Wood Sealant

I purchased untreated fencing this summer and I just applied the Olympic waterproofing sealant yesterday. We were hit with an unexpected thunderstorm last night. Did I just waste the sealant since it rained about 4 -5 hours afterwards. The weather was warm and humid.

Also, when is the best time to waterproof your fence and deck? Spring, Summer or Fall? What brands are good to use? Hos often should you waterproof your deck and fence? I bought an Olympic brand from Costco but is Thompson any good? I need to buy more for my deck since I ran out and I am not sure if it is OK to mix the brands or should I use the same throughout. Please advise...Thank you!

 

Cabbot, Sikkens and Benjamin Moore are all recommended by the pros here. Best time to seal is once the wood is dry enough. With cedar, redwood or kiln dried PT, that's pretty much right away. Regular pressure treated is usually ready in a couple months.

As to did you waste your sealer - I would guess a lot of it was washed away.

 

I am trying to keep the natural look of it. I dont like the grey look. Should I put another coating right away since most of it washed away or am I good enough til the spring?

 

I'd let it dry from the rain for a couple days and then reapply - you want no rain for about 48 hours afterward.

Don't like the gray look - are the boards gray now?

 

If water beads up on the wood you sealed, it still has protection - but maybe not as much as before. Read the label before reapplying sealer - some require that a 2nd coat must be applied before the 1st has dried or after it has weathered away.

Lifetimes vary with the different sealers although the same sealer/stain will usually last longer on a fence than it will on a deck.

 

The fence still has the light brown look which I would like to keep as long as possible.