Can You Put Thompson Water Seal Over Stained Wood? Easy Tips to Sealing Stained Wood

For a durable wood surface, you’ll want to invest in a water and weather repellant product that will still maintain your wood’s natural beauty. Over the decades, most woodworkers have been staining the wood or using sealants. However, today there are products with a combination of both the sealer and,4w. For this reason, a customer once asked me, Can You Put Thompson Water Seal Over Stained Wood? Here is what I had to answer him.

Yes, you can use Thompson water sealer over stained wood. The best thing about using this sealer is that it perfectly adheres and levels to any oil-based stain or solvent used on your wood.

It would be nice to remember that sealing stained wood prevents the wood from bleeding. It also offers protection against natural inhibiting factors.

What Is the Best Way to Apply Thompson’s Water Seal?

Even though you can apply with a brush or a roller, I recommend using a pump-up sprayer (use the coarse setting). Suppose the surface has heavy discoloration or dirt. Consider applying a second coat, then use a broom to brush the surface before hosing off. 

If you overapply, wipe off the excess or redistribute over the surface before it dries off.

How to Apply Thompson Water Sealer

Using Thompson water sealer on your wood surface ensures durability that will save you the cost of renewing your deck over time. It’s also a suitable sealer, especially during the rainy season, since it protects the surface from water damage.

What’s best is how the application methods are straightforward. It doesn’t matter whether you have ever used a sealer before or not. 

Here are the simple steps you require when applying the Thompson water sealer.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace.

First, you’ll start by preparing the workspace. Doing this will be more effective, especially if it’s the first time you are applying the sealer on the surface.

Step 2: Clean the Surface

Cleaning the surface will ensure that your paint pad will not clog when using. 

What you’ll need

• A rag or a microfiber cloth.
• Clean water.

Steps involved

• Dampen the microfiber cloth or rag in clean water.
• Clean the surface by rubbing the damp rug back and forth.
• Allow the surface to dry.

Step 3: Cleaning and Unfinished Wood

When cleaning unfinished wood, remember that using a damp microfiber could course it to warp. But how will you determine if the surface is finished or unfinished? Again, it’s simple. You only need to add a drop of water and check whether it absorbs and leaves a mark. If so, your wood is unfinished.

Using a microfiber cloth, keep rubbing the surface back and forth until you remove all the dust residue.

Step 4: Applying Thompson’s Water Seal

There are many ways to apply the Thompson’s water seal. You can choose to use a roller, a paint pad, and most preferably a sprayer.

How to Apply Thompsons Water Seal With a Paint Pad

Even though the easiest way of applying this product is to use a garden sprayer, you may want to use a paint pad, depending on your project requirements.

What You Will Need

• Thompson’s water sealer.
• A paint pad. 

Steps Involved

• Pour your sealer into the wood deck.
• Dip your dry paint pad into the Thompson’s seal.
• With the soaked pad, gently apply from one end to the next.
• Ensure you apply in the same direction as the wood grains.
• Let the deck dry for about 24 hours. 

How to Apply Thompson’s Water Seal With a Paint Roller

If you use a paint roller to apply the sealer, it will also yield the same results as a sprayer or a paint pad.

Here are the steps involved.

Clean the Deck

You’ll start by cleaning the workspace with concentrated dish soap and a stiff brush.

Steps involved

• Clear the deck.
• Spray the dish soap on the deck.
• Scrub the wood’s surface with a brush and rinse it off.

Apply the sealer

For this step, ensure you keenly follow the instructions for the best results.

What you’ll need

• A roller tray.
• A paint roller.

Steps involved

• Pour your sealer into the roller tray.
• With the roller dipped into the paint, roll it to distribute the seal evenly.
• Start applying from the center, then move back and forth from one end to the next.
• Ensure you don’t use much pressure to get an even coat.
• After covering the whole space, let the surface dry for at least 24 hours.

Tips to Keep Your Deck On Good Conditions

A sealer is ideal for maintaining your wood’s life. But it’s good if you knew some added measures on how to keep your deck in good condition.

Here are some of the tips.

• Move your plants back.

You won’t want mold or mildew to grow on your deck. Therefore, ensure that no plants are close to the edges of your deck.

• Don’t use bleach 

When cleaning your wood, please don’t go for bleach since it can damage the wood fibers. Most preferably, stick with the specified cleaners designed for wood.

