Wood Staining: Behr DECK Plus Waterproofing Wood Finish for Outdoor Furniture

Wood staining is a topic that's easily misunderstood, and that's even more true for outdoor furniture staining. But this review is going to be simple – I promise! We're focusing solely on using deck stain for outdoor furniture.

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Many people don't consider using deck stain for outdoor furniture, and I get it. I didn't either until my brilliant wife suggested it over a decade ago. I was building an outdoor sectional for our backyard after we put in a pool, and I remember being dumbfounded by her suggestion.

Now, I'm more dumbfounded that more people don't use deck stain on their outdoor furniture, or even consider it as an option. Why not? My current can of Behr DECK Plus Transparent Waterproofing Wood Finish clearly states that the product can be used in this manner. So why the lack of attention from people trying to protect their outdoor furniture?

I believe it's for a couple of reasons. First, it's called "deck stain." This simple naming helps pigeonhole the finish into deck-use only. When you shower, you don't use car soap; you buy body wash. When you eat, you don't buy dog food; you eat human food! This direct naming has worked well for manufacturers over the years, simply because the most wood any homeowner usually stains is their deck! Most don't stain outdoor wood furniture. In fact, having actual solid wood outdoor furniture is a luxury in today's society, hence the countless plastic Adirondack chairs.

Even so, deck stain can be a great option for protecting your outdoor furniture.

The "Look"

There are all kinds of deck stain brands, tints, and products out there. However, this review strictly refers to the brand and tint product I've used. Why did I choose Behr as my brand? The simple answer is availability at The Home Depot. It was easy to obtain; I just picked up a can during an afternoon drive. And the stain "color"? I really enjoy the blonde color the transparent stain gives the wood. Even regular construction pine looks amazing after application. Seriously, the Adirondack chair pictured in this blog looks like quality maple wood, even though I built it with common SPF pine to keep the cost down.

Stain Durability

The durability of the Behr Deck stain has been amazing. I've also included a picture of the sectional couch I built in 2015. We applied the exact Behr DECK Plus Wood Finish (Clear No. 400) back then, and the wood couch has held up extremely well. It did have some help though, as it lived outdoors but under a patio cover. We only recently moved the sectional to an area that gets rain. We also applied more coats on the couch than on our Adirondack chairs, hence the darker results (see the pictures below).

The Cons

Okay, to be completely transparent (no stain pun intended), I have a complaint about this stain. The "feel" of the stain isn't my favorite. Even after drying, the Behr stain still feels tacky to the touch, even if it's dried and fully cured. I think I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to wood finishes, and this doesn't satisfy the tactile feel I prefer. I want wood to have a warm, satin feel that begs to be stroked like a cat. But this waterproofing wood stain doesn't produce that sensation.

Also, the color doesn't match well compared to the stated results on the can. This Behr stain emphasizes "transparent," but the stain doesn't cure clear. It gives the wood a distinct color and glow. I really like the results, but be warned that you probably aren't going to get exactly what the manufacturer promises. This is when a sample piece of wood comes in handy. Stain this sample piece with the same number of coats you plan on applying to your furniture or outdoor project and let it cure. This will give you a great idea of what the stain will look like when you're done.

Application

Like most deck stains, the hardest part is the application. But fear not! If you're staining outdoor furniture with deck stain, your surface area of application goes way down compared to a large, or even average-sized, deck. But a word of warning: application works best by pre-staining. What do I mean by pre-staining? Simply apply the stain before you assemble your wood outdoor furniture. Unfortunately, this only works for new projects, not preexisting ones. If you're working on a re-staining project, or if you bought the furniture assembled, then the application becomes more tedious, but not impossible.

Price

When we recently bought a gallon of Behr DECK Plus Transparent Wood Finish, it cost just under $37. Compared to other finishes and quantities, it's a fairly decent price. I've seen a gallon of wood stain cost much more, sometimes over a hundred dollars!

Final Thoughts

So, yes, I believe Behr DECK Plus is a solid choice for staining your outdoor furniture and projects. It's affordable, provides excellent protection for exposed wood, and delivers a great look.

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