[DeeEyeWhy]

Hi All,

I powerwashed my deck stairs, sanded them and am ready to stain and seal them, but from the videos I watched it seems right to use Wood conditioner before applying the stain and sealer.

My stain/sealer is a water based stain so I went out and bought the minwax water based wood conditioner but when I got home I saw that it says directions for interior use only. Call me thick but does this mean it shouldnt be applied to exterior wood or that the directions are only for interior use?

Thanks

 

[cocomonkeynuts]

Generally don't recommend any kind of varnish for exterior horizontal surfaces. prime and solid body stain/enamel or Penetrating stain like sikkens SRD, Flood CWS, Benjaminmoore oil based arborcoat.. etc.



If you must stain and varnish, then I like daly's benite as an interior/exterior conditioner.

 

[DeeEyeWhy]

Generally don't recommend any kind of varnish for exterior horizontal surfaces. prime and solid body stain/enamel or Penetrating stain like sikkens SRD, Flood CWS, Benjaminmoore oil based arborcoat.. etc.



If you must stain and varnish, then I like daly's benite as an interior/exterior conditioner.

Thanks. I will just use the stain and sealer for now and not use the wood conditioner. I have the stain/sealer in one. These stairs are old and will probably need to be replaced in a few years, I just wanted to give it a decent look for now.

Thanks

 

[mark sr]

Are you mistaking wood conditioner with a wood brightener?
Quality deck stains don't need an additional sealer.

 

[stick\shift]

Wood conditioner serves an entirely different purpose which does not apply to decks. Skip it.

 

[cocomonkeynuts]

Wood conditioner serves an entirely different purpose which does not apply to decks. Skip it.

Just because no one goes through the trouble to prep their decks properly does not mean conditioners can't be used. In fact sealing all sides with benite under a acrylic solid stain will add years to the woods service life.