Wood and Deck Restoration

Tips for Finding the Best Stain for a Wood Dock

Though newer plastic and synthetic decking is common for docks and piers, wood dock's are still widely used. Wood is a very durable and sound material used for decking. It makes for a useful and beautiful wood dock and if maintained correctly can last many years.

Cleaning a wood dock is the same as cleaning any exterior wood surface. This is an important step that should be done properly prior to staining. Proper wood prep is the key to a lasting stain finish.

The best stain for a wood dock is going to be any wood stain that penetrates well. Form filming wood stains or paints that remain on the wood's surface should be avoided at all costs. These form filming stains are prone to peeling and flaking and with the moisture that is present around a wood dock, it is a bad combination.

Besides a stain for a wood dock that penetrates well, find one that is also resistant to mold and mildew. Again, because of the high moisture, mold and mildew are almost unavoidable. Wood dock stains that resist these natural contaminants are highly recommended as mold and mildew can cause wood rot and decay.

Another benefit to look for when choosing the best stain for a wood dock is one that can handle full sunlight. Most docks and piers are subjected to full sun which makes fading and wood graying very likely. Use a wood dock stain that has excellent UV protection.

Wood dock stains that penetrate well, resist mold/mildew, and have outstanding UV protection are stains like Defy Marine Stain or TWP (Total Wood Preservative). There are other wood dock stains out there but these are two good examples of wood dock stains that have all the necessary attributes for maximum and lasting protection in a harsh environment.

 

If you have any questions as to which stain is best for your dock, please ask below.

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    Jody Balsamo · 07/16/2023
    I have a kiln dried cedar dock that was built in 8/21.  I stained it with Arborcoat after building and the stain peeled off almost immediately.  I restained last summer and it peeled off again.  This year I sanded it all off and am wondering what stain/sealer to apply?  I can’t be doing this every year.  Thank you for your assistance.
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    James E. Steele · 07/23/2022
    Land O Lakes, FL. Lake Joyce, Small lake but with all the weather of the Tampa Area. Original and Previous stain was "Flood" brand by Sherwin Williams, Lasted about 4 years, but recoats only lasted one year before they burned off by the sun and rain.  So I need to properly prep and recoat . Any recommendations would be appreciated.  
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    Jg · 04/28/2022
    Can you recommend a cleaner and brightener for a hemlock dock to prep for restraining.  Dock has been sanded. There had been a few areas quite darkened with mould. Sanding had helped a LOT but a few small patches need furthe cleaning. Looking for a stain recommendation too.   There is still a bit of remaining stain post sanding (oil based, deliberately a light blue-grey semitransparent. So would have to continue in that or a darker tone and be oil based)   Thanks for any recommendations! 
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      The Sealer Store · 04/28/2022
      You need to strip off the previous stain. Can you post some pics for prep help?
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    Cheryl · 03/05/2022
    I used a stain for a treated wood dock ( 3 years old)on a river and I would like to use a higher quality stain. The wood has turned black and I used a clear stain. Please advise me on what I can do to bring the wood back to a natural color and what stain should I use?
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      The Sealer Store · 03/06/2022
      We would need you to add some pictures for prep help. 
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    Debbie · 09/24/2021
    I have a 8x10 deck with 22 stairs 5Ft wide with railings directly to beach on Chesapeake Bay. Built May 2021 with pressure treated lumber. Looking at TWP 1500. How do I prep? Stairway is over riprap, Do I need to treat and stain the underside? How many coats are required? How much do I order?How do I get samples? Thx Debbie 
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    Lesli877 · 05/11/2021
    I have a 7 year old cedar planked shorestation pier. I waited about 2 years too long to notice it needed maintenance...as splinters were my first clue. Power washed and sanded like crazy during 2020 lockdown, and applied Cabot Wood Toned Deck and Siding Stain last July. Happy with initial results. Every panel had a different outcome. I under prepped a few spots with wood damage (some small spots of stain flaking off). Some were more exposed to water and faded faster. 4 of them were top of the winter stacks and had sun all winter...they faded the most and seem ready for prep and restain. Aside from the under-prepped flaking spots, it seems to be wearing off naturally on some boards, esp with sun, others I can still see a consistent top stain layer.  So...do I strip off everything and start over with a different product (ugh), or will this product be fine with specific prep and reapplication rules. 
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    EP · 04/21/2021
    I am redoing my dock and boardwalk - and live on a lake in central Florida.  90% new pressure treated pine (seasoned for 9 months and ready for treatment), 10% older wood finished 3 years ago with Olympic Maximum stain.  What products do you recommend?
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    KP · 02/27/2021
    This past fall I had a new dock installed built with yellow pine in northern Wiscosin. I would like to stain it so it doesn't turn gray, but am concerned about peeling and maintenance. I want a stain only. What would you recommend? Thank you!
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      The Sealer Store · 02/28/2021
      Clean and brighten the wood for prep: https://www.opwdecks.com/best-selling-cleaner.htm

