Important Note! The Defy Hardwood Label is discontinued! If your color is OUT OF STOCK, use the Defy Extreme Stain. It is the exact same product and color.
If you’re looking for the best stain for cedar decks in a water-based product, then look no further. DEFY Deck Stain for Hardwoods is a synthetic, semi-transparent finish specifically formulated for use on cedar, mahogany, redwood, and other dense or difficult to penetrate woods.
DEFY Hardwood Stain also works well on composite woods. It is a VOC-compliant stain that penetrates wood pores to block out water and provide long lasting protection from weather damage.
DEFY Deck Stain Uses
DEFY Deck Stain for Hardwoods can be used on interior or exterior smooth hardwood surfaces including: wood siding, decks, outdoor wood furniture, and other hardwood surfaces. For more porous surfaces such as pressure treated lumber, pine and cedar log siding, or rough sawn lumber, use DEFY Extreme Wood Stain. DEFY Deck Stain for Hardwoods is available in Cedar Tone, Light Walnut, and Natural Pine. Finding a cedar stain or redwood deck stain product that actually works is difficult, as most deck stains have trouble penetrating oil-rich or dense wood types. This product was specifically designed with smaller resins to penetrate better which helps eliminate surface buildup and peeling. Other products out there claim to be the best stain for cedar decks but there is only one DEFY Deck Stain for Hardwoods.
Easy Maintenance
DEFY deck stains will give you years of protection for your deck and are easy to maintain. When the surfaces begin to look weathered and worn, which should normally be every 2-3 years and 3-5 years for the vertical surfaces, simply reapply a light maintenance coat. No need to strip the deck every time. It may be beneficial to use DEFY Wood Brightener to clean and brighten the surface before the maintenance coat. DEFY deck stains contain powerful sunscreens to block damaging UV rays. Ultra violet rays cause wood to turn gray and become susceptible to water penetration and decay. DEFY Deck Stain for Hardwoods contains synthetic resins that do not attract mildew and algae like other natural resin stains (oil-based products) do. Additionally, DEFY deck stains are water repellent.
I have a deck of Dasso XTR bamboo. Defy Extreme Hardwood is the correct stain and I should only apply one coat? I have cleaned and brightened the bamboo. Thanks.
Yes, just one coat.
For a redwood deck that is sanded down, would you go with DEFY for hardwood, or just the regular extreme formula?
Hardwood.
Do I need to use a wood brightener if I have sanded the deck down to bare wood? What else would I need to do to prep the surface of a redwood deck before applying a stain?
Clean and brighten after sanding to open up the wood grain.
Hi, I have Cedar deck that faces south/southwest. I recently stripped the old product off because of peeling. I live in Wisconsin; summer sun, spring and summer rain, and winter snow and ice.
Please tell me the best choice to use; I would like a semi-transparent, if possible.
Thank you for your help.
Hello,
Use the Defy Extreme Stain for this: https://www.deckstain.com/wood-restoration/wood-and-deck-stains/defy-extreme.html
Staining a garapa (Brazilian hardwood) deck. I would rather not change the color. Would clear sealer work on the hardwood? Or would hardwood stain in natural pine be a better choice?
No. The clear will gray in months. You need a tinted stain color.
The description of the clear product states: “DEFY Extreme Wood Stain effectively protects the wood from the harmful effects of the sun and from graying by using state-of-the-art nano-technology.
DEFY Extreme Wood Stain contains zinc oxide particles that reflect the damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun.”
Is this not true? If I do nothing, the deck will gray in months. What advantage do the nano-particles give? TY.
The Clear will not work for Hardwoods. It has to be tinted color.
We have used Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent Wood Stain in Cedar Tone for our clear cedar deck railings for the past several years. This year we need to strip and brighten the wood. Would your Extreme Wood Stain for Hardwoods work better? Hoping to get a few years of use before having to re-apply.
No, it would last the same.
Had 2 gallons left over extreme hardwood stain and tried a swatch on rough sawn plywood siding with 1×4 light cedar battens. It looks fantastic. Should I use this or get the non hardwood extreme?
Using the hardwood is okay.
I’m having a PT deck and two cedar pergolas built. I know that I’m supposed to wait at least 3 months to stain the deck, but do I need to wait to stain the pergolas as well?
Yes.
Do you have Dark Walnut Tint for this, is this solid Stain ?
No this does not come in a dark walnut color nor does it come in a solid stain. It is a semi-transparent stain.
Hi,
What color would you recommend on Mahogany? I’d like to keep the natural color of the wood as much as possible.
Thanks.
Hello, all the colors will enhance and the color is your UV protection. Natural is the lightest tint.
[quote name=”Phil Taylor”]Where can I get the colour Colorado gold??[/quote]
On this link:
https://www.deckstain.com/defy-original-synthetic.html
Where can I get the colour Colorado gold??
[quote name=”Jonny”]Hi, I have an old enclosed porch. The decking is fir (possibly dating back to the 1930’s). My question is will the hardwood stain be my best option for this project?[/quote]
For this you could use the Hardwood or the Extreme versions.
Hi, I have an old enclosed porch. The decking is fir (possibly dating back to the 1930’s). My question is will the hardwood stain be my best option for this project?
[quote name=”Wmily”]To follow up on my previous question, which of the color options provides these least color change to Ipe?
Thanks![/quote]
Natural Pine is the lightest tint.
To follow up on my previous question, which of the color options provides these least color change to Ipe?
Thanks!
[quote name=”Emily”]I am planning to use the Hardwood stain on Ipe wood (outdoor use). I want to keep as close as possible to the natural color of the Ipe (not trying to darken it, lighten it or bring out any red). Which color option is closest to a clear coat? Or, will they all alter the color of the wood?[/quote]
They all darken the color to some extent. Using a clear will not provide adequate UV protection for the IPE.