• Carefully place furniture covers.

Ensure you carefully place the furniture covers, so no moisture is trapped. Doing this will help prevent the growth of mold or mildew.

• Sweep regularly

If you sweep regularly, it will help remove the mold spores growing on your deck. Therefore, you’ll have to maintain sweeping to stop the spores and prevent the dominant ones from growing.

How Many Coats of Thompson Water Seal Do I Need?

For Thompson’s water seal, one coat is enough for both semi-transparent and solid application. But you can add a second one if you need more color. Before doing this, give the first coat at least 2 hours to dry.

Can You Use a Pump Sprayer to Apply Thompson’s Water Seal?

Yes, a pump sprayer is ideal for applying Thompson’s water seal. However, the most suitable sprayer recommended by the manufacturer is the plastic sprayer with a brass wand. This item does not erode the seal inside it.

After application, use mineral spirit and water to clean the sprayer.

• How to Apply Thompson’s Water Seal With a Sprayer

The best thing about Thompson’s water sealer is that it not only waterproofs the surface but also protects against harmful sun rays. So it doesn’t matter whether you have rot-resistant wood types such as redwood or cedar. Sealing the surface plays a significant role in its durability.

If you follow the below steps, you’ll have the best results using a sprayer to apply Thompson’s water sealer.

Step 1: Clean Your Deck Surface.

Before the application, ensure you clean the deck’s surface for the best results. You can do this using a broom. Also, ensure to remove even those tiny dust particles that may have stuck in the gaps.

It would be nice to note that the sealer won’t penetrate the edges if you leave any dust on your wood’s surface. 

Use a broom to do the cleaning and then give the wood a thorough power washing. Doing this will help remove the sticky dirt and the wood’s thinner layer restoring its natural color.

After cleaning, let the wood dry for approximately 48 hours.

Step 2: Cover the Surrounding Objects.

Ensure that you cover any surrounding object to protect it from the sealer. You can choose to use plastic paper for the covering. 

Suppose your deck is attached to your home. Cover the sidings using masking paper and tape.

Step 3: Prep the Sealer

You’ll have to properly shake your Thompson sprayer before emptying it into your sprayer. 

While doing this, you must have the sprayer seated on top of a cloth to cover up for any spills. After filling the sprayer, pump it up using the handle to create enough pressure ideal for spraying.

Step 4: Begin Spraying.

I recommended you start spraying from the corner, which is furthest from either the stairs or exit. First, make the application gently, mainly covering small sections. After this, use a medium nap paint roller to roll over the sprayed area. 

The importance of using the roller is to soak up any remaining seal on the surface. Apart from using a roller to remove the excess Thompson seal, you can use a rag, but ensure you wipe or roll in the direction of the wood’s grains.

Afterward, continue spraying gently towards the deck’s exit. When you are done with the deck board, start spraying the rails, following the above instructions, then finish off with the stairs.

While spraying, ensure you do it gently to get an even finish on the entire surface.

How Long Does Thompson’s Water Seal Take to Cure?

Thompson’s water seal will take at least 2 hours to dry under normal conditions. However, this time may vary up to 24 hours, depending on the texture and surface type. The time may also vary due to the porosity of the surface.

When to Seal Your Deck

Please adhere to the below requirements for the best results.

• If you prefer a clear sealer, make the application when the temperature is within a range of fifty degrees. Also, the temperature should be the same during the drying time.
• For deck stain, ensure that the ambient temperature ranges between 50 and 95 Fahrenheit during the application and drying.
• Additionally, check on the weather forecast to ensure that there will be no rain for the next two days after application.
• After cleaning your deck, allow it to completely dry for about 48 hours before applying the Thompson seal.
• For the best results in the application, pick a day when the weather is still.

How Often Should I apply Thompson’s Water Seal?

I recommend doing the reapplication in a span of every one to three years. However, the duration will depend on the weather conditions, sun exposure, deck use, and the finished product.

The unique thing about Thompson’s water seal products is how they are DIY friendly. Therefore, you will only require a single application for the best results on a clean, dry deck.

Choosing a Sealer

Do you want to get a durable wood surface with a perfect finish? Then you’ll have to start by choosing the appropriate sealer or stain/sealer.

The primary purpose of a sealer is to protect against moisture as opposed to coloring the wood. On the other hand, a stain/sealer seals out moisture and has pigmentations responsible for protecting the wood’s surface against damaging UV rays.