      Stain with TWP 100 Series: https://www.opwdecks.com/twpwoodsealers.htm
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    Mike Murphy · 10/16/2020
    Just had a new dock built on our small lake in Kansas with yellawood pine what’s the best stain for it ? Should I stain now or wait until spring
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    Corwin38 · 08/04/2020
    I have a pier with pressure treated pine. I replaced several boards about 9 months ago and some this past weekend. Do any of your stains allow natural graying of the wood where eventually all the boards will be the same color?
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    Mike · 06/14/2020
    Actually that was supposed to be 48hrs.
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    Mike · 06/14/2020
    I have a cedar dock. I am applying a penetrating oil wood finish. Do I need to coat the underside as well. I noticed that only the top of the dock became darker. I sand it away and applied a coat on top. Waiting the recommended 24hrs to put the planks back on the aluminum frame.

    Regards
    Mike
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      The Sealer Store · 06/14/2020
      No need to stain the undersides.
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        Mike · 06/14/2020
        Thank you so much for the reply.
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    Debbie · 06/06/2020
    i have an 18 month old dock that is made of treated lumber. We live on the Roanoke Sound on the Outer Banks in NC. The sound water is brackish. We would like to get a longest lasting stain. How often will it need to be redone? What do you recommend? Does the dock need to be cleaned first? Thanks. Debbie
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      The Sealer Store · 06/06/2020
      Yes, clean and brighten the deck for prep. Stain with Armstrong Clark in a semi-solid color.
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    MB · 05/21/2020
    We have a two year old dock on the intracoastal made of pressure treated wood. We have not painted or stained it, but we need to soon as it receives full sun. Which product do you recommend?
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    bob · 05/19/2020
    Is there a product i can use that is safe for aquatic environment i don't want neighbors to think I'm polluting
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    John · 05/05/2020
    We have wooden docks on a river with mostly fresh but some brackish water. We want to stain them with the best gray stain. I think that they are made from pressure-treated pine. What would you suggest?
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      The Sealer Store · 05/05/2020
      TWP 200 Series in Slate Gray or Armstrong Clark in Driftwood.
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    Todd · 04/19/2020
    We have a cedar dock on a lake and have information as to the age of the dock or how it was treated. We want to preserve this. What steps would you recommend?
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      The Sealer Store · 04/20/2020
      Strip off as much as possible. Sand the rest and then apply the wood brightener. Stain with Armstrong Clark in a semi-solid color.
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    Walt · 08/25/2019
    I have a 10 year old shore master dock, I think that it is cedar heartwood. Don’t know if the previous owners ever stained it. What product do you recommend?
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    Bobbi · 05/28/2019
    I put a clear sealer on our cedar dock. Wood is gray from sun exposure. Can i put a stain on the dock at this point?...even though previously sealed?
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    Dave · 05/15/2019
    I am replacing my dock with new western red cedar deck.Which product would be best for this freshwater dock?