SuperDeck vs SuperDeck: Sherwin-Williams 2020 Oil Stain Reformulation

This article is far more than a product comparison. We at Sand & Stain have been using the Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck transparent penetrating oil as the main product in our business for over 10 years. It’s a large part of the reason we have been able to keep our main promise to our personal clients, contractors, and DIYs out there (and not coincidentally our slogan and blog name): Never Peel Again.

Suffice it to say, it came as a shock in the summer of 2020 that this exceptional product was reformulated without so much as a notice or warning. From conversations I’ve had, not even the local Sherwin-Williams store managers knew about this change (at least not in any of my local Ontario or Quebec stores.) Staff simply re-ordered more stock as normal and in came the new SuperDeck.

Aside from a brown strip on the bottom label section of the can and slightly changed literature (see left can in the picture below), the packaging label provides practically an unnoticeable difference. All seems well and good.

Until you open the can…

Before I begin with my qualms with the new formula, let me be clear about something: there is nothing wrong with a product reformulation. In fact, it should be a good thing—especially if it’s an improvement (which should seem like an obvious reason for a product reformulation.) Although not happy with the new result, my disappointed reasons also have to do with how this reformulation rolled out…

In my humble opinion, there should have been:

A Proper Announcement

The old and new Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck transparent stain formulas are certainly different enough that a proper announcement should have been made. Store managers and staff should have been prepared to organize their stores, notify regular account businesses like mine, as well as news for contractors and the general public. Businesses with signed contracts promising a product that doesn’t exist anymore should have been given a better chance to explain and make new product arrangements.

A Product Discontinuation + New Product Launch

The reformulation is so different from the original penetrating oil product that they should have properly discontinued the old product and launched a brand new product to take its place. To be fully clear, I’d be just as unhappy with the new versions’ performance. I would, however, expect major differences and have zero expectations that it would have any similarities to the discontinued formula—hence a completely different product name, etc. Using the exact same product names, colour names, and deceivingly similar labels should not be allowed with such a different product.

Different Colour Names

I don’t even want to know how many DIYs and contractors like yourself bought several gallons for their fence / deck staining project only to need one last gallon and were handed a completely different product (thinking it was the same thing) in the summer of 2020. You wouldn’t have even noticed until you opened the can—or worse yet; started applying only to see a completely different finish that didn’t match the rest of your deck or fence, despite having purchased a can with the exact same product and colour name…

SuperDeck vs SuperDeck: Product Comparison

Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck Oil Based Exterior Deck Stain Formula (OLD)

Here’s a look inside the cans of the old Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck transparent oil based formula (pictured above). From left to right, we’re peering into the cans of 3 colours: Cedar Tone Natural, Canyon Brown, and Heart Redwood.

The liquid consistency is ultra low viscosity, like a black coffee (tiny bubbles are from habit of shaking can before opening.) This is what a true penetrating oil stain looks like—extremely thin, transparent / translucent product.

You may be wondering to yourself ‘who cares what the product looks like on the inside of the can, as long as it looks good when the staining is complete.’ To answer that fair question: all photos on this website are used with the old SuperDeck oil based exterior stain at the time of this writing, as well as the pictures on our locally specific Sand & Stain wood restoration site from the Ottawa area.

The new formula might look good as well, however, read on to discover the disadvantages you might encounter while applying it...

Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck Modified-Oil Exterior Wood Formula (NEW)

Now we look at the new modified oil formula (pictured above.) As you can see, it’s much higher viscosity, extremely thick—almost yogurt-like texture and consistency make it an immediate red flag for application and process. On a hot day, there is far greater chance the hot sun will cake the outer layer of this stain before it can properly penetrate, leaving a skin that will blister or bubble, and of course eventually peel.

Even if you used this new formula on a cool day without direct sunlight, it would still take far longer to apply due to its thick consistency, leading you to reload your brush way more often and spending more time spreading the product around to prevent inconsistent patches and even out any excess layering.

For a DIY, you might be fine with these sacrifices and waiting for a cooler day without direct sunlight to apply this thicker stain. If you’re a contractor or business doing this all season long, good luck to you keeping busy enough between rain days and now days that are too hot / sunny. Doesn’t leave many days to work on staining projects…

If that isn’t enough trouble for contractors (or DIYs that use sprayers): I would factor in way more time into back brushing excess product build up. This would not only take longer, but make for a frustrating experience—something you (or your team) wouldn’t want to get used to.

And The Winner Is…

To be fair, this post isn’t intended to bash the new SuperDeck Oil-Modified stain formula. I fully understand why Sherwin-Williams made this move, matching industry trends going towards more water based and hybrid stain products. This new product might do a great job for you, and wonderful if it does. After meetings with Sherwin-Williams personnel (and few disagreements with my arguments), an improved protection against mildew seems to be its only “win” against the old formula.

Perhaps obvious, this new formulation does not fall under our methodology we use in the Sand & Stain System — something constantly under review to ensure we continue our #1 promise to you: that your staining project will never peel.

That’s not to say we guarantee this new Sherwin-Williams product will peel. However, it does not comply with our strict list of true penetrating oil stains making it an easy decision—even after 10+ years of partnership—to switch products to ensure we can deliver a consistent outcome without compromising our Never Peel Again promise.

We’re immensely proud that not one single staining project has peeled that we’ve worked on. We promise to continue our efforts in making every decision sustain these results consistently, indefinitely—and of course share our secrets with you.

We’re constantly updating our online Stain & Supply Shop for DIY and contractors with only products we support and use ourselves. Feel free to shop here on our site to support our vision of restoring and staining decks until none are left peeling ever again!