Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Defy Help
Update on How to Prep for Defy Stains 2024
How to Prep 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.
How to Prep for Defy Stains
Defy Stains have superb penetration and color retention properties. They resist moisture and block out damaging UV rays. Defy Stains are not prone to flaking or peeling making them easy to maintain. The VOC compliant formula gives long-lasting protection against the elements for years of beauty.
Defy Stains can be used on wood siding, decks, fences, log homes, shake shingles, outdoor furniture, and other exterior wood surfaces. Before applying any of the Defy Stain products the wood surface must be prepped correctly to assure proper penetration and stain performance.
Surface Preparation: New cedar wood should be prepped and stained as promptly as possible to evade sun and water damage. Pressure-treated pine and “oil-rich” woods like mahogany need to weather 3-6 months prior to being prepped and stained.
Stain Stripping: Do not apply Defy Stains on top of already stained or painted surfaces. Strip the surface with Defy Exterior Wood Stain Stripper to remove any existing coatings prior to staining with Defy Stains.
Wood Cleaning: All wood surfaces should be clean and dry prior to applying Defy Stain. To remove mildew, graying, mill glaze, and other unwanted soils use Defy Wood Cleaner. Proper wood cleaning will remove contaminants that may block surface pores and hinder Defy Stain performance.
After applying Defy Stain Stripper or Defy Wood Cleaner to use a scrubbing brush or pressure washer to gently clean the wood in a methodical manner to remove foreign matter. Rinse completely after cleaning.
Wood Brightening: Both the Defy stain stripper and the wood cleaner will have a darkening effect on the wood. Use Defy Wood Brightener to reverse this effect and restore the wood to its natural color. Defy Brightener will also open wood pores allowing for better stain penetration. Apply Defy Wood Brightener while the surface is still wet following stripping or cleaning.
After wood prep for Defy stains is complete, allow the wood to dry for a minimum of 48 hours prior to applying any of the Defy Wood and Deck Stains.
Can I just use the brightener after the first year to revitalize the Defy stained deck? And then wait until the 2nd year to actually restain?
The Brightener will not “revitalize” a deck stain. It is not possible to “revitalize” a deck stain outside of full prep and recoating.
Is the Defy Wood Cleaner environmentally safe to use on a lake dock?
Yes.
I stained our porch with Defy about 3 years ago. It needs another coat. Do I need to use the cleaner and brightener again as I did before I applied it on the raw wood? Thanks.
Yes, that is correct.
I had a gallon of the Brightener leak when I set it on the floor of my van. When I got home the whole thing was empty. There was a split on the bottom corner of the jug. UGHHHH I soaked up as much as I could with towels. I then sucked up what I could with a shop vac. Then I soaked the carpeting with baking soda water (that’s what I found on the internet to neutralize it). Repeated this process several times and the carpet is still testing acid when I use a ph tester on it. I do not know what to do. I am afraid that in the winter when it is cold outside and warm in the van that it will cause condensation and make the acid rust my floor boards. I do not know what to do. Carpet is bleached (which I can live with) but it also is where the electric cables run to the side and rear doors of the van. Please HELP! I am attaching pictures but I don’t know if you will get them.
Once it is dry it should not be acidic to the point it will cause any potential harm to the cables, etc unless you rewet.
I have a beautiful mahogany deck by the water on my pond. It’s needing some tlc and has grayed. Which stain product would I use and would I need to clean and brighten mahogany before staining? Thanks
Prep with the Defy Wood Cleaner and then the Defy Brightener. Stain with the Defy Hardwood Stain: https://www.deckstain.com/defy-hardwood-stain.html
How long should I wait after cleaning with Defy cleaner to apply the Defy brightener? Is there a wait time? I know I need to wait for 48 hours following the brighter before I apply the stain.
Right away after you are done with the cleaning.
I cleaned with defy yesterday . Will brighten today. Will that work out okay
Yes.
I have a deck that I rebuilt about 4 years ago and used Defy Extreme Stain on it. I love it, but I think it is time to apply the stain again this fall. Do I need to strip the original stain before applying a fresh coat?
I am rebuilding an old deck and I am going to reuse the existing cedar deck boards.To do that, I am planing them, removing about 1/8″. The boards are beautiful. My question is this: given that they boards will be freshly planed, do I still need to prep the wood with the cleaner and brightener?
Thanks for your help.
Will the stain stripper harm my landscape plants?
Best to cover the plants and rinse well when done to avoid any leaf burn.