A deck is a nice decoration for your home or maybe it is your working place. Regardless of the purpose, the deck should look nice. Giving your deck a new coat makes it look like new.
Here are the best deck stains for old wood you can buy in 2025:
- Best Overall: General Finishes Oil Base Gel Stain
- Best For Pressure-Treated Lumber: Ready Seal Cedar Exterior Stain
- Best For Softwoods: SaverSystems #1 Semi-Transparent Wood Stain
- Best For Mildew-Resistant Finish: KILZ Exterior Wood Stain
- Best For Color Fading Resistance: Thompson's Water Seal Stain
- Best For Hardwoods: DEFY 1 Gallon Semi-Transparent Deck Stain
| 6 Best Deck Stains For Old Wood | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | General Finishes Oil Base Gel Stain | |
Best For Pressure-Treated Lumber | Ready Seal Cedar Exterior Stain | |
Best For Softwoods | SaverSystems #1 Semi-Transparent Wood Stain | |
Best For Mildew-Resistant Finish | KILZ Exterior Wood Stain | |
Best For Color Fading Resistance | Thompson's Water Seal Stain | |
Best For Hardwoods | DEFY 1 Gallon Semi-Transparent Deck Stain | |
Best Overall: General Finishes Oil Base Gel Stain
- Lustrous finish; Comes in many color options
- Does not penetrate deeply into wood
- Works on aspen or pine surfaces
- No spills or splashes while applying
- Great longevity
- Nothing to complain
General Finishes Oil-Base Gel Stain is my pick for the best deck stain for old wood. It offers a lustrous finish to your wood with many color options, from white, prairie wheat to java and carbon gray. A big advantage of the stain is that it is heavy-bodied gel, so it does not penetrate deeply into the wood. That means the stain does not cause damage to your wood. Moreover, it dries quite slow, allowing it spreads evenly on the surface.
General Finishes Oil-Base Gel Stain is suitable for a wide range of surfaces, including aspen and pine decks. The stain does not spill or splash while you are applying - pretty easy to use. The stain remains its color and great-looking finish for years. There is nothing to complain about this stain.
| General Finishes Oil Base Gel Stain Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 1 Gallon/1 Half-Pint/1 Pint/1 Quart |
Material | Oil Based |
Coverage | |
Dry Time | At least 24 hours |
Highlight Features | Many color options; Heavy-bodied gel |
General Finishes Oil-Base Gel Stain offers a lustrous finish with many color options.
Best For Pressure-Treated Lumber: Ready Seal Cedar Exterior Stain
- Using sprayer, roller or brush
- Does not leave runs, laps, or streaks
- No sanding or stripping for re-application
- UV, water, mildew resistance
- Great longevity
- Looks not that great on older, grayed wood
Ready Seal Cedar Exterior Stain looks great on new, especially pressure-treated lumber. It looks not that great on older, grayed wood. However, this is still considered a pretty good choice, especially for its protective effects and easiness of application.
Ready Seal Cedar Exterior Stain is super easy to apply. You can a sprayer, a roller, or a brush to apply this 2-in-1 stain and sealer. It does not require any primer before applying. It also does not leave any run, lap, or streak. The stain is also super easy to maintain. You don’t have to sand or strip the surface before re-applying.
Ready Seal Cedar Exterior Stain is resistant to UV radiants, water, and mildew. It protects your wood for many years.
| Ready Seal Cedar Exterior Stain Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 1 Gallon/5 Gallon |
Material | Oil based |
Coverage | 125-185 sq. ft. per gallon |
Dry Time | 48 to 72 hours (45 minutes between coats) |
Highlight Features | 2-in-1 stain and sealant; No sanding or stripping for re-application; UV, water, mildew resistance |
Ready Seal Cedar Exterior Stain protects wood from UV rays, water, and mildew.
