Last Updated on April 19, 2024 by chuckm
2024 Update for Tips and Advice for Defy Exterior Wood and Deck Stains
Defy Deck Stains have become one of the top-rated water-based exterior coatings in 2024. 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 stain products are formulated with premium quality synthetic resins that resist mold and mildew growth, are easy to apply, and are environmentally friendly. Defy stains offer protection from UV fading, wood rot, water damage, and mildew for all types of wood species. Use DEFY Wood Stains on pressure-treated lumber, cedar, mahogany, redwood, or any vertical or horizontal exterior wood surface.
The Defy stain help site is designed for exterior wood and deck owners looking for help with Defy Extreme Stain and Defy Stains for Hardwoods. We will offer tips and proper application instructions for Defy Stains so you may achieve professional results.
Please read our articles and ask any questions you may have as we are here to help.
We have a month-old 600’ fence of horizontal cedar plank, with 2.5” black metal posts every 6’. We love the current color & would like to prevent graying. Would you recommend the cedar semi-transparent? And do I need to cover the posts before spraying, or wipe the spray off of the posts as I go?
Use the Cedar or possibly the Natural Pine if you want the color to be lighter. It may be best to cover the posts as wiping off only works it is immediate.
Thanks for all your help! If I go with the crystal clear, and decide to change to semi-transparent down the road, what would the process be? Would I need to strip the Crystal first, or would I just clean or brighten and then stain as if I’m maintaining the existing layer?
If I mix crystal clear extreme and a semi transparent extreme color, to lighten the color, this is ok as long as I like the way the color looks in tests? Ie mixing the two formulations doesn’t change their application or maintenance processes?
Yes, you would need to strip off the Clear to add a stain color. You can mix. It would lower to UV resistance some.
Hi do I apply one or two coats of the crystal clear? This would be on year old redwood, after Cleaner and Brightener. I ordered samples of the crystal and want the sample board to represent the final application. Thx
Two coats applied wet on wet:
https://www.deckstain.com/what-is-wet-on-wet-stain-application
Hi I stained some year old redwood with the extreme redwood color after cleaning and brightening. My wife thinks the red is too dark and wants to switch to cedar or crystal clear for the rest of the job.
1) For the part I already stained, how would I change to a lighter color? Do i use stripper, cleaner and/or Brightener? And do I need to sand?
2) Would cedar stain on redwood stay true to the stain color?
3) For Crystal clear, how long does that hold up to sun on vertical surfaces vs semi transparent? I’m in Sacramento with hot summers.
Thanks!
1. Strip and Brighten.
2. Color varies based on wood type and age of the wood so there is no way to say it will stay true to color from a photo. Best to test samples:
https://www.deckstain.com/defy-stain-samples.html
3. A semi-transparent color will last 2-3 times longer than the Clear.
Using Defy Extreme on deck, bare wood – combination of spruce, pine and fir. Not possible to do wet on wet 2nd coat. Naturally, knots do not absorb stain very well. I believe it needs a 2nd coat, but I’m concerned that it won’t absorb very evenly and I may end up with peeling. When should I do the 2nd coat?
It must be wet on wet, othwerwise you will need to wait 9-12 months and then prep.
What is the difference between Defy ultra and essential? Also, can you interchange between ultra and essential with the same color. I’m using light walnut and I’m wondering if the stain colors are the same for ultra and essential.
Essential has no shine and the Ultra does. The colors are not the same.
I started straining my multi-level deck with Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent Pecan. Unfortunate some areas are shiny which I assume means I overapplied. It was applied wet on wet with a brush. Is there any way to correct this? Also the color is MUCH darker than my test board (actual test board was actually a board on the deck but using a Defy stain sample). Is there a way to lighten the color on the next level before proceeding?
It is over-applied. The only way to fix this issue is to remove all and start over and that would require power sanding.
After cleaning with the deck cleaner do you immediately apply the brightener and then wait 1-2 days before applying stain? Or do you apply the brightener just before applying the stain after waiting 1-2 days after using the deck cleaner?
Apply brightener as soon as you are down with the cleaning.
