If you’ve had a new deck installed, or your deck is starting to look a bit damaged, it might be time to start thinking about maintenance. After all, decking isn’t cheap. That’s where we come in i.e. carry out an in depth Cabot Deck Stain Review
As time goes on you might notice that the deck you had installed isn’t quite looking as amazing as it once was. Unfortunately, you’re experiencing weathering issues, especially if you start to notice cracks in the wood.
Whilst some might prefer this natural appearance on their deck, it can lead to a lot of chaos later in life. That’s why staining your deck is important to protecting your deck and increasing its longevity.
Although, deciding to stain your deck is no easy task and should not be taken lightly. Even if you’ve used treated wood there is no guarantee that it will last forever.
With so many stain options, you might start to feel overwhelmed by the choices available to you. If you think deciding on the correct stain is challenging, wait until you see all the instructions and opinions that come with actually staining your deck.
If only there was a simple solution to this problem? Actually, there is!
Cabot Solid Color Acrylic Deck Stain
I’ll be reviewing Cabot Solid Color Acrylic Deck Stain so you will have all the information you need to stain your deck.
What Is Decking Stain?
Decking stains are similar to varnish as they cover the surface of the deck. Their main feature is they seal the wood from being exposed or damaged by different elements. Decking stains are also available in a range of colors, allowing you to give your deck the well-deserved make-over it needs.
There are so many great things about decking stains as they protect your deck from damage made by those walking on it or the weather.
If you decide to use a solid color deck stain the pigments in the color can help to protect your deck from UV exposure. So say goodbye to grey wood! Staining your deck with decking stains can also reduce the chances of mold growing on your deck.
Product Review
Cabot Solid Color Acrylic Deck Stains are exterior stains that are durable and can be used on all types of wood decking, fencing, outdoor furniture, and even cement patios. The Solid Color Acrylic Deck Stain series is also water-repellent and fade resistant.
Cabot Solid Acrylic Deck Stain can adhere to newly stained or previously stained decking and painted surfaces. This is as long as they are clean. Cabot Solid Color Decking stains can be used on a variety of wood surfaces such as pine, redwood, pressure-treated wood, cypress, and fir.
The product is not recommended for siding or incense cedar or for interior surfaces.
One gallon on Cabot Solid Acrylic Deck Stain can approximately cover 150-250 square feet, depending on how porous the surface you are applying the stain to is. However, applying a second coat of Cabot Solid Acrylic Deck Stain will increase the area it spreads to.
Preparing Your Surfaces
When applying any decking stain, preparation of your surfaces is key. Cabot Solid Acrylic Deck Stain requires your decking surface to be completely dry. There should be no dirt like loose wood pieces on the surface.
Whilst Cabot Solid Acrylic Deck Stain can be applied to a previously stained surface, any loose, old stain needs to be removed and sanded until it is smooth.
It is recommended that if there are any stains on the surface or the wood is weather that the decking wood should be cleaned with a cleanser. Another requirement is that newly treated wood should be tested for porosity. To do this it would be best to start with a test patch.
If you are restaining your decking with the same product, for the best results sanding down and stripping the wood might be necessary, depending on the condition of the remaining product on the surface.
Ease Of Application
In order to ensure that the Cabot Solid Color Acrylic Deck Stain is what you desire in terms of the appearance of your deck, we recommend testing an area of the deck. As always before use make sure to stir and shake the product.
It is recommended that for the best results you should apply Cabot Solid Acrylic Deck Stain with stain pads, nylon or polyester brushes, or professional spray equipment. If you decide to spray your stain on the decking surface, it is important to back-brush immediately.
Now that you know what is necessary for applying this decking stain, it’s time to review how to apply it and how easy it is to apply the stain.
It is best to apply this stain in small sections which is a maximum of three boards. Work end to end by starting at one edge of the wood boards. Try to avoid overlapping as this may lead to over-applying the stain.
In terms of how easy it is to apply Cabot Solid Color Deck Stain, it needs two coats to fully cover the area. In comparison to other deck stains, two coats are average. Leave a minimum of thirty minutes between coats, whilst this is time consuming, it will lead to better results.
Another important factor to consider when applying the Cabot Solid Color Acrylic Stain is the weather conditions. For the best results, applying the stain to your decking when it is dry is recommended. A few customers have reported that, after a rainstorm hit, the stain washed away since it had not dried properly.
Cabot Solid Acrylic Deck Stain Drying Time
This decking stain takes around four to six hours to completely dry, depending on the temperature and humidity. However, we recommend waiting at least 24 hours before moving furniture on the decking.
Some customers have reported that they waited 24 hours between coats and this led to no peeling of the product after a year.
It is also worth noting that during the drying time it is best to not touch or walk on the deck, especially when the product is sticky. If after 24 hours the decking is still sticky, allow another 24 hours for the product to fully dry.
Wear Test
After the first initial application, your decking should be evenly covered with no wood grain showing. If the instructions are followed closely, the decking stain should remain intact for a long period of time.
However, some customers have reported that after around two years, they saw a significant amount of wearing and peeling on the decking, with the wood grain becoming exposed.
With this in mind, there are many reasons this might have occurred ranging from improper preparation to the application of the product. Also, decking maintenance is considered a yearly task to ensure that your deck remains reliable and in good condition for many years.
On a more positive note, customers with older decking in warm weather conditions have reported no peeling problems.
Maintenance
As with any deck to help this product last around 5-10 years, maintenance is key. That is why it is recommended that you do a yearly assessment of your decking and reapply the product if needed.
Best Features
Now that we’ve reviewed how well Cabot Solid Color Acrylic Deck Stain works, it’s time to look at some of the best features of using this stain.
- Waterproof – Water is the natural enemy of wood! This stain is water-resistant, meaning that as long as the product has been applied correctly the threat of damage to your deck is removed.
- UV Protection – Sun exposure is also another enemy of decking as it can often discolor the wood. That’s why this product is extremely pigmented to protect against UV damage.
- Scuff Resistant – As long as you’re not wearing screws on the bottom of your shoes, this product is able to withstand scuffing.
- Colors – This product comes in a variety of colors, it was impossible to count them all!
Health & Safety
As with most products, it is vital that you keep this out of the reach of children. This product may cause skin and eye irritation. Use in a ventilated area to avoid breathing in the vapor.
If the product does come in contact with your eyes, flush with water for at least fifteen minutes and if you experience any further irritation seek professional medical help. If you swallow this product immediately drink two glasses of water and seek medical help.
Conclusion
Cabot Solid Color Acrylic Deck Stain is a good decking stain in terms of the range of colors, opacity, UV protection, and water-damage protection. As long as the stain is applied correctly following the guidelines – adapting to your specific country’s weather conditions – the product is able to last for many years.
That being said, if you decide to pick this product to stain your decking, always follow the procedures advised. I recommend doing a yearly evaluation of your decking once this product has been applied to increase the longevity of your decking.
Hopefully, this review has helped you overcome any decking stain issues you may have had!
