Stripping Behr Semi-Transparent

Behr is a filming stain, similar to a solid stain in that it films and dries on top of the wood. That is why it can be so difficult to remove. We typically strip as much as we can with 1-2 attempts and then spot sand to remove the rest if needed.

Thank you Deck Stain Help.  Question answered! Your recommendation is what I was leaning to.  Good to get your take on it.  Btw, your description of Behr is very accurate.  

Yes, the Behr is just a poor product. As contractors for many years, we cannot say anything good about the Behr deck stains especially when it comes to fixing them.

Time for a re-do.

I have a similar problem. I bought the highly-touted Behr semi-transparent stain for a new KDAT pressure treated deck. Six-year warranty. It failed inside 2 years. Behr replaced the stain under "warranty." Twice. Max life was the original 1-1/2 to 2 years. All prepping IAW directions from Behr.  Moisture confirmed with moisture meter below 12% (okay by Behr). Not going back. Tired of sanding and the run-around, don't want to start another 2-year cycle with Behr.

Full sun in Virginia, southern and western exposure

No surface wear, but existing stain is flaking off (10%), heavy mildew (15%), and longitudinal cracks (40%)

Not going back to HomeDepot for more Behr stain.

My intent is to go to RAD semi-transparent stain (I really, really like seeing some grain). IYPE, how many applications of the RAD stripper would you expect me to have to use?  I'm okay with spot stripping after spraying, will spot-sand if I have to. I've got a sprayer and a pressure-washer.

I would deeply appreciate any recommendations, especially if there is something that can be added to prevent further mildew problems or increase UV-protection.

Sorry for the delay. Do you have any pics for prep advice?

Posted by: @administrator

Yes, the Behr is just a poor product. As contractors for many years, we cannot say anything good about the Behr deck stains especially when it comes to fixing them.

We just had a new deck built by a local contractor which we loved, until he put the stain on. It was a clear oil based Behr stain. What we have now is a bright yellow deck which is not aesthetically pleasing at all. 

Our contractor said to change the color he would need to re-sand then reapply a new color which he said will be darker. 

From what I’m reading here it sounds like the deck will need to be stripped, brightened, washed and possibly re-sanded before staining again with a different product/color. 

Is this true regardless of the type of stain used? Is the removal process the same for the Behr oil based as it is for the water based or their acrylic based stains?  

Not knowing anything about stain we had no idea a clear stain was going to turn the deck yellow and assumed it would be without pigment. The contractor chose the stain.

We would like to remove the stain properly. Is there a stain that has very little pigment? We just want to protect it, not color it.

Yes, you have to remove it using the steps you suggested. The stain must be tinted to provide UV protection from graying. It cannot be clear.

Posted by: @administrator

Behr is a filming stain, similar to a solid stain in that it films and dries on top of the wood. That is why it can be so difficult to remove. We typically strip as much as we can with 1-2 attempts and then spot sand to remove the rest if needed.

Holy moly, you are not kidding. 3 stripping attempts and lots of sanding. I even got so mad I started power washing and messing the wood up 😫 

So what should I use instead that is easy to remove (and easy to purchase from a store)? I guess I dont care about longevity, since the Behr only lasted 2 years anyway.

Look at these top brands: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/

Hi!  I recently hired someone to power wash and stain my deck after 3 years.  Most of the previous Thompson’s water seal wore off long ago, but the wood had some stains from leaves and algae build up.  After coming back 2x, the power washing finally got the job done but did leave behind some noticeable bleach stains since he insisted on using it.  The first time he came he left lines from the power washing and didn’t remove most of the stains.  I planned to go with behr transparent water seal and stain in natural cedar tone, but has a last minute change of heart and went with behr semi transparent in red cedar due to the blotchy bleach marks.  I asked the worker to apply it lightly bc it seemed he was going extremely heavy and I like to see the beautiful wood grain. My husband typically takes about 1 gallon to apply to the entire deck, and this guy used 2 gallons.  He sprayed it on and then used a roller to push it in and went over and over and over. You can barely even tell it’s wood anymore.  It’s thick and still tacky and ugly.  Looks like chocolate milk.  The wood grain is barely able to be seen. This was done last week.  He gave me most of my money back due to the unsatisfactory job, but now I’m left with a deck that is sad looking and ugly as well as a ton of work!  My question is how do I strip this all off and get back down to the bare wood when this stuff was just applied and as heavily as can be.  Is it possible?  How much work am I looking at? I want to do this the right way and have it look as good as possible. Please help. 

You might have to power sand it off. Post some pics.

@administrator the one picture shows where he applied normally once I said something, but the

 other photo shows where he went very heavy and the coating is opaque and does not show any wood grain or variation.  There are a lot of areas like that mostly around the edges, ballisters, and the photo is the bench.  

If you want to remove this, you will need to power sand. It will not be easy.

- 37 yr old PT pine deck
- loved TWP oil stain until outlawed in NYS
- last 7 yrs, two applications of Behr Premium semi-transparent
- 5 hrs of sun, very minor mildew
- 15% of exposed horiz areas peeling

Please recommend a stripper and stain.

If stripping isn't extremely labor intensive, prefer oil based stain.
Otherwise, could a semi-transparent water-based stain be used?
(don't like the solid look)

Thank you