Ready Seal 512 5-Gallon Pail Natural Cedar Exterior Stain and Sealer: The Ultimate Wood Protector

After spending three weeks testing the Ready Seal 512 5-Gallon Natural Cedar Exterior Stain and Sealer on various wood projects around our property, we’re convinced this might be the most user-friendly wood stain and sealer on the market. This professional-grade formula delivers exceptional results with surprisingly little effort, making it perfect for both DIY enthusiasts and professional contractors alike.

Why Ready Seal 512 Natural Cedar Stands Out From The Competition

Unlike traditional stains that require specific application conditions, Ready Seal truly lives up to its “ready when you are” philosophy. During our testing, we applied this stain in temperatures ranging from 45°F to 85°F with consistently excellent results. The oil-based formula penetrated deeply into our cedar deck boards, pressure-treated pine fence posts, and even the older weathered wood on our garden shed.

The Natural Cedar tone enhanced the wood grain beautifully while providing a warm, inviting finish that looked natural rather than artificially colored. What impressed us most was how the stain evened out naturally during application without leaving behind lap marks or streaks – a common problem with many competing products.

One-Coat Application That Actually Delivers

Many stains claim one-coat coverage but fall short in practice. The Ready Seal 512 actually delivered on this promise during our testing. We found that a single, generous application provided complete coverage on most surfaces, though extremely weathered or porous woods occasionally benefited from a second coat. The 5-gallon pail covered approximately 850 square feet of our cedar decking with one coat, making it excellent value for larger projects.

Key Features We Discovered During Our Hands-On Testing

• No-Primer Formula: Saves significant time and reduces overall project cost
• No-Back Brushing Required: The stain self-levels, eliminating tedious technique requirements
• Weather-Flexible Application: Can be applied in any temperature range suitable for oil-based stains
• No Wet-Line Application Needed: Apply at your own pace without worrying about maintaining a wet edge
• Spray, Roll, or Brush Application: We tested all three methods with excellent results
• UV, Mold, and Mildew Resistant: Provides comprehensive protection against common wood damage factors

What Makes Application So Simple

During our hands-on testing, we applied Ready Seal using three different methods: airless sprayer, paint roller with extension pole, and traditional brush application. All three methods produced excellent results, though we found the airless sprayer covered our large deck area most efficiently.

The stain’s viscosity struck an ideal balance – thick enough to provide good coverage but fluid enough to work into wood grain effectively. Unlike some competitors that dry almost immediately, Ready Seal remained workable for 30-45 minutes, allowing ample time to ensure even coverage without rushing.

Performance Results After Weathering Tests

After application, we subjected our test areas to accelerated weathering conditions, including water exposure, direct sunlight, and temperature fluctuations. The results were impressive:

• Water Resistance: Water beaded effectively on all treated surfaces even after heavy simulated rainfall
• UV Protection: After two weeks of direct sun exposure, we observed minimal color fading
• Wood Protection: The sealed wood showed significantly less checking (small cracks) compared to untreated control sections
• Fade Resistance: The Natural Cedar color maintained its warm tone without developing the graying normally associated with untreated wood

What You Should Know Before Applying

During our testing, we discovered a few important tips that aren’t prominently mentioned on the product packaging:

1. The stain appears darker when first applied but lightens to its true color after 14-21 days as it fully cures
2. Thorough stirring is essential – we found settling at the bottom of our pail that needed to be fully integrated
3. While the product claims “no cleanup necessary with soap and water,” we found mineral spirits were still required for tool cleanup
4. Coverage varies significantly based on wood porosity – our new pressure-treated lumber required less product than aged cedar

When To Choose Ready Seal 512 Natural Cedar

Based on our testing, this product is ideal for:

• Large projects where ease of application is crucial
• DIYers who want professional results without technical application skills
• Projects where weather conditions might not be ideal
• Situations where you need to stain and seal in one step to save time
• Wood structures that receive significant weather exposure

However, if you’re looking for a high-gloss finish or need same-day project completion, you might consider alternatives, as Ready Seal takes 48-72 hours to dry completely and maintains a natural semi-transparent finish.

Customer Reviews Analysis

After analyzing hundreds of customer reviews for the Ready Seal 512 5-Gallon Natural Cedar Exterior Stain and Sealer, clear patterns emerged about what buyers love and where they occasionally find limitations. Let’s dive into what real-world users are saying about this wood protection solution.

Review Sentiment Breakdown

What Customers Love

The most consistent praise centers around the stain’s ease of application. Phrases like “fool-proof application” and “no lap marks” appear frequently across positive reviews. Many users specifically mention being able to complete large projects without professional help, which aligns perfectly with our testing experience.

The product’s versatility also receives significant appreciation. Customers regularly mention successfully using it on decks, fences, outdoor furniture, and even wooden play structures. The forgiving nature of application timing is frequently highlighted as a major advantage over other stains.

Long-term durability is consistently praised, with many reviewers returning after 2-3 years to report continued water beading and color retention, particularly in harsh climates.

Common Criticisms

Drying time represents the most frequently mentioned limitation. While Ready Seal is clear about the extended curing period, some reviewers were unprepared for how long surfaces remain tacky. This becomes more pronounced for users in humid environments.

Some users report the initial color appearance being significantly darker than expected, causing brief concern until it lightened during curing. This matches our observations during testing.

A small subset of reviews mention issues with coverage calculations, finding they needed more product than expected for highly absorbent woods.

Interesting Use Cases

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