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Thinking of Behr Premium Plus deck/fence stain - good?

230K views 77 replies 40 participants last post by  beenthere 
#1 ·
I have a pressure-treated wood deck that I want to protect. The deck was put up last summer so it's still under a year old and no boards have turned gray yet - all are still looking nice and golden.

Home Depot has their Behr Premium Plus stains on sale this week and I was thinking that since they are on sale, and it's their top-end line (I know, Behr isn't a premium product...), that it wouldn't be too bad. It's warrantied for 4 years on decks, 6 years on fences, so it cannot be too bad, can it?

Also, I'm thinking I want to go with a transparent stain to give protection without changing the color of the deck, since I'm not sure I want to stain my entire fence to match the deck (way too much work for one year, LOL!). Do transparent stains/protectors like this work, or would a semi-transparent be required to get decent UV protection?

Lastly, I have an 8x8 shed in one corner of my lot, butted up against the fence. I really don't want to take the shed down to stain that area of fence (it's a real pain to get down, and especially back up). Since the boards facing the shed are basically in perpetual darkness, is stain necessary? Aside from the obvious moisture that the boards are exposed to in that darkness, should I be worried about them? I mean it is only 16' of fence so if later I remove the shed, the boards wouldn't cost much to replace.

Comments/suggestions appreciated - this is an AWESOME forum and I've always got great advice from people here. Thanks for that.

Eric
 
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#30 ·
coffin said:
What is a good quality stain for cedar siding and deck stain? Ill be stripping it all off this summer and redoing with something better for sure.
Sikkens is excellent
Also BM and Sherwin Williams have good products
Cabot's Pro-VT (solid stain) is great for siding, though I haven't used their solid stain for decks since discovering Sikkens
I've also had issues with the new Cabot (EPA mandated lower VOC) reformulated semi's (semi-transparent/solid) on siding last year
I probably won't "spec it" (use on customer's homes) at all this season
 
#34 ·
well can tell you im done. Ive used behr the last 2 times ive done my deck. Its crap. Not even 1 year later....it is peeling nad completely worn through in other areas. im just looking fora good alternative now. Im slated to do my house (cedar siding) and deck this year again and i want it to last this time.
 
#36 ·
Not saying Behr is good, but I think just about any stain, oil based or not, is going suffer in direct sun. I live in central Texas. The sun is pretty brutal here and it rains a lot. I have a 20x60 covered cedar deck on the 2nd floor with stairs and big landing exposed to the sun. The whole thing was stained about 14 months ago with Sherwin. Like someone else on here said, I was bummed that the semi-transparent went on way more solid than I expected, but what's done is done. All the shaded areas of the 2nd floor deck still look great. Anyplace that gets direct sun is peeling like crazy. The stain on the stairs and landing is almost completely gone. I'm halfway convinced this is life with wood and stain, especially in a climate like TX, no matter what you use. I'm tempted to go composite, and I would were it not for the initial expense. I'll probably stain for another year or two and then bite the bullet and go composite.

Now, one thing I will say about Sherwin is that after it was finished the water beaded on top of it for months. I just refinished some wood stairs on the side of my house. I used the semi-tranparent Behr Premium, just to experiment. I liked the finish look a lot better than the Sherwin. The woodgrain shows through a lot better and being water based, it was easier to apply. It rained a couple days after I stained the stairs. It's going to be interesting to see how long the Behr lasts because the water appeared to just puddle, and maybe even soak into the newly stained wood!
 
#39 ·
Even if your deck appears to be in good shape you still should clean it with a good deck wash and not bleach, then use a deck brightner, sand anything that needs it, hammer in any loose nails, screw down any loose screws and apply a coat of cabot semi solid oil base stain, that's just how I would do it
 
#41 ·
I would not use Behr again!

I have a pressure-treated wood deck that I want to protect. The deck was put up last summer so it's still under a year old and no boards have turned gray yet - all are still looking nice and golden.