Hi—great product! We’ve used Defy Semi-Transparent on our new fence and would like to use Defy Solid to restore an old covered porch that’s currently stained with semi-transparent Olympic/Valspar dark walnut.
Our question: since ~90% of the current stain is intact, can we simply clean and wash the wood and apply Defy Solid stain over the existing semi-transparent stain without fully stripping and sanding?
I’ve read mixed views on this elsewhere so hoping to get a clear answer straight from the experts—thank you!
Pics attached
No need to strip of sand this but best to use the Defy Wood Cleaner while pressure washing.
Ah—you made my day. Thank you!
The second response was incorrect, sorry. Clean and brighten for prep.
Okay–thanks–so just to be clear (since there are two different responses above), best to strip and brighten, but okay to simply clean and pressure wash? Or would you strictly advise the strip/brighten approach and suggest we ignore the initial response above? Thanks again.
The second response was incorrect, sorry. Clean and brighten for prep.
Hi. I put Defy White solid stain on the floor of a covered porch about 2 months ago. I used the wet-on-wet approach after letting the wood weather for 4 months. and using Defy clean and brightening products as directed. The wood really soaked up the stain very quickly on both coats. However, I noticed that water does not actually bead up on the stain. Should I put on a third coat? If so, when and how.?
Also, do you still recommend Dawn to clean the floors? If so, can I use a Swiffer pad to “mop” it up, or is there a mop you recommend? Lastly, can I use Swiffer cleaning solution (either regular or for a wood floor), or is it too damaging to the stain?
Attached is a picture of the floor with some water I put on it.
Thank you,
Barry Weissglass
It is not supposed to bead water. No need to add more. Dawn to clean it fine. Not sure about the swifter cleaner.
I am planning to use defy extreme semitransparent stain on cedar shingle siding. Cleaning and brightening first. The shingles are dry and porous. If using a paint sprayer with the recommended nozzle, will I need two coats? It’s my understanding sprayers put out a heavier coating of stain and I don’t want to accidentally over apply and end up with pealing.
Also, the instructions say to reapply in 24 months. Is this the case with all vertical surfaces or should I just watch for fading? I have read the defy stain can last longer than 24 months on vertical surfaces. Thank you!
Sprayers do not put on a heavier coat and actually can be less. You will need two coats wet on wet. On vertical wood, Defy can last 3-5 years.
Thanks so much for your quick and clear reply! Upon reapplication for maintenance, would I first clean, brighten, or both?
Clean and brighten when reapplying.
I have KDAT Pressure treated floor on my deck. Wood was new 3 months ago. Should I use 1 coat semi-transparent Defy Extreme or 2 wet on wet coats? I’m reading conflicting instructions.
One coat is best. Clean and brighten the wood first with Defy prep products.
I applied 1 coat and would now like to apply a maintainence coat. Can I just clean with Dawn and then apply when dry?
No, second coats have to be applied wet on wet, not after the first coat has dried. You can clean and recoat in 6-9 months.
I’m sorry I didn’t clarify. I applied the first coat last October. Is Dawn cleanup and recoat ok this September? Thank you.
Prep when recoating with the Defy Wood Cleaner, not dawn soap.
I cleaned it yesterday with Defy Wood Cleaner. I put water drops on today and they didn’t absorb into the wood. Is it okay to recoat or not? thank you
If the water did not absorb, then it is not ready to be stained.
Just finished staining with cedar tone semi-transparent Defy…man this stuff is picky to put on. Followed all prep instructions, sanded entire deck with 60grit, cleaned/brightened, waited 2+ days after any rain….all that jazz. Couldn’t do all the deck in one shot, there looks to be a rather distinct color difference – photo attached. No idea what to do about this, the only difference is a few days between the different coats. Same applicator brush, same exact 5GAL of stain, same wet on wet application…nothing changed. I don’t get the distinct color difference. Any way to fix this?
You would have to remove and start over.
