When I lived in AZ I used a lot of Okon products, as they seemed to produce a more durable end product outside in the extreme conditions of the desert. Now that I think about it, I remember Okon being as high-maintenance as anything else.
There is no superior exterior stain, IMO. There are many degrees of "Headache Quotient" to the many products out there, and I've found that the most expensive are also the most labor intensive. Outside being what outside is, the inevitability of product failure because of it, the most important aspect, to me then. is that Headache Quotient.
I've heard contractors brag that their Sikkens work NEVER fails. I've NEVER seen one that hadn't.
I've used Cabot one time, and had to re-apply only a few months later. I'm not sure I can blame the product, as the customer was a true idiot.
The Flood and S&P products are kind of varied and many, you might be more specific.
I do like Penofin (Blue Label--The original formula). Not because it lasts longer or is cheaper, as it is neither. But it is easy to apply, penetrates like virtually no product out there, and IMO is the easiest to maintain and reapply...
ALL exterior stains and coatings have different different formulas and different "rules" for application and maintenance. Some require quite the dog & pony show to satisfy warranty issues, and some of them inscrupulously use the finest print I've ever seen on the side of a can to dictate terms of maintenance and warranty. I do not trust those products.
