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 from any Crown Decorating Centre, in a handful of pre-mixed colours. The current shelf price is around £40 for 2.5L, which means you are 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 four to six 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 dubious about this product would be an understatement! I did not have much faith in water-based decking stains anyway, let alone one that claims to penetrate timber in wet conditions!

Straight away, I tested this product to the max by wetting tanalised decking with a hosepipe and then applying a generous coat of 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 would not 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 that 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 protection and sticks like sh*t, so I have complete faith in its longevity.

Do not make the mistake of thinking this stain compromises performance to obtain adhesion in wet conditions, because it does not. 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 are asking a lot of paint on a deck; it needs to expand and contract with the timber, withstand foot traffic, and last on wood that contains moisture. That is 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 staining it. This ensures your deck is clean, so the stain will penetrate and should last longer. Products like Sadolin Wet Wood are designed to be applied in wet conditions, but most stains cannot 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 previously been sealed. However, most of the time you just need to ensure your deck is clean before staining it.