DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent Outdoor Wood Stain and Sealer in One, Gray, 1 Gallon - Fence Stain, Deck Stain and Sealer for All Wood Types

I discovered this product 10 years ago, for staining our new deck. I cleaned the deck as instructed and stained it. When the deck builder came to fix some boards 5 years later, he was amazed at how good the deck looked. We also used this product on privacy fencing.This stuff is non toxic, water based and easy to apply and clean up all brushes with water and dishsoap.It's not cheap but it lasts far longer and resists mold and stains.I've also used Defy cleaner and sealer on our composite deck. Still looking good after 4 years in full sun.

I like this stain. Easy to prep and apply. Uniform coverage on my 5/4 pressure treated pine deck. After the second winter with a very cold a snowy this past winter there are spots where the wood is showing through the stain. I don't know if this is somewhat expected or not. I'll likely let it goes this summer and restain it next spring or summer. But all in all I'm satisfied.Update 6/11/25 I continue to see spots and area where the stain did not adhere properly or just wear from light duty foot traffic. I did all of the stated prep work for the stain. The initial finish appearance was very good. But it seems that what I see now would not be expected after just two years. Hence I'm lowering the review to just two stars. I'll likely restain the deck next spring / summer and will have to reconsider the stain to be used. I may end up using this same stain and color just ensure that the color match without having the pain of 100% sanding the deck to remove all of this stain. My sense is that this is not really any sort of penetrating stain. Its a paint sort of material that does not really penetrate.

I purchased this grey stain, but the product it's so diluted that its not effective. Plus when you want to return, the seller will not pay for shipping. (Which is very expensive)

I have a 3 year old PT deck that gets direct sun for most of the day. Also it's exposed to Vermont winters and it had not been treated with anything. I cleaned it with multiple times to be sure it would take the stain. I used a hand pump sprayer and a bristle brush to lay it down and work it into the wood. It soaked in very well and seems to be doing an excellent job. Of course, time will till but right now I'm very please. I really wanted a coating that would dry quickly and this does. The deck is the only access to the fenced in yard for the dogs and oil based stains need 8-10 hours to set up. I got 2 coats on in about an hour and it was dry to the touch in another hour.

I could not get a semi transparent Driftwood color stain locally (not Lowes or Home Depot) but fortunately Amazon had it. I wanted this color to put on pressure treated wood that is designated "not for ground contact" This wood is very white, not like the ground contact pressure treated wood that is olive in color. I did not want a dark redwood or brown stain, I just wanted a color to dull down the whiteness of the wood, hence the Driftwood color. I used it on a horizontal surface and was surmised how quickly I could apply it with a 3" brush and how little stain I used. It dried the color I expected. and now rain does not wet the surface but forms drops on top.

I loved this product initially. Loved the grey color and semitransparent look on our deck. Initially, it repelled water and mold, as promised. However, just one year later, water no longer beads, we have patches of mold, and the stain is wearing off on edges of steps and other places. Our deck is older wood and it took a lot of prep and many, many gallons to cover it due to absorption. If you have a new deck that's not porous, this may work better for you. After all the money we spent to cover (it took considerably more than advertised), this is a pretty big disappointment. If I didn't share the burden of having an older deck, I'd give it 2 stars.

In a grey tone it provides quite deep color with fairly light (spray) application on a fence. Decks are easy, fences not so much. Heavier application gives good weathered pine look and good water repelancy. I like the way it handles in a sprayer compared to other brand stains, and the fact that it is water cleanup. I can't speak to durability for at least another 3 years. This is my first time with this brand but I have not been entirely happy with any of the major brands so it was worth a try. So far, so good.

I thought that it was oil based. But no, it is water based. I blame myself for not being more careful. I'm trying it on some steps, but I'm not hopeful. It seems a bit like chalk water. The color didn't seem right either. Although I am not good at the color thing, it seemed a bit more brown than driftwood grey, which I expected to have a blueish cast to it. I suspect that I was not able to mix it thoroughly enough because I can feel that there is something stuck to the bottom. Could it be color? Could this product have been stored for an excessive amount of time? I don't know.