Home Depot has their Behr Premium Plus stains on sale this week and I was thinking that since they are on sale, and it's their top-end line (I know, Behr isn't a premium product...), that it wouldn't be too bad. It's warrantied for 4 years on decks, 6 years on fences, so it cannot be too bad, can it?

Also, I'm thinking I want to go with a transparent stain to give protection without changing the color of the deck, since I'm not sure I want to stain my entire fence to match the deck (way too much work for one year, LOL!). Do transparent stains/protectors like this work, or would a semi-transparent be required to get decent UV protection?

Lastly, I have an 8x8 shed in one corner of my lot, butted up against the fence. I really don't want to take the shed down to stain that area of fence (it's a real pain to get down, and especially back up). Since the boards facing the shed are basically in perpetual darkness, is stain necessary? Aside from the obvious moisture that the boards are exposed to in that darkness, should I be worried about them? I mean it is only 16' of fence so if later I remove the shed, the boards wouldn't cost much to replace.

Comments/suggestions appreciated - this is an AWESOME forum and I've always got great advice from people here. Thanks for that.

Eric

This was my second time to use Behr Premium. The first time was excellent and I used the natural color. We went back to Home Depot and bought 2, 5 gallon containers and had HD shake it. When we got it home it was like pudding. We took it back and got 2 more. Needless to say the natural color I bought was more like the cedar color. Behr has a problem in our area. I needed another 5 gallons and went back. The HD salesmen told me that the Behr representative was rude and telling him he did something to the stain. There was no way that the HD salesmen could have changed the color. Behr has a defective product and I will not use it again. I should have use something else and will in the future.
 
#42 ·
This was my second time to use Behr Premium. The first time was excellent and I used the natural color. We went back to Home Depot and bought 2, 5 gallon containers of the natural and had HD shake it. When we got it home it was like pudding. We took it back and bought 2 more natural color. Needless to say the natural color I bought was more like the cedar color. Behr has a problem in our area. I needed another 5 gallons and went back. The HD salesmen told me that the Behr representative was rude and telling him he did something to the stain. There was no way that the HD salesmen could have changed the color. On top of that after applying it rained about a week after and it spotted. We prepped and applied as directed. Behr has a defective product and I will not use it again. I should have use something else and will in the future.
 
#43 ·
Omg!!

:mad:Behr Permium Solid stain, 10 year deck warranty, on cedar deck in 09. I'll make the search easy for others who got sucked into this mess; sucks, do not buy, peels, peeling, cedar color is actually the "great pumpkin" orange, I mean really orange, add black and now it's chocolate, bad, lawsuit!

I bought the 5 gallon bucket of 0516 solid base in June 2009. Had it mixed as "Cedar". Painted 400 sqft of horizontal deck plus 12ft. of treads...and a lot of linear feet of rails etc... Stood back and looked at it when it dried and it was... friggin bright pumpkin orange! Denial to anger to depression. I returned to the store with the remaining gallons and the HD paint dude squirted some black in it...shook it up...and it was friggin chocolate! Went home..spent another 5 days repainting. First and second year had some peeling on horizontal surfaces. Deck was cleaned each time and touched up. This year I reluctantly decided to attempt to finally get this right and bought 2 gallons of behr acrylic stripper No# 64. Applied to the shaded side of the deck and kept damp fo an hour. Minimal results...I mean minimal! I"m at the "OMG" stage. Maybe 10 more gallons of this $20 stripper and a 100 hours. There has to be a couple thousand of us tha can get together and get our money back?? Call Behr?...that's what the HD dude said. I don't know. Do not apply in the sunlight? Work at night? Burn it?:mad:
 
#44 ·
I think it's fairly easy to determine several things:

1. Operator Error is responsible for a LOT of the "paint" problems people face. You can't paint/stain wet wood. Seriously... How many people have painted/stained their deck 2-3 days after power-washing it, then screamed up a storm when the stuff didn't adhere?

2. Decks are a tough application. Maybe the worst. It takes a heckuva product, and latex just isn't it.

3. Regarding Behr products... Inconsistency seems to be their main problem - both the product and the retail outlets.
 
#46 · (Edited)
Ok, we all know Behr is not reliable right now. Then another more important question is which other stains are better, or best? Anyway, we need to stain our deck, and just knowing Behr is not gonna work is not enough.

