Keeping your wood boat dock in good structural condition means it must be maintained on a routine basis. Periodically cleaning the wood and coating it with new stain will preserve the wood’s integrity and appearance.
The key to prolonged protection is to use the best wood stain for a boat dock. Care must be taken when using cleaning and staining products around a water source. An Eco-Friendly stain like Defy Marine Seal is specifically designed for boat docks and is safe to use in “clean marinas”.
Defy Marine Seal can be used on all types of wooden boat docks. It will provide a durable finish to protect against the destructive effects of both fresh and salt water exposure. This stain uses state of the art Nano paNanoparticlelogy to form an excellent barrier against UV color fading and mold/mildew infiltration.
Allow new pressure treated, exotic hardwoods, and composite lumber boat docks to weather for 6-12 months before staining. Never apply wood stain over another existing stain, paint, or varnish. Clean the wood boat dock with Defy Marine Seal Wood Dock Cleaner for ideal results.
Defy Marine Seal dries rapidly giving moisture little time to harm the finish. This is also considered the best wood stain for a boat dock because it resists mildew and fungus growth, which are common in a high moisture environment. This stain is best applied in 2 wet on wet coats for complete coverage. It is water based and is considered 250 VOC compliant.
Applying the best wood stain for a boat dock will ensure your docks and wood piers stay in safe working condition throughout the boating season. Keep your boat dock looking good with an enhanced appearance and a water resistant finish. Doing so will help safeguard your investment and extend the life of your boat dock.
my dock is 9 years old. Boards are cracking on some. to seal, should I pressure wash first with any special cleaner, or just water?
Use this kit for prep: https://www.opwdecks.com/rad-300.htm
What is the difference between Defy deck and dock stains?
The Defy Marin dock stains are designed for marine environments. More “flexible”.
I have a newer dock, since March of 2023, built over salt water and I am preparing to stain sometime in September/October after at least 6 months of weathering. The reviews I am reading (and the direction above) point to Defy Marine Seal as the preferred product, below I see direction for TWP Semi transparent.
What is the reason for one vs the other?
You could use either one and they would both work great.
Is it ok to use a Behr product; Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer on a wood dock?
Behr is an extremely poor stain. It will peel.
Our dock is in FL on saltwater-all day sun. @4 yrs ago it was redecked with marine pressure treated wood. We fear we didn’t wait long enough for first stain job (@ 3 mos) because the stain we used never really soaked in well/we used Sherwin Williams Superdeck semi-transparent. We restained again over that @ 2 yrs later. Now it is peeling badly. Hired handyman who is going to strip it and start over. What brand do you recommend-must be eco friendly & help fill in cracks/splits. Prob have to stain again in 2 yrs so something we can easily go over without having to strip again. Thanks!
No deck stain will fill in cracks and splits nor is it needed to fill them. Just leave them as is, it is normal. As for a stain, try TWP semi-solid stain: https://www.opwdecks.com/twp-semi-solid-stain-2.htm
I built a new 1800 ft2 dock 3 summers ago with YellaWood premium lumber (no knots and kiln dried.) I applied 2 wet on wet coats of Defy Marine semi-transparent stain to the dock boards prior to installation. After 2 summers, the boards exposed to the sun were cracking and turning gray color (like several others have submitted). The areas under cover have maintained their look and not cracked. Last summer I applied another coat to the areas that were not under cover. But now 1 year later the weathering and cracking is continuing as the board are deteriorating. What stain can I use that will really address my dock condition here in Raleigh NC? Thank youI am wishing I had installed a Trex-like decking product.
Strip and brighten to remove all of the current stain and ty the TWP Semi-Solid Stain.https://www.opwdecks.com/twp-semi-solid-stain-2.htm
Howdy Folks,,
You will need to prep and stain this every 2-3 years to protect it from rotting, decay and heavy oxidation.
I have been using Flood Sealer Honey on my dock for years but was told by my supplier it is no longer available. I live in Florida on a saltwater waterway. Doyou have a recommendation for an alternate sealer? Thanks
Strip off your current stain and then use the TWP 100 Series: https://www.opwdecks.com/twpwoodsealers.htm
I used the Defy Marine Seal Wood Dock Cleaner yesterday on my dock. I followed all the directions for reconstituting the cleaner, scrubbing with a stiff short bristle brush & rinsing thoroughly. This is a 6 month old dock constructed of extreme weather pressure treated lumber. There was a lot of wet, solid debris and the dock looked splotchy.