When choosing a sealer or stain, you’ll have to either pick the clear sealer, semi-transparent stain, or solid stain. Also, don’t forget that all deck stains are also sealers.

If you choose to use the clear sealer, your wood surface will retain its natural color, but the sealer will offer very little protection against harmful UV rays.

Therefore, don’t go for a clear sealer if your deck will be in a constant sun-exposed area. Besides, you’ll have to do the reapplication at least every year compared to other sealers that can take up to three years before reapplication.

The semi-transparent stain adds some color to the wood’s surface while offering a moderate amount of protection against UV rays. You’ll realize that this stain is commonly used since it balances between exposing the wood’s natural beauty and protection from the UV rays.

Finally, we have the solid stain that completely hides most of the wood’s grain as paint does. What you’ll love best about this item is how it offers the best protection against UV radiation.

Is It Better to Seal or Stain a Deck?

You can choose to either seal or stain your deck. However, the best way is to use a product with both the stain and the sealant. Such a combination has two primary purposes. First, the sealer ensures protection from weather and water damage. Second, the stain reduces fading that may be caused by harmful UV radiation.

How Many Square Feet does Thompson’s Water Seal Cover?

The coverage area will depend on the number of gallons you need. Each gallon is ideal for an area of up to 400 square feet.

How Do You Remove Thompson’s Water Seal?

Here, you’ll want to have mineral spirit. So first, soak up a piece of clean cloth with the spirit, then gently wipe over the surface. 

Allow the spirit to soak in the seal for a few minutes before scrubbing the surface with a brush. 

If you prefer using a concentrated degreaser, ensure you carefully follow all the instructions indicated on the label of your preferred product.

Should I use Thompson Water Seal On Pressure Treated Wood?

Yes, you can use Thompson’s water sealer on the pressure-treated wood. You can also use this product on other outdoor woods, including redwood and cedar.

What Happens If You Seal Pressure Treated Wood too Soon?

In such cases, the wood will end up swelling until it dries, after which it will shrink again. But you should note that such patterns will cause your wood to have some splinters, checks, cracks, splits, among other blemishes.

Why Pressure-treated Wood Need to be Sealed

• First, it would help if you realized that pressure-treated wood has anti rotting chemicals that also ward off insects. However, the chemicals can’t prevent moisture from soaking into your wood.
• Suppose you have an outdoor deck exposed to direct sunlight and rain. It will eventually swell then attempt to shrink during sunny days. It’s this constant swelling and shrinking that will form all the blemishes on the surface.
• Sealing your pressure-treated wood will protect it from the harmful UV rays, thus slowing down its rate of discoloration. Therefore, even though pressure-treated wood has its level of protection, sealing it will increase its durability and make it look better.

How to Seal and Stain Pressure-treated Wood Decking.

Here is how you will seal and stain your decking to make it look great and protected.

Step 1: Remove any staining, mildew, and old finish

You’ll start by ensuring that no stain, mildew, or old finish is on your wood’s surface. Consider using a commercial deck cleaning solution for this step.

After this, use a pressure washer to remove all the remaining residues but ensure not to use too much pressure. I recommend adequate pressure ranging between 1500 to 2500 PSI.

Step 2: Let the surface dry.

It’s essential to let the wood dry before application for outstanding results. The best thing about Thompson’s water sealer is that you can apply it over damp lumber. Therefore, if you choose this type of sealer, you’ll do both the cleaning and waterproofing in a single day.

But before you start applying, ensure you have read all the instructions about the best temperature and weather for the application.

Step 3: Choose your finish.

After the surface has dry, it’s now time to choose the appropriate stain or sealer for your deck. In this case, you can go for either water or oil-based depending on your preference. But again, allow the surface to dry before you can place anything on top of it.

Tip: If you have a more oversized deck, consider applying using a sprayer to help in the uniformity.

What Can You Use to Thin Thompson’s Water Seal?

If you want to thin the Thompson water seal, mix three parts of linseed oil, two parts of the sealant, and one part of the paint thinner.

In this solution, the paint thinner will be the penetrating agent. It will ensure that the mixture is thinner for the active agents to penetrate the wood’s surface effortlessly.

Can You Add Water to Thompson Water Seal?

No, you can’t add water to this sealant. Doing this will prevent it from drying since it’s still vulnerable. 