Any good experience with other brands and lines?
Someone recommended Cabot semi-transparent oil based stain. What about their colored oil based stain?
I know oil based dominates latex based for sure.
I am making a comparison between semi and colored with respect to their durability.
As to the brand, what about Olympic? Any suggestions?
 
#48 ·
My deck also peeled within a few months. A Behr representative told me to purchase all new products...4 gallons of Premium redwood finish, stripper 64 etc. and mail in the receipts. They will reimburse me. What I didn't take into account was the time it takes to strip off the old material. So far I've spent 16 hours and figure about 4 more will have the deck ready for finishing.
 
#49 ·
I am starting to think that Behr paint is a 'loss-leader'. They don't mind that the product doesn't work because most of the people won't call the rep and have them refund their purchases. So in spite of this largesse, they're still ahead of the game. What's up with that strategy?

If I were you I'd ask for s store refund, where you get the equivalent $ back for your original purchase, then buy a better product elsewhere? So, what? does he think you're going to be duped twice?
 
#53 ·
I wouldn't lose sleep worrying HD is losing any money on Behr paint. I suspect everthing in the store has to hold a 40 percent or better margin. Packaging paint, when you think about it, costs nothing. Toss some color in the can, close the lid and shake it. Help the customer load five gallons and $300 worth toy sprayer, $40 worth of brushes (most likely the wrong ones), a pack of plastic tray liners for $8, etc. in the trunk of a Honda and you are doing just fine, thank you very much.

I do think asking for a refund would be the way to go. You should probably save the empties as proof though. If nothing else you can make some noise with them as you march up to the counter and stack them up for all to see as fails. It's never come up but I know a paint store would refund the money no questions asked and not force you into the same crappy product. You would probably get a nice letter within days expressing concern over the experience you had with a company product. Watch your mailbox for such a letter from a box store.
 
#51 ·
Same scenario here... stained with Behr's premium last year, sanded it off today. Waste of time and money! :furious:

Behr also offered us the same deal: send in last years receipts, with this years receipts, and they will reimburse for this years products. I might buy the stuff, send in the receipts, then return the product. I'm not wasting anymore of my time with Behr products!
 
#55 ·
Behr works excellent for me

I just completed staining my pine log sided home and deck with the new Behr premium stain, in the natural clear. The old Behr premium stain on the house was 7 years old, and the deck stain was 3 years old. I was totally satisfied with the quality and life of the stain and it's appearance, right down to the end of it's life. I even received compliments on my home's appearance. People here take pride in their log homes. I live in Colorado, and we get about 325 sunny days a year, and a lot of snow all winter long. All I did is lightly hand sand any loose old stain, which comes off very easy, sweep it away, and start staining. By the way, I had no black stains at all. My results have been great.

Although the instructions say that two coats is the best, I have found that one heavy coat works as well, I got 7 years siding, and 3 years deck.

I am at a loss to understand all the problems people have had with this product. Maybe the company is inconsistent in their manufacturing standards, but my experience is totally positive.

I have looked up reviews on all the other major stain manufacturers, and they seem to have all the same problems and complaints as Behr. I am thinking that most of these problems are due to the most important part of any staining project; proper surface preparation.
 
#56 ·
I've said it before, will say it again, and will continue to say it.

All this Behr Bashing is a bunch of he-man bandwagon macho BS.


Grow up, boys! As with all other paints and stains, 75% of all problems have to do with surface preparation and/or application.

- How many times have we read that somebody POWER-WASHED their deck, then stained it the next day? They then come on here and complain about how it only last one year. And - without exception - if they used a Behr product, all the he-man macho wannabes come out screaming about how "Behr is crap!!!!" How can we be so stupid? Somebody tries to stain wet wood, and the failure is the fault of the product?

- Or a guy uses LATEX stain/sealer on his deck, and it doesn't work. Same old mantra: "BEHR SUCKS!!!"

