In all our years of DIY projects, we had never used a solid stain — until a recent job made it the perfect choice. A professional house painter recommended solid stain for our outdoor shower, and we quickly understood why. It was simple to apply, provided excellent coverage, and produced a result even better than we expected. Below we outline the pros and cons of solid stain and explain how and why we used it.
The “canvas” for this project was our outdoor shower. We gave it a light refresh when we moved in, but over time it needed more attention. We were intimidated by the idea of stripping and restaining all the nooks and crannies, but the solid stain made the job painless and eliminated the need for sanding. The whole update took two afternoons, and we were using the shower again the next day.
Beyond ease of application, a major reason we liked solid stain is durability. It will protect the wood better than what we had been doing, and in hindsight we should have used it years ago.
Solid Stain Before & After
Before we get into FAQs, here are some before-and-after images that show the impact of a solid stain. When we first toured the house the shower looked rough. At one point a contractor suggested removing it entirely, but we decided to revive it instead.
Pressure washing improved the appearance significantly, and we’ve done that annually to keep grime at bay. Still, some cedar boards became spongy, rotten, or broken and needed replacement. We also wanted a better long-term solution to prevent the same damage from recurring.
New cedar boards looked brighter and clashed with the weathered ones, which inspired the decision to use a solid stain for a uniform, low-maintenance finish. The stain would help prevent future rot and reduce maintenance overall.
The repairs looked great but left a mismatched appearance. Seams and holes were filled with wood putty or exterior caulk, which increased the patchy look. A traditional stain wouldn’t have concealed the mismatched wood tones, so we consulted a local painter who strongly recommended solid stain. We were nervous at first, but it turned out to be straightforward to apply and the right choice for this project.
We documented the result on video to show how the finished shower fits with the rest of the exterior. The video gives a better sense of texture and flow than static images.
Note: You can also watch this video on YouTube.
For reference, here is how the shower looked when we bought the house in February 2020:
And here is the shower after the solid stain. The finish looks more uniform and less porous, which helps reduce grime and the risk of rot over time. The solid stain provides a cleaner, more protected appearance while still allowing the wood texture to show through in person.
Close-up photos and video reveal the natural wood grain that remains visible beneath the solid color, keeping the look warm and textured rather than flat like typical paint.
We also replaced the shower floor with Trex a few winters ago, which is rot-proof and water-friendly. The new flooring matches the rest of our porches and decks, and the stained walls tie everything together nicely.
Why Choose A Solid Stain?
Solid stains occupy the middle ground between paint and semi-transparent stains. They work on unpainted wood and concrete, add durable color, and protect the surface while allowing some wood grain texture to remain visible. The result is a uniform, protective coat that was well suited to the patchy, repaired cedar of our shower.
When wet, solid stain can look like solid paint, but once dry it tends to resemble stained wood more than painted wood since grain and texture remain visible.
Solid Stain Vs. Paint
Here are key differences to consider when choosing between solid stain and paint:
- Solid stain is formulated for raw or previously stained surfaces like wood and concrete; paint adheres to many surfaces including already painted ones.
- Solid stain usually doesn’t require a primer on raw wood; paint often does.
- Paint offers a wider color range; stain palettes are smaller and lean toward earthy tones.
- Solid stain tends to fade over time and may need reapplication; paint is more prone to peeling, which requires sanding and priming before repainting.
- Solid stain penetrates the wood, preserving grain; paint sits on the surface and can obscure texture.
- Solid stain is often more affordable than premium exterior paint.
For our project, the most important benefits were that solid stain preserved wood texture, eliminated the need for primer in most areas, and avoided future peeling that would require extensive prep.
Note: We avoided clear or semi-transparent stains because matching the varying tones of old and new cedar through sanding would have been time-consuming and unpredictable.
Tools & Supplies Needed
Solid stain uses many of the same tools as painting. Our basic materials list included:
- Solid stain (we used Behr Premium Solid Stain in the color Tugboat)
- Drop cloths
- Angled paint brush
- 3/8″ nap roller (we used a 6″ roller for siding)
- Roller tray
- Exterior caulk (optional, for filling seams and holes)
We used cedar-colored exterior caulk to fill corners and nail holes before staining. It blended well and did not show through the finished coat.
How To Apply Solid Stain
Solid stain applies much like paint and is generally easier than traditional transparent stains. It doesn’t require wiping or worrying about uneven absorption. If you can paint a room, you can apply a solid stain.
Clean the surface first; depending on the condition, a chemical cleaner or stripper may be needed. We simply scrubbed with a stiff brush and used a shop-vac to remove dust and debris. Work in sections: cut in edges with a brush, then use a higher-nap roller (3/8″) to roll stain on rough wood. We cut in under the edges of each plank to ensure full coverage, then rolled each wall. The first coat took about 4–5 hours; we let it dry overnight and applied a second coat the next day. Some caulked corners needed a light third coat for full coverage. Unlike paint, we didn’t see brush marks or sheen differences after touch-ups.
After a full 24-hour dry period following the final coat, we returned furniture and plants to the shower.
Solid Stain Color Options
Stain color palettes are smaller than paint palettes and typically focus on darker, earthy tones suited for exterior projects. For example, the brand we used offers a limited set of solid stain colors compared to thousands of paint shades. Despite the smaller selection, most homeowners can find a hue that complements decks, fences, siding, and outdoor furniture.
We chose the Tugboat color because it coordinates with our Trex decking. If you’re unsure, buy sample sizes or test colors on scrap wood or in an inconspicuous spot before committing.
Would We Use Solid Stain Again?
Yes. We’re very pleased with the process and the initial result. It’s been a few months, so long-term weathering is still to be determined, but the shower is a harsh test case with constant moisture and sun exposure. So far it’s stayed clean, looks less porous, and appears more waterproof than before. We’ll update this post after watching how it holds up over time, but for now our verdict is two thumbs up.
We’ll report back once we’ve observed the finish for several seasons. For now, the solid stain has given us a protected, uniform, and attractive finish that solved the mismatched patchwork of repairs and reduced future maintenance concerns.
Other Projects Using Stain
If you’re interested in other staining projects, here are examples we’ve covered that may be useful for inspiration or how-to guidance:
- How to stain a concrete floor
- How to strip old finish off a deck
- How to stain and seal a deck
- How to remove old finish on furniture
- How to stain a table
- How to stain without sanding off the old finish
- Creating a decorative pattern with stain
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