I have used this product in the past with just ok results. This time it was a total disaster. The simi transparent stain did not take evenly. I tryed to go to the company for help by phone with no answer. I recieved an email from Greg? It seemed he could care less about how his product did not perform. He stated the product needed to be stirred while being used, as if it was something we did wrong in the application. NOT. This product is not user friendly and VERY tricky to use. ( Shine) The application by brush or pad only, wait !, then hand wipe each section of your deck is a heck of a lot of extra work. I would not recommend using this product, too many steps to apply. In the very fine print on the can it states not to use a paint roller. read more

Same problem as others stated. I applied with a brush on a cool dry day. The wood is outside so it does get cool at night (about 55 degrees). In the morning it is still wet to the touch. It's been a week now and it's still wet. The instructions say that after application to wipe off excess, but I didn't have any excess to wipe off. What is the definition of excess? I tried to call the factory but their number just goes to voice mail, so they have virtually zero support. I think I may have to just replace all the wood I treated with this stain as I can't have people touching it or walking on it. Also, I'll note that this product was extremely difficult to stir. The bottom 1/3 of the can was hard and required me to literally "dig it up" before I could stir it in. So maybe I had a can that was produced 20 years ago? I bought it at Home Depot and there is no date code so who knows? Again, no tech support for questions like this. On the plus side, it was cheap at $8/quart. read more

PreservaWood is a great product. I work in the deck business and I'll tell you right now that anyone who claims this product doesn't dry didn't apply it properly. Oil based stains are meant to be applied to dry, clean wood, where they are absorbed. If you apply more than the wood will soak in, it will pool up and fail to dry. These products cure via a process known as oxidative crosslinking, and if too thick a layer is applied, only the surface will cure and the layers of stain underneath will remain tacky for weeks or even months. This type of product will run circles around other deck stains in terms of performance, however, so it's well worth reading a few instructions or watching a youtube video on how to use it. read more

I've been reading some of the negative reviews about Preservawood stains It's clear that some people were not using the product properly. The comment that it didn't dry in several days backs up this conclusion. I used a redwood stain on my deck a few months ago, and it came out great. I called the factory to get advice on the application process. They were very helpful and made the job easy. The stain is applied with a rag or brush, let to sit for a few minutes, then it is wiped off with a rag. It takes a day or two to cure, but it will look great. The danger is in the disposal of used rags (or brushes). This stain does not just dry, like water based paint, but it undergoes a chemical reaction called cross linking. This reaction is exothermic (gives off heat) and if the rags are not disposed of properly, they can burst into flame in a day or two. My only criticism of the factory is that they under played this process. Other than that, I like the product and plan to use it again on another deck in the near future. read more

Product simply won't dry. Applied sparingly with a brush per directions to power washed 300 sq ft redwood deck on approach to home. Stays "tacky" and collects dust. Five days after application it was still tacky. Manufacturer suggested that I used too much product and that I should go ahead and strip the deck and re-apply. I returned the Product to Home Depot. I will strip the deck, because after 3 weeks now it is still sticky to walk on. Will never use this product again. Current bid is $750 - $1000 for the labor , chemicals and replacement Stain to re-do this project. Thanks ! Preserva, you cost me a bundle, 4 days of extra work and a very unhappy client. read more

This is a complaint about the customer service and product quality of the Preserva Wood product. I consulted with them directly, before starting the job. When I called on Tuesday, August 10 to ask questions about application, I was told to stir occasionally, and use the flat applicator, which would allow me to do the 2,000 sq. ft. job in 3-4 hours. It took 3 days. The applicator leaked stain though my upstairs deck onto my lower deck. Parts of the deck where the old stain could not be removed, are sticky, even after 5 days drying time. I was told that a 5 gallon container would do 1,500 sq. ft. I was told to stir the container occasionally, which we did. When we got to the bottom third of the first container, the color changed. Now part of my deck is a different color than the rest. I called today to speak to the customer service department, and the gentleman I spoke to, who refused to give his name, told me that I was an ignorant homeowner who should have hired a professional. He didn't know that I have been a General Contractor in CA since 1988. I was so upset the way I was spoken to, I could hold my breath no longer. I was so appalled by his language toward me, insinuating that I was ignorant, that is shared with him a verbal expletive, and then I hung up on him. Since 1980 I have performed million of dollars in new and remodel construction all over the SF Bay Area, and I have never been spoken to in such a manner, that it caused me to lose my temper. read more

This product is the worst on the market. It never dries and remains sticky. We decided to go with an expensive oil stain this year hoping it would last longer than the typical water based products. We bought Preserva-Wood Stain at $134/5 gal. We spent twice as much only to find out the quality is horrible. On top of it, the company does not back its product. Instead, it blames the customer for not stripping the deck first. On the instructions, it does not say that you have to strip the deck prior to applying. It only states that it must be clean and dry prior to applying. We are now stuck with a deck that must be stripped prior to apply anything else. Believe you me, it will NOT be PRESERVA-WOOD next time. BUYER BEWARE. Don't buy a product that has horrible customer service and a product that is so temperamental. If the wood is not new, it will not absorb. Just call customer service. They have many excuses why their product doesn't work. read more