I figured if I was going to have to sand it off again anyway, I might as well try putting another coat on. Did a 3rd coat on the obviously lighter section while back-brushing the heck out of it and making sure to wipe anything away that looked to be beading. That totally evened everything right out and now there’s no visible color difference to be seen. Guessing the wood was just super dry or something to that nature…
I’ve been using Defy Epoxy Fortified semi-transparent stain for years and have loved the finish and wear. But now I have to replace several deck boards and steps and there’s no way to get these new pieces to match the existing deck. I want to switch products to the solid color wood stains. Are they the same type of acrylic product and will they adhere with no issues to the previous Defy that I have been using?
Yes.
I am extremely satisfied with Defy water based stain. It has lasted much longer than various other brands I’ve used over the past 30 years. It still looks very good after one year but there are a couple of spots where pots we’re sitting that need some work. My question is how long normally should I wait before applying another coat (already has been one year). and is there any special treatment needed other than cleaning/power washing before putting on another coat….or if it still looks good should I just wait another year?
Pre with the Defy Cleaner when reapplying. Normal to redo every 2-3 years.
What is the best way to remove algae (I used Defy Extreme ten months ago and have a few patches of algae here and there but on balance, the deck still looks great)? I am thinking of brushing the algae patches with a stiff-bristled brush but thought it best to ask before doing that.
Try “Wet and Forgot”.
We have a porous 25 yr. old deck. First time I hired a prof. deck co. to stain with Lt. walnut Defy extreme. The cleaning and first app. went well. Workers. had another job also that day, so, there was approx.2hrs. before 2nd coat applied. It looks a orangy but adherent and drying well, and otherwise looks good. Will the 2nd coat orangeness fade over time?
A little.
After applying Defy Extreme last year (August, 2021) rainwater beaded nicely all winter but now (June, 2022) it no longer beads. In addition, the wood looks thirsty. Does this mean it is already time to reapply? (The deck still looks great, and it rains a lot here in western Oregon.)
No, it is fine and beading water is not needed as Defy is a breathable stain.
Can we use a sprayer to do the spindles? Would we do the deck first and then spindles?
You can spray the spindles but make sure to back wipe to ensure it is applied evenly. Do railings first.
I’m engraving a cedar post and would like to paint the engraved letters. Can I paint over top of the Defy semitransparent stain?
No, you cannot.
I have cedar pillars and trim, mahogany front door, and pine deck that have all been weathered for almost a year. Since they are all unfinished, what’s the best process I can do to prep and stain? I like the butternut stain color.
Use the Defy Wood Cleaner followed by the Defy Brightener for the prep.
https://www.deckstain.com/wood-restoration/defy-wood-cleaner.html
https://www.deckstain.com/defy-stain-stripper.html
1. How many coats of Defy Extreme cedar tone do I apply on a new cedar post?
2. Can I apply Defy Extreme over engraved letters painted with acrylic latex paint on a cedar post that I want to stain?
3. Can I apply Defy Extreme with a clean soft cloth?
1. One
2. No.
3. Use a brush for best results.
I put natural pine semi transparent on our pine deck and it is way too orange. Any ideas?
Color varies based on your wood type as the stain enhances the natural grain. If it has an orange hue to it then your wood itself is this way. You could remove it and try a brown color like Butternut.
I stained our new PTP deck in June 2020 with Defy Extreme Natural Pine. Was going to add a second coat this spring or summer to the decking only because of how much the initial coat soaked in. Was told on here to wait a year then use the cleaner and add a second coat. Time and weather has kept me from doing this for this year. The deck has accumulated a lot of algae like stains over the past few months. I’m not going to get to the second coat this year but don’t want to leave the stains on over the winter. Should I go ahead and use the Defy cleaner on it before winter and will it remove this? Picture attached…
No, just leave as is as the alage on top of the stain will not harm the wood through the Winter. Prep and stain in the spring.
How long after staining a deck with defy extreme semi transparent can a cat walk and sit on the deck. I have an outdoor cat that thinks he owns the deck.
4-6 hours as long as it is fully dry.
How long before or after a rain do you wait to apply brightened? Also, it was said not to apply brightened on metal. I have black aluminum spindles. So, what do you recommend for that? The deck and stairs were thoroughly cleaned and sanded. Pictures included.
