Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | May 30, 2007 04:49am | #1

   This is the place for a "deck stain".  Opaque stains have the most longevity and let you choose your color.  The Consumer Reports that landed in my mailbox today ranked Cabot Decking Stain 1480 (alkyd) at the top, and Cabot Solid Color 1880 (latex).  The semi-transparent stain, Wolman DuraStain 18146 (alkyd acyrlic with water clean up) came in third in the rankings.   

2. 
   nikkiwood | May 30, 2007 05:00pm | #2

   Cabot used to have a stain specifically formulated for treated wood -- designated PTL stain. I just looked on their site, and it is no longer available, but they have several stains that will work on treated stock.

   Cabot, in my experience, is just about the best there is, so it is worth looking at their line of products for your project:

   http://www.cabotstain.com/cabot/products/deck_ssolid.jsp

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   JohnWW | May 30, 2007 05:20pm | #3

   I'm not sure that exterior stains are a good choice for this application.  Stains are designed to chalk and wash away over time they might rub off on clothing.

   John W.

   Edited 5/30/2007 10:20 am ET by JohnWW

1. 
   nikkiwood | May 30, 2007 09:27pm | #5

   You and I seem to be butting heads a lot these days........... <g>By definition, the semi-transparent stains will not chalk, and I have used tons of Cabot's OVT solid stains, and chalking has never been an issue. But this product is not designed for wear surfaces.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

3. 
   YesMaam27577 | May 30, 2007 05:31pm | #4

   There are semi-transparent stains, and opaque stains designed specifically for outdoor wood. Chalking won't ba a problem.

   Be sure to check with your daughter about the type of fasteners that are being used, in relation to the type of wood. If the wood is treated with ACQ (the green stuff here in the east) then she should be using stainless fasteners -- or at the least, hot dipped galvanized.

   The chemical in ACQ lumber is quite caustic, and will rust through normal fasteners in a few short months.

    

    

    

   Support our Troops. Bring them home. Now.  And pray that at least some of the buildings in the green zone have flat roofs, with a stairway.

4. 
   djchurn | May 31, 2007 10:42pm | #6

   The coating is poisoness and contruction contact should be limited to use of suitable construction gloves. If you are going to cut it use a resprirator with a chemical rating.

   The green color can be bleached off with a product made by Behr paint for decks. It is not paint and must be applied on a cloudy day.

   Wipe on and do not rinse off.

   Apply transparent  or toned transparent acrylic (latex) stain next to avoid exposure to the children.

   Repeat last step every five years.