Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Wood Sealer is one of the best options on this list for superior protection against water damage. Why Trust Bob Vila After a month outdoors, the section treated with SmartGuard still repelled water, and while we could not see any surface film whatsoever, we did notice that the wood on the treated section still looked newer than the untreated section. This sealer protects without leaving a visible trace.

We recommend using the clear version, as it delivers a beautifully natural finish. The same can't quite be said about the teak colour, as it's a little orange. Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement. The sealer went on without any noticeable odor, and we applied two thin coats, the second 2 hours after the first. Then, we set the board aside for 24 hours to completely cure. The Olympic Stain + Sealant combo left a thin film on the board’s surface that imparted a slightly wet look even when dry. It repelled water, and while it suffered a few scratches from sand, they were minimal. After a month in the elements and cleaning with a brush and all-purpose cleaner, water still beaded up and ran off the treated section, and the wood beneath the sealer still looked new. The sealer started to soak in right away, and the manufacturer recommends just one or two coats, the second coat if a deeper color is desired. We gave the board two coats and then let it dry for 24 hours before continuing our tests. When sprayed with the hose, water beaded up on the sealed section of the board but soaked into the bare, untreated section. Although the color was slightly different where we applied Thompson’s WaterSeal, no other difference was visible—no surface sheen was apparent, and the wood grain was still prominent. Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Wood Sealer’s penetrating protection will provide a robust defense against the elements without changing the wood’s natural color or adding a sheen. This makes it well suited to exterior woods with desirable coloring such as cedar and redwood.

Decking Cleaners

Oil is also really durable and is easy to maintain – you just need to keep it clean and touch it up every now and then. It’s very resistant to dirt and water so doesn’t require much upkeep at all.' Doesn’t offer much protection from scratches; may not be ideal for those with pets or frequent parties A water-based, penetrating sealer will often slightly raise the wood grain, which can lead to a rough surface feel. This happens when the moisture in the sealer causes the wood grain to swell and push upward. When the wood dries, the grain remains slightly higher in spots.

When completely dry, we tested for water resistance by spraying the board with a hose. On the untreated section of the board, the water soaked in. On the section treated with Seal-Once, the water beaded up and ran off. Sheen: While water-based sealers rarely provide a finished sheen on the wood’s surface, oil-based sealers will often impart a slight sheen. After allowing the sealer to cure for 24 hours, we put it to the test. Water beaded up and ran right off, but the sealant offered hardly any protection from sand scratches. We considered the ability to dry rapidly as an asset if time is a factor. Within 1 hour of applying the second coat, the board was bone dry, and the sealer left no visible film on the surface.

Types of Wood Preservative

We positioned each test board outdoors to receive UV rays in a spot where it would be subject to the elements for a month. The temperature dipped below freezing at least 11 nights during the test phase. At the end of the month, we inspected each board for any signs of peeling and we tested again for water resistance. Although a water based product, brushes must be washed with white spirit due to the high content of hydrophobic oils and wax. Washing with water is not suitable. If wax builds up on the brush mid-application, wash with white spirit before continuing to will improve the ease of application. Water-based sealers: A coat of water-based sealer typically dries to the touch within 1 to 3 hours as long as the temperature is between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity is 50 percent or lower. Users can apply a second coat a few hours after the sealer is dry to the touch. Cure time (when the sealer has dried sufficiently for placing heavy furniture or walking) can be up to 24 hours. Cost: Oil-based sealers are usually less expensive than water-based products, which can cost twice as much per gallon. Cleanup: Oil-based sealers require paint thinner or a similar solvent to clean brushes and tools after application, whereas water-based sealers wash off easily with just soap and water.

After sprinkling on the sand and walking on it, we did notice scratches on the sealed section, but the scratches did not reveal fresh (unstained) wood beneath. This suggested to us that the sealer had penetrated deeper than just the surface of the wood. When we opened the can of Seal-Once Marine Premium Wood Sealer, the first thing we noticed was that something was missing. The smell! Sealers are notorious for emitting toxic odors, but this low-VOC sealer had virtually no smell at all. Oils often come in natural colours or clear, and enhance the natural appearance of your wood,' explains Jimmy Englezos, senior product manager at Sherwin-Williams.

How to use Decking Protector

This water-based formula won’t harm the surrounding lawn or outdoor plants. It’s odorless, low in VOCs, and nontoxic to people and pets. We didn’t detect even a slight odor during application. It stood up well after a month in the elements and a good scrubbing. It still shed water, and the wood beneath looked new and fresh, although the surface film that was so noticeable before seemed to have faded some. Finally, we left the board outdoors for a month of harsh sun rays, wind, rain, and even freezing nighttime temps. After which, we scrubbed the board clean with a nylon-bristle brush and an all-purpose household cleaner and let it dry. We then tested once more for water resistance, and the water again beaded up on the sealed section of the board. While we don’t know how this sealer would survive a harsh winter or a couple of summers, it held up well in our 1-month testing window. After a month in the sun, wind, and rain, we scrubbed the board with a brush and all-purpose cleaner, let it dry, and retested it for water resistance. The water beaded up once again. The unsealed section of the board had weathered some, but the part sealed with Varathane’s spar sealer was still bright and new looking. Shake / mix well before use and frequently during application (thorough mixing is needed to ensure a consistent colour throughout the treatment). H226 - Flammable liquid and vapourH304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness.H319 Causes serious eye irritation.H340 May cause genetic defects.H350 May cause cancer.H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

We brushed on a light coat of this spar urethane, and it went on smoothly and uniformly. It has strong fumes, so we opened a window and turned on a fan while working with the product. This sealer takes slightly longer to dry than some of the others we tested, and the manufacturer suggests a minimum of three coats, so we applied the subsequent coats 4 hours apart. We then waited a recommended 3 days after the final application before starting our tests. It’s designed to penetrate deep into the wood to replace the natural oils lost over time through weathering, and to offer deep-seated protection against splitting and drying, while the tinted oil brings out the colour in greyed wood for a fresh look. We will be happy to organise an exchange for the correct goods at no extra charge to yourself, please get in touch to organise this. Faulty Items Once a month in the sun and elements had gone by, we gave the board a good scrubbing. Thompson’s WaterSeal Transparent sealer continued to protect the wood from moisture, as the water beaded up and ran off.P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.P273 Avoid release to the environment.P243 Take precautionary measures against static discharge.P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.P301 + P310 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTRE/doctor/… This clear Thompson’s WaterSeal repelled water as well as the transparent product, and it seemed to withstand scratches even better. We couldn’t find any scratches on the sealed section of this test board, so we set it out to weather the elements for a month. Once the month was up and the board was scrubbed and dried, the clear sealer repelled water just as well as before, and the wood beneath the sealed section still looked fresh and new while the untreated area had weathered some. While some people may not mind the rougher texture, those who want a super-smooth finish can lightly sand the surface with 240-grit sandpaper before applying the second coat of sealer. Although water-based, the product contains a lot of oils and wax to give the best water-resistant protection. These are soluble in white spirit, rather than water alone, and so this must be used to remove residues from the brush.