Today, after drying somewhat over night, the dock still looks splotchy and the wood is rough. Not sure if this was caused by the brushing, the cleaner or both. Will the Defy Brightener take care of the splotchiness? Will the stain take care of the roughness?
Is all this normal or am I doing something incorrectly? I still have a lot of decking to do down by the water.
Pictures: 0345 shows the wet debris; 0344 shows the wet dock looking splotchy;
0350 shows the dock today after somewhat drying.
You need to pressure wash after the cleaner to remove all of this oxidation. Then use the Brightenerr to even out the color.
I ordered all the Defy Marine products to clean and seal an Extreme Weather pressure treated wood dock and decking that was built at the end of March, 2020. The contractor put rubber edging all around the outside edges of the dock. Should I remove that edging before I clean and seal it. I’m concerned that it may rot under that edging if not treated.
No need to remove and stai under it.
Is it a penetrating stain?
Which stain?
how often do I need to apply? number of years between coats?
For the Defy Marine Stain, about every 2-3 years.
Hello, I have a wooden pressure treated boat dock with One Time on it. I put it on 7 years ago and then again 2 years ago. It looks like I need more protection as the wood is not resisting water any longer. What would be my best option after pressure washing it?
You will have to strip off the OneTime fully. Then try the TWP stains: https://www.opwdecks.com/twp-stains.htm
Would you recommend the marine or extreme stain for a boat dock located in the finger lakes region. Subjected to full sun all day and freezing temps in the winter.
Either is fine.
I have an older boat deck that was stained. What should I use to freshen it up
Hello,
We would need to know more information as to what it was sained with and the type of stain. Also, a picture or two would help. Thanks
Can this be sprayed or does it have to be rolled??
Depends on the brand and type of stain?
Also forgot to mention. This is new pressure treated pine.
How long will the Defy Marine Seal last on my lake dock before I’ll need to apply again? I live in SC and it will be used frequently during the summer (full sun). Also what % solids is in this stain?
(Debating between this and a solid Flood stain). Thanks.
This is a semi-transparent stain at about 40-50% solids. Lasts about 2-3 years.
We are trying to find a product that we can use on our lake dock. It has to be a product that will not harm fish, birds or other wild life; but will clean the dock then reseal it. Can you give me a suggestion, please?
Prep with the Restore A Deck Cleaner/Brightener Kits: https://www.opwdecks.com/best-selling-cleaner.htm
Stain with Defy Extreme Stain: https://www.opwdecks.com/defy-extreme.htm
I have a wood step deck at the back of my ski boat. It comes in contact with water regularly and sometime is submersed. What product will withstand this environment?
Hello, deck and dock stains cannot handle being fully submersed in water for extended periods of time.
[quote name=”Mark Ormiston”]Where can I buy this product?
How much does it cost?
Are there stain colours or just natural?
I live in Brampton, Ontario, Canada[/quote]
We only sell products off our website. You can order the Defy Marine Stain on this link:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-kdat-deck/
We ship to Ontario.
Where can I buy this product?
How much does it cost?
Are there stain colours or just natural?
I live in Brampton, Ontario, Canada
[quote name=”Don Young”]I stained my treated wood fishing dock 10 years ago now it is in need redo I did replaced the floor with composeit and pvc realing can I restain the treated wood frame like to change color your help is needed[/quote]
Yes, you can stain the treated wood frame. Look at the Defy Extreme or Marine Stain.
my fishing dock 10 years old treated wood frame I stained 10 years ago now its in need of redo need your help on redo can I restain or paint
I stained my treated wood fishing dock 10 years ago now it is in need redo I did replaced the floor with composeit and pvc realing can I restain the treated wood frame like to change color your help is needed
Try Armstrong Clark in a semi-solid color:
http://www.opwdecks.com/armstrong-clark-stain.htm
I need a boat dock stain but I do not need 5 gallons, just one to 2. We are in a climate that also gets snow. What do you recommend? The dock is old and I have sanded the wood. Thanks