Best For Softwoods: SaverSystems #1 Semi-Transparent Wood Stain
- Prevents color fading and graying
- 2-in-1 stain and sealant
- 5 semi-transparent color options
- Easy to soap and water cleanup
- Works on damp wood
- Not for new oily wood
SaverSystems #1 Wood Stain is a water-based stain (acrylic), so you can apply it on damp wood without any concern. When the deck is visibly dry, then it is ready to be stained. The stain is both stain and sealant, so you don’t have a primer before applying the stain. It resists fading, graying, and peeling. You’ll have 5 options of beautiful semi-transparent colors - cedar, dark walnut, driftwood gray, light walnut, natural.
SaverSystems #1 Wood Stain is not for new oily wood as it is quite hard for the stain to penetrate into this type of wood. Although this is a big drawback, the stain is perfectly okay for old woods or softwoods. Besides, the stain is VOC compliant for environmental protection and durability. The stain allows soap and water cleanup.
| SaverSystems #1 Semi-Transparent Wood Stain Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 1 Gallon/2.5 Gallon |
Material | Water based (acrylic) |
Coverage | 100 sq. ft. per gallon |
Dry Time | When the Deck is Visibly Dry |
Highlight Features | VOC compliant; 2-in-1 stain and sealant; Resists fading, graying, and peeling |
SaverSystems #1 Wood Stain is a 2-in-1 stain and sealant, for old woods and softwoods.
Best For Mildew-Resistant Finish: KILZ Exterior Wood Stain
- Large coverage
- Water-proof & Mildew-resistant
- Rain, snow and sun protection
- 3-year warranty on decks
- 5-year warranty on fences and siding
- Quite thin
KILZ Exterior Wood Stain has a super large coverage. One gallon of the stain can cover up to 250 sq. ft. for the first coat, and up to 500 sq. ft. for the second coat. However, the coat is quite thin. It is recommended to apply at least two coats.
The main advantage of KILZ Exterior Wood Stain is its superior protection. It protects woods from rain, snow, and sun, as well as mildew. You are backed with a 3-year warranty on decks and a 5-year warranty on fences and siding. You can purchase this stain with 100% confidence.
| KILZ Exterior Wood Stain Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 1 Gallon |
Material | Water based (acrylic) |
Coverage | 250 - 500 sq. ft. per gallon |
Dry Time | At least 24 hours before coating |
Highlight Features | Water-proof & Mildew-resistant; Rain, snow and sun protection |
KILZ Exterior Wood Stain is backed up with a 3-year warranty on decks.
Best For Color Fading Resistance: Thompson's Water Seal Stain
- Beautiful solid color
- Resists Mildew, UV, and water damage
- Fade-resistant color
- Works on damp or dry wood
- Apply easily on vertical surfaces
- Does not work well with a sprayer
Thompson's Water Seal Stain looks beautiful with solid colors. It protects your deck from mildew, UV, and water damage. It also keeps the colors fresh for years. A high-quality 2-in-1 sealant and stain, which is water-based. You can apply the stain on dry or damp woods, it’ll be okay. Moreover, it also works on a surface that has been previously painted with an oil-based stain without any sanding or stripping required.
Moreover, Thompson's Water Seal Stain is pretty easy to apply. The coats are thick. And it’s easy to apply it on vertical surfaces or corners with a brush. However, the stain does not work well with a pump sprayer - it’ll gum up the sprayer.
| Thompson's Water Seal Stain Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 1 Gallon |
Material | Water based (acrylic) |
Coverage | |
Dry Time | Freshly Cleaned Damp or Dry Wood |
Highlight Features | 2-in-1 stain and sealant; Mildew, UV, and water resistant; Fade-resistant color |
Thompson's Water Seal Stain looks beautiful with solid colors, it’s also easy to apply.
Best For Hardwoods: DEFY 1 Gallon Semi-Transparent Deck Stain
- Special formulation for hardwoods
- High-quality resins
- Resists flaking and peeling
- Easy to apply and easy to maintain
- Eco-friendly & Super durable
- Need to be recoated after two years
DEFY Semi-Transparent Deck Stain contains smaller resin particles for better penetration. So the stain is suitable for hardwoods like smooth cedar, mahogany, redwood, etc., all types of hard-to-penetrate woods. The resin used in the stain is of great quality, which provides better resistance to fading and darkening.
