I have a cedar deck that sits in the blazing sun in the summer.What should I seal it with?

Question

I used a stain the first year and it all peeled off. I would like to use a sealer or stain that would allow the beauty of cedar to show through and last more than one year.

Answer 1

DON'T USE THOMPSON'S..it's crap!!
I'm A UNION PAINTER..THIS FALLS INTO MY CATEGORY.
I USE CUPRINOL OIL BASED STAIN. YOU CAN GET IT FROM SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINT STORE.
YOU NEED TO POWER WASH YOUR DECK FIRST. CAREFUL NOT TO GET THE SPRAYER TO CLOSE OR YOU WILL SPLINTER THE WOOD. I STAY AT LEAST 8 INCHES AWAY. WHEN U POWER WASH THE DECKING BOARS..START AT ONE END AND WALK SIDEWAYS TO THE OTHER END. u WILL HAVE TO MAKE TWO PASSES PER DECKING BOARD.
let IT DRY OUT FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.
NEXT DAY YOUR READY TO SEAL HER UP. GET ONE OF THEM GARDEN PUMP-N-SPRAY DISPENSERS...GET ONE FROM SHERWIN WILLIAMS..IT'S MADE TO SPRAY STAIN. i WILL DO ALL MY HANDRAIL AND PICKETS FIRST..THEN I WILL ROLL OUT BY HAND 4-5 BOARDS CLOSEST TO THE HOUSE SO OVER SPRAY DOESN'T HIT THE HOUSE. GET A 3/4 ROLLER SLEEVE AND A EMPTY 5 GALLON BUCKET..POUR THE REST OF STAIN IN THE BUCKET....SPRAY THE MATERIAL ON AND USE THE 9 INCH ROLLER TO SPREAD THE MATERIAL OUT..KEEP A CHINA BRISTOL BRUSH WITH YOU SO YOU CAN PUSH THE STAIN BETWEEN EACH DECKING BOARD..WORK YOUR WAY OFF THE DECK. IT TAKES A DAY TO DRY..IF YOU USE A CLEAR STAIN..DON'T PANIC WHEN IT TURNS MILKY WHITE..IT'S DRYING AND WILL TURN CLEAR AS IT SOAKS IN. Day 3..SPRAY WATER ON YOUR DECK AND WATCH HOW ALL THE WATER BEEDS UP..LOOKS GREAT HUH!!
LAST BUT NOT LEAST..DONT LET LEAVES SIT ON YOUR DECK..LEAVES WILL STAIN THE DECK IF THEY ARE WET..HAVE FUN..ENJOY..THIS SHOULD LAST FOR 3 YRS.

Answer 2

Try a sealer made especially for cedar, likewise for the stain. I'm not sure if Thompsons make a sealer for cedar but you can check it out.

Answer 3

I like the clear thompson water seal...
* hint I have a pumping sprayer that works great. It is faster and easier than brush or roller. Think I bought it at depot it was a spayer for bugs. works great Cedar I would treat every year. Looks so much nicer and lol way too much money to replace.

Answer 4

Once a year is pretty common time frame.
Thompson Deck water sealer. Works great.
If its already turned silver/grey and you like it just clean it and seal it.
If you want it's natural redish color back wet it, bleach it, pressure wash it, let it dry then seal it, and it will maintain that color.

Answer 5

Thompsons makes a great product for your problem. Check it out at Lowes, or any housewares store.