Semi-Transparent Stain...

[gsmittle]

Anybody use/know anything about Cabot semi-transparent outdoor stain? I'm thinking about using it on a cedar deck. Any other brands you all recommend?

g.

[rjwaldren]

I've heard good things about it and understand Cabot's started as marine finishes.

I just used a Behr Semi-Transparent on my daughters Gym/Fort/Swing set and I'm happy with the outcome so far, we'll see how it holds up. If the wood looks good bare, I'd use a transparent tinted stain personally. My project was pretty weathered so I didn't. The semi-transparents do use solids as the pigment so it's more like a paint that soaks in real well and initially leaves a sheen.

[Pappy]

I had mine custom mixed by Sherwin Williams and have been satified with the results. If you go with ANY premixed stain, test it on a piece of your wood first. I initially used a "Cedar" stain and spent a couple of days removing it.

[cabinetman]

I've used Cabot's semi-transparent stains and many other brands, and don't find much real difference. I do suggest to follow the directions for any brand you try out, especially for details on preparation and any "protective" topcoatings.
.

[Thalermade]

I am very disappointed in the Cabot stain I used last Fall. For the 8 yr. old treated lumber deck it only lasted 6 months. A different color of Cabot stain I used on the cedar hotub surround didn't not hold the color well at all.

I had previously used Behr or Olympic and had to restain every 2 to 3 years.

Just my 2 cents and experience.
Russ

[jhart]

I've been using the Olympic for a few years and have been very happy with the results and length of time on my deck. Used a Wagner "wide shot" spray gun with the stain tip and made it pretty easy to apply, especially to the spindles. Made a frame with some plastic stapled to it to keep the spray down when spraying from the inside of the spindles to the outside. Worked slick.

[ironhat]

This may be true of any brand of stain but when I built the deck 15 years ago I shot it with Thompson's Waterseal. After a couple of years we decide that we wanted to stain it and chose Cabot's semi-transparent. It has been coming off ever since. I decide to strip and re-stain about six years ago and it's better but not great. I blame the Thompsons because the house has no such problems. I'm about to re-do the house and will chose Cabot's again.

[HarmsWay]

I'd recommend the Behr DECKplus semi-transparent oil-based stain. I get a good 2-3 years service on a cedar deck and 5+ (so far) on vertical surfaces.

Bob