Deck Stain Blog

Why We Think It's the Best

We think Deck Gold is the best sealer & stain around. And we think once you use it, you'll think so too!

No matter what project you're using Deck Gold on: deck, fence, patio, pergola, whatever...your project will look great.

Deck Gold Sealer & Stain in 1. Gets the job done.

Fabulous for Fences

As you know from our other articles, Deck Gold is great for any outdoor wood surfaces. It's wonderful for fences!

So if your fence has seen better days, maybe looking a little weather-beaten or old, it's time to freshen it up.

If you're unsure of exactly the best way to go about this project, we strongly suggest you consult a professional. If you choose to tackle this by yourself, please read all the instructions so you are sure to end up with a great finished project.

Did you know that by staining/sealing your fence you will:

• Improve the wood's structural durability.
• Improve the appearance and value of both your fence and property.
• Enhance the color and texture of the wood, instead of covering it like paint does.

Deck Gold Sealer & Stain in 1! Great for your fence or any other outdoor wood products.

Great for Gazebos

Deck Gold is great for any outdoor wood surfaces. It can be used on fences, gazebos, wood siding, home exteriors, shakes & shingles, patio covers, and log homes.

Deck Gold is not harmful to the environment. So you don't need to worry about any ozone depleting chemicals. 

Deck Gold it's Sealer & Stain in 1! Check out our testimonials from customers who have used Deck Gold and loved it.

You Get What You Pay For

It's absolutely true that you get what you pay for. This goes for deck stain as well.

Simply put...When selecting your stain, stay away from the cheap stuff! Better ingredients cost more money. If you expect premium results, you need to buy a premium product. There is a large difference in quality when it comes to resins, pigments, mildewcides and many of the other materials that are contained in wood stain, so choose a quality product.

So if you want quality, Deck Gold is the choice for you!

Permeability & Why It's Important

When it comes to sealers, permeability is a big deal.

So what does it mean for your deck? A good sealer must be permeable, which means the wood can “breathe.” In other words, in a normal day, humidity is able to pass through the wood, but rain can't. The more pigment the sealer contains, the less permeable it is. A quality permeable sealer will allow sap to exit the wood without damaging the sealer as it passes through.

Paint Won't Cut It

Paints are non-permeable, which is why painted decks crack and peel drastically after a short time.

Because moisture can't pass through paint, the only way for it to escape is by pushing the paint off of the wood. This results in cracks and peeling.

This is why a quality product like Deck Gold is a great choice for your deck or wood products.

Do You Know Your Sandpaper?

Considering how important the process of sanding your deck or wood before staining/sealing is, we thought it would be great to share some information about sandpaper.

How Does Sandpaper Work?
Sandpaper essentially works very much like a saw or cutting tool. The particles on sandpaper are made from numerous sharp edges that cut the wood the same way a saw blade does.

Isn't All Sandpaper the Same?
Actually, no. There are two different grades of sandpaper: Commercial and Industrial. Commercial grade is what you would find at hardware stores and home project centers. Industrial grade is exactly what is sounds like: for use in heavy industrial settings.

What is Grit?
"Grit" refers to the number of abrasive particles per inch of sandpaper. The lower the grit, the rougher the sandpaper and conversely, the higher the grit number, the smoother the sandpaper.

What Grit Should I Use?
It really depends on the type of project you are working on.

Surface Prep Makes All the Difference

It simply cannot be stated strongly enough just how important surface preparation is when sealing/staining. Making absolutely sure that your surface is completely clear of any and all dust, dirt and debris could make a huge difference.

• Surface must be clean of mildew, dust, dirt, oil and grease. WE RECOMMEND A DECK CLEANING AGENT TO PREPARE SURFACE.
• All previous stains and sealers must be completely removed.
• Caustic strippers must be neutralized thoroughly.
• Rinse thoroughly, before staining, wood must dry completely for 48 hours or more depending on weather conditions.
• Protect against over spray and cover all plants and vegetation with plastic drop cloth before applying Deck Gold.

