The Differences Between Sealers, Stains, and Paints 

@@angelagonzales6774 thank you and glad if it helped.

Thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed the video!

The stripper is at 16:53 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_aC6SD-mORQ.html

Great question! On an elevated deck it is best to just keep it clean with no coating. However, with today’s focus on outdoor living space this may not be an option. Many homeowners are adding paver patios, stamped concrete patios, and more types of living space under their decks. Some folks are adding a roofing system under the decks as well. So, if you are going to coat the underside for appearance, the best option is a sealer, next would be a semi-transparent. Be careful of solids and semi-solids that will chip and peel. The underside is much more time consuming labor wise. Also, if spraying you must be very careful spraying upward between planks. Sealers and semi-transparent will be easier to maintain and re-coat in the future.

If it didn’t it would be a paint. The difference between a solid stain and a paint is the characteristic of permeability. There is another video on this topic.

I hope you found a good wood sealer. Valspar has a waterproof wood sealer. You can find it at Lowe’s or Home Depot.

Sealers and stains absolutely extend the life of the wood. I have seen decks left unprotected warp, cup, excessively crack and more in 7-12 years. A well maintained deck should last over 20 years. Wood does discolor and lose its original luster, just like most things. It is just addressed by adjusting the tint or stain used over time.

Thank you!

Full disclosure, I have my own product line that includes transparent stains. When we do not use our stain we use Messmer’s. www.deckandwoodstain.com

You could certainly do that, in that order. Semi-solids will probably peel. Drain oil and used oil have been used for many, many years to preserve and protect wood from log cabins to farm wagons and everything in between.

@@wizardofwood Thank you for your reply. Do you have a better suggestion than a semi-solid? Peeling doesn't sound A-peeling.

It should be yes. If you use a primer I like Benjamin Moore’s 046. I would use solid stain for the mural over paint. More “breathable” as a coating. On a vertical surface you should not have a problem.

Thanks so much for answering. To be sure I got it right: Stain as a base layer for breathability and then paint the mural?@@wizardofwood

Most the time the answer is no. Stains and sealers once dried will repel themselves. That is why wet-on-wet coats are ideal.

@@DRPEnterprises Thank you for your reply I sure appreciate it!! take care now

There is no perfect product or we would all be using it. Different circumstances influence product selection. When you use paint or a solid stain on a horizontal wood surface that is constantly moving (expanding and contracting) it will “pop” the coating and you get peeling. This is just a characteristic of these products. Sealers, transparents, and many semi-transparents tend to wear away and not peel. These are much easier to maintain in the future.

Video is not so about longevity and depends on type of coating and also the manufacturer.