The stain is already on the fence. The question that decides the next can is whether the homeowner has to think about it again. Thompson's WaterSeal needed that answer in the last video of the fence series. Beacon put it in a little over two minutes, after the slats are in and the top detail is on.
James Judge says there is no need to worry about doing this for at least another year, and tells the viewer to run a splash test. If the water beads, leave it. If it absorbs in the first five seconds, clean it and stain it again. That is what the video says. It is not a Beacon test of how long the finish lasts.
Another brand hiring Beacon for this kind of video is buying the moment after the project looks finished. A label can say to reapply later. It cannot show the person who just built the fence telling the next person when to stop worrying and when to start again. The video can sit at the end of a project series, on a care page, or in the post that follows the stain.
Thompson's did not need another coat going on a board. They needed the finished fence to answer how long the job is done. That is what this video is for.
Read transcript Video dialogue and narration
[00:00.000] Let's finish this fence. Prepping it and staining it with Thompson's water seal was so easy and so fun.
[00:22.580] With the frame built, I'm adding the stained slats into a groove on the bottom to secure them with an interlock on the sides.
[00:29.360] With the wooden slats installed, now it's time to add the decorative detail on the top that we made.
[00:34.220] And I'm so happy with how it looks, but I want to make sure it keeps looking like this all year round.
[00:41.660] So while it was really easy to apply, I'm so grateful I don't have to worry about doing this for at least another year and I can just enjoy everything else around it instead.
[00:51.080] How long will this last? Well, it's going to vary depending on the environment and how you use it.
[00:57.020] When you're considering finishes, a solid stain will ultimately last longer than something semi-transparent or transparent, but you will lose the look of the wood grain in the process.
[00:66.660] Not only that, but think about how you're applying the product. If you're going vertically like I did with a fence, it will likely last longer than something horizontally like a deck, which might get a lot of foot traffic.
[01:17.420] I'll want to make sure that I keep my new fences clean, wiping off any debris or leaves that might develop or go against it. I can also use a hose and if necessary, because things do get dirty, I can always use Thompson's water seal cleaner as well.
[01:31.860] And every once in a while, remember to perform the splash test again. If the water beads up, you're good to go. But if it absorbs for the first five seconds, it's time to clean and stain it again.
[01:45.060] I had a lot of fun getting this project built and protected using Thompson's water seal and I appreciate you being a part of it. I'm James Judge. You can check me out online as The House Judge and remember to prep, stain, and maintain all your outdoor projects using Thompson's water seal.
