RONSEAL DPN5L Decking Protector Natural 5 Litre

Product Information

This water-based formula won’t harm the surrounding lawn or outdoor plants. It’s odorless, low in VOCs, and nontoxic to people and pets. We didn’t detect even a slight odor during application. It stood up well after a month in the elements and a good scrubbing. It still shed water, and the wood beneath looked new and fresh, although the surface film that was so noticeable before seemed to have faded some. Oil is also really durable and is easy to maintain – you just need to keep it clean and touch it up every now and then. It’s very resistant to dirt and water so doesn’t require much upkeep at all.' Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Wood Sealer is one of the best options on this list for superior protection against water damage. Why Trust Bob Vila A water-based, penetrating sealer will often slightly raise the wood grain, which can lead to a rough surface feel. This happens when the moisture in the sealer causes the wood grain to swell and push upward. When the wood dries, the grain remains slightly higher in spots.

Wood preservatives are generally available in both water-based and solvent-based formulas. They are also produced in a variety of both clear and colour variations. Durability: Particularly if the weather is extreme, water-based sealers can flake or chip over time, which is rarely a problem with oil-based sealers. Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Wood Sealer’s penetrating protection will provide a robust defense against the elements without changing the wood’s natural color or adding a sheen. This makes it well suited to exterior woods with desirable coloring such as cedar and redwood. Oils often come in natural colours or clear, and enhance the natural appearance of your wood,' explains Jimmy Englezos, senior product manager at Sherwin-Williams. This clear Thompson’s WaterSeal repelled water as well as the transparent product, and it seemed to withstand scratches even better. We couldn’t find any scratches on the sealed section of this test board, so we set it out to weather the elements for a month. Once the month was up and the board was scrubbed and dried, the clear sealer repelled water just as well as before, and the wood beneath the sealed section still looked fresh and new while the untreated area had weathered some.Cost: Oil-based sealers are usually less expensive than water-based products, which can cost twice as much per gallon. When completely dry, we tested for water resistance by spraying the board with a hose. On the untreated section of the board, the water soaked in. On the section treated with Seal-Once, the water beaded up and ran off. Finally, we left the board outdoors for a month of harsh sun rays, wind, rain, and even freezing nighttime temps. After which, we scrubbed the board clean with a nylon-bristle brush and an all-purpose household cleaner and let it dry. We then tested once more for water resistance, and the water again beaded up on the sealed section of the board. While we don’t know how this sealer would survive a harsh winter or a couple of summers, it held up well in our 1-month testing window. We tested Thompson’s WaterSeal Transparent Wood Sealer in maple brown, and it imparted a hint of color—not enough to change the look of the wood grain but just enough to enhance it. (Since we tested this product, Thompson’s has updated the look of the bottle and the name of the product and stain, though the formula is the same. It’s now known as Thompson’s WaterSeal Transparent Wood Sealer in Desert Tan.) The sealer is thin and watery, so it’s kind of messy to apply with a brush. It would probably be more suitable for an airless spray rig, but we didn’t have one available. This product had some fumes, but we found it tolerable. After allowing the sealer to cure for 24 hours, we put it to the test. Water beaded up and ran right off, but the sealant offered hardly any protection from sand scratches. We considered the ability to dry rapidly as an asset if time is a factor. Within 1 hour of applying the second coat, the board was bone dry, and the sealer left no visible film on the surface.

The sealer started to soak in right away, and the manufacturer recommends just one or two coats, the second coat if a deeper color is desired. We gave the board two coats and then let it dry for 24 hours before continuing our tests. When sprayed with the hose, water beaded up on the sealed section of the board but soaked into the bare, untreated section. Although the color was slightly different where we applied Thompson’s WaterSeal, no other difference was visible—no surface sheen was apparent, and the wood grain was still prominent.

Treating your decking with a paint brush

The sealer went on without any noticeable odor, and we applied two thin coats, the second 2 hours after the first. Then, we set the board aside for 24 hours to completely cure. The Olympic Stain + Sealant combo left a thin film on the board’s surface that imparted a slightly wet look even when dry. It repelled water, and while it suffered a few scratches from sand, they were minimal. After a month in the elements and cleaning with a brush and all-purpose cleaner, water still beaded up and ran off the treated section, and the wood beneath the sealer still looked new. Only apply the product onto wood that is fully dry. Ensure the temperature is between 5 and 25 degrees Celsius and there is no imminent rain forecast. Do not apply in damp or humid conditions. Failure to meet these requirements may adversely affect the drying and durability of the finish.

We brushed on a light coat of this spar urethane, and it went on smoothly and uniformly. It has strong fumes, so we opened a window and turned on a fan while working with the product. This sealer takes slightly longer to dry than some of the others we tested, and the manufacturer suggests a minimum of three coats, so we applied the subsequent coats 4 hours apart. We then waited a recommended 3 days after the final application before starting our tests. Water-based sealers: A coat of water-based sealer typically dries to the touch within 1 to 3 hours as long as the temperature is between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity is 50 percent or lower. Users can apply a second coat a few hours after the sealer is dry to the touch. Cure time (when the sealer has dried sufficiently for placing heavy furniture or walking) can be up to 24 hours. Once a month in the sun and elements had gone by, we gave the board a good scrubbing. Thompson’s WaterSeal Transparent sealer continued to protect the wood from moisture, as the water beaded up and ran off. When we opened the can of Seal-Once Marine Premium Wood Sealer, the first thing we noticed was that something was missing. The smell! Sealers are notorious for emitting toxic odors, but this low-VOC sealer had virtually no smell at all. Brush: Start in the furthest corner and using a good quality brush, apply along the length of the board in the direction of the grain.After sprinkling on the sand and walking on it, we did notice scratches on the sealed section, but the scratches did not reveal fresh (unstained) wood beneath. This suggested to us that the sealer had penetrated deeper than just the surface of the wood. Sheen: While water-based sealers rarely provide a finished sheen on the wood’s surface, oil-based sealers will often impart a slight sheen. Cleanup: Oil-based sealers require paint thinner or a similar solvent to clean brushes and tools after application, whereas water-based sealers wash off easily with just soap and water. We positioned each test board outdoors to receive UV rays in a spot where it would be subject to the elements for a month. The temperature dipped below freezing at least 11 nights during the test phase. At the end of the month, we inspected each board for any signs of peeling and we tested again for water resistance.

No, even a light stain, when applied to a dark base, will deposit more colour and give a darker finish. Although water-based, the product contains a lot of oils and wax to give the best water-resistant protection. These are soluble in white spirit, rather than water alone, and so this must be used to remove residues from the brush. P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.P273 Avoid release to the environment.P243 Take precautionary measures against static discharge.P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.P301 + P310 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTRE/doctor/…We will be happy to organise an exchange for the correct goods at no extra charge to yourself, please get in touch to organise this. Faulty Items Doesn’t offer much protection from scratches; may not be ideal for those with pets or frequent parties