DEFY Semi-Transparent Deck Stain reduces water penetration up to 90%, protects the wood from UV rays, as well as resists surface buildup and peeling. Moreover, the stain is pretty easy to apply and easy to maintain. It is eco-friendly and super durable.
Despite being a water-based stain, DEFY Semi-Transparent Deck Stain requires that the wood must be completely dry before applying. Also, you’ll have to maintain the coat every two years.
| DEFY 1 Gallon Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 1 Gallon/5 Gallon |
Material | Water based (acrylic) |
Coverage | 150-300 sq. ft. per gallon |
Dry Time | Completely dry |
Highlight Features | For hardwoods; UV and water resistant; Resists flaking and peeling; Eco-friendly - VOC compliant |
DEFY Semi-Transparent Deck Stain contains smaller resin particles for better penetration.
How To Choose The Best Deck Stain For Old Wood?
First, you need to know the differences between oil-based stains and water-based stains (or acrylics). Water-based stains can be applied on damp woods; the stains also dry quickly. This type of stains penetrates easily into wood, so it would be a good choice for hardwoods and hard-to-penetrate wood. Oil-based stains must be applied on completely woods; the stains take a lot of time to dry. This type of stains do not penetrate too deeply into wood, so it maintains a more even finish. Oil-based stains also require far less maintenance.
You also should know the differences between types of woods. The more dense the wood is, the harder for the stains to penetrate - you may need a water-based stain. The less dense the wood is (especially old wood), the easier for the stains to penetrate - you may need an oil-based stain.
Other properties of a good stain are UV protection, waterproofing (prevents water from penetration into the wood), mildew-resistance, flaking and peeling resistance, non-fading color, etc. Some stains are VOC compliant that is environment-friendly.
You should also pay attention to the recommended dry time of the stain, which is the time you should wait for the wood to be completely dry before applying the stain. This helps the stain adhere better to the wood and last longer.
Which Brands Make The Best Deck Stain For Old Wood?
General Finishes
General Finishes is one of the leading manufacturers of water-based finishes in the US. It was founded in 1928; Up to now, the brand has been nearly 100 years old. It has built its worldwide reputation on high-quality wood stains and paints. Their deck stains are well-known for their lustrous finish, many color options, and great longevity. If you are looking for some quality wood stain for old wood, General Finishes is the to-go brand.
Ready Seal
Ready Seal specializes in making stains for wood. Their stains are well-known for fast and easy application without sacrificing durability or a lustrous look. They make 2-in-1 stain and sealant that do not require any primer before applying. Moreover, Ready Seal is trying its best to make its stains eco-friendly. This is a brand that worths your consideration.
Saver Systems
SaverSystems is a manufacturer located in Indiana. It has been making stains, water repellents for wood products for more than 40 years. SaverSystems is well-known for its stain line for softwoods. Besides, their price is also quite reasonable as they manufacture the stains on their own.
FAQs
Which deck stain lasts the longest?
It’s pretty difficult to conclude which deck stain lasts the longest. However, I would say that oil-based stains last longer than water-based stains. The six stains I reviewed above are relatively durable, you can consult the list.
Can you stain old weathered wood?
Yes. But first, you have to wash it carefully, then sanding it. And after that, you can apply a new stain.
How much stain should I purchase?
Water-based stains cover a larger area per gallon than oil-based stains. Some stains cover up to 250 sq. ft. per gallon for the first coat, and up to 500 sq. ft. per gallon for the second coat. Some stains only cover 100 sq. ft. per gallon. The coverage information is written on the package. You should read this number before purchasing the stain.
How do you treat an old wood deck?
First, you need to give it a good wash with some good cleaners. Before applying stain, you need to sand its surfaces.
Can I stain old pressure treated wood?
Yes. Wash and sand it nicely first. Then, use a stain for hardwoods, such as Ready Seal Cedar Exterior Stain I reviewed above.
Conclusion
Above is my full review of the best deck stain for old wood. I hope this article will help you to choose the best stain for your deck.
