Wood stains

The Olympic Maximum Deck, Fence & Siding Solid Stain (Lowe's) is part of the wood stain test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, wood stain models like the Maximum Deck, Fence & Siding Solid Stain (Lowe's) are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Appearance after 3 years:

Appearance after three years summarizes performance after one year of our accelerated weathering (i.e. equivalent to one year on a deck or three years on a vertical surface). Testing stops when appearance falls to fair or poor at which time, the product must be reapplied.

Appearance after 6 years:

Appearance after six years summarizes performance after two years of our accelerated weathering (i.e. equivalent to two years on a deck or six years on a vertical surface). Testing stops when appearance falls to fair or poor at which time, the product must be reapplied.

Appearance after 9 years:

Appearance after nine years summarizes performance after three years of our accelerated weathering (i.e. equivalent to three years on a deck or nine years on a vertical surface). Testing stops after three years, whether or not the product appearance falls to fair or poor. Products that at this point still rate at least good for appearance are considered superior products.