Olympic Elite Stain Review

Keep Reading for the entire review.

Product Overview

Olympic Elite transparent and semi-transparent stain is an oil-based wood sealing and staining product. It is designed to protect exterior wood from moisture, UV rays and mildew. It can be applied to any exterior wood including fences, decks, siding and outdoor furniture. 

The oil in Olympic Elite is made to penetrate into the wood. Once the wood has absorbed the stain moisture will not be able to soak in because oil and water do not mix. The pigments in this stain will offer protection from UV rays.

Ease of application

Olympic Elite is a standard oil-based fence stain. It has an average application difficulty. Care must be taken when applying it to avoid putting too much product on the wood. Any stain that does not soak into the wood should be removed before it dries. Failure to do so will result in shiny spots that will be prone to peeling.

This product required back brushing when it is applied with a sprayer. This means that a brush should be run over the surface that has been sprayed. This will help even out the layer of stain and push the stain into the wood fibers. 

Also, this stain required keeping a wet edge. This means you should not allow stain to dry in the area you are working on. If you but new stain on top of the dry area there will be a darker spot where they overlap. This will result in an uneven color.

Application methods: Brush, Roller, Pump-Sprayer, Paint Sprayer

Requires back brushing:  Yes

Requires keeping a wet edge: Yes

Initial Appearance

Olympic Elite stain penetrates well into the wood and looks good when first applied. The colors are rich and appealing. It has a flat finish when it is completely dry.

Penetration

This stain is designed to fully penetrate the wood. Care should be taken to remove any excess that has not penetrated. The stain should be applied heavily enough that the wood can absorb as much stain as possible.

Cost

Olympic Elite costs slightly above the average for an oil-based penetrating stain.

Ease of Reapplication

Subsequent applications of Olympic Elite stain should be similar to the initial application. The product does not need to be completely removed if it is being applied a second time.

If the fence or deck is dirty it is recommended to wash it before a new coat is applied. Any gray color or mildew on the surface of the boards should be removed first as well. 

Resistance to Peeling

If applied correctly, this stain should penetrate into the wood and shouldn’t have issues with peeling. I have noticed many online complaints about this product peeling. The product literature mentions that it is a urethane-modified stain. This may mean that it is forming a surface film when applied heavily. This would increase the chances of seeing the stain peel.

Warranty

Olympic offers a lifetime warranty for this product. That doesn’t mean that a single coat will last a lifetime. They require regular maintenance for the warranty to be in force. If the product fails even though you have followed all of the instructions the company says they will replace the product.

Product Information

Alternatives to Olympic Elite

Ready Seal Exterior Stain

Product Description

Ready Seal brand fence stain is far easier to apply than Olympic Elite. It offers the same oil based protection from UV rays and moisture.

Ready Seal is one of our highest rated stains. Read our entire Ready Seal review.

Overall Score: 8.0/10

Our Verdict

Olympic Elite is a good option for protecting your outdoor wood structures. It will keep moisture at bay and protect the color of your wood. If you commit to regularly maintaining your fence stain it should keep your fence looking good for many years to come.

 There are several other options on the market that may be easier to use and offer the same level of protection. You may consider reading reviews like Ready Seal mentioned above before you purchase this product.

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