- We read about how somebody has runs, drips and sags after painting an interior wall. And again, if he used Behr paint, the he-men come out screaming, "Behr is crap!!!" Are we really that stupid? Has it not occurred to anybody that maybe - just maybe - the guy glopped the paint on too thick and/or the wall was cold, because it was the middle of the winter?

- A guy complains about how his Behr Paint is peeling, after only one year. Yet again, the macho-men all jump in screaming, "BEHR IS CRAP!!!" but don't bother to mention that the guy painted over gloss paint, without first sanding and/or using a primer.


Without question, Behr is NOT a top-end paint. It's a mid-range paint. Not the worst, and certainly not the best. Nobody is being forced to buy it, but there actually are people who will choose a $20 gallon of Behr Paint over a $60 gallon of BM Paint, and will have an excellent finished product.


So... For the sake of this actually being a HELPFUL site for DIY folks, let's wise up. Let's address the real problems with paint & stain. And let's have the balls to admit that the overwhelming majority of paint & stain problems have to do with surface preparation and/or application, NOT the brand of paint or stain somebody uses.
 
#57 ·
Nothing to do with being macho; I wonder why do you bring gender into it...says something.

For every case of poor prep, there are more examples of poor paint.:yes:
 
#58 ·
Nothing to do with being macho; I wonder why do you bring gender into it...says something.
:yes:
For every case of poor prep, there are more examples of poor paint.
Wrong. The overwhelming majority of poor paint jobs have their root in poor preparation and application. Anybody who has done any amount of painting knows it, from both experience and observation.

And thank you for proving, again, my point about the whole macho chest-beating problem.


Now... Maybe - just maybe - the members of this forum should focus on being HELPFUL, rather than on trying to be cool.
 
#59 ·
Wrong again. Put it this way: in those cases where poor prep was perhaps a reason for a paint failure, a good quality paint would have saved the day. But the shear number of people who complain about Behr paint is evidence enough to think that in those same cases of poor to marginal prep jobs, a better paint would have given better results.

And by suggesting that they avail themselves of a better quality paint, we are being helpful.

O-for-two; want to try for strike three? Go ahead and make it a real good day!
 
#60 · (Edited)
Wrong again. Put it this way: 1.) in those cases where poor prep was perhaps a reason for a paint failure, a good quality paint would have saved the day. But the shear number of people who complain about Behr paint is evidence enough to think that 2.) in those same cases of poor to marginal prep jobs, a better paint would have given better results.

3.) And by suggesting that they avail themselves of a better quality paint, we are being helpful.

4.) O-for-two; want to try for strike three? Go ahead and make it a real good day!
1.) Absolute BS. A complete lie. $60 per gallon latex stain will not soak in adhere to adhere to a wet deck, regardless of whether or not you worship the brand name. IF you are professional and IF you do that kind of crappy work, you will either go back and do the job right or you'll be sued. Period.

2.) Again, total BS. Anybody knows that if you don't scrape and prep a surface, even the best paint is not going to provide satisfactory results. The only result is that you will have paid even more money for crappy results.

3.) You are not "suggesting they avail themselves of a better quality paint." You are brainlessly bashing one particular brand of paint, while NOT giving any helpful advice. Again, it does NO GOOD to waste $60 per gallon on overpriced paint, if the prep and application is no good.

4.) It has already been a stellar day. You've taken the bait, and exposed yourself as the epitome of the problem here. No good advice, or bad advice, all for the sake of stroking your ego while bashing one particular brand of paint.


Want to be an asset to this forum, rather than a continuing detriment? Help people with prep and application. Give some helpful advice - something more than "Buy the brand of paint I worship, or you're an idiot."
 
#61 ·
Sansin

Dude...relax...will Behr pay you workers comp if you have a heart attack...geez..

I have stained a few decks in my past, a pressure treated deck that I had to redo every year...

The deck that i just finished staining with a 5L pail of Sansin (3 coats) is about 20X20. Painted REZ Midew Stain Remover (Canadian Fire), let it sit 15-20 mins (without letting it dry) and pressured washed it off. I looked fantastic, like I had taken off a thin layer....

