Are you looking to change the color of your pressure treated deck wood?
This is a situation where some stain products work better than others.
We did your research for you to find out which are your best options when it comes to applying a stain to pressure-treated decking.
In this ProPaintCorner.com guide, you will learn:
- Which are the best stains for pressure treated wood
- Tips and tricks for staining pressure treated wood like a pro
- Safety reminders for working with stains
- And much more!
Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use the best stain for pressure-treated wood.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Top Pick
| Our Top Pick | DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Stain
|
| View on Amazon |
| Best Budget
| Best Budget | Thompsons Waterseal Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain
|
| View on Amazon |
|
| Liquid Rubber Color Waterproof Sealant
|
| View on Amazon | |
|
| Olympic Elite Woodland Oil Stain
|
| View on Amazon | |
|
| Cabot Semi-Solid Deck & Siding Stain
|
| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On September 22, 2023
Our favorite is DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Stain because it stands out with the most reasonable price and the best reviews.
Not only that, but this stain is VOC compliant and water-based, so you won't be exposing yourself to overly toxic chemicals when applying to your pressure-treated wood.
Pick up DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Stain in 1 or 5-gallon quantities off of Amazon for the best possible price, and choose from 7 different colors.
Our Top 5 Best Deck Stains For Pressure Treated Wood
If you're truly looking for the best stains to use for your deck staining project, you're in the right place!
Below is a list of our top 5 deck stains, keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of each one:
What Are Stains For Pressure Treated Wood?
Basically, any wood stain that is designed for exterior use will work great for staining pressure treated wood.
Wood is pressure treated to withstand the environment using preservatives like chromate copper arsenate.
The chemicals/preservative used to pressure treat wood from weathering are toxic - pressure-treated lumber is for outdoor use only.
You should never burn pressure-treated wood, and there's really no reason to, considering it is water-repellent and has high durability that will last a long time.
What Are The Different Types of Stain For Pressure Treated Wood?
Oil-based
Oil-based stains are a classic solution to sealing in exterior wood because they resist water and absorb well into the wood grains.
Water-based
Water-based treatments are generally easier to work with because they are less toxic and may not absorb as deep into the grains of the wood.
Colored
Keep an eye for your different color pigment options when shopping stains for pressure treated wood on Amazon.
Natural look
Some of these products are clear sealers designed to embellish the natural grain of the wood.
Read More >> What Are The Best Overall Deck Stains To Use?
What Supplies Will You Need To Stain Pressure Treated Wood?
Before you get started on staining your pressure-treated wood deck, there are a few things you'll need.
Quick disclaimer here - the list below isn't comprehensive, you might need a pressure washer, deck cleaner, or other sanding materials to adequately prepare your wood to accept stain.
If you're working with new wood on a new deck, that may not be the case, and that's why understanding what type of wood you're working with on your deck staining project is so important.
However, if you're working with old wood, you'll likely need more cleaning and prep work to get rid of any graying or flaws in the wood grain before you stain.
That said, here are some supplies that you might need when staining your deck wood:
- Paint sprayer or Paint Roller
- Drop cloths
- Masking tape
- Sander (orbital or hand sander)
- Safety gear (goggles, respirators, etc.)
- Pressure washer
- Wood stain
- Deck sealer (if you're using it)
Remember, it's not a comprehensive list. The finalized list of supplies you'll need will largely depend on the wood look you're looking for as well as the existing state of the decking you'll be staining on.
Read More >> How Much Does It Typically Cost To Paint A Deck?
What Should You Look For In The Best Stain For Pressure Treated Wood?
Quantity
Buying paints and stains in quantity is always a good idea. Besides, if you have some leftovers, you can always sell them on your local Facebook marketplace or Craig's List ads.
The important part is that you have enough stain to cover your whole project.
And with pressure-treated wood, you are probably going to have to apply more than one coat, and certain areas(like the ends) will need more stain than others.
Environmentally Friendly/ VOC content
Volatile organic compounds are controlled by the EPA, and they are basically a measurement of toxic gases that are emitted in the form of vapor.
Most VOCs are toxic and should be taken into consideration when applying stain on pressure-treated wood because you should use a cotton mask or respirator to avoid breathing in harmful fumes.
Solid Color Stain/Natural Beauty
The finished wood look all depends on how you like it.
The best way to get an idea before applying the stain is by reading reviews and looking at pictures of how other people's projects have turned out.
Read More >> What Are The Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stains To Use?
Our Reviews Of The Best Stain For Pressure Treated Wood
When staining decking, DEFY's semi-transparent deck stain is water-based, environmentally friendly, and has hundreds of great reviews on Amazon.
Fortified with a technology called zinc-nano-particles, this is both the ultimate and affordable solution for staining pressure treated wood. (It'll also help prevent future graying and UV damage.)
Everything about DEFY is great. For example, DEFY is VOC compliant, and it is easy to maintain after the fact.
This is one of the best deck stains on the market.
Pros
Cons
Liquid Rubber is a water-based solution and an excellent option for applying to pressure-treated wood or almost any other exterior surface for waterproofing, UV protection, and chemical resistance.
Say goodbye to cracking and chipping in your pressure-treated wood with this environmentally friendly product is easily applied with either a paint sprayer or paintbrush.
Liquid Rubber is completely free of VOCs, has great freeze/thaw qualities, and is affordably priced on Amazon.
Pick up either a 1-gallon or 5-gallon bucket of Liquid Rubber off of Amazon in 7 different color options.
Pros
Cons
Pick #4: Olympic Elite Woodland Oil Stain
Forget about mildew, algae, and more by applying a thick coat of Olympic Elite on your exterior project.
You'll find 1-gallon quantities of Olympic Elite on Amazon for the best possible price.
Pros
Cons
Pick #5: Cabot Semi-Solid Deck & Siding Stain
Apply Cabot to siding, fencing, decks, and pressure-treated retaining lumber.
Pick up a 1-gallon container of Cabot Semi-Solid & Siding Stain off of Amazon for the best possible value.
Pros
Cons
Our favorite is DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent Cedar-Tone Exterior Wood Stain because it is a water-based solution that uses zinc nano-technology to block out UV rays/direct sunlight and prevent color loss in your pressure-treated wood.
For us, the biggest plus side is that the product is more or less environmentally.
In this case, DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent Cedar-Tone Exterior Wood Stain is a solid stain that is environmentally friendly and does a really good job, so we highly recommend you trying this on your next stain job.
Final Thoughts On Best Stain For Pressure Treated Wood
You Can Also Used Used Motor Oil To Stain Pressure-Treated Wood
Is it time to change the oil on your car? Did you know that you can use that same used motor oil as a water-resistant coating on your pressure-treated wood? Now you know!
Read The Stamps Or End Tags To Find Out About Your Specific Wood
If the pressure treated wood is new, read the label to find out which chemicals were used in the process(if necessary).
Safety Reminder
When staining pressure treated wood, you should use the following safety measures:
Nitrile gloves/leather gloves
You'll want to use some gloves to avoid getting stains on your skin.
Safety glasses
Be sure to cover up your eyes when applying the stain.
Cotton mask/respirator
It's important to avoid breathing in fumes. Always keep a cotton mask or respirator on hand when using stains.
Read More >> What Are The Best Respirators To Use For Spraying Paint/Stain?
More questions? Don't hesitate to ask on our Pro Paint Corner page!
