Hello,

I would like your professional opinion on selecting a product to protect my wood deck. It is pressure treated wood, about 6 years old. I end up applying a light colored stain/protectant every year, but I would love to get 2-3 years out of an application. I have used Olympic, Behr, CWF, & Thompsons, as they are the only ones that have been available locally, and all with very dissappointing results (they either last barely only a year, or they seem to peel off requiring me to gently powerwash the flakes).

I see your product line and I am overwhelmed with choices, albeit, living in New Jersey with the VOC restrictions, my options are a bit more limited. I have been told that oils are best (what do professionals use in NJ?), although I can't seem to find anything suitable locally. I've now turned to on-line advice and products, since it seems that I will find true experts in this niche rather than the continued dissappointment locally from someone who sells paint, vacuum cleaners, screwdrivers, and house plants, as well as deck stains.

Please recommend a water and UV wood protectant that will not darken the finish dramatically (I'd actually like to lighten the finish in one application, if possible), as it has already darkened over the years due to the weather and perhaps past stains/protectants that have been applied. I would also appreciate some advice on a method of application. I have used a brush, roller & pads in the past. I am located in central New Jersey, and I have a wood porch deck and a pool deck. Based on my previous purchases, I would probably require 5-gallons.

First off you must remove all previous coatings/stains off the deck before applying a new coat. If these are falling your new stain will as well. Prepping the deck is the most important step!

Choose a stain from this list:

VOC Compliant Deck Stains/Sealers for Exterior Wood

These are all compliant in your state and will do better then the previous products you used.

You can use a lighter color as long as you remove all of the old coatings.

We prefer to use stain pads as they allow the applicator to "push" the stain into the wood. The better it absorbs the better it will work.