Any tips for applying Thompsons Water Seal to a deck?

I just made my second attempt to seal my deck properly using Thompson's Water Seal. First I tried to put it on using an applicator from Wagner, sort of like a Swiffer Wet Jet with a paint pad. That was a disaster, leaving puddles of sealer all over the deck. So I quickly switched to a foam roller. That seemed better, but went on too thin. I attempted a second coat, but waited too long. The sealer beaded up on the first coat. Everything seemed to dry ok, but it doesn't look great.

So how about it? What's the trick to get a good even coat of sealer on the deck?

There are a variety of ways of applying stain or selaer, but just about all of them aside from spraying require that you go back and forth over an area being worked to ensure excess stain isn't left behind, or that you come back after some period of time (usually indicated on the can) and wipe off any excess. 

I've had the best luck using an inexpensive 4" brush with short bristles, available at home centers like Home Depot or Lowes.  Apply the stain reasonably quickly to as much area as you can cover in a few minutes and make sure it's spread evenly and brushed in, then go back over the same area after a few minutes with the same brush but no new stain on the brush to lift or spread any excess puddling or drips.

Applying stain or sealer should also be done on a cool day and not in direct sunlight, or you risk many products "setting up" before being absorbed in to the wood.

Good luck,

John

I echo John's comments, this job is best done in the spring or fall when the temps are more moderate and for longer durations.  I can't tell you how many times I sealed a deck in the summer and said...."never again".  Well, I finally listened to myself and haven't done a summer sealing in YEARS now.  Otherwise what John said is pretty much exactly what we have done.

Save your self the headache and do it with a sprayer.  Not the Wagner Power Shot thingy, an airless sprayer you can rent.  You will be better off in the long run.

I have used a roller. I have also used a garden sprayer and it worked. I dont remember if it was thompsons or not.

CameronL:

I just made my second attempt to seal my deck properly using Thompson's Water Seal. First I tried to put it on using an applicator from Wagner, sort of like a Swiffer Wet Jet with a paint pad. That was a disaster, leaving puddles of sealer all over the deck. So I quickly switched to a foam roller. That seemed better, but went on too thin. I attempted a second coat, but waited too long. The sealer beaded up on the first coat. Everything seemed to dry ok, but it doesn't look great.

So how about it? What's the trick to get a good even coat of sealer on the deck?

I agree with the brush thing, But I myself have had best luck with a fresh built or freshly cleaned/stripped deck using a simple $10.00 or so garden hand pump sprayer to cover a lot of area quickly then go back over it with either a brush or a damp stain/sealer type roller, not really wet or dripping , to remove puddling and spread excess. for rails and stairs and such i found that brush for corners and a 2 1/2 - 3' handle slim jim type roller with the 5-6" slim roller pad ( not the foam type ) works best and quickest, always use the 2 in 1 wood prep and stain remover that you would normally use after you strip old stain/sealant from a deck and use a good deck brush to clean and let dry 2-3 days or more before new application of sealant. best done during cooler months or early/late in the day.

2 in 1 wood prep, rinse and let dry

spray then roll for excess sealant, let dry -- --- -- rails and steps brush and roll, let dry

repeat every 6 months to 1 yr as needed for best results and longest life.

lay cardboard or plastic sheeting over bare concrete, plants , or against house before spraying to stop over spray from happening. if anything does get on these things rinse off as fast as possible

hope this helps and have fun.

So what do I do if I applied the sealer a while back and never got the over-spray off the house? I've tried using mineral spirits but that hasn't worked. Any ideas, short of repainting the house?

Why not use a pump up sprayer from the hardware store or home and garden center? A lot easier and faster, also no bending or stooping over to apply sealer.

Thompsons water seal is kinda tricky, first of all it's a very watery product, so using a roller setup is hard because it spatters everywhere, and using a commercial painters sprayer s tricky if you've never used one before.  The best way is to always use a 4 in deck brush and apply the stain to a few boards at a time and brush with the grain of the wood, and always make sure to never leave puddles. 

I was wondering I just got done staining my co-workers deck for her and wanted to know if  I should wait for cooler weather to apply it our average temp is around 86 during the summer.should I wait till fall to seal it?

later,

Tim