 Can You Polyurethane Over Thompson’s Water Seal?

It’s not recommended to polyurethane over Thompson’s water sealer since the surface will end up peeling and flaking off the stain.

Can I Paint Over Thompsons Water Seal?

No, it would help if you didn’t paint over Thompson’s water seal. The product is hydrophobic. Therefore, it will not let the paint stick on the wood’s surface and may even cause it to bead up.

If you insist on doing so, consider using a heavy coat of primer and a pressure washer to apply the paint. But don’t forget to go for the correct paint (it will not be durable).

Can You Use Thompson Water Seal On Top of Painted Surfaces?

No, you can’t use this product on top of painted surfaces. The reason is that the water seal may cause the paint to run. It will also not correctly adhere to the surface.

Is Thompson Water Seal oil or water-based?

There are two types of these products. One is the Thompson water seal penetrating timber oil. For this kind, it’s oil-based and has excellent penetration properties that ensure it protects the wood materials from moisture.

The other type is the Thompson water seal waterproofing stain that is water-based. It forms a thin film on a wood surface, acting as a water repellant.

What If It Rains After Applying Thompson’s Water Seal?

Rainwater is one of the most destructive agents for most wood materials. So if it rains within 48 hours after applying the water seal, the water will find its way to soak into the wood pores. The soaked water will try displacing the sealant hence resulting in a splotchy surface.

On the other hand, if it immediately rains after you have sealed the surface, it will peel then flake off.

If your surface had dried enough to touch and the rain was a bit gentle, you’ll have nothing to worry about.

Does Thompson Water Sealer Darken The Wood?

No, it does not darken the wood. Instead, Thompson’s water seal 3 in 1 wood cleaner helps restore the wood’s natural beauty. You can use this product for cleaning wood types such as cedar, mahogany, redwood, and other highly resinous woods.

How Long Does Thompson Water Seal Last?

The estimated durability of this product is about ten years if you apply it correctly. But this depends on certain conditions such as temperature differences and humidity levels.

Is It Too Late to Seal My Deck?

The best time to seal your deck is around early fall and late summer. However, it might be pretty different if you are from an area that experiences drier springtime or moderate summertime temperatures. 

For such cases, consider sealing and restoring your deck between early April and towards the end of October.

Can You Apply Thompson’s Water Seal in Cold Weather?

Please don’t go for it since you won’t want to double the drying time. Also, it can worsen if the temperature is too low since the surface will remain wet unless the temperature rises.

It would be wise to note that temperature and humidity are the main factors that affect the drying time.

What Happens if You Apply Thompson’s Water seal When it’s too warm?

If the temperature becomes too warm, the sealer will take a shorter time to dry. However, this could lead to uneven penetration or the formation of lap marks.

On What Type of Wood Should I Use Thompson’s WaterSeal Penetrating Timber Oil?

You can use these products on all exterior woods. Even though exotic hardwoods are dense, Thompson’s water seal penetrating timber oil has a formulation of triple blend premium oils that can penetrate such wood types.

How Will I Know If My Deck Needs Waterproofing?

The best way to know if your deck needs waterproofing is to perform a splash test. First, sprinkle some water on the surface that you need to seal, then give it at least five seconds to see if the water absorbs on the surface to form a darker color.

If that is the case, the surface is ready for treatment since its porous.

Do I Need To Apply a Clear Waterproof Over My Stain?

You may need to, but not with Thompson’s water seal exterior stains. These products have a unique formulation that offers your wood surface waterproofing protection while still maintaining the wood’s natural beauty.

How Do You Seal Wood Naturally?

If you consider going the natural way, you’ll want to use products such as tung oil, beeswax, soy wax, linseed oil, shellac, jojoba oil, walnut oil, sunflower oil, and many more.

Final Thought

After reading this article, you have seen how Thompson’s water seal is an ideal product for wood protection. The sealant offers protection against water and dangerous UV rays. You can use this product on all wood types, be it hard or softwoods. The only remaining question is…

Can You Put Thompson Water Seal Over Stained Wood?

Yes, you can since it has a unique formulation that allows it to adhere to any oil-based stain easily. In addition, you only have to give the surface at least two hours to dry before you can apply the sealer.

Thank you for this far you have read this article. Even with every content, I have provided in this article. Please feel free to share your observation or post any questions in the comment section below.