Restore A Deck Cleaner Instructions and How To Tips
Keeping your wooden deck in good condition is without a doubt crucial to both its appearance and lifespan. Nothing looks worse and deteriorates more quickly than a neglected deck. Many deck owners have opted to do their own deck maintenance.
Restore A Deck cleaner is a specifically designed two-part system that is best used to clean and prep a wood deck prior to resealing it. The Restore A Deck cleaner system consists of a wood cleaner that will remove dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and grayed wood fibers. Step 2 of RAD Cleaner is a wood brightener that corrects the pH of the wood and brightens it up prior to applying a wood stain or sealer.
To clean a deck using the Restore A Deck system follow these easy step-by-step instructions.
1. Be sure air temperatures or between 45-90 degrees. Remove all furnishings from the deck and the surrounding area.
2. Though Restore A Deck is Eco-Friendly it is still a good idea to cover sensitive plants and shrubbery or pre-wet them with fresh water. Use plastic to cover doors and windows in the surrounding area.
3. Follow the Restore A Deck instructions to mix the Step 1 Cleaner in a clean bucket until all crystals are dissolved and transfer to sprayer to avoid clogging of sprayer inlet tube.
4. Lightly spray the wood deck with water. Use a pump sprayer or scrub brush to apply RAD Cleaner to the wood. Allow the cleaner to dwell for 5-15 minutes. Keep the deck wet by misting with water during the dwell time. If using a pump sprayer please make sure that no undissolved powder is poured into the sprayer. It will get clogged!
5. Hand scrub or use a pressure wash to remove dirt, grime, and graying from the wood surface. Do not use excessive pressure. Pressure washing at 1500 PSI is much more effective and easier.
6. Once cleaned, rinse the wood deck and the surrounding plants, windows, house siding, etc.
7. While the deck is still wet from rinsing, apply the Restore A Deck Wood Brightener (Step 2).
8. Blend the RAD Wood Brightener by following the product’s instructions and apply with a pump sprayer. Allow the brightener to dwell for 10 minutes then rinse off. No need to having scrub or pressure wash the RAD Brightener. Make sure to rinse the RAD Brightener thoroughly for 20 minutes until all soap suds are removed after the 10 minutes dwell time.
Note that the RAD cleaner is not intended for removing old deck stains or sealers. Please see Restore A Deck Stain Stripper when dealing with existing stains.
If you have any specific questions about your project or just need some help, please ask below!
Must the #1 solution be used right away – or can I store the dissolved solution overnight for use next day.
[quote name=”john mura”]will the deck cleaner remove the markings on the wood from the manufacture[/quote]
Ink stamps? Sorry but the only way to remove those is to sand off.
will the deck cleaner remove the markings on the wood from the manufacture
[quote name=”marty daily”]will restore a deck kit work WELL with silver gray mahogany deck discoloration — wood is in great shape other than the sever silver gray ageing[/quote]
Yes. Apply the Step 1 and pressure wash off. Apply the Step 2 when done.
will restore a deck kit work WELL with silver gray mahogany deck discoloration — wood is in great shape other than the sever silver gray ageing
thanks for answering my questions so promptly!
[quote name=”rick_br”]1. Prior to using cleaner, what is the best way to cover doors, windows? (duct tape and plastic or can I just pre-wet them?)
2. Will the cleaner damage vinyl siding?
3. My deck has a solid stain that is flaking in some areas. Do I need to scrape before using cleaner/powerwasher?[/quote]
1. Pre-wet and rinse well when done.
2. No, but it may clean it.
3. No need.
1. Prior to using cleaner, what is the best way to cover doors, windows? (duct tape and plastic or can I just pre-wet them?)
2. Will the cleaner damage vinyl siding?
3. My deck has a solid stain that is flaking in some areas. Do I need to scrape before using cleaner/powerwasher?
[quote name=”Kyra”]I used the RAD cleaner & brightener last summer on my new cedar deck & then stained it. It has a lot of algae on it from the winter( I live in the NW). I used the RAD cleaner today. I do not want to stain it again until at least next year. Do I need to use the brightener or is cleaning it enough? Is there another step?
