Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Defy Help
Shelf Life of Defy Exterior Wood and Decking Stains
2024 Update on How Many Coats of Defy Deck Stain to Apply
Defy Stains Shelf Life for Defy Stains? We love hearing from our customers who have used the Defy Stains or have questions. We appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them.
Many times after a staining project you are left with some extra stain. But there is no need to let it go to waste. With some care, it can last until you need it again. With Defy Wood Stains maintenance coats are easy so saving that leftover stain will save you money the next time your wood surfaces need refinishing.
Defy Deck Stain Shelf Life
Defy Stains have a shelf life of 18-36 months unopened. So if you bought some Defy Stain intending to use it and just did not get around to it yet or ran out of decent weather there is no need to worry. Leave the stain unopened and just use it when you are ready. Do note, however, if the Defy Stain has sat for some time it is best to have a paint store shake the can for you before you use it.
If you used Defy Stain on a wood-staining project and have some extra, pour it back into the can and seal it properly. As long as the lid is back on tight the stain will last another year or longer. If the lid is not sealed correctly the shelf life of Defy can be significantly reduced due to evaporation of the water. This will “thicken” the stain and it will become unusable.
When storing Defy Stain it is best kept in a cool dry area. Try not to store it in direct sunlight or excessive heat. Best to keep it in an area where it will not freeze if possible.
Always combine partial cans of Defy into as few cans as possible. The least amount of empty airspace in the can the better. The air in the can above the stain can cause a skin to form on the surface. This can be removed once the can is opened but when it is possible to combine a few cans to make a full one it is recommended to do so.
After using your favorite Defy Wood Stain mark the can as to what you used it on. Use a marker or some masking tape and a pen to label the can. This way a year or so from then when you go to use it you do not have to guess as to which stain went where. Using and saving money with Defy Stains is easy with a good shelf life ensuring the stain performs like it did the day you bought it.
If You Need any Help with Storing your Defy Stains, Please Ask Below!
I have a deck that I put down two coats of Defy stain four years ago. It needs to be “refreshed”. What is the process for going back over a defy stain for a refresher coat.? Thanks, Steve
See this article for tips and help: https://www.deckstain.com/maintaining-defy-stains/
My deck is starting to get some black staining (mold?) around my ceramic pots. What is the best way to clean this? The deck is on the northside of my house and only gets direct sunlight all day during June/July.
Thanks,
It is most likely water stains and if deep in the wood grain, they will not come out.
Ok so if I try using the brighter and the spots remain would my only recourse be to sand it and restain it?
Yes.
can I reapply a coat after a year wether it needs it or not…Greg/Fairbanks,Alaska
As long as you prep, yes.
I have some leftover Defy stripper, brightener, and a little bit of a can of Defy Extreme stain that I bought in the spring of 2018 that I’d like to use to refinish my daughter’s deck. The products all sat in our unheated garage all winter in Minnesota. Do you think it will still work OK? I’ll need more stain – do you think mixing the old and new will be OK?
The stain cannot freeze so it is most likely not good anymore. The prep products are probably okay.
I purchased Defy Extreme Redwood stain but would like to darken it a bit with some type of brown colored tint. Is this possible?
No, you cannot tint it but you can intermix colors of the Defy. Adding Butternut to the Redwood would darken it.
I have a full but opened 5 gallon pail of Extreme left over from a job in October 2016. It has been sitting in a heated, dark basement ever since. It’s time to do a maintenance coat on my deck. Can I use it? I’d hate to waste so much stain, and money. Thanks
Open and stir well. If it mixes uniformly with no clumps or skinning of the stain, then it should be good.
I made a mistake on the age of the stain. It was October 2014, not 2016.
Same advice applies.
I opened the pail… no skin on top, but a firm layer of something, pigment?, on the bottom. I scraped it off then boxed the stain back and forth between pails approximately 10 times. I then did a sample on a piece of pine. What do you think?
You should be good.
Does the Extreme need a repellent or is it enough by itself?
It does not need a repellent.
What is the shelf life for unopened Defy Stripper?
A couple of years as long as it does not freeze.