With summertime in full swing, your clients’ decks are likely in need of some TLC, and Behr Paint Company is here to help with our expert tips for exterior deck staining—allowing you to generate more business and referrals. From decks that have seen it all to decks that are brand new, this article provides a breakdown of the variety of exterior wood stains and finishes we offer, so that you can find the stain that will satisfy your client, along with best practices for decks that have undergone minimal to extreme weathering.        How to Bring an Old Deck Back to Life    As a professional painter, you know that the secret to success is preparation, and the same goes for prolonging the finish of a deck. The end result depends on how much time and care is put in at the start of a project. When it comes to dealing with a peeling finish on a worn deck, start with BEHR PREMIUM® Wood Stain & Finish Stripper to strip away old stains and finishes and remove wood fibers. After giving the deck a fresh start, follow up with BEHR PREMIUM® All-In-One Wood Cleaner to clean and restore the wood.     Are you facing a deck that has seen it all? Every splinter and crack imaginable? Give your client’s deck a do-over with BEHR PREMIUM® ADVANCED DECKOVER® Coating, available in smooth and textured finishes. By resurfacing a properly primed and prepped deck, BEHR PREMIUM® ADVANCED DECKOVER® Coating fills in cracks, conceals wild splinters, and creates a slip-resistant coating to extend the life of a deck. Rain also stands no chance against the waterproof feature of this coating. And voila! Your client didn’t need a new deck after all, and now you have a happy customer.      Additional Tips to Keep in Mind:  Ideal temperatures to stain a deck are between 50-90 degrees.  Check the weather! Ensure that weather elements won’t add unwanted moisture 1-2 days before and after application.  Let wood dry at least 24 hours before applying any stain coating.  Consult with your client about their desired opacity for the stain—Behr offers three different stain finishes that expose varying levels of wood grain: transparent, semi-transparent, and solid color.  Indicate to your clients that their decks will need maintenance and upkeep.         How to Maintain New to Moderately Weathered Decks    For new to slightly weathered, unsealed decks with no more than 5 years of exposure, opt for BEHR PREMIUM® Transparent Waterproofing Wood Finish. By creating a clear finish, this product beautifies the wood and showcases the grain. With up to 4 years protection against UV rays and harsh weather elements, this is a go-to product for protecting and embellishing new decks. If your client’s deck has 0-10 years of exposure, BEHR PREMIUM® Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer will enhance wood’s natural patterns, while offering heavier protection against imperfections caused by weather for up to 6 years. And finally, for decks that have lived long lives—15+ years—rejuvenate weathered and cracking wood surfaces with BEHR PREMIUM® Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer. Available in over 1,600 custom colors, the options are endless, and its beautifying properties last up to 10 years.    Additional Tips to Keep in Mind:  For new wood, use our BEHR PREMIUM® All-In-One Wood Cleaner to open the pores of wood in preparation for staining.  Reapply stain finishes as needed.  Use 60-80 grit paper for sanding.  Indicate to your client to regularly sweep their deck and trim nearby greenery to prevent mold and moss.     Looking for another quality product at a lesser price? Check out Behr’s DECKplus® Wood Stain line for all your deck staining needs. Ideal for application on new to moderately weathered decks and available in three finishes: transparent, semi-transparent, and solid color, BEHR DECKplus® wood stains seal out water and block UV rays, allowing for protection that still showcases wood texture.     Check out behrpro.com to learn more about Behr’s exterior wood stains and finishes. Happy deck staining! 

Finding effective multi-purpose products is every paint professional's dream when it comes to achieving a high-quality finish and simultaneously saving time in the product selection and paint application process. Behr Paint Company is making the best of both worlds attainable through the classic sleek and uniform finish of BEHR PREMIUM® Cabinet, Door & Trim Enamel — now available in an all-in-one interior and exterior version. While the previous version was already ideal for use on cabinets, trim, and molding, this enhanced version includes an added variety of exterior surfaces that the product can be applied to, such as doors, windows, and shutters. It is also ideal for application on the following properly prepared substrates: wood, concrete, drywall, masonry, brick, vinyl, aluminum, and metal.     How is BEHR PREMIUM Cabinet, Door & Trim Enamel Even Better than Before?   Formerly known as BEHR PREMIUM Cabinet & Trim Enamel, Behr has revamped not only the name of this paint, but its formula. With its newly enhanced formula, BEHR PREMIUM Cabinet, Door & Trim Enamel knocks the destructive aspects of weather elements to the wayside with an added feature for your exterior projects: all-weather protection. And as a paint professional, you know that exterior weather elements pose a constant issue to maintaining the finish of painted surfaces, which makes upkeep difficult and longevity a constant battle. Now available for both interior and exterior applications.   Behr Paint Company has taken the proven durability of an interior paint and extended that durability to exterior applications. With an easy-clean surface that resists dirt, grime, and household chemicals, you can rest assured that your client’s initial finish will resist fading over time. And with tack-free film that dries to a hard, durable finish, this paint is multi-purpose — combatting harsh weather elements while still retaining that flawless finish.     Features of BEHR PREMIUM Cabinet, Door & Trim Enamel   Optimal for use on cabinets, doors, trim, windows, shutters, and woodwork, as well other properly prepared and primed substrates, such as drywall, masonry, vinyl, and metal, BEHR PREMIUM Cabinet, Door & Trim Enamel offers a quick return to service with fast drying △ technology. By combining early block resistance with excellent flow and leveling, painted surfaces have a smooth, uniform finish; your clients will not have to fear doors or windows sticking after only 2 hours of application! △ Since BEHR PREMIUM Cabinet, Door & Trim Enamel is a multi-faceted paint, you save time in the paint selection and application process — making your job easier and your clients happier.     Available in semi-gloss and satin sheens, this product is tintable to over 2,000 colors which gives your clients a vast array of color choices to achieve the perfect shade for their cabinets, doors, trim, shutters, and furniture. Painted surfaces also clean easily with soap and water — so that when inevitable scuffs, handprints, and marks happen, your client can maintain the life of the finish.   Notable features include: Outstanding early block resistance — Surfaces won’t stick together. Fast drying technology — Allows for a quick return to service (2 hours to recoat)△ Excellent flow and leveling — Leaves a flawless finish Resists, dirt, grime, and household chemicals — Provides a long lasting and durable finish All-weather protection — Resists weather related wear Mildew-resistant paint finish — Protects from mold and mildew on the dried paint film Low VOC (< 50 g/L excluding colorants) — Meets stringent VOC regulations Easy soap and water clean-up — No solvent disposal issues Tintable to a full range of colors — Expands color options   BEHR PREMIUM Cabinet, Door & Trim is exclusively available at The Home Depot. Learn more at behrpro.com.   △ Darker colors may require additional dry time. Longer dry time is required in cooler temperatures and higher humidity.