What is the very best exterior 'woodstain'?

WIAWSNB

This involves timber windows needing a darned good refurb; scraping-off of the old, flaking, treatment (I'm guessing something like Sadolin), treating all exposed timber using 5*, filling any bits required - hopefully not much - and then finishing off with a 'dark brown'. 

I have suggested the finishing coat should be Zinsser AllCoat*, as I've used that myself to pleasing effect, but that is a 'solid' colour, and any nuance of woodgrain will be lost. 

However, the current finish - what is left of it - is also quite dark, so I'm not sure if it'll make much difference from 10 paces?

Assuming the owner will still want the 'stain instead of paint, what is the 'best'? Is there a good water-based jobbie which would be easier for them to use, just like the W_B Zinsser is a delight?

Ta.  

*On that point, how does W-B Zinsser compare with the solvent version? And how does either compare with, say, Dulux Ext, or Bedec Barn Paint? 

twopenny

I can tell you what to avoid in this case.
Ronseal wood varnish water based. Looks lovely for a while but water gets underneath and silently grows mould.
Also Ronseal fence paint. Goes on a treat and looks nice but is easily scratched off ie birds or even snails. 
Works better on rough wood, not smooth 

jennifernil

We use Jotun products, formerly  Butinox, on our 37 year old windows , indeed on all the woodwork.  . The colour is called “teak”.  It lasts very well.

 Sadolin is good too.

danrv

I used Sadolin Rosewood on some shiplap I renewed on the side of my porch.
Excellent stuff with a semi gloss sheen.
I hope to do the rest of the woodwork the same although it's all painted a red/brown colour.

Lorian

Sadolin is ok. Everything is expensive nowadays. If you use sadolin you need to use sadolin classic first on any new or sanded/repaired wood as it's thinner and sups in.

Then ideally two coats of sadolin extra durable in the same colour.

However, as soon as it starts to get cool out (about now) they both start to take longer to dry.

If while drying it rains on them it will mar the finish and it will need a light sand and another coat, so never paint if rain is forecast, you'd be looking at at least 24 hours now for the surface not to be marked. Just a few hours in the summer.

Repairs will tend to grin through so sometimes it helps to use a darker classic on repairs under your required top coat colour.

WIAWSNB

Thanks, all. 
Any water-based versions of Sadolin or Jotun?
And, would you, in general, expect 'paint' to last better than 'stain? 
(Yes, I'll insist they ensure it's done through a warm, dry period, as the timber must be bone dry for any finish to last.)

Lorian

Paint might last a little longer depending on what you use, but it won't look like a stained wood finish. If you are going from paint to stain it's a pretty big job sanding back to wood first. 

jennifernil

https://www.smlpaints.co.uk/protective/wood-protection?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22379104695&gbraid=0AAAAAD-jBAt9WKKiscZJ1hOFw2TP7BaTk&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl7qGn63TjwMVspFQBh2npBwgEAAYASABEgLn2_D_BwE

Some info here.   We are using Demi-dekk

We only need to buy it every 5-6 years, and they keep introducing different products, so not sure which current one would be what we have.

WIAWSNB

jennifernil said:

https://www.smlpaints.co.uk/protective/wood-protection?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22379104695&gbraid=0AAAAAD-jBAt9WKKiscZJ1hOFw2TP7BaTk&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl7qGn63TjwMVspFQBh2npBwgEAAYASABEgLn2_D_BwE

Some info here.   We are using Demi-dekk

We only need to buy it every 5-6 years, and they keep introducing different products, so not sure which current one would be what we have.

Brilliant - thank you. That's water-based, which is what I was ideally after. 

No idea if it's better than Zinsser - I suspect very little to choose between them. Zinsser is boasting a 15-year life for their latest paints. 

The secret to any, I am sure, is to ensure the timber is completely dry before application. 

danrv

Lorian said:

If you are going from paint to stain it's a pretty big job sanding back to wood first. 

That's what I was hoping to do but I'll have to settle for using a paint that closely matches the Sadolin.
Too much woodwork to sand back.

WIAWSNB

I notice that both products have a large range of shades, so 'matching' old woodstain should not be hard.

With the windows in question here, much of it is bare timber - seriously weathered, but looks surprisingly rot-free from pics. 

The good thing about Zinsser - and presumably the Jotun - is that they'll adhere to almost any surface, and that will include any remaining, well-attached - stain.

I used the Zinsser on repaired timber windows 2-3 years back, and applied it over the 2-part filler, old putty, old paint, and bare wood - all in one go, and no primer required. The first coat drags a bit (and it was really hot weather), but the subsequent two went on like cream. 2+ years back, it's as good as new. 

(A repair the Care Home's employed P&D did on the other side of the house, presumably using conventional exterior gloss, is peeling merely in under 2 years.)