As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Wood stains preserve the natural beauty of cypress wood. They add depth and color while enhancing the grain and texture of the cypress.
To help you find the right stain for your project, I’ve individually tested and reviewed five of the best stains for cypress wood. I’ve also added a buyer’s guide to lead you to the right purchase.
Contents
Top 5 Stains for Cypress Wood
Chosen for their applicability, value, and color consistency, here are the wood stains worth your attention:
Best Stain for Cypress Wood: #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent
Available in five gorgeous shades, the Deck Premium Wood Stain is an eco-friendly water-based stain that works wonders with pressure-treated softwood like cypress, pine, redwood, fir, and cedar.
Though trickier to apply than most other water-based stains, it delivers fantastic results with just one coat. It doesn’t leave overlap marks or raise the wood grain, and since it’s semi-transparent, it doesn’t completely cover up the natural look and feel of your cypress wood.
Product Specs
- Size: 1 gallon, 2.5 gallon
- Type: Water-based
- Stain opacity: Semi-transparent
Formulated to penetrate deep into wood pores, the Deck Premium Wood Stain offers maximum protection and longevity. It shields the wood from UV damage, water damage, mildew, and mold, so you won’t have to refresh the stain with every turn of the season.
The Deck Premium Wood Stain can be applied using a roller, sprayer, brush, or pad applicator. It comes in 1-gallon and 2.5-gallon options, with the 1-gallon option covering up to 150-square feet for two coats.
Pros
- Prevents wood from fading and graying, extending its lifespan
- Decent coverage of 150-square feet per gallon
- Applies evenly with no overlapping streaks
Cons
- Takes more than 72 hours to cure, exceeding the average cure time of most water-based stains
Best Value: Defy Extreme Wood Stain
The Defy Extreme Wood Stain is one of the more popular cypress wood stains on this list, and for good reason.
Thanks to its unique zinc nano-particle formula, the Defy Extreme Wood Stain easily outperforms most water-based stains on the market. It doesn’t film on wood, prevents UV graying, and isn’t prone to peeling or wearing.
Product Specs
- Size: 1 gallon
- Type: Water-based
- Stain opacity: Semi-transparent
Made with high-quality resins, the Defy Extreme Wood Stain offers superior color and coverage. It doesn’t apply as easily as the Ready Seal Exterior Stain (more on that later), but still beginner-friendly nonetheless. Best of all, it dries in about two hours, allowing you to apply multiple coats in one day.
Since it’s water-based, it repels mold and mildew growth. It also protects wood from damaging UV rays, prolonging and preserving the wood.
The Defy Extreme Wood Stain offers fantastic value for its price. For two coats, you get about 100 square feet per gallon.
Pros
- The color penetrates deep into the wood, promoting color longevity
- Eco-friendly and easy to clean, requiring only water and soap
- Formulated to protect the wood from external elements
Cons
- Relatively weak pigment; it may take more than two coats to get the desired color
Best Budget: Storm Stain Protector
The Storm Stain Protector is suitable for all types of exterior cypress wood surfaces, including decks, fences, and siding. It’s one of the fastest-drying oil-based stains I’ve worked with, drying within 24 hours of application and curing within 48.
With five exceptionally rich colors to choose from, the Storm Stain Protector offers near-perfect application from the first coat. The stain is ready-to-use and goes on quickly and easily, making it suitable for first-time DIYers.
Product Specs
- Size: 1 gallon
- Type: Water-based
- Stain opacity: Semi-transparent
What I loved most about the Storm Stain Protector is that it absorbs deeply into wood fibers, making it nearly impossible to peel over time.
With its superior sealing properties protecting it from harsh outdoor elements, it lasts longer than most other outdoor wood stain products I’ve tried at the same price.
Pros
- Fast drying time; takes no more than 48 hours to cure
- Though oil-based, it doesn’t contain harmful odors or fumes
- Formula provides good protection against extreme weather conditions
Cons
- Color separates quickly, so you’ll need to mix it constantly to ensure even application
Easiest to Use: Ready Seal Exterior Stain
The Ready Seal Exterior Stain is a professional-grade wood stain that requires no back brushing or wet-line application.
As it’s formulated with a special blend of paraffin oil, trans-oxide pigments, resins, and algaecides, it’s easier to apply than water- or oil-based polyurethanes. You can’t mess it up, even if you have zero experience with staining wood. It rolls on like a dream, leaving little to no streaks, laps, or splotches.
Product Specs
- Size: 1 gallon, 5 gallon
- Type: Oil-based
- Stain opacity: Semi-transparent
Available in nine different colors, the Ready Seal Exterior Stain offers a broad spectrum of weather protection. Upon application, it creates a water-resistant seal to shield wood from splitting, cracking, and warping when doused in liquid.
If I had to nitpick, I’d say the only issue I had with this stain is that it isn’t true-to-color—at least from the colors I’ve tested.
To be clear, the colors weren’t bad, but they weren’t what I expected. For example, the Dark Walnut stain wasn’t as dark as was advertised. It looked golden brown more than anything. The same can be said with Mahogany; it looked more brown than red. After 14 days, which is when it reaches its “true” color, the stain appeared even lighter.
