Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Defy Help
Prep With Defy Wood Cleaner
Tips to Achieve Best Results with Defy Exterior Wood and Decking Stains in 2024.
Taking on a staining project is not for everybody, but with a little ambition and education, most homeowners can have successful results. Defy makes an excellent product for both interior and exterior wood surfaces. Its “easy to use” formula gives homeowners a chance to achieve professional-like results at a fraction of the cost. There is, however, a few tips to follow that will increase the rate of success when taking on your own wood-finishing project.
First and foremost the wood surface in question needs to be free of dirt, grime, mold, mildew and graying. Applying any wood stain to an unclean surface will, without question, diminish the stain’s performance. It’s recommended to use a wood cleaning product like Defy Wood Cleaner and Wood Brightener. This will ensure the wood is cleaned and prepped correctly prior to a Defy Stain application.
Choosing the Correct Defy Stain Type:
- Defy Extreme Wood Stain – use on all wood types including exotic hardwoods
- Defy Marine Stain – use on wood and docks near or above water.
- Defy Composite Sealer – use on all composite decking to prevent mold and fading.
Once the wood surface has dried for 1-2 days, it is ready for staining. Apply Defy Wood Stain using a brush, roller, stain pad, pump sprayer, or airless sprayer. To eliminate overlap marks apply Defy evenly to one board or section at a time before moving to the next. Do not coat the wood surface with more stain than it can absorb. Once a board is coated, wait 10 minutes before back brushing or wiping off any excess stain. Do not allow excess stain to puddle, run, or drip.
Avoid staining exterior wood with Defy on an excessively hot day or in direct sunlight. Doing so can cause inconsistent coloring and an uneven appearance. Apply Defy Stain in temperatures between 45-95 degrees and when rain is not expected for 12 hours after application. The temperature should not drop below freezing for 8 hours after.
Staining with Defy and following these tips will help you to achieve the best results possible. Get results like the professionals. Enhance your wood’s natural beauty and longevity with Defy staining products.
If You Need any Help, Please Ask Below!
Hello. My deck is was cleaned, brightened and stained in 2020 and again in 2021. Time for another maintenance coat and cleaning. After cleaning and brightening can I apply the maintenance coat the next day? Also, how long can I get away with staining before rain comes? Thanks.
The next day should be okay. No rain for about 6-12 hours after applying.
Sorry if this is a stupid question but I really want to avoid having to do this over. One comment says that you should back bush after using a sprayer application. Another comment in a different post says to wait ten minutes before back brushing. I assume these comments are consistent and the wait before back brushing is to let the stain soak in. Is that correct? Given the options of using a sprayer or a staining pad, which is preferable for the best result as opposed to which is fastest? Thanks again.
If you spray, back brush right away to ensure an even application and to catch any drips. Stain pads apply more consistently but spraying is faster.
I applied 2 coats, wet on wet, to my deck but after a week it is still a little tacky. Will this eventually solidify?
Yes, it should fully cure out unless you excessively over-applied.
After cleaning and. Brightening can you wait a week or so before staining?
Yes, but stain within two weeks of prep.
Can the stain be applied over a 1-2 year old coating of Australian Timber Oil (Cabot)? The deck is cedar and the exposure is north-facing. Thus, the deck is partially shaded. The previous coating has partially flaked/pealed and the wood has grayed where that has occurred. What prep is recommended prior to staining?
No, it cannot. Remove the Cabot first suing the Defy Stain stripper followed bu the Defy Brightener.
Yesterday I used the Defy Cleaner on my deck ( it’s huge and took all day) I wanted to use the brightener today, but it looks like rain for almost a week, so I wont be able to stain until 7 days from now. Am I better off waiting to brighten until it is closer to the day I will stain ( but still allowing 24-72 hours dry time) or can I brighten now and stain in a week? Thanks!
Brighten now.
Hello,
I have 800 sqf of exterior walls covered with rough hemlock siding and I want to protect the wood and prevent it from greying. It was installed a year ago and still has its initial color . What product do you recommend and what coverage can I expect on a rough hemlock surface? Where can I buy this product in Eastern Canada?
Use the Defy Extreme Stain. You can buy it from us and have it shipped to you: https://www.deckstain.com/wood-and-deck-stains.html
I have a large deck, which is part cedar and part pine. Which stain would you recommend I use?
The Defy Extreme: https://www.deckstain.com/wood-and-deck-stains.html
I would like to use a sprayer to paint my deck railing. What do I need to know about spraying your product?
Just make sure to back brush so it is applied evenly.
I’ve been using TWP (oil based) stain on my cedar deck, and applying a new coat every two years. It’s now been two years since last time and I’d like to try your product this time. My deck is pretty big, please tell me I won’t need to sand it down first.
No, but you will need to remove the TWP fully. Strip and then brighten the wood to do this.
I have an Ipe deck. Once cleaned and prepped, do you need 1 or 2 coats of the Defy light walnut stain.?
One coat of the Hardwood version: https://www.deckstain.com/defy-hardwood-stain.html
I have a one year old PT pine deck and arbor (never stained) that I cleaned and brightened two days ago. It has been cool, sunny, and low humidity, but am still getting an 18 to 20 percent moisture reading. Today is sunny and several days before rain. Can I stain. I need to get done within two weeks period after brightening and before getting colder.
Yes you can stain now.
How many hours before walking on newly stained deck with Defy Extreme?
4-6. Just make sure it is dry and not tacky when you step on the stain.