I am planning to use the Hardwood stain on Ipe wood (outdoor use). I want to keep as close as possible to the natural color of the Ipe (not trying to darken it, lighten it or bring out any red). Which color option is closest to a clear coat? Or, will they all alter the color of the wood?
[quote name=”Mike Purdy”]We have an ipe deck handrail. I believe that the defy hardwood stain is the best option.
My question is what tint. Ipe is dark and I don’t want the tinting to detract from the natural coloring.
Can you advise which is the best stain and tint.
Thanks[/quote]
The Defy Hardwood is best. Any color will do but most use the Light Walnut for IPE.
We have an ipe deck handrail. I believe that the defy hardwood stain is the best option.
My question is what tint. Ipe is dark and I don’t want the tinting to detract from the natural coloring.
Can you advise which is the best stain and tint.
Thanks
It would be best to remove the IPE Oil 100% with a stain stripper before switching to the Defy Hardwood. The stripper typically does not react with aluminum but it would be a good idea to test first.
Hi, I have a 2nd story balcony made out Massaranduba wood (54’ x 4’). It was build in April 2013. At the time of installation, they lightly sanded the boards with 100 grit paper, cleaned them with a damp rag and gave them a light coat of Ipe oil with another rag on all 6 sides. At the beginning of the summer (June) the wood was looking vey dry and faded on the surface. I re-applied the Ipe Oil on the top surface again with a rag, I did not clean or bright beforehand. It looked great for about a month and then it started to fade and dry again. The balcony is only partially covered and it gets wet when raining. The outer edge of it looks blackened, I guess from dirt and possibly mold. I tried cleaning a couple of boards with a very light solution of warm water/oxyclean and a hand brush, all the gunk seems to come out but it leaves the wood with a whitewash look, not really sure why.
I don’t think the Ipe Oil was applied correctly in the first place but it has not worked really well for me.
On the other hand, I read in another site that natural oil stains are food for the mold and algae and that is why is better to switch to water based stains like the Defy Hardwood, plus they are easier to clean
I was thinking of washing it with a deck cleaner and re-staining it with the Defy hardwood. I was going to use a brightener but I have aluminum windows and doors underneath the balcony and I read that the brightener could corrode the frames. Not sure if that is truly the case.
Given that the method of application of the Ipe Oil, Do you think the cleaner would be enough or would it be better to use a stripper? If that is the case, is the stripper safe for the aluminum frames? Sanding with 80 grit would be the last resort.
I would greatly appreciate If you could please shed some light on what would be the best course of action for my situation.
I is best to let the wood dry and weather some before applying the stain otherwise it may not soak in correctly. Make sure to prep the wood as well after the waiting period.
Not sure on the cost to ship. best to go through checkout to see the charges associated with shipping to Canada.
I will finish my new 15X18 cedar deck by this Friday, and according to some of the answers you had posted in the past, you suggest to let it dry for 2-3 months before applying the Defy Hardwood Stain. I live in Alberta, Canada, and by October, we might have snow. Is waiting for 2-3 months really a must? I was hoping to stain it before the end of summer.
Also, what’s the approximate cost to ship it to Alberta, Canada through UPS? I would prob be needing 5 gallons of the defy hardwood stain. Thanks.
Please read this article: http://www.defystainhelp.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains/
You should use both a cleaner and wood brightener for the prep.
I would like to confirm the aging requirement for new cedar, especially that product pdf states “New cedar should be cleaned and stained as quickly as possible to avoid damage from the sun and rain”. My deck hangs over water and I would not like to use any brighteners as it all drips directly to the lake. Is the aging requirement only moisture related ? If yes, I have wood moisture meter somewhere… If not, would pressure water be sufficient ?
Thanks; George
Most likely you will. Defy is a penetrating stain and if a previous stain is on the wood where the Defy is unable to penetrate then it will not work properly.
Do I need to use the stain stripper before using the Defy for hardwoods if the old weathered stain was also a water based product?
I am sorry but we personally do not have any dealers in your area. Feel free to purchase online.
where can i purchase the defy hardwood stain i live on long island ny
Defy does not use paint resins like other water based stain manufacturers. They use a completely different resin that is substantially smaller. This allows for better penetration into the wood. In general, the better it penetrates the better the performance.
Unfortunately nothing lasts more then a season on exotic hardwood such as Tigerwood. This is due to the density of the your wood, not the stain.
When choosing an exotic hardwood stain you want to look for deep penetration and the ease of reapplication. Defy products can be cleaned and re coated as needed.
We are installing a new Tigerwood deck. We have read that water based stains/sealers don’t penetrate these dense woods enough and therefore don’t last. Can you explain why Defy is better than others and best way to apply on new wood and how often to reapply? We are in Northern California. Thank you
A 400 square foot deck would need 3-4 gallons of the Defy Stain for 2 coats. More if you have steps and railings.
All new wood should dry for 1-2 months. You would then clean and brighten the wood to prep for the stain.
I am having a cedar deck installed next week.
How much product do I need for 400 sq ft.?
Does the wood need “cure” time before applying?
Suggested prep?
Yes the Defy Hardwood Stain is the correct stain for exotic hardwoods such as IPE.
Should I use this stain on my IPE deck?
You would need to use the Defy stains Stripper to remove the Super Deck and the brighten with the Defy Wood Brightener.
The Defy cedar color is very close in color.
On our Redwood decks I have used Superdeck in the past in color – Cedar (1019). What products and preparation would I need to use/do before using Defy Hardwod Stain? And would Defy Cedartone be equivalent to Superdeck Cedar (1019)? Thanks.