Pros
- Extremely forgiving to beginners
- Made with paraffin oil, which penetrates well into the wood
- The product blends itself and requires no thinning or diluting
Cons
- The color didn’t match the catalog exactly
- Takes 14 days to reach its true color
Best Gel Oil-Based Stain: General Finishes Oil Base Gel Stain
As an oil-based gel stain, General Finishes Stain doesn’t penetrate as deeply as liquid oil-based wipe-on stains. This has the advantage of providing the deepest, richest colors of any oil-based stain available in the market. Plus, it takes only one thin coat to get great results.
Made with a urethane-strengthened formula, the General Finishes Stain is protected from cracking and peeling during the colder months. Its high pigment level offers superior coverage paired with mildew and UV resistance to camouflage imperfections.
Product Specs
- Size: 1 quart, 1 gallon, 1 half-pint, 1 pint
- Type: Gel oil-based
- Stain opacity: Semi-solid
Compared to most gel oil-based products, the General Finishes Stain emits minimal fumes. I still had to crack open the windows during the application, but the smell wasn’t offensive.
Pros
- It provides a rich hue of color from the first application
- The no-mess application makes clean-up an easy affair
- Thick consistency gives you more control of the application
Cons
- Application takes a bit of finesse; it can appear streaky and uneven without the right technique
Why Use Cypress for Woodworking Projects
Cypress is a popular choice for woodworking projects due to its unique properties and characteristics. Some of the reasons why cypress is a great choice for woodworking projects include:
- Durability: Cypress is naturally resistant to decay and rot, making it ideal for outdoor projects and in areas with high humidity.
- Stability: It is known for its stability and dimensional accuracy, which makes it easy to work with and reduces the chances of warping or cracking over time.
- Natural resistance to insects and decay: Its natural oils and resins make it resistant to insects, decay, and rot, making it a great choice for exterior use.
- Unique appearance: Cypress has a distinctive, yellowish-red color with knots that add character and beauty to any project.
- Versatility: It can be used for a wide range of wood projects including furniture, cabinetry, exterior siding, and decking.
We love using cypress wood for my outdoor furniture projects, as it’s rot resistant and really strong. You can use this wood for a variety of projects though!
Cypress Wood Stain Factors to Consider
Choosing the right wood stain for your precious cypress wood can be tricky, especially if you’re a beginner. This guide will help you choose the right product for your project:
Stain Type
Wood stains come in three basic types: water-based, oil-based, and gel-based. Each base has its own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, water-based stains dry quickly than oil-based, don’t have harmful odors or fumes, and are much easier to clean than the alternative.
On the other hand, oil-based stains take longer to dry but allow a more even finish. It also penetrates the wood deeper than water-based stains.
Gel-based stains have the thickest consistency of all three, providing a uniform cover. They work best on wooden surfaces that were once painted.
Stain Opacity
Stain Opacity determines the visibility of the wood grain after it’s been stained.
There are four levels of opacity: solid, semi-solid, semi-transparent, and transparent.
- Solid stains are the heaviest of all stains. It’s much like regular paint and covers the natural appearance of the wood.
- Semi-solid stains allow you to see some of the wood’s natural grain, but you’ll have to get close to the wood to see.
- Semi-transparent stains show most of the natural wood, while transparent stains are so clear they don’t hide stains or other imperfections.
Indoor vs Outdoor
Indoor and outdoor stains have varying chemical makeups, so one shouldn’t be used in place of the other.
Exterior wood stains endure additional environmental stresses, so they have qualities that protect them from weather damage, as well as the growth of mold, mildew, and fungi. These chemicals can be toxic to humans, so they shouldn’t be used on indoor furniture.
Interior stains don’t contain mold retardants, UV absorbers, or light stabilizers to protect them from the effects of photooxidation. This makes them highly unsuitable for outdoor use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Wood Stain Lasts the Longest for Cypress Wood?
Oil-based stains last the longest on cypress wood, as they are known for their durability and long-lasting protection, as well as their ability to penetrate the wood fibers. However, they take longer to dry and emit strong fumes during application. On the other hand, water-based stains dry quickly and have low VOC emissions, but they are not as durable as oil-based stains.
Does Cypress Wood Take Stain Well?
Cypress wood is known for its ability to absorb stain well, with its fine grain and uniform texture making it an excellent choice for staining. However, Cypress wood can be prone to blotching and uneven coloring, especially if not properly prepped and conditioned before staining. Use a pre-stain wood conditioner and test the stain on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire surface.
How Long Does Wood Stain Take to Dry on Cypress Wood?
Cypress dries relatively quickly, given its porous nature. The drying time for stain on Cypress wood depends on several factors, including the type of stain used, the environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, and air flow), and the thickness of the stain application. Generally, most oil-based stains take 24-48 hours to dry completely, while water-based stains can dry in as little as 2-4 hours.
Conclusion
There you have it, folks; my top five picks for the best cypress wood stain! The products above are some of the best on the market, offering great value for your money.
But if I had to choose a favorite, my pick is the Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain. It absorbs deeply into the wood fibers, ensuring the color’s longevity while forming a protective seal on the outside. Plus, it dries fast and cleans up easily.