We hope that these suggestions will help you to prepare your deck or wood surfaces when applying Deck Gold.

Protection From the Sun

Let’s face it, when we think about our decks we want to think about all the fun we can and do have on it. We’d rather not dwell on the possibility of damage to our beloved deck. But it needs to be addressed.

Whether you want to admit it or not, your deck is constantly in the line of fire from the harsh effects of the sun. Direct exposure to the punishing heat from the sun causes wood to dry out and shrink. It can even lead to surface graying. Essentially this is caused by constant exposure to the sun’s harmful, ultra-violet rays. The gray color is indicative of wood fiber degradation on the surface, and this graying will grow darker as years of sun exposure take their toll. The grayed surface layer is permanently damaged, and must be removed to get to the healthy layers underneath. Not only does the “grayed” surface signal the beginning of structural damage, it is also rather unattractive for homeowners.

So how do you prevent this from happening? The best solution is to use a stain and/or sealer that can stand up to the sun’s harmful rays. That’s where Deck Gold comes in. Deck Gold’s pigment contains UV protection; its transoxide pigments with small pieces of metal help to reflect the sun.

It's A Good Time to Stain

It's summer time, so you know what that means. Warm weather and good times! Oh, and staining the deck. Be sure to use Deck Gold this year, and you won't have to next year!

Good for Any Exterior Wood Surface

Not only is Deck Gold great for decks and fences, but it's great for any outdoor or exterior wood surface. Have wood outdoor furniture? Deck Gold can make it look great! Even your dog house that you just bought or even built. Got a shed or outdoor storage? Deck Gold it!

Should you have any questions, please see our Frequently Asked Questions or our many great articles.

Should You Seal the Underside of Your Deck?

This primarily comes into play if your deck is more than 4 feet above ground. But the short answer is no.

The reason you are sealing your deck is to prevent the sun from aging the wood and more importantly, to prevent rain from rotting your deck. Since the understructure never receives any real sunlight and gravity dictates that water will not stay on the underside, it is not necessary to seal that. This being said, some people will elect to seal the footings and beam structure purely for an aesthetic reason because from your yard these are in full view and they will match the rest of the deck.

Need to stock up on Deck Gold?

Deck Gold Is Great for Fences

If you’re planning on building a privacy fence, or any kind of fence for that matter, this summer, don’t forget to use Deck Gold. It’s not just for decks! Deck Gold is great for any type of wood (except redwood).

And if that old fence you already have needs to be stained, Deck Gold will work wonders for that too.

Don't Forget the Deck Gold!

If you’re planning on doing some updating to your deck or other outdoor areas, be sure to keep Deck Gold in mind for staining your wood.

Since Deck Gold works great for any type of wood surface, you can use it on nearly any new project you may be working on this summer. Whether you’re adding some built-in seats to your deck or completely rebuilding it, Deck Gold will work wonders for your project!

Summer Staining

Whether or not you're planning to stain or seal your deck this summer, one thing is for certain...Deck Gold is the choice for you. So even if you choose to just sit back and relax and enjoy your deck or outdoor backyard, tell your friends that thanks to Deck Gold you didn't have to stain this year.

Not That Kind of Stain

We’ve all had it happen, maybe you did yourself, maybe it was a friend, most likely it was just an accident, but somehow you find yourself face-to-face with a stain. And not the good kind, like Deck Gold, but a dirty, greasy, gross stain that you have to clean up.

It’s important to keep in mind how much keeping your deck clean will keep it looking great for years to come. That goes for any wood product you might have. So do yourself a favor, anytime a spill or accident happens, take care of it right away.

Find Deck Builders To Get You Ready For Spring?

Spring is a great time of year. Warm weather, outdoor fun, rebirth and renewal seem to be everywhere you look. Now is a great time to determine if your deck or any other wood products you may have might need a fresh coat of stain.

