Ready Seal Stain Review

Read below for the full review.

Ready Seal brand stain was the first brand that I used in my professional staining company. I really appreciated how easy it was to apply. It was a great option to use as a beginner stainer. That is why it is one of my top recommendations for homeowners and DIY fence staining. It won the top spot in our article on the best oil-based fence stains.

Product Overview

Product Ratings

Ease of Application

One of the best qualities of Ready Seal is how easy it is to apply. The company calls it “good proof.” They say this because the oil used in this product avoids many of the issues that make other stains a challenge to properly apply.

The long-drying oils in their product allow any excess stain to level and even out. If there are areas where the stain was put on too heavily the stain will drip off or eventually soak into the wood. This is opposed to most other fence stains. If these others are put on too heavily they will dry in a sheet on the surface and eventually flake off.

Also, most fence stains require you to keep a wet edge while staining. This means that you cannot let the stain you are working on dry before you are finished. If fresh stain is overlapped onto some that is already dry, the spot where they overlap will be darker. These darker spots are called lap marks.

Both of the issues mentioned above, flaking and lap marks, are eliminated by using a slow-drying stain like Ready Seal. You can stain part of a board one day and finish it the next and you will not see a lap mark once everything has a chance to dry.

There are still a couple of things to keep in mind when using this brand. Your main goal when putting Ready Seal on your fence is the get enough oil and pigment on each board. This requires 3 main steps

1. You must make sure that the stain is very thoroughly mixed before you begin. I recommend turning the unopened can upside down and shaking it to mix up the pigment from the bottom of the can.
2. You must make sure the wood is dry. The most accurate way to do this is to measure the moisture content with a moisture meter. You want a reading of less than 12%. If this is not available, you should wait at least several weeks after installation and 3 days after any rain to give the fence time to dry.
3. You must apply enough stain to the fence. Ready Seal recommends applying a first heavy coat followed by a lighter second coat if the first one soaks in.

Failure to follow these three steps will result in a fence without adequate oil or pigment on it. This will cause the stain to fade early and your fence won’t be protected. For more information, see our guide to staining a fence.

Application methods: brush, roller, pump sprayer, airless paint sprayer

Requires back brushing: No

Requires keeping a wet edge: No

Initial Appearance 

One thing to keep in mind is that it takes Ready Seal 7-14 days to reach its final appearance. Because it uses slow-drying oils, the fence may appear wet or uneven in color for the first week or two. This is normal as the oil slowly works its way into the wood. I have had good results with Ready Seal giving an even color on new fences.

As mentioned above, the Ready Seal colors are pretty transparent. They will highlight wood grain and enhance the natural beauty of cedar. Their colors will also work on pine but the results won’t be quite as stunning. Read more on how to choose a fence stain color.

Penetration

Ready Seal uses paraffin oils in their stain. These oils are made to fully penetrate into the wood. They will not pool up and form a film on the surface if they are applied too heavily. This eliminates the possibility of flaking or peeling for this stain. This is a benefit of Ready Seal vs Cabot stain or other varieties.

Cost

Ready Seal is a premium stain and comes with an above-average cost. I recommend buying it in 5-gallon buckets if you are staining a fence. The cost per gallon will be much lower this way.

Ease of Reapplication

Ready Seal uses the same process to reapply as it uses for the first application. The old stain does not need to be removed. The new stain can be spread right over it. 

The manufacturer recommends staining fences every three to four years to maintain the look and protection of the stain. While many people ask how long does Ready Seal last on a deck, we don’t recommend using this product on decks. A more appropriate product would be Cabot Australian Timber Oil.

If a fence has been neglected for longer than this amount of time and has gray color starting to appear on the pickets the boards should be bleached and washed prior to staining.

Resistance to Peeling

Ready Seal does not have issues with peeling because its oils cannot form a film on the wood. This is a great benefit of Ready Seal vs Behr stains because the Behr product tends to peel.

Warranty

Ready Seal warranties against any defects in the original product. They do not give a warranty for a certain duration on the fence. Their warranty reads in part:

“Ready Seal warrants the quality of the contents of the container, so if it is determined that there is a defect in the product itself, replacement product or refund of purchase price will be provided at Ready Seal’s discretion. Labor costs are not covered by this warranty.”

Read the full warranty.

Product Information

Alternatives to Ready Seal

A Very Similar Alternative to Ready Seal is Wood Defender fence Stain. It has the same ease of application and offers full protection to your wood. The main reason you may consider choosing Wood Defender over Ready Seal is if you like one of their color options better. Read the full Wood Defender Transparent Fence Stain Review.

Our Verdict

We highly recommend Ready Seal brand fence stain for homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, and professionals. The ease of application is second to none. It looks great on new fences and it is easy to keep it looking good.

Check out the prices on Amazon.