Wood stains have the power to transform ordinary surfaces into timeless expressions of personal style. To elevate the aesthetic of your clients’ outdoor spaces this spring, BEHR® has announced its 2024 Exterior Stain Color of the Year, Tugboat – a brownish grey wood stain reminiscent of weathered materials from boats at sea.   Deck: Tugboat SC-141   The sophisticated blend of muted tones brings subtle color to exterior surfaces while enhancing the natural wood grain for a timeless finish. The versatility of Tugboat adds organic beauty and effortless character with a nautical twist to enrich your clients’ residential or commercial outdoor environments. Tugboat Featured in Solid Color (SC-141) & Semi-Transparent (ST-141) Stain   Both solid and semi-transparent finishes offer a polished look on decks, fences, porches, patio ceilings, railings and more.   Deck: Tugboat ST-141   Apply Tugboat in a solid finish to a wooden fence for a striking visual boundary that blends seamlessly with natural surroundings.   Fence: Tugboat SC-141   Or choose Tugboat in a semi-transparent finish for a front door and port ceiling to add charm and depth to an entry space.   Front Door & Port Ceiling: Tugboat ST-141   The versatility of Tugboat allows for the ease of application on various architectural styles and building materials to create a cohesive and inviting façade.   Exterior Accent: Tugboat SC-141   Give your clients a visually appealing outdoor living space with a wood-stained ceiling featuring Tugboat for a warm and comforting atmosphere.   Ceiling: Tugboat ST-141   Embrace the nautical allure of Tugboat for a refined and captivating outdoor ambiance.   To learn more about Tugboat, exterior wood stain project inspiration, and application tips, visit behrpro.com/2024staincoty.   Note: The 2024 Exterior Stain Color of the Year Tugboat is available exclusively at The Home Depot® in a variety of BEHR® Products, including the #1 rated exterior solid stain, BEHR PREMIUM® Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer, as well as BEHR PREMIUM® Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer, BEHR PREMIUM® Advanced DeckOver®, BEHR® Solid Color House & Fence Wood Stain, and BEHR DECKplus® Solid Color Waterproofing Wood Stain.  

As a paint professional, you understand why proper preparation is key to a high-quality paint job. Whether an interior color update or a foundation-to-rooftop exterior revamp, every successful project starts with a thorough assessment of your surfaces and its condition. Starting with a clean, patched, sanded surface can help you save time and money. You have to make sure you have the right tools for a job – especially when it comes to tape!   Considering the volumes of tape professional painters use on the job, it makes sense to pause and ask yourself if the tape you typically use meets your projects’ needs. Why? Well, switching to a tape specifically designed for the project paves the way for crisper lines, higher-quality results, and less rework. These actions could lead to meaningful cost savings over time by avoiding costly rework.     According to 3M Company — a leader in painter’s tapes and the owner of the Scotch® Brand — tape plays an essential role in the painting process — but not all tapes are the same. Therefore, it’s important that painting professionals understand the array of taping options and their distinct applications.   Consider these three factors when searching for the perfect tape for your project: Surface/Materials — Do you regularly work with metal, plastic, cardboard, or glass? Are the surfaces smooth, porous, irregular, or rough? Once you determine the specific materials and surfaces you may paint, make sure the tape you choose adheres properly to the surface. The last thing you want to do is repair damage from using too strong of adhesive on a freshly painted surface (at least 24-hours old), or damage varnish from hardwood floors, so Scotch™ Delicate Surface Painter's Tape would be the right choice. Tackle rough, tough to stick to surfaces such as brick with Scotch™ Rough Surface Painters Tape.   Environment — What kind of conditions does the tape need to withstand? Is the project interior or exterior? Are extreme high or low temperatures involved? What about humidity, moisture, direct UV or sunlight?   Time — How long does the tape need to remain on the surface? ScotchBlue™ Original Painter’s Tape will stay in place for up to 14 days.   Taking these factors into account will help you narrow the field and eventually lead you to the most suitable tape for your applications.   