No matter what wood product needs stain and/or sealer, Deck Gold is a great choice. It penetrates deep into the wood to protect it from the elements. We all know that we are coming up on the rainy season, so this might be the best time for you to get that staining project done that you’ve been putting off.

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It

We know we’re a little biased when it comes to Deck Gold. We believe it’s one of the best products available.

But even after reading all the Frequently Asked Questions and our other blog articles, we realize that you might still not be completely convinced. So, if you’re unsure of just how great Deck Gold is, don’t just take our word for it, be sure to read the testimonials of people just like you that have tried it. These are people that have tried the product and loved it so much that they took the time to write us about their experience with it.

Take a second and read through the testimonials and see what you think.

Pressure Washing: Is It Good? Consult Your Deck Builder

Deck builders have debated as to whether or not pressure washing is good or not for your deck.  Some people swear by it as being the best way to clean your deck or wood products.  Others might say that it can be harmful to the wood. 

As with anything, knowing how to pressure wash properly will keep you from causing any undue harm to your deck or wood products.  Should you decide to pressure wash your deck, fence, or wood siding, please be sure to use a proper cleaning agent.  You will want to use a cold water pressure cleaner, never use hot water.  Don’t ever hold the tip in one place, this can cause damage.  If it’s your first time using a pressure cleaner, you may want to try it out on some old wood first, before cleaning your deck.

If you’re unsure if you want to try pressure washing yourself, you may want to hire a professional deck builder.

Chlorine Bleach Is Bad for Your Deck

Although it might seem like a good idea to use regular bleach to clean your deck, DON’T.  It’s actually more likely to cause damage then it is likely to kill any mold.  It can also potentially cause your stain or sealer to not work properly. 

The main ingredient of standard household bleach is water.  And water actually contributes to the growth of mold.  Exactly what you don’t want. 

So what should you use?  Oxygen bleach.  What’s that?  It’s actually commonly found in your laundry detergent.  It cleans without damaging the product.  Hence, it is a good product for use on your deck without encouraging mold growth.  And it won’t destroy your deck stain or sealer either. 

Plan Ahead When Staining Your Deck

As with most things, planning ahead when facing the task of staining and/or sealing your deck will save you a great deal of time and money.  Figuring out ahead of time how much product you will need will save you some frustration as well. 

Once you have decided on a particular product, Deck Gold is great for any project, take the time to read the label and figure out how much you will need.  Having enough on hand will save you from making an extra trip to the store when you are in the process of staining or sealing your deck. 

Having a little extra is always a good idea.  If you find yourself in the predicament of having quite a bit of product left over, here are a few helpful suggestions on what to do:      

• If you think it’s likely that you will be storing it for a long period of time, we suggest putting a sheet of plastic wrap over the can before putting on the lid to keep rust out.
• Be sure to keep the product in the original container.  This will save time later so you know exactly what it is.
• Keep it in a well-ventilated area to prevent the possibility of a fire.  Also, be sure not to store near your furnace or anything which may be flammable.

Don’t forget these tips the next time you embark on a staining and/or sealing
adventure. 

Do You Really Know How to Stain Your Deck?

Or do you just think you do?  Instructions are for suckers, right?  Wrong.  Finding and buying the stain/sealer that’s right for you is only part of the process.  Rushing in to get the job over and done with is sure to cause problems. 

One thing that cannot possibly be stressed enough is to be absolutely sure that your deck is as clean as possible.  Depending on the state of your deck, a mild soap and water solution should do the trick.  And just to be sure, you ought to hose it off as well.  Don’t forget to allow enough time for the wood to try too. 

Okay, so now that you’ve done that, you’re ready, aren’t you?  Nope.  Be sure to read the directions thoroughly before you start the actual staining/sealing process.  Knowing all the facets of your particular product will save you time, energy and money.

For more information about staining and sealing your deck, be sure to check out our other articles, and don’t forget to buy your Deck Gold while you’re on the site.

What Is Linseed Oil?