Thank you & it cleaned the algae right off![/quote]
Just the cleaner is needed.
I used the RAD cleaner & brightener last summer on my new cedar deck & then stained it. It has a lot of algae on it from the winter( I live in the NW). I used the RAD cleaner today. I do not want to stain it again until at least next year. Do I need to use the brightener or is cleaning it enough? Is there another step?
Thank you & it cleaned the algae right off!
[quote name=”cam”]Good morning, Is there any place to buy “Restore a deck & brightner in the Vancouver . B.C area. Thanks, I want to get at project asap. If not available out here, what is shipping time to Vancouver? Thx Cam[/quote]
Hello, no dealers in Canada. Shipping takes about 5-8 days.
Good morning, Is there any place to buy “Restore a deck & brightner in the Vancouver . B.C area. Thanks, I want to get at project asap. If not available out here, what is shipping time to Vancouver? Thx Cam
It has not yet dried – now expecting rain for 3 days so I will wait until it all dries and let you know.
Many thanks
[quote name=”Joyce”]I just used your deck cleaner, 2 times to get the old grey color off the wood, and used the brightener – but still have some algae on the boards, what would you suggest I do to get it clean?[/quote]
Has it dried yet? Typically it will go away after it fully dries.
I just used your deck cleaner, 2 times to get the old grey color off the wood, and used the brightener – but still have some algae on the boards, what would you suggest I do to get it clean?
[quote name=”Jon Larson”]Can I use this product on Teak furniture. It works great on my Ipe decking, just want to make sure that it is safe for teak.[/quote]
Yes, you can do this.
Can I use this product on Teak furniture. It works great on my Ipe decking, just want to make sure that it is safe for teak.
[quote name=”Chuck Davis”][quote name=”TheSealerStore”][quote name=”Chuck Davis”]I used RAD Cleaner & Brightener around a week ago, but I am having trouble getting a weather window to put down TWP 100 stain. What is the minimum time between rain and applying the stain? What is the minimum time between applying the stain and a following rain? Temps are going to be 45-70. Thanks.[/quote]
Try to stain within 2 weeks of the prep. As for when it can rain after staining, that varies drastically based on the brand of stain you are using?[/quote]
I will be using TWP 100 stain. What is the minimum time between the last rain and applying the stain? What is the minimum time between applying the TWP 100 stain and a following rain? Temps are going to be 45-70. Thanks.[/quote]
24-48 hours after a rain, before applying. After applied, 8-24 hours before it can rain. Temps play a significant role.
[quote name=”TheSealerStore”][quote name=”Chuck Davis”]I used RAD Cleaner & Brightener around a week ago, but I am having trouble getting a weather window to put down TWP 100 stain. What is the minimum time between rain and applying the stain? What is the minimum time between applying the stain and a following rain? Temps are going to be 45-70. Thanks.[/quote]
Try to stain within 2 weeks of the prep. As for when it can rain after staining, that varies drastically based on the brand of stain you are using?[/quote]
I will be using TWP 100 stain. What is the minimum time between the last rain and applying the stain? What is the minimum time between applying the TWP 100 stain and a following rain? Temps are going to be 45-70. Thanks.
[quote name=”Chuck Davis”]I used RAD Cleaner & Brightener around a week ago, but I am having trouble getting a weather window to put down TWP 100 stain. What is the minimum time between rain and applying the stain? What is the minimum time between applying the stain and a following rain? Temps are going to be 45-70. Thanks.[/quote]
Try to stain within 2 weeks of the prep. As for when it can rain after staining, that varies drastically based on the brand of stain you are using?
I used RAD Cleaner & Brightener around a week ago, but I am having trouble getting a weather window to put down TWP 100 stain. What is the minimum time between rain and applying the stain? What is the minimum time between applying the stain and a following rain? Temps are going to be 45-70. Thanks.