Anyway, I did alittle sanding, the pressure washer does not leave a completely smooth finish, and used half the pail on the first coat. It came out with a nice orange coat. Second coat, was better colour. I had just finished the deck and it rained 6 hours later that night. It held up well except for a part of the deck that is underneath a pine tree, it washed right down to the wood in one spot.


Third coat, using the rest of the pail, came out fantastic, It was applied on a saturday, and not humid or hot, a little breeze, very nice day, It dried on Sunday, and the rain started today, and it rained for 14 hours....

I tried to check it in the dark, I think it cured, I used a rag to try and wipe some off, and it did not come off...

Before it was wet it was almost like a shiny orange colour, after the rain it has turned into a solid beige brown colour.


Be interesting to see what it looks like after it dries.

BTW- I did buy 'some colour your world' brand previously, and I believe the problem that it started peeling in the spring was because I did not *clean* the deck properly. The cheap cleaners don't work, stripping a layer of wood off does...if you seal without cleaning, you seal in the dirt.
 
#62 ·
Dude...relax...will Behr pay you workers comp if you have a heart attack...geez..

I have stained a few decks in my past, a pressure treated deck that I had to redo every year...
Dude... Is our resident Sherwin-Williams salesman going to come redo the OP's deck, after his absolutely abysmal advice is taken, and the guy applies expensive stain on a wet deck? Stupid advice is stupid advice, and advising somebody to apply expensive stain on a deck he pressure-washed the day before is stupid advice, regardless of what product a guy is pushing

Geez...
 
#63 ·
I just read through this entire thread because I have two decks to stain and saw that HD carries Behr. I was looking for reviews on Behr stains and found this thread/site. After having read everything, I know I don't want to use Behr.

I haven't done any exterior painting so this is all new to me. I'm a 49 year old single woman and I'm not a contractor, etc. I live in a duplex condo. I've been here 5+ years and never touched the decks. (I don't like it here and have not planned to stay but the economy, unfortunately, has altered that plan a bit). Less than 2 years ago(maybe closer to 1 year or so, ago) my duplex neighbor had her decks "professionally" done. (I put that in quotes because the outfit she hired weren't very professional, but that's another story). They used Sherwin Williams Woodscapes acrylic solid color stain. She has since moved out and I just took a look at the decks. The stain is peeling off much of the railings and there's bright green mold growing in many places all over the deck. She does live on the north side and it's shaded, to boot. We have a lot of trouble w/ mold (inside and out) on this treed lot.

Anyway. SW is supposed to be good. So why is that stain peeling/moldy already? Could they have put on too thin of a coat? (My guess is they did). I was thinking I might get this brand for my decks but now I'm not so sure.

My decks are small, back one is 8'x11', with 40" high railings all around. Front is 4'x11' with 12 stairs and similiar railings. I do not want to spend a lot of money on this job but I don't want to use cheap junk either. How much stain will I need for these 2 decks?

It's Oct. here in New England now. Is it too late to do this? I procrastinated, I admit. I didn't want the decks to deal w/ another harsh winter w/out a new coat of stain. If this is a bad time tostart this job, when is a good time? Spring? Summer?

I read the comments about not waiting long enough after washing, to stain. How long do you have to wait? How many days of no rain must there be after washing before you can stain?
As you've probably figured out, my decks are already stained (with dark brown plasticky stuff, I assume the acrylic (or latex?) stain such as was recently put on next door). What's on it is what was on it when I moved in. I have a lot of green mold due to shade. I read about using oxygen bleach to clean that off. I was hoping I could do that and stain a few days later. No? How long then?

Please recommend good but not expensive brands and where they can be bought. I'm not going to drive all over creation looking for a "specialty" brand of stain for this condo I don't even like.

And before you start in on it--NO the condo association is not going to do this job or pay for this job. It is the owners' responsibillty to care for the decks. (It's a very small association, only 6 units total, and we simply don't have the funds.)

Sorry so verbose. Thanks for the help.
 
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