For wood · Exterior
Benjamin Moore ARBORCOAT
Exterior wood stain in five opacities — from clear to solid — for decks, fences, and siding.
ARBORCOAT is a system, not a single product. You choose how much of the wood grain you want to see — clear, translucent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, or solid — and the stain does the rest.
In Florida, wood outdoors takes sun and moisture from both directions, and the more pigment a stain carries, the longer it protects. Clear looks gorgeous and needs the most upkeep; solid lasts longest and reads closest to paint.
Bring a photo of the wood and tell us how much maintenance you're willing to do — that conversation picks the opacity faster than a brochure.
Priced by opacity and formula. The bigger cost driver is prep — cleaning and brightening the wood is not optional.
Paint guide
Not sure this is the right paint?
Answer six quick questions about your surface, how hard it gets used, and your budget — we'll tell you the right line and sheen, and why.
Start the paint picker →Best for
- •Decks, docks, and boardwalks
- •Fences and gates
- •Cedar and wood siding
- •Outdoor furniture and pergolas
Available finishes
The can, up close
Click any can to enlarge it, then double-click or use the magnifier to read the label.
Why it's different
What Benjamin Moore ARBORCOAT gives you
- Five opacities from clear to solid
- Waterborne, easy cleanup
- Mildew-resistant coating
- Deck and siding formulas for foot traffic or vertical surfaces
- Tintable to a wide stain color palette
Questions
Benjamin Moore ARBORCOAT — common questions
What people actually ask us at the counter.
Which ARBORCOAT opacity should I choose for a deck?
Semi-transparent is the common choice on a deck in good shape — it shows grain and wears gracefully. If the boards are older, weathered, or previously solid-stained, go semi-solid or solid.
How often will I need to restain in Florida?
Sun and rain here are hard on horizontal wood. Expect more frequent maintenance on a deck than on a fence, and more on clear and translucent finishes than on solid.
Do I need to clean the wood first?
Yes. Clean and brighten bare or weathered wood and let it dry fully before staining. Stain applied over mill glaze, dirt, or a wet deck will not hold, whatever it costs.
Can I stain over an existing solid stain?
Over solid, yes — with solid. You cannot go back down to a semi-transparent look without stripping or sanding to bare wood.
Where to buy
Benjamin Moore ARBORCOAT in South Palm Beach County
Tinted to any color at our stores, usually while you wait. Call ahead and we'll have it mixed before you arrive.
Delray Beach · Boca Raton · Boynton Beach · Lake Worth Beach · Highland Beach · Gulf Stream · Ocean Ridge · Briny Breezes · Manalapan · Hypoluxo · Lantana · South Palm Beach · Palm Beach · West Palm Beach · Palm Beach Gardens · North Palm Beach · Lake Park · Riviera Beach · Palm Beach Shores · Juno Beach · Jupiter · Jupiter Inlet Colony · Tequesta · Greenacres · Wellington · Royal Palm Beach · Loxahatchee Groves · Westlake · Haverhill · Palm Springs · Lake Clarke Shores · Atlantis · Cloud Lake · Glen Ridge · Golf · Belle Glade · South Bay · Pahokee · Mangonia Park · Deerfield Beach · Lighthouse Point · Hillsboro Beach · Pompano Beach · Coconut Creek · Margate · Coral Springs · Parkland · Tamarac · North Lauderdale · Lauderdale-by-the-Sea · Sea Ranch Lakes · Oakland Park · Wilton Manors · Fort Lauderdale · Lauderdale Lakes · Lauderhill · Plantation · Sunrise · Weston · Davie · Cooper City · Southwest Ranches · Pembroke Pines · Miramar · Hollywood · Dania Beach · Hallandale Beach · West Park · Pembroke Park
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