Types of Tape Once you identify your project’s needs, you’re well-equipped to make an informed decision. Whether the job calls for a tape that is tried-and-true, cross-functional, or highly specialized, Scotch™ Brand offers the following solutions to help you succeed:   ScotchBlue TM Multi-Surface Painter's Tapes ScotchBlueTM Original Painter’s Tape & ScotchBlueTM Sharp Lines Painter's Tape 2093     Medium adhesion and excellent UV resistance Great for trim, painted walls, tile, and glass Can be used for outdoor applications Cleaner removal without any surface damage when left on for longer periods of time, compared to Scotch Masking Tapes   Scotch® Surface-Specific Painter’s Tapes Scotch® Rough Surface Painter’s Tape 2060, Scotch® Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape 2080 & Scotch® Exterior Surface Painter’s Tape 2097 Offer better results and require less rework for specific applications, including rough surfaces such as brick or concrete, delicate or freshly painted surfaces, or exterior projects.   Scotch® Masking Tapes Scotch® Contractor Grade Masking Tape 2020 & Scotch® Heavy Duty Masking Tape 2020+ Great for every-day use on non-damageable surfaces Strong adhesion and shorter removal times Best on durable surfaces like vinyl, carpet, metal, and plastic   Still not sure which tape is right for you? Check out Scotch’s Tape Comparison Chart or take the Product Selector Quiz and get your answer with just a few clicks.   Good Prep = Best Results Now that you’ve found the tape(s) you need, it’s time to put your plan into action, starting with high-quality preparation – which involves more than just taping. Be sure to assess the condition of the surfaces, fix any holes or wall damage, and sand uneven surfaces until they are smooth, clean, and ready to be painted.     Check out the following 3M products:   3M Pro Grade Precision Sanding Paper Great for construction, woodworking, carpentry, and home improvement projects such as paint and drywall sanding No-Slip Grip™ Durable Backing reduces hand fatigue Premium mineral grits   3M Pro Grade Precision Dust Channeling Sanding Sponge Multi-use sanding sponges Can be used wet or dry Premium mineral provides faster sanding Clog-resistant Channels dust away from sanding surface   For more information, please visit 3M.com.   This article was created in partnership with 3M.

  Introducing Behr Paint Company’s first-ever Exterior Stain Color of the Year: Cordovan Brown. This rich exterior stain color creates a sophisticated look on exterior wood surfaces and structures. The timeless hue offers an elegant finish and beautifully complements a wide range of residential architectural styles, from traditional to modern.   Deck: Cordovan Brown ST-104   From decks and porches to fences and siding, Cordovan Brown is a beautiful shade of exterior stain that gives a professional touch to any outdoor living space by enhancing curb appeal and home value. Plus, exterior wood stain is long-lasting and protects the wood from weather, moisture, and UV damage, ensuring your client’s exterior surfaces look polished for years to come.   Cordovan Brown’s dramatic and bold nature also pairs well with Behr's 2023 Paint Color of the Year, Blank Canvas (DC-003), a welcoming and warm white with limitless possibilities to redefine and renew professional paint projects. Pairing darker wood tones like Cordovan Brown with soft natural paint colors creates contrast and compatibility for any style.   Wall: Blank Canvas DC-003, Trim: Ultra Pure White, Fireplace: Cracked Pepper PPU18-01, Deck: Cordovan Brown SC-104   Fence: Cordovan Brown ST-104   Ceiling: Cordovan Brown ST-104, Body: Blank Canvas DC-003     Cordovan Brown is available in a variety of finishes, including Solid Color, Semi-Transparent, and products such as BEHR PREMIUM® ADVANCED DECKOVER® Coating. Browse our product recommendations for your client's next project.   BEHR PREMIUM® SOLID COLOR WATERPROOFING STAIN & SEALER Protect and beautify with BEHR PREMIUM Solid Color Weatherproofing All-In-One Wood Stain & Sealer. This 100% acrylic formula seals out the elements and the sun's harmful UV rays for up to 10 years on decks and up to 25 years on fences and siding.   BEHR PREMIUM® SEMI-TRANSPARENT WATERPROOFING STAIN & SEALER Enhance your wood's natural patterns while providing increased protection from the elements with BEHR PREMIUM® Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer. This 100% acrylic formula seals out the elements and the sun's harmful UV rays for up to 6 years on decks and up to 8 years on fences & siding.   BEHR PREMIUM® ADVANCED DECKOVER® SMOOTH COATING BEHR PREMIUM ADVANCED DECKOVER resurfaces properly prepared weathered wood and concrete by filling-in cracks and taming splinters, extending the life of your client’s deck and living space so you can enjoy the outdoors. This 100% acrylic formula creates a slip-resistant, waterproof coating that resists cracking and peeling.     For more information on the variety of exterior wood stains and finishes we offer, check out our blog post on Expert Tips for Exterior Deck Staining.   If your client is looking to enhance the natural beauty of their exterior wood surfaces and achieve a beautiful result, look no further than Cordovan Brown. For more information about Behr’s 2023 Exterior Stain Color of the Year and product information, visit behrpro.com/2023staincoty.