Before you apply wood stain determine the state of your wood | Cabot

[@tycox8704]

I’m tempted to seal my deck with marine varnish. I built a new screen door from scratch and used marine varnish for the finish. Rain bounces off the door like nothing else. I’ll bet the UV protection is superior too. Bet I won’t have to repeat the effort every year or two like traditional deck products require.

[@zeenath5830]

was very helpful thankyou so much. Cabot is my fav brand. I use it all the time.

[@slappy1965]

I have Cabot solid oil-based and haven't used it in a few years, so it is a bit thick. Can I add mineral spirits to thin it out a bit so it can be applied easily?

[@kirkwickizerart1078]

My rough sawn timbers have dark discolored streaks and strap stains. If I sand that off, those areas will no longer appear "rough sawn". What would you do?

[@Cabot]

Hi Kirk, Our customer support team can chat through the details of your project with you to get you the best recommendation. So that we may better assist you, please contact us directly Monday-Saturday from 8am-6pm EST at 1-800-US-STAIN or you can e-mail us at [e-mail]. Thank you!

[@judypa38]

What type of tool were you using for sanding, it look like a mop type shape - I can't fit a huge sander in my car, if what I saw in the video was the size and shape of a mop - I can do that. Last year I bought my home, and cleaned the deck with mold cleaner and stained with Cabot product, I liked the color. It is very hot in East Texas - I like dark brown and I think maybe the color is absorbing the suns heat - but the Cabot stain stopped the boards from bowing up and having to screw them back down. The wood is peeling in places now though. I think I need to sand - also I saw a video where a mop wash used to apply stain instead of brushing it on - is that okay too.

[@highfive9432]

a pole sander. usually used for drywall

[@russellmotter5022]

I think that was a pole sander. Same think used to sand sheetrock.

[@whatfreedom7]

Mine is 10 months old untreated and already greyed. Can I use the brightener if I have black metal on the handrails? I didn’t know if it would damage it but didn’t see anything on the label that did anything about it. I already purchased your semi solid stain protection but im just trying to get good results when I’m done.

[@Cabot]

Hi there, thank you for reaching out. To better assist you, please send us a DM with further details on your project. Thank you.

[@anonymhare2849]

@@Cabot In other words, you should not use it.

[@drumtum81]

OR just sand your wood down before trying any of these expensive toxic cleaners. A good sand can do wonders

[@russellmotter5022]

GameOfInches is it always necessary to sand down to bare wood. I don’t think so, but just wanted your opinion. That would take many days on some decks especially if you do the entire deck.

[@thehound1359]

Russell Motter it’s time consuming. Took me about 6 days to sand my whole deck

[@charlesbent8524]

I just resealed a deck with Cabot hybrid. I previously used Cabot Oil to coat it 2 years ago. The new stuff is crap. The old finish shined up great after a quick clean and brush with TSP. I felt bad about using that sh_t hybrid over the old oil. The customer wanted a new coating, and I am sorry that I could not get the good old fashioned Cabot oil.

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

I'm preping my deck now, and I have the Cabot semi-transparent oil base ( mineral spirits clean up) after I finish prep work. My question, the last time I applied a oil base stain, it's not peeling, can I apply the oil base stain over the previous coat after I prep it? Thanks, John

[@derricksweatt1592]

Yea

[@mervinvilla6976]

How stain a year old cedar fence ty

[@AtimatikArmy]

Too bad Cabot is not the same stuff anymore. Used to be an amazing product,.

[@AtimatikArmy]

I find that hard to believe, but maybe I'm wrong...

[@trespasser121]

Don't believe. Only time I use water based formula, I had to replace the wood 3 years later. horrible stuff, Would never use anything else than oil based formula. OR nothing at all - save that effort and cost and live with the natural look. They can claim whatever they want, unless they offer a real guarantee, it's useless.

[@AtimatikArmy]

+Morgan Baker I agree with you, sure, but you are missing the biggest point I think... IT IS THE OIL that is doing 98% of the protecting!!!

[@secretsecret179]

It's too labor-intensive to do all these preparations.

[@wessexmom]

If you apply the oil based solid stain, the results are worth every minute of prep! I live in an extremely humid climate and my cedar fence, stained Dark Gray, looks new after 12 years, with only 5 rotten boards and only where they were covered by mulch.