You may have heard of a product called linseed oil and some controversy surrounding its usage in stains and sealers.  We hope this information will help you to understand why we do not use linseed oil in Deck Gold and why you should try to avoid products which may use it.

Linseed oil, sometimes referred to as flax seed oil, is the yellowish oil obtained from the rip seeds of a flax plant. Once the seeds are dried, a process called cold pressing obtains the oil. Linseed has many uses but is most commonly used in varnishes, paints, resins, and ink because it dries quickly. Linseed oil is highly flammable and as it evaporates it can spontaneously combust.

It is extremely important that rags and clothing that come in contact with linseed oil products are properly disposed of to prevent the cause of fire. Due to the risk factor involved, Deck Gold does not contain linseed oil. Although it is still highly flammable, it is a much safer product to use.

Deck Gold Prevents Algae

Did you know that Deck Gold contains no algae promoting oils such as linseed or other vegetable oils that promote algae and fungus growth on the wood?  Most wood sealers on the market today contain inexpensive fillers such as mineral spirits that evaporate into the atmosphere and pollute the air.  Deck Gold contains only paraffinic oil that penetrates the wood and waterproofs.

Deck Gold isn’t just good for your deck (or whatever wood products you might decide to use it on) it’s good for the environment too. 

Which Deck Stain Do I Use?

So you know that you need to stain/seal your deck.  You’re probably wondering, “How do I know which one to use?  What’s the difference?  They all look the same to me!” 

While many deck stains and deck sealers might seem very similar, by being prepared to purchase the right product ahead of time instead of just grabbing the first one that catches your eye, you can be sure to add longevity to your deck.

Okay, so which is right for me?  Look no further, Deck Gold is here for you!  Deck Gold is an oil based, semi-transparent deck sealer and stain in one.  It can be used on all types of wood (except Redwood), so you’re sure it will work on your deck, or fence, or whatever wood product you might need it for. 

Something you might not know is that the pigment in the stain/sealer is very important.  Deck Gold contains trans-oxide pigment that acts as the UV protection. The trans-oxide pigment helps protect your wood from fading and graying. 

Simply put, Deck Gold is a great choice for your deck stain, so get some today!

Why Choose Deck Gold For Your Deck Stain & Deck Sealer

You may be asking yourself what makes Deck Gold one of the best choices out there for sealer/stain.  Aside from the fact that it is a deck sealer and deck stain all in one, there are a multitude of other reasons why many people have chosen Deck Gold and why you should too!

1. Deck Gold is great for preserving your wood from the elements.
2. Deck Gold contains UV protection to help prevent any damage from the sun.
3. Deck Gold only needs 2 hours before it is rain resistant!
4. Deck Gold can be used in hot or cold climates. 
5. Deck Gold can be used on any type of wood except Redwood.

Deck Gold is the right choice for your deck project!

Tips For Deck Stain Success

Anyone that has ever stained a deck knows that it can be a long and difficult process.  And sometimes you may even feel that after all that hard work, it could have been done better.  So what are the keys to making it look great?

• Patience: This simple step can make or break the whole process, so be sure to take your time throughout each step.  Don’t hurry just to get it done. 
• Be Prepared: Might sound obvious, but being prepared goes a long way toward a successful end. 
• Clean Thoroughly: Again, sounds straightforward enough.  But cleaning as much as possible can have dramatic results to that look you desperately want to achieve. 
• You Get What You Pay For: Stay away from the cheap stuff.  If you want your project to be the best possible, you’ll want to pay that little extra that will pay off for the final product.
• Follow Directions: Not everyone takes the time to read the directions, so just in case you’re one of those who likes to dive in, please stop, and remember to have some patience.  Read the directions thoroughly.  Then proceed.  You’ll be happy you did afterward.
• More Is NOT Better: This goes back to the previous step.  Follow the directions to be sure you are using the proper amount.
• Maintenance: Taking some time out every now and then to keep the leaves and dirt off your deck will greatly help in keeping it to look great.

