On Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:17:10 -0500, "Don Phillipson"
wrote:

"Bozena" wrote in message
...

I've stained my 5-year old cedar deck with Sikkens Natural Light Cetol
SRD-996 twice, but it doesn't wear well. Last spring, I power sanded the
thick gray film down to bare wood and restained. It looked beautiful. But
by fall, a grayish film was there again, although not as thick as before.
The
deck will need to be sanded and restained next spring. Is there a cedar
stain that will hold up better? We live in Minnesota.

Consumer Reports started long-term comparison tests a couple
of years ago (with such surprising interim results it published a
preliminary report last year.) Sikkens is a European product that
performs well in European weather -- not like Minnesota.


Location makes a big difference. I'm in a high-humidity climate where
unprotected items eventually get algae or moss growing on it. I use
Cabots Decking stain with a packet of algaecide added. The additional
protection lasts a year or two longer, but eventually it's time to
clean, dry and apply another coat, usually every 4 years. Make sure
to soak the end grain and apply only when the wood is very dry.