I forget but I think it was just 24-36 hours or something like that. For the posts and rails, they did use a brush, at least from what I saw on the outside. They might have sprayed inside, but I wasn't home that day so I don't know for sure. With a fine mist on a sprayer you don't end up with brush/roller marks.
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