Deck Preservatives Is There A Difference

[MarkV]

Shvl73
You are right on all counts. Water base poly is much thinner than oil base and requires about 3 times the number of coats to get any good build up. We use oil base because we feel it has been more durable, in our experience, on floors. I do use water base poly on some non-floor projects and particularly like it on cedar. Cedar tends to darken with age and if an oil base finish is used it darkens much more and faster. We have a vacation home that is mostly cedar inside and I sprayed 2 coats of water base poly on most everything with good results. Water base poly is also very clear when it dries where oil base has a bit of an amber tint to it. Another advantage to the water base poly is that it dries very fast and can be recoated in about an hour.

MarkV

 

[Hardware]

Hello Mike, here is a few hints from my experience.
First off, don't use anything that will build a film on the wood. That would be any varnish, paint, or straight Linseed oil, it will all eventually peel.
I would be carefull of a blend of your choosing or other recommendations, if any mix of kerosene, mineral spirits, linseed oil, etc... really worked well, all of the major manufactures would be making it already. Think about it, paint manufacturers spend millions of dollars a year trying to find the perfect mix that will protect wood the longest. No matter what brand you use, you will only get from one to three years of protection.
What will protect the longest? Any semi-transparent deck stain with the most pigment and UV inhibiters in it. It is the pigment in colored stain that blocks the Sun's UV rays and that is what weathers the deck the most.
If you must use a clear... be prepared to re-apply every year. If you use Thompsen's water seal, be prepared to re-apply every 90 days. Thompsen's is a silicone based product that will not hold up.
Straight linseed oil will build a film that is difficult to dry and can be VERY slippery when wet. One thing to be aware of is that deck stains will keep protecting long after water stops beading up on it.
If it were me, I would find a reputable paint/hardware store and talk to a few salespersons, find out if they have had training from any paint manufacturer, then ask them to tell you about their products.
My favorite stain is Preserva-wood. It is manufactured near Lake Tahoe, CA where the sun is exceptionally bright (6,000 ft elevation) it contains lots of UV protection and it has a very high solid content. Only problem it may not be available very far east. Consumer Reports usually have the best take on the major brands but usually don't review the regional brands.
Good Luck!
--Jim