Deck Gold Isn't Just For Decks

Deck Gold isn’t just a great product for your deck, it can be used on fences, gazebos, wood siding, home exteriors, shakes & shingles, patio covers, and log homes.  Because it’s environmentally friendly, you don’t need to worry about ozone depleting chemicals. 

Worried about rain?  Don’t!   Within just one hour, Deck Gold will not be affected by rain.  How many other stains or sealers can say that? 

Deck Gold is great for any type of exterior wood surface.

Removing Deck Stain

If your deck has seen better days, maybe it’s looking a little bit grey, chances are that you’re going to want to apply a new deck stain.  So here are a few steps to take to transform that drab stain to a beautiful one.

1. Strip it: Use deck stripper to remove the old finish.  Be sure to use a generous coat. 
2. Pressure Wash: Thoroughly clean your deck before proceeding. 
3. Choose Your New Stain: Deck Gold is a great choice.
4. Be Sure the Deck is Dry: If necessary, use a moisture meter to be absolutely sure that your deck is ready for the new stain.
5. Apply the Stain: For proper instructions on applying Deck Gold, see the home page.

That’s it!  It may sound like a lot of work, and truth be told, it can be, but if you want your deck looking great, a little time and effort will definitely be worth it. If you are looking for some help, check out BuildMeADeck.com for a Deck Builder.

Cleaning & Waterproofing Your Deck

• Clean your deck thoroughly.  It might seem like common sense, but this is the most important step.  Make sure to remove everything from the deck to make the process as easy as possible. 
• Properly use your cleaning solution.  Be sure to completely read all instructions for cleaning solution.  This will normally involve mixing it with water.  You may also want to use a pump sprayer to make it easier on yourself, especially if your deck is large.
• Scrub thoroughly.  Make sure you scrub every bit of your deck as well as you can.  When you’re done, rinse it off. 
• When the deck is dry, apply your water repellent. 
• If you have decided to use one, now’s the time to use your power washer.  Be sure to wear eye protection as you will be dealing with high pressure.  Get any spots you weren’t able to completely get out when you were scrubbing. 

More Is Not Better When Using Deck Stain

When it comes to home projects, most people incorrectly assume that more product is better.  But when it comes to staining or sealing your deck this is not the case.  And in actuality, you could even cause some severe problems down the line. 

Using too much product can lead to a buildup, which forms a film that can crack or peel.  In addition, it may also become very sticky making it quite unpleasant to even walk around your deck. 

As always, be sure to thoroughly clean your deck before getting underway on a deck sealing or deck staining project. But if you are unsure whether or not your deck needs to be sealed or how much to use, please consult a deck builder for help. 

Stain Prep

You want your deck finish to last as long as possible.  So what do you need to do in order to accomplish this all-important goal? 

Proper preparation of the deck is vital.  Make sure that your deck is as close to perfectly clean as possible.  If necessary, power wash and sand your deck.  Thoroughly check your entire deck for any protruding nails and/or rotten boards that need to be replaced before starting.  This may sounds like a lot of work before you even get into sealing/staining, but rest assured, these steps will help prevent damage down the road and keep your deck looking great.

Now that you’re ready to go, you’ll want to be sure to NOT use a linseed oil or flax seed oil based product.  These products are highly flammable and are simply not worth the risk.  Deck Gold is a wonderful product that does not contain these types of seed oils and is a semi-transparent sealer and stain in one.  It will preserve your deck from the elements for years.

Keep It Clean

It can’t be stressed enough that cleaning your deck is of utmost importance to the longevity of your deck.  Keeping debris and dirt from harming your deck should be on your to-do or honey-do list.   And watch out for those food stains!  Grease from your grill or any type of food stain can degrade the wood of your deck over time. 

This is not to say that you should spend every waking moment spot checking your deck.  Accidents happen, it’s natural.  Everything deteriorates with time.  But doing your best to prevent any long-term damage as quickly as possible may be a deciding factor in just how long your deck lasts.  With Deck Gold stain and sealer, you can make sure that your deck lasts for years to come.