Cedar Deck Stain?

[Kylersk]

This week our new cedar deck should be finished. Any recommendations on a brand of stain? My wife currently likes the way the cedar looks, so I'd like maybe a clear? Also, when should I stain it? The cedar is still 'wet'.

thanks in advance!

[DTro]

From the research I've done, Cabots is supposed to be one of the best

[sparkyaber]

Loved cabots, just let the ceder dry a year, use a "wood brightener" or cleaner before applying stain. OR- rip it out and put on TREX synthetic decking . I hate staining every few years. Next time I need to stain, I will be putting on some sort of synthetic decking.

[Bob Horn]

Don't stain your deck until next spring. Let it sit for a few months before you put anything on it. This will give the pores time to open. I use Sherwin Williams products only but I did hear good things about Cabot. Oh, by the way I paint homes for a living.

[fishwidow]

We used Sikkens. It's expensive, but you won't have to redo it as often as some of the other brands that are out there. Also the Cedar color is really nice.

[eurolarva]

Trex is nice but expensive. We did our deck with it about 5 years ago. If you stain choose as light a color as possible. Our old redwood deck had super dark brown stain which really baked in the sun and dried the wood out. Lighter colored stains will repel light and heat better.

[Gadgetman]

I used sikkens for about 10 years. After having to recoat it every year and taking it down to bare wood with the belt sander two times I ahve switched to cabot semi tranparent gray. Now only have to redo it every other year and it doesnt peel off. I really liked the look of the Sikkens but way to labor intensive for me. It is really good for vertical surfaces tho. Did my log siding 10 years ago and havent had to touch it since

[TroutAngler]

There are several types of Sikkens Stain. I used the Cetol SRD in a light natural color which is very close the the appearance of unweathered cedar. It has been a great product for me. To prep, you do need to use a deck cleaner to open the pores and brighten the wood. Use a pressure washer and/or a deck brush. I did a lot of research and found this to be a great product and the extra cost has been well worth it.

[LOGBUILDER]

You may want to call schroeder log home supple in grand rapids they know alot about this .800-359-6614.P.S do not use cwf I learned that the hard way

[Bobby Bass]

My ceder deck is going on 12 years old now. I use a semi transparent Thompson water seal on it. the surface is stained every year and the sides are done every three years. Any horizontal surface is going to take a beating from foot traffic and weather, it's just something that I plan on doing every summer. I have a 20'x20' deck and it takes about an hour to stain it not a real big deal. Of course my house is ceder also and I knew it was going to take more maintenance when I did it but I like the look and can't beat the smell of real wood..