I’ve just power washed, cleaned (with your products), rinsed, then brightened & rinsed again, a 12 y.o. cedar fence. The fence had never been stained or sealed. You products did an AMAZING job in cleaning the wood. I’m now getting ready to stain with your Extreme Cedar Tones stain. I see that you recommend 2 coats for horizontal deck surfaces, but on a few answers, I say use only 1 coat on vertical surfaces. Am I okay to use one coat of stain?
FYI, here is the fence before & after you cleaner & brightener. The 3rd pic is a comparison of two panels, the right one power washed only, the left side after the cleaner & brightener. Everyone I’ve shown is amazed the wood looks like new.
This is rough sawn wood on your fence. Best to do the 2 coats applied wet on wet.
Looks good with the prep!
I have a 2 year-old pine deck that has never been stained/sealed. Would you recommend one or two coats on horizontal surfaces?
2 coats applied wet on wet.
I am finding lots of helpful information here, but still have a couple of question. We are working on a 20+ year old deck. We have stripped and brightened with Defy and now waiting on weather to allow stain/sealer application. I understand that the floor area needs two light wet coats, but I am unclear on how many coats on the fencing. Also, the weather is not looking promising for getting the sealer on within two weeks of cleaning/brightening. I think it could be a month. Should I brighten again before sealing. Thanks for your help.
Only one coat for vertical wood. If you have to wait a month, lightly reclean and brighten the wood.
Hi, I started staining my deck with the Defy Butternut and on the first 5 deck boards I applied the 2nd wet coat too heavy. What can I do to correct my mistake?
Strip or sand it off to start over are the only options.
Hi – I have several questions. New rough cedar posts w/ cedar risers and composite steps, steel railings. I purchased Defy cleaner, brightener and sealer. Wood has aged several months.
1) What is best applicator for the rough vertical posts? Car wash brush, roller, hand brush, sprayer, etc.?
2) I know not to do wet on wet app as it is new wood (only 1 coat per your website). How soon after the cleaning should the brightener be done, then should it dry for 2 days before sealing? A lot of confusing information out there but want to get it planned ahead of time.
3) Will any of the products from Defy cause a problem on the composite or do I need to be extra vigilant on preventing contact?
Thank you very much!
Kevin
1. Stain brush or stain pad.
2. Brighten right after the cleaning. Wait two days to stain.
3. Prep products should not harm the composite but the stain will “stain” it.
Thank you!
Hi,
I live in Michigan and have an older pine deck, 12+ years old. In the past I applied an opaque stain which flaked off in high traffic areas. I am sanding off all the old stain and gray wood now. I would like to know if i should both clean and brighten next? I do have areas of green in wood.
Hello, you must remove 100% of the solid stain. Prepping with a deck cleaner and wood brightener is needed after the sanding.
I should use Defy deck cleaner and brightener?
Yes that is correct.
Is it safe to get deck cleaner and brightener on my painted wood house? I was considering using the cleaner to cleaner the house where I have been sanding
The cleaner does not harm paint. It will clean it though.
Another question — do i need to apply 2 coats of Defy stain? And if so, how much dry time is required between coats?
Please read this on “wet on wet application” http://www.deckstain.com/what-is-wet-on-wet-stain-application/
Hello, I’m a big fan of Behr All-in-One Cleaner and Brightener, but I want to use Defy Stain on my 7 year old, never stained deck. As long as I rinse the wood well before staining, is it OK to use the Behr Cleaner with the Defy Stain? Please advise.
Behr is bleach based and we do not suggest this. In addition you cannot apply Defy over an different stain brand so I am not sure if you are prepping correctly or not. Basically the wood needs to be clean and free of any previous coatings.
Thanks for your reply. My cedar decking (vertical “walls” and pergola only) are 7 years old and have never been stained. Floor is Trex. I know it will need to be cleaned thoroughly, but I didn’t know if it also needed the brightener. Was hoping to find an acceptable “all in one” cleaner/brightener if it does. Sounds like you’re saying stick with all Defy brand products, right?
Yes that is correct.
I have a new cedar deck that is being put in this week. The contractor recommends waiting three weeks before I go ahead and apply any stain. Do I need to use any Brightener / Wood Cleaner on a new deck?
John, best to follow the advice of the stain brand you are using, not the deck builder. Defy wants you to wait 3+ months to let the wood season first. Prep after waiting with the Defy Wood Cleaner and Wood Brightener:
http://www.deckstain.com/prep-new-wood-for-defy-stains/
I used Defy Extreme (Light Walnut) to stain my 2 year old PT deck this past weekend. I used the Defy cleaner and brightener products before applying the stain. After the stain dried, I was disappointed in the inconsistent color throughout the deck. I guess I did not properly apply the stain. My question is, can I safely apply another thin coat of the stain now, making sure it is evenly distributed and soaks into the wood to get a more even application and color? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Better to not do that now but rather let it season through the Winter, lightly clean to remove dirt, and apply the light coat then. It will take better if you wait.
Will do. Thank you for your help.
Welcome! 🙂
I have a two year old deck that is peeling. The Stain used was an acrylic Behr wood stain. Can I stain over it with Dely Extreme?
No you cannot apply Defy on top of the Behr. You would need to strip it off first.
I didn’t realize I needed to use the brightener immediately after the cleaner before the wood dried. What now??
You should still use the brightener even though it dried.
Can I use Defy on my deck that I previously stained with Sikkens?
Al, you need to remove the Sikkens first if you want to switch brands.