Protect wood from rot, mildew, and UV rays with the best deck sealer. We tested top picks to see how they would stand up to the elements.

While they exist, it’s unusual to find a clear deck sealer with UV protection. The reason for this is that unlike stains, sealants often lack the pigmentation that naturally blocks UV rays.

Wood deck sealers come in all flavors ... The trouble is these nearly clear sealers and water repellents are ill equipped, for the most part, to deal with the harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays of ...

I tested the latest clear technology deck sealer last year, and it failed miserably. The cedar wood where I applied the sealer looked great for a month, but then it started to turn gray.

Deck sealers come in all flavors ... The trouble is these almost-clear sealers and water repellents are ill-equipped, for the most part, to deal with the harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun.

Consumer Reports Magazine conducted a longevity test of 36 different deck stains. Their conclusion at the end of the evaluation was that even the best of the clear sealers would need annual ...

so you might want to consider a clear deck sealer rather than another stain. No matter what you apply semi-transparent stain or clear sealer it will probably need to be renewed in a couple of years.

also make some semi-transparent and clear options that don’t hold up in our tests. If you want your deck stain to last a long time, your best bet is to choose an option that fares well in our ...

Now the deck is a dingy gray and dirty-looking ... then apply one or two coats (depending on directions) of a clear wood sealer and preservative, preferably one that contains a water repellent.

Wood-deck sealers come in many “flavors ... The trouble is that these nearly clear sealers and water repellents are ill-equipped, for the most part, to deal with the harsh ultraviolet ...