Storm System Protector - Hickory, 1 Gallon, Protects Outdoor Wood from Water & UV Rays, Siding, Fence & Deck Stain and Sealer, Outdoor Wood Stain and Sealer

What it is and who it’s for

Storm Protector is a penetrating, semi-transparent exterior stain and sealer designed for decks, fences, siding, and other outdoor wood. I used the Hickory tone on a redwood privacy fence and on some pressure-treated pine steps/rails to see how it handles different species and milling. If you like a natural, grain-forward look rather than a painted film, and you want a single-step product that both colors and seals, this is the kind of finish you’re shopping for.

The headline appeal here is straightforward: highlight the wood, keep water out, and slow UV fade—all without building a thick surface film that peels later. That’s the right approach for most softwoods outside, especially when you want easy maintenance cycles down the road.

Setup and mixing: the critical step

Before you even think about application, plan to mix aggressively. The pigment load in Hickory is substantial and settles hard. A few shakes won’t cut it. I had the best results by:

• Opening the can and scraping the bottom thoroughly with a paint paddle until there was no compacted sludge.
• Using a drill-mounted mixing paddle for a couple of minutes.
• “Boxing” between two containers for a final blend (pouring back and forth).
• Stirring periodically during application.

Do not skip this. Under-mixed stain will go on looking almost clear with weak coverage; properly mixed, Hickory lands as a warm, medium brown that still shows grain clearly. If you’re spraying, strain it through a paint strainer after mixing to avoid tip clogs.

Surface prep matters

Like any penetrating stain, Protector wants clean, dry, open-pored wood. I washed the fence to knock off mill glaze and dirt, let it dry thoroughly, and scuff-sanded a few sunburned areas. On pressure-treated pine, I made sure the boards had dried from their factory moisture; rushing that step is a recipe for blotchy absorption and slow curing.

Aim for a dry, mild day, out of direct blazing sun and wind if you can. Hot boards cause solvents to flash too quickly at the surface, which can trap material and lead to tackiness.

Application: brush, roller, or sprayer

Protector is supplied ready-to-use. I tried both a handheld HVLP sprayer and a 4-inch stain brush.

• Sprayer + back-brush: Fastest on fence pickets and rails. I sprayed a light, even coat and immediately back-brushed to work it in and level any overlap lines. Back-brushing also helps avoid leaving a wet film, which is key to proper curing.
• Brush-only on steps and tops of rails: Gave me the most control. I worked in small sections, keeping a wet edge.

A roller can work on flat decking, but you’ll still want to back-brush to push the stain into the grain. The product flows well and isn’t runny when mixed; I didn’t fight sags unless I oversprayed on verticals.

One caution: don’t flood the surface. Penetrating stains should be applied thin. If the wood stops absorbing within a few minutes, wipe or brush off the excess. Leaving a shiny, oily layer to “dry” on the surface is a common mistake that can leave panels tacky for days.

Color and finish

Hickory is a versatile warm brown with slight golden undertones. On redwood, it deepened the natural hue without looking painted—think two shades darker with prominent grain. On pressure-treated pine, it knocked down the green cast and delivered a more even, rich look, though pine’s blotch-prone sections still benefit from careful, thin application.

It’s semi-transparent, so knots and grain remain very much visible. If you’re expecting uniform opacity, you’ll want a semi-solid or solid stain instead. Sheen is matte after curing with no plasticky film.

Dry time and cure

With thin coats on a moderate day, the first coat absorbed quickly and lost its wet sheen in short order. The second coat took longer to set, especially on denser areas and end grain, but was manageable. Where I experimented with heavier application—like flooded rail tops—I had to return and wipe off the excess to avoid a persistent oily feel.

Temperature, humidity, and wood porosity will swing dry times. High heat can paradoxically extend cure if you over-apply and form a surface film. Patience pays off: work thin, let it absorb, then address any sheen by evening it out with the brush rather than hoping a puddle will hard-dry.

Water and UV performance

After cure, early water beading was excellent. A couple of rainstorms later, I still saw water shedding well with no dark water spots. As for UV, I can’t claim long-term results after a short trial, but semi-transparent oil-leaning finishes like this typically weather gradually, lightening over time rather than peeling. That’s ideal for maintenance; you’ll clean and recoat rather than strip.

Durability expectations and maintenance

Because Protector penetrates rather than films, expect:

• Traffic areas (steps, deck boards) to show wear sooner than verticals. Plan on more frequent touch-ups where shoes scuff.
• Vertical fences and siding to go longer between recoats, with maintenance cycles driven by color fade more than failure.
• Simple refreshes: clean the surface, let it dry, and reapply a thin maintenance coat—no heavy sanding or stripping required.

If you want a stain that you can repair invisibly in small sections, this approach is much friendlier than solid, film-forming coatings.

Tools, coverage, and cleanup

I found a sprayer plus a quality natural-bristle or polyester/nylon blend stain brush to be the sweet spot for speed and control. Working a section at a time with immediate back-brushing kept lap marks at bay.

Coverage will vary with species and roughness. Plan conservatively; rough-sawn or weathered wood drinks more. A single gallon went farther than I expected on a minimally weathered redwood run and less far on thirsty pine.

Cleanup follows typical stain protocol: protect nearby hardscapes, wear gloves, and use the appropriate solvent per the label for tools and drips. Odor was present but not overwhelming outdoors; proper ventilation is still wise when working in nooks or under decks.

Where it shines

• Natural look: Grain-forward, non-plasticky result with a balanced brown tone.
• One-product simplicity: Color and sealer in the same pass.
• Versatility: behaved well on both soft redwood and pressure-treated pine.
• Forgiving application window: Sprays and brushes nicely; back-brushing evens everything out.

Where it can bite you

• Mixing is non-negotiable: Heavy settling means you must stir thoroughly and keep stirring. Cutting corners yields weak color and uneven sheen.
• Over-application risks: Leave a film and it can stay tacky for a long time. Thin coats, worked in, are the rule.
• Climate sensitivity: High heat or high humidity exaggerate dry-time issues if you flood the surface. Plan for mild weather and shade if possible.

Practical tips for better results

• Mix vigorously with a drill paddle and scrape the bottom of the can. Box between containers and strain for spraying.
• Do a test board on your actual wood species; semi-transparent stains vary by substrate.
• Work in manageable sections and back-brush immediately.
• If the wood stops absorbing and you still see gloss after a few minutes, wipe/brush off the excess.
• Keep a stir stick in the can and agitate every few minutes during application.
• Avoid hot, sunlit boards; morning or late afternoon is your friend.

Recommendation

I recommend Storm Protector in Hickory for homeowners and pros who want a semi-transparent, penetrating finish that celebrates wood grain while delivering meaningful water repellency and UV resistance. It’s easy to live with, touch up, and maintain—provided you respect two rules: mix it thoroughly and apply it thin. If you prefer an opaque, uniform look or you need a coating that you can slather on and walk away from in harsh conditions, this isn’t your product. But if a warm, natural finish with sensible maintenance is your goal, Protector hits the mark with a good balance of color, protection, and usability.