# TLDR Review: Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Stain

*Published: 2024-11-04 | Updated: 2024-12-19 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/thompson's-waterseal-clear-stain*

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## Product: Thompson’s WaterSeal Clear Stain
**Brand:** Thompson's Water Seal

## Pros
- Effectively repels water and provides moisture protection on various surfaces.
- Easy to use with straightforward instructions—simply sand, clean, and apply.
- The odor is not overwhelming and dissipates quickly; pleasant for use in ventilated areas.
- Maintains the original color of surfaces as it is a clear sealer.
- Dries quickly, with surfaces becoming somewhat dry to the touch within a few hours.

## Cons
- Recent reformulation has led to stickiness, even after following application instructions.
- Excessive tackiness persists days after application, leading to dissatisfaction.
- Leaves a milky white residue on surfaces, which can be difficult to remove.
- Inconsistent performance; results may vary from fair to terrible, creating frustration.
- Customer service is reportedly unhelpful and dismissive.
- Not suitable for average DIY projects, as it may require additional effort and cost to fix issues.
- New formula appears water-based and lacks the expected performance of previous oil-based versions.
- Products may leave surfaces tacky and uneven, not drying clearly as promised.
- Can lead to further costs due to removal and reapplication efforts.
- Potentially misleading marketing as an all-purpose sealer, failing to meet expectations.

## Bottom Line

The Thompson’s WaterSeal Multi-Surface Waterproofer Stain appears to struggle with consistency and user satisfaction, especially following a change in formulation. Many users report stickiness, milky residues, and ineffective results, leading to dissatisfaction with both the product and customer service. If you are considering this product, be aware that the performance may vary significantly, and additional removal efforts may be required. The strong advice is to explore alternative sealers if these experiences are concerning.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Effectively repels water and provides moisture protection on various surfaces. | Recent reformulation has led to stickiness, even after following application instructions. |
| Easy to use with straightforward instructions—simply sand, clean, and apply. | Excessive tackiness persists days after application, leading to dissatisfaction. |
| The odor is not overwhelming and dissipates quickly; pleasant for use in ventilated areas. | Leaves a milky white residue on surfaces, which can be difficult to remove. |
| Maintains the original color of surfaces as it is a clear sealer. | Inconsistent performance; results may vary from fair to terrible, creating frustration. |
| Dries quickly, with surfaces becoming somewhat dry to the touch within a few hours. | Customer service is reportedly unhelpful and dismissive. |
|  | Not suitable for average DIY projects, as it may require additional effort and cost to fix issues. |
|  | New formula appears water-based and lacks the expected performance of previous oil-based versions. |
|  | Products may leave surfaces tacky and uneven, not drying clearly as promised. |
|  | Can lead to further costs due to removal and reapplication efforts. |
|  | Potentially misleading marketing as an all-purpose sealer, failing to meet expectations. |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| blain farm & fleet | $16.99  | Check |
| Amazon | $17.97  | Check |
| Walmart | $17.97  | Check |
| Factory Hardware Store | $160.74  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*