Behr stain/sealer "promises" 4 years?

[netnet]

Hi! New to the site and to home ownership, so thanks in advance. Trying to power wash old cedar deck, replace a few boards and stain and seal. I understand the only stains thin enough to be sprayed without clogging the sprayers are not going to last as long as a roll on stain. But Behr claims to have a spray on stain/sealer that lasts 4 years. Is my instinct correct when I say "I don't think so!" ??? Do all stains have sealers in them already? Is Cabot the best way to go for longevity? Someone on this site said, "it's not how much you spend, it's how many times you spend it", so what do you think is the best quality stuff to stain and seal? Thanks again!

[marksr]

I've never used behr stain but if the stain is similiar to there other paints it isn't as good as some of the others. Generally the more pigment a stain has the better it will hold up. All deck stains seal the wood, the differences are in how long they last. When you say 'spray on' do you mean with a garden sprayer or an airless? IMO the finishes that will spray well with a garden sprayer aren't substanial enough. Cabot makes good stain, so do SWP and Benj Moore.

[slickshift]

I have used the Behr deck stain
It really doesn't look good from the moment you apply it
It looks worse after a season
It certainly isn't going to protect for 4 years
Maybe it actually protects for about one if your lucky
It's also torturous to apply
I cannot recommend it

The Thompson's Water seal is popular spray-on sealer
I have used it also
It will make your new deck look 3 seasons old
And it barely lasts for one
I cannot recommend it either

I have used Cabot successfully and can recommend it
For the last few years I have used it almost exclusively for my clients that want their decks stained
I live and work in an area that's tough on decks, and with the Cabot I know I won't have a problem
I don't spray it, but use good quality brushes and pads

[BobF]

Rule of thumb is one year for every $10/gallon you spend. It may last 4 years, but that is only on the vertical surfaces that are protected from the elements.