Sadolin Wet Wood Decking Stain Review

I’m a decorating geek at the best of times, so I genuinely get excited when paint chemistry takes a leap forward. Sadolin Wet Wood Decking Stain is a water-based product, designed to perform well in wet conditions. Meaning you can still use it on a deck, even after it has rained!!

This stain is available online by clicking here, or any Crown Decorating Centre, in a handful of pre-mixed colours. The current shelf-price is around £40 for 2.5L, which means you’re paying roughly £16 per litre. The coverage per litre is good, so a 2.5L tin goes a long way.

Sadolin Wet Wood Decking Stain has a recoat time of around 4-6 hours, but this depends heavily on conditions. You should apply generous coats when using a stain, as it is designed to penetrate deep into the timber to protect it.

My Sadolin Wet Wood Decking Stain Review

To say I was a little bit dubious about this product would be an understatement! I didn’t have much faith in water-based decking stains anyway, let alone one which claims to penetrate the timber in wet conditions!

Straight away I tested this product to the max by wetting tanalised decking with a hosepipe, then applying a generous coat of the Sadolin Wet Wood Decking Stain. It glides on when you’re applying it to a wet surface and still has great opacity. I was still dubious, but pleasantly surprised.

I still assumed it wouldn’t penetrate the timber. How could it if the wood was already saturated?? I waited a couple of days and then tried to scrape it off with my keys. I can confirm it adhered to the deck brilliantly by penetrating deep into the wood.

Since I first tested Sadolin Wet Wood Decking Stain, I have used it on a few jobs. I find the performance of this stain extraordinarily good. It is very easy to use and leaves a lovely rich deep finish. It contains plenty of UV protectors and it sticks like sh*t, so I have complete faith when it comes to longevity.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking this stain compromises performance to obtain adhesion in wet conditions, because it doesn’t. This is genuinely the best water-based decking stain I’ve ever used. The “wet wood” application is just a party trick.

Click here for more information and to see latest prices.

Review summary

FAQs

Is Sadolin good for decking?

There are two different Sadolin products that we use on decking. The first is Sadolin Wet Wood Decking Stain, which is water-based, easy to use, and can be applied in damp conditions. The other is Sadolin Classic, which takes longer to apply, but will last for years on a deck.

Is it better to stain or paint decking?

Stain seems to last a lot longer on decking. It sinks into the timber and protects it from moisture. You’re asking a lot of a paint on a deck; It needs to expand and contract with the timber, withstand foot traffic, and last on wood that contains moisture. It’s too much for most products.

Why does my deck stain not last?

Try using an oil-based stain and apply it when you know your deck is at its driest. You could always pressure wash the deck a few days before you stain it. This ensures your deck is clean, so the stain will penetrate, and should last longer. Products like Sadolin Wet Wood are designed so they can be applied in the wet, but most stains can’t cope.

How many years should deck stain last?

Water-based deck stains  might be easier to apply, but they usually only last a couple of years. Oil-based satins like Sadolin classic last for a lot longer.

Should I sand my deck before staining?

Sanding may help adhesion if your deck has been sealed previously. But most of the time you just need to ensure your deck is clean before you stain it.