You can mix the two together. You will however lower the amount of pigment with the color you choose. Make sure to mix thoroughly!

To Whom It May Concern:



I am considering using the Defy Extreme Clear Wood Stain (Cedar Tone) or Defy Epoxy Fortified Wood Stain (Cedar Tone) on my outside wood Vega Posts (~10 feet tall and 14 inches in diameter. I live in the Mesa, AZ area where the heat is extreme. Which of these (and why so) two products would be the longest lasting. I saw some test results on your website on the Extreme Clear Wood Stain, but nothing to compare with the Epoxy Fortified Stain.



I am also considering putting a marine spar varnish over the stain to further help keep the wood in good shape. Is this okay? The Vega posts are either Ponderosa Pine or Spruce.

The Defy Extreme offers better UV protection then the Epoxy. The Extreme contains the added nano particles of zinc oxide. This reflects the UV oxidation giving longer protection from graying.

Putting a varnish on top of the Defy or any stain is an extremely bad idea. It will peel/blister.

The instructions for the Defy Extreme wood stain say to apply it to a horizontal surface, wait 20 min, then apply a second coat before the first one dries. Is it OK to walk out on the first coat after 20 min? Otherwise, how would you apply the second coat?

Yes it is okay to walk on the first coat 20 minutes later. Just do not step in your second coat.

We will be installing a new redwood deck very shortly. I don't want to change the color of the natural wood, but do want a good protective sealer. We live in northern Arizona and have 4 definite seasons - it can get up to 85 degrees in the summer and a lot of sun, but also can get down to 0 in the winter with a lot of snow. Would this product be recommended for redwood in these conditions?

Thank You!

A clear sealer will not protect the wood from turning gray for more then a year or so. I tinted stain will last 2-3 times longer.

If you want to not change color and apply every 9-12 months I would suggest:
Defy Extreme Clear

If you would it to last longer from UV graying then You should look at the tinted version:
Defy Extreme Stain

Deck is Yellow Wood treated pine- 10 months old. Which Defy product will give the most maintenance free performance? Probably clear or light pine is prefered color.