Rain does not affect the brightener process. Avoid getting the brightener on any spindles. if you do, rinse them right away.
Hi, I still would like to know what is the lowest outdoor temperature I can stain my deck and not ruin it, and will the new cedar clean and brighten well if we don’t have a chance to stain it before snow flies?
50 is the lowest. You can prep with no issues in the Spring.
How long after sanding deck should I wait to apply stain?
Clean the deck after sanding and then wait 48 hours after that to stain.
Just thought of another question. If applying the stain in the evening how long does it have to dry before wildlife can walk on it? Racoons and maybe a possum or a stray cat?
4-8 hours.
I know you should wait 48 hours after cleaning and brightening. What, if for some reason, you have to wait longer. Do you need to clean and brighten again?
Staining within 2 weeks of prep is okay.
If you are not able to stain within 2 weeks, do you need to clean and brighten or just brighten?
Depends on how dirty it has gone from pollen, etc. In most cases, a good pressure wash rinse with the brightener will work.
Want to make Light Walnut a lighter shade of walnut. Can I add paint thinner (how much) to the gal. of stain? Then, can I use the clear stain for the second application?
No, you cannot thin it. You can add the clear into the stain as a mix to lighten it. You cannot top coat over the stain color with the clear.
Hi we stained our new deck last fall and I contacted your company to see if we could apply a single coat this spring and the answer was yes we could,,
Before we do that is there anything we should do to prep the deck beside cleaning it – I was thinking of powerwashing it ?? Anything else we should do
Use the Defy Cleaner while pressue washing for prep.
We have a mix of older and newer cedar-the first few rows next to the house were in great shape and not replaced. I sanded the old stain off of those with 60-80 grit. My husband replaced the rest of the boards. We allowed them to weather for a year. We cleaned and brightened the deck. Put a single coat of stain on and wanted to wait a year for the 2nd coat. It looked beautiful last summer but unfortunately looks terrible this year-we we’re planning on putting the second coat on but it’s peeling in several spots on the newer wood. Now what?
Use the Defy Wood cleaner for prep first.
So use Defy cleaner to get off peeling stain? do we need to brighten again before we put second coat of defy on? I’m not sure if you received attachments.
No pictures. Please upload them. They have to be below 3mb.
I sanded the old boards to remove a different oil based stain. Most of the boards were replaced with new cedar. We let the boards weather for almost a year in Michigan. Last year we cleaned, brightened and put one coat of Defy stain. Old boards look great. All of the new boards are peeling.
Strip and brighten for the prep.
I am in the process of cleaning our wood siding with Defy cleaner and even though I have thoroughly rinsed after cleaning, I am having a hard time getting the streaks off of the glass of our windows. I have tried dawn dish soap with water and light scrubbing. Do you have any suggestions?
It is just soap residue so maybe try a green scrubby with some windex.
Ok! Thank you. I will give the green scrubby a try. Is there any risk to the windows when using the brightener next? Specifically the metal frame?
Keep the brightener off metal. Should not harm the glass.
How many coats for a pressure treated pine picket fence? I’m using the cedar tone extreme wood stain color. Thanks!
Two coats applied wet on wet is best: https://www.deckstain.com/what-is-wet-on-wet-stain-application/
The temperature will only be over 46 for about 5 hours this afternoon in Ohio. Tonight it will be in the lower 30’s – maybe freezing. Can I still stain today, or will the temperature drop tonight affect the curing of the stain. Also, I lightened the deck about 5 days ago, then I decided to sand a small area (2’x 18”) to remove a dark stain. Do I need to lighten that area again?
Temps need to be above 50 when applying and cannot drop below freezing at night.
I am using western cedar for posts and railings on my covered front porch. I want to retain the color but protect from mildew and moisture. What product do you recommend?
The Defy Extreme Stain: https://www.deckstain.com/wood-and-deck-stains.html
I’m staining new cedar posts for my front porch. I’d like to use the extreme in butternut but I know there is also a stain specifically for hardwood. Is the extreme okay to use? Do I need to allow it to weather, if so how long is recommended? What sealer do you suggest?
