There is a mega thread on all this. Could this be combined please?
The best product for CALGARY, is the Cabot Timber Oil - however the PREP is 2x the work of the stain. I'm going on year 4 on our south facing deck and I might do a light touch up. Its that good.
You do NOT want a water based anything, for a deck in our climate.
I did a detailed write up about this after I geeked out on the processes from other forums and discussion groups (what not to do).
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(2 years ago)
Just a thread bump - im going past winter 2 with the Cabot deck stain. Repels water just fine and look the same as 2 years ago - ZERO peeling or odd look. (stained in late summer 2016)
I intentionally left a small area WITHOUT any sanding/cleaning prep work mentioned earlier and now I can see the water isnt being repelled as much on that area.
The prepwork IS KEY (with this and most other products).
https://www.lowes.ca/product/exterior-stains/cabot-wood-toned-deck-and-siding-stain-367429
Here is the catch, in order to have a deck water repelling coat that lasts you MUST follow these steps:
- You will need about a WEEK of no rain and above 10c temperatures. If temps call below 10c shortly after the stain has been applied, all bets are off.
- clean with chemical (wood) cleaner, rinse with garden hose. You MUST then let deck dry for 2-4 days (2 if warm and sunny, 4 if cloudy and cool). DO NOT use a pressure washer as it will require WEEKS to properly dry the wood .
- sand with a pole sander. You MUST not have water or rain after this otherwise you will have to re-clean and re-sand
- apply the chosen, high quality stain with a pole BRUSH (you need to PUSH the stain into the wood, not roll).
This is why many people have issues up here (and other climates like ours). Each step has to be followed EXACTLY.