Deck sealer. Olympic or Thompsons?

[Dave Lehnert]

Had a new pressure treated wood deck installed year before last. It was manufactured with a clear coating already applied and still beading up last year.
Going to reseal this year. Just want something clear. May give some color down the road in two or three years.

The contractor who installed the deck recommended Olympic brand. I am confused between the two kinds.

Olympic water guard clear wood sealer.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Olympic-Waterguard-1-gal-Clear-Wood-Sealer-55260XI-01/305542042

Olympic water guard Multi surface.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Olympic-Waterguard-1-gal-Clear-Multi-Surface-Waterproofing-Sealant-55548XI-01/305542040

The Multi surface is appealing because I plan to seal some concrete at the same time and it is cheaper per gallon. But is the wood sealer better at $4.00 more per gallon?

What about Thompsons?
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Thompson-s-WaterSeal-Signature-Series-Clear-Exterior-Stain-and-Sealer-Actual-Net-Contents-128-fl-oz/1000183887

[Bruce Wrenn]

Thompsons is basically wax. Prevents any future staining of wood. Not my first choice in this application. We use it on treated plywood roofs on portable sheds, so as to not add weight. These buildings are shipped in the flat to fair grounds for use with Campers on Mission State Fair Ministry. Shingles would more than double weight of roof section, which has to be manually lifted into place.

[Phil Mueller]

Everyone will probably have their favorite. I used Thompson’s for years. My experience was that it did a good job, but seemed to attract dust/dirt...I don’t know, maybe in the heat the wax softens and dirt sticks. Recently, I tried Flood clear and so far like it a lot. Still needs to be cleaned and reapplied every two years or so. I have no experience with Olympic.

[Stan Calow]

I've used both, and found little difference in performance. Thompsons has the name recognition.

[Dick Strauss]

I use Flood in their cedar tone. In my climate it works better than Olympic or Thomson's. Anything you choose will need a repeat application every couple of years on horizontal surfaces and about every 4-6 years on vertical surfaces. I don't strip the deck between coats but make sure the surface is clean before applying a fresh coat.

[Frank Pratt]

I've had issues with Thompson's. If applied thick enough to provide more than a few weeks of protection, then it leaves a sticky, waxy film that does indeed attract dirt. If applied thin enough to not be sticky then it looks and feels great, but in a matter of days begins to just go away & a few weeks later is pretty well gone. I'm referring to the original. I've not used their newer products.

[Ken Combs]

I use Flood in their cedar tone. In my climate it works better than Olympic or Thomson's. Anything you choose will need a repeat application every couple of years on horizontal surfaces and about every 4-6 years on vertical surfaces. I don't strip the deck between coats but make sure the surface is clean before applying a fresh coat.


I second Flood, CWF. Nasty smell when applying but works well. Friend of mine has a house clad in cedar. When installed it was coated with CWF and about every 3 or 4 years it gets pressure washed and recoated. 20some years old and still looks great.

[Christopher Glanton]

Can you apply Flood over a deck previously treated with Thompsons?

[Alex Zeller]

Neither. I would use SuperDeck. I went the Thomson route years ago and less than 2 years it was like I never did it. I then tried SuperDeck based from advice a deck contractor gave me and it was a day and night difference. Was still working great when I sold that home 5 years later. My current deck is hardwood and requires a different version that I haven't gotten around to yet. The company, DuckBack was bought out by Sherwin Williams. They still sell the same formula but they also have several other versions of their own sealer. I think you can still buy the DuckBack brand.

[Tom M King]

Sikkens .

[Aaron Rosenthal]

No Sikkens on my wood. Penofin.

[Dave Lehnert]

Thanks for the recommendation of the Flood product. Unaware of of that brand but the reviews look good.

What is your experience. Does it dry clear or does it have a shine kinda like poly?

Also is it oil or water based? Reviews are mixed as is the description on Home Depot web page. Maybe it comes Water or oil????

[Phil Mueller]

Yes, Flood does leave a bit of a sheen (at least the clear), not as glossy as lots of coats of poly, but a definite sheen. I do put it on fairly liberally though. I will tell you, it can leave lap lines. I wasn’t very careful rolling it on the first time, and I had a kind of checkerboard pattern after it dried. It fades away with time, but it’s something I didn’t have back when I used Thompsons. Full disclosure; my deck is at a cabin, probably 30 year old pressure treated lumber, with a good amount of character from overzealous power washing. So I’m really more concerned with protection and longevity, than beautiful looks.

[Christopher Glanton]

Neither. I would use SuperDeck. I went the Thomson route years ago and less than 2 years it was like I never did it. I then tried SuperDeck based from advice a deck contractor gave me and it was a day and night difference. Was still working great when I sold that home 5 years later. My current deck is hardwood and requires a different version that I haven't gotten around to yet. The company, DuckBack was bought out by Sherwin Williams. They still sell the same formula but they also have several other versions of their own sealer. I think you can still buy the DuckBack brand.

Alex, did you use the Elastomeric or the Cool Feel Technology?

[Clark Hussey]

I stained decks , for several years. My go to was Armstrong Clark stain. For my dollar, this is the best stain on the market.
,

[Alex Zeller]

Alex, did you use the Elastomeric or the Cool Feel Technology?

I wanted the wood to show through so I used the oil based semi transparent stain in either cedar or white pine (can't remember which). The elastomeric looked like it's only a solid color and the cool feel semi solid only came in darker colors. I was told the oil would last longer than the waterborne. But the oil isn't as easy to work with. The waterborne can be applied over damp wood and it dries faster so there's no fear that it's not going to be dry before night / dew sets it.

I can't recommend it because I've never used it but a company just up the road from me, Vermont natural coatings, has a product I would really like to try. One of these days I'm going to make some cedar Adirondack chairs for the wife. VNC has a waterproofer that looks tempting as long as you don't mind the wood turning gray.

[Dick Strauss]

The Flood CWF is water based. Clean up brushes with water and ammonia. It stinks for just a few days on the deck side of the house. It has a light sheen but can be shiny if you apply a heavy coat. You may see lap marks where the shine/color varies if you don't keep the leading edge wet.

[Ken Combs]

Just got back on and read this. The instructions on my can of CWF said to remove any product that remained on the surface after several minutes of soak time. So, no surface film left.

[Dick Strauss]

My can says to 'brush out or wipe up any puddles within 20 minutes to avoid shiny areas.'

I don't know of too many finishes where leaving puddles are a good thing.

[Dick Strauss]

If your can also suggests not leaving puddles, that does not mean you won't have a surface film. It just makes the deck look uneven with shiny spots because the finish is not evenly applied (thus the puddling). You will also get shiny spots if you don't keep the leading edge wet and meet it later because you've applied more finish (two coats) on the section where the finish overlaps.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

We switched to this stuff and it runs circles around Thompson’s. The only drawback is it is Really potent. The fumes burn your eyes. We use it on park benches that spend their lives in the sun.

Well, the photo won’t load. It is Pratt and Lambert Stain Shield.