Yes, using the Defy Extreme is correct for the cedar posts. See here about new wood: https://www.deckstain.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains/
You do not need to seal over the Defy Extreme.
We have a new tight knot cedar deck. It has dried for 4 weeks. Please advise as to what we need to do to prep for applying Defy Extreme Clear Wood Stain.
See here about new wood: https://www.deckstain.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains/
Hi I am getting ready to “refresh” my deck that was stained with defy semitransparent woodstain about a year and a half ago. Couple of questions:
1) How/with what product should I prep the desk before applying new coat?
2) Should a use the same color stain I used originally or should use a lighter or clear stain?
3) How many coats should I apply. Will one maintenance cote suffice?
4) Is there “how to brochure” that describes this “maintenance” process?
Thanks for you help
1. Use the Defy Wood Cleaner for prep.
2. Same color.
3. One coat.
4. https://www.deckstain.com/tips/how-to-prep-for-defy-stains/defy-maintenance-coats/
I have used defy wood cleaner and will use defy wood Brightener next.are your defy stains a sealer also or are they just a penetrating stain
Defy stains are sealers as well.
I have composite deck 17 years old ,, is there positives or negatives to putting on a 2nd coat?
No need.
How to clean any dried extreme stain Splatter on vinyl Siding and railings
Use a water-based graffiti remover cleaner.
I used Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent Wood Stain in Driftwood Gray on my very weathered deck last year. I followed all instructions concerning cleaning and brightening and the result is great. I remember reading that after a year I should apply a light maintenance coat. However your website now gives different instructions as how to clean the deck beforehand, eg. mild soap cleaner or brightener. What should I be using?
See here about new wood: https://www.deckstain.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains/
Use the Defy Wood Cleaner for prep.
thanks
I have 21 large cypress posts on my Acadian style house! They are 15 years old and very weathered. I originally wanted the weathered look but they are suffering from exposure. 10 of my posts get the hot Louisiana evening sun and rain. How would your products work for these posts? I can not redo 21 posts every 2-3 years. Any suggestions????
Do you have samples of small quantities to buy and try first?
https://www.deckstain.com/defy-stain-samples.html
Prep with the Defy Cleaner and pressure washing. Defy Brightener after. Use the Defy Extreme Stain for these posts: https://www.deckstain.com/wood-restoration/wood-and-deck-stains/defy-extreme.html
I am looking to stain my deck posts and perhaps the joists, my deck is composite.
I am looking at the DEFY Extreme Wood Stain product for this purpose. Is this product:
a) allow air to move in and out of the stain so that the stain does not trap water and cause decay
b) when the coat overtime fades could it just be re-coated or will the previous coat need to be stripped?
c) where can we get samples? I would like to try out some color combinations
A. Yes, it is breathable.
B. It can be cleaned and recoated as needed.
C. https://www.deckstain.com/defy-stain-samples.html/
Please confirm, utilizing Defy Extreme Water Base Stain on a one year old vertical pressure treated pine fence only requires one coat? Thanks Dan
If a year old then do the 2 coats applied wet on wet.
Best method for Applying stain to upright spindles. I know Defy is watery, should I use a lambswool mitt?
Also, can I use latex paint to cover any stain splashes on painted side of house?
Thank you!
Use a stain pad or brush, not a mitt. You cannot use paint over the Defy.
If I cannot stain in 15 days after prep, how to redo prep? Using brightener and then wait for 48 hours?
Lightly pressure wash and apply the Brightener.
Thanks!
Our PT pine deck is on the north side of our house and is heavily shaded by trees. The last oil-based semi-transparent stain I used mildewed terribly. I have spent many hours sanding away the old stain and as much of the mildew as possible. I plan on trying DEFY, but is there anything more I can do to help prevent mildew? Upstate NY.
Thanks.
Make sure to clean and brighten the wood after the sanding. No, there is not anything else needed or can be done additionally with preventing mildew.