In all our years of DIY, we’d never used a solid stain—until a recent project made it the perfect choice. A professional house painter recommended it for our outdoor shower, and we were surprised by how easy it was to apply, how well it covered, and how durable the finish feels. The result was better than we expected, so this post explains the pros and cons, how we did it, and why it worked so well for this space.
The “canvas” for this project was our outdoor shower. Shortly after moving in we gave it a mini-makeover, but we knew it would need more attention over time. We had been dreading the idea of stripping and restaining because of all the nooks and crannies, but using a solid stain made the job surprisingly painless—no sanding required. The whole project took two afternoons, and we were using the shower again the next day.
Not only was the application straightforward, the finish also promises better durability. In hindsight, we should have done it years ago.
Solid Stain Before & After
Before diving into questions about solid stain, here are before-and-after photos that show what it can do. When we first toured the house the shower looked rough and our contractor suggested removing it entirely. We opted to try to revive it instead, and cleaning it with a pressure washer was a big first step. Over time some boards became soft, rotten, or broken, so we replaced the worst ones and realized we needed a better long-term protection strategy to prevent future rot.
The replaced cedar boards looked much brighter than the weathered planks around them, and the patchwork of repairs made the shower look uneven. Many seams and holes needed wood putty or outdoor caulk, which added to the patchy appearance. We wanted a solution that would seal the new cedar and unify the look without the labor of sanding every plank.
The solid stain was recommended by a local painter who looked at the shower in person and felt it would deliver long-lasting protection while blending the old and new wood. We were nervous since we’d never used it, but the painter assured us it was DIY-friendly—and he was right.
A video of the shower in motion captures how the stained walls flow into the rest of the front porch and offers a clearer sense of texture and tone than still images alone. A few photos below compare how the shower looked when we bought the house to how it looks now. The solid stain has given the siding a uniform, protected appearance that’s less porous and easier to keep clean.
Close-up photos and video show the natural wood texture that still reads through the solid stain. The finish doesn’t look like flat paint; once dry it resembles stained wood while offering a stronger barrier against moisture and grime.
A couple of winters ago we swapped the shower’s old wood flooring for Trex, which is rot-proof and handles water exposure better. That change, combined with the solid stain on the walls, has made the shower much easier to maintain.
Why Choose A Solid Stain?
Solid stains sit between paint and traditional transparent stains. They work on unpainted wood (and similar surfaces), add color, and protect the material while still allowing some wood grain to show. The result is an even, protective coat that masks color differences between new and old boards while retaining natural texture. That combination made it an ideal solution for our shower.
Although it may look like a thick paint while wet, the dried finish reveals more wood grain and a stained appearance rather than a painted surface.
Solid Stain Vs. Paint
Solid stain can deliver a paint-like color while preserving more of the wood’s texture. Key differences to consider:
- Solid stain is formulated for raw or previously stained surfaces like wood and concrete; paint adheres to a wider range of surfaces including previously painted ones.
- Solid stain typically doesn’t need a primer on raw wood; paint usually does.
- Stain palettes are smaller and tend toward earthy tones, while paint offers a far wider range of colors.
- Solid stain generally fades over time but doesn’t peel, often allowing simple re-coating. Paint tends to peel, which requires sanding and priming before repainting.
- Solid stain soaks into wood and keeps the grain visible; paint sits on the surface and can obscure grain.
- Solid stain often costs less per gallon compared with top exterior paints.
For us, the main advantages were keeping the wood grain visible, avoiding a primer step, and sidestepping future peeling and the sanding that comes with paint maintenance. We specifically avoided a clear or semi-transparent stain because matching the many different wood tones by sanding would have been time-consuming and unreliable.
Tools & Supplies Needed
Applying solid stain uses many of the same tools as painting. Our materials included:
- Solid stain (we used Behr Premium Solid Stain in the color Tugboat)
- Drop cloths to protect surrounding areas
- An angled paint brush for cutting in edges
- A 3/8″ nap roller for rolling on rough wood surfaces (we used a 6″ roller)
- A roller tray
- Exterior caulk in a color that closely matches the stain (optional)
We used exterior caulk to fill corners and nail holes before staining. We chose a cedar-toned caulk so it would blend; we worried it might show through but it did not.
How To Apply Solid Stain
Solid stain applies much like paint, and it’s simpler than working with transparent or semi-transparent stains. You don’t have to wipe off excess or worry about uneven absorption. If you can paint a room, you can apply a solid stain.
Depending on the condition of the surface, you may need a chemical cleaner or stripper to remove old finishes. Our siding was weathered enough that we simply cleaned it with a stiff brush and vacuumed away dust and debris. Work in manageable sections: cut in edges and corners with a brush, then roll the stain onto each plank. A higher-nap roller (3/8″) helps cover rough wood effectively. The stain spreads easily and doesn’t drip like a very thin stain might.
We cut in with a brush, then rolled each wall. The first coat took several hours for all sides; we let it dry overnight and applied a second coat the next day. Some caulked corners needed a quick third coat to achieve full coverage. Unlike paint touch-ups, the solid stain didn’t leave visible brush marks or sheen differences.
After waiting another 24 hours for everything to fully cure, we moved our plants and accessories back in. The space felt refreshed and much cleaner.
Solid Stain Color Options
Solid stain palettes are smaller than paint collections and often emphasize darker, earthier tones that work well for exterior applications like siding, decks, and fences. Many brands offer a booklet of options at the store, and some sell sample sizes so you can test colors on scrap wood or in an inconspicuous area. We picked a color that coordinated with existing decking so the porch and shower would flow together.
Would We Use Solid Stain Again?
Yes. We’re very happy with the application process and the way the finished surface looks. It’s only been a few months, so long-term weathering remains to be seen, but the shower is a tough test site—lots of moisture, sun exposure on the top areas, and shade lower down. So far it’s stayed clean, seems less porous, and feels more waterproof than the old finish. We’ll report back after more time has passed, but for now the verdict is two thumbs up.
If you’re weighing options for a project with mixed-aged wood or many patched areas, a solid stain can be an excellent compromise between the look of stain and the protection of paint.
Other Projects Using Stain
If you enjoyed this project, you might also be interested in other staining projects such as staining concrete floors, stripping old deck finishes, refinishing furniture, or staining tables. Stain can be used for a wide range of exterior and interior projects depending on the product and finish you choose.
Note: this post originally included links to products and resources. We recommend testing colors and products in small areas first and consulting manufacturer guidance for application and drying times.