Thompson's WaterSeal has clearly not been a consumer favorite with deck stains or sealers. Mainly as it does not offer any UV protection and it grays in a few months. The Transparent and Semi-Transparent versions are prone to premature peeling and wearing after about 1 year.
Water Seal can only be used on bare and uncoated brick, stone or concrete. How long will Water Seal last? If applied correctly, Water Seal will last up to 4 years. This is dependent on conditions such as orientation of the wall and local climate.
Only one coat of Thompson's® WaterSeal® Wood Sealer is necessary. A second coat can be added if more color is desired.
One coat is enough, but if more color is desired, a second coat can be applied within two hours before the first coat has dried. Be sure to read the back label to understand how to properly clean your tools after application. Let the deck dry for at least 24 hours and you're ready to replace the furniture.
It's supposed to provide water repellency, prevent water damage, maintain natural wood grain, and resist mold growth. But this Thompson's WaterSeal product has clearly not been a consumer favorite with professional deck restorers, largely because it doesn't offer any UV protection and grays in just a few months.
Answer: The manufacturer of Thompson Water Seal recommended that you use their product with a plastic sprayer with a brass wand, such as our Chapin Premier sprayer. There are no concerns about it eroding any of the seals inside of it.
Thompson's Water Seal
This is why in most woodworking blogs, their water seal always tops the list of recommended wood sealers. Aside from resisting most types of mold and mildew, it's also long-lasting. So you won't have to worry about reapplying a sealer every couple of years.
Allow at least 48 hours to dry; however drying time will vary depending on the substrate, temperature, and humidity.
It is not recommended where decks are subject to significant sun exposure. It also must be reapplied more often than most stains, typically every 2 to 3 years, depending on sun exposure. 1 Semi-transparent stain adds some color to the wood and offers a moderate amount of UV protection.
Now that you've applied Thompson's Water Seal, following the instructions above, to your entire surface, you can walk away and let it dry for 24 hours.
Thompson's WaterSeal can be cleaned off with a mild detergent, such as dishwashing liquid, and a soft cloth or sponge. If necessary, you can also use a nylon brush to help remove any hardened or stuck-on residue. If any of the sealant remains, repeat the cleaning process until all residue is removed.
The two biggest drawbacks to the Thompson brand are that it tends to be slippery when it's wet and its UV protection is lacking, even in its semi-transparent and opaque formulas.
– THOMPSONS WATERSEAL STAIN & SEALER does not soak into the wood but dries on top like a paint.
Thompson's WaterSeal | Oil-based | Exterior Stains.
there is no rush as you deck is not going to get wood rot or fall apart with a little rain on it. In fact it will rinse off all the crap you did not sweep off.
However, most of the water-repellent sealers sold at home centers, paint stores and lumber yards are suitable for pressure-treated wood as well as other outdoor woods such as cedar and redwood. The directions for some, such as Thompson's Water Seal, specify pressure-treated wood as a suitable use.
Your deck should be re-sealed every 1-3 years if you want to protect the wood. This will help preserve your deck for years to come and help it to look brand new. The sealant will bring out the natural wood grain and the sealing will make it stand out.
Oil-based wood sealers are more durable and longer lasting. Unlike water-based solutions, oil-based wood sealers tend to penetrate deeper into the wood. This type of wood sealer emits toxic fumes and is flammable during the application process, so it's recommended that you apply it in a well-ventilated area.
Polyurethane is a commonly used wood finish that is known for high durability and water-resistance.
Polyurethane, varnish, and lacquer are tried-and-true sealants with excellent waterproofing properties.