[quote name=”Derek”]This is brand newly constructed deck. At least is was two summers ago! I have done nothing because the pine wood seems not too absorbent, in fact it has mostly a ‘shiny’ surface. Thoughts and ideas please.[/quote]
If it is shiny, it must have some kind of filming coating on it. That would need to come off before staining. How to remove depends on what the coating is. Do you know?
This is brand newly constructed deck. At least is was two summers ago! I have done nothing because the pine wood seems not too absorbent, in fact it has mostly a ‘shiny’ surface. Thoughts and ideas please.
[quote name=”John Lambert”]I want to clean and brighten a deck with your product. I presently have Sikkens SRD on the railings and spindles, Sikkens DEK on the deck. They are both semitransparent. Will your product work well on Sikkens?[/quote]
Are you trying to remove the Sikkens or clean it for reapplying the same Sikkens again?
I want to clean and brighten a deck with your product. I presently have Sikkens SRD on the railings and spindles, Sikkens DEK on the deck. They are both semitransparent. Will your product work well on Sikkens?
[quote name=”Anna Jane Belk”]I want to remove green mold and algae from old unfinished wood decks. (Less than 150 square feet). One deck turned black after scrubbing with chlorox. I haven’t attempted to clean the other. Your company recommended that I use step 1 and step 2 on both decks. Does the brightener really need to be applied with a pump sprayer? What about applying with a deck scrub brush? Since the decks are very small, I’m trying to keep costs down. Nevertheless, I want to do an excellent job. I want to be certain that all green and black algae and mold are removed. What equipment is required to do an excellent job while keeping costs low? Also, I’m not certain of what proportion of cleaner or brightener to water I should use or how much cleaner and brightener I should use to clean 150 sq ft of old unfinished deck. Can you please suggest a recipe? Thanks, Anna[/quote]
You would need about 1 gallon for 150 sq. feet. Mix at 8oz of powder to 1 gallon of water. You can apply the Step 2 Brightener with a mop, but much easier to apply with a pump sprayer. You would need a scrub brush for the Step 1 Cleaner if not using a pressure washer.
I want to remove green mold and algae from old unfinished wood decks. (Less than 150 square feet). One deck turned black after scrubbing with chlorox. I haven’t attempted to clean the other. Your company recommended that I use step 1 and step 2 on both decks. Does the brightener really need to be applied with a pump sprayer? What about applying with a deck scrub brush? Since the decks are very small, I’m trying to keep costs down. Nevertheless, I want to do an excellent job. I want to be certain that all green and black algae and mold are removed. What equipment is required to do an excellent job while keeping costs low? Also, I’m not certain of what proportion of cleaner or brightener to water I should use or how much cleaner and brightener I should use to clean 150 sq ft of old unfinished deck. Can you please suggest a recipe? Thanks, Anna
[quote name=”Robert Messelheiser”]Will Gemini restore a deck and brightner take the black paint off my steel rails? thanks[/quote]
It does not strip paint, unless the paint is already peeling.
Will Gemini restore a deck and brightner take the black paint off my steel rails? thanks
[quote name=”david tinsman”]building a new dock out of new 2×6 cedar
do i follow same instructions as for older wood
i have already purchased your rad cleaner & brightener & armstrong clark ‘amber’
thanks
dave tinsman
davetinsman@gmail.com[/quote]
New would should weather for a few months and then prepped with the RAD Step 1 and Step 2 before applying the Amber.
building a new dock out of new 2×6 cedar
do i follow same instructions as for older wood
i have already purchased your rad cleaner & brightener & armstrong clark ‘amber’
thanks
dave tinsman
davetinsman@gmail.com
[quote name=”joe f”]I applied RAD cleaner to my wood deck yesterday. However, I didn’t realize that I was suppose to apply the RAD brightener while the deck was still wet from cleaning. Can I just rewet the deck and apply the RAD brightener after the rewetting or do I have to take any other steps?[/quote]
Yes you can rewet and apply.
I applied RAD cleaner to my wood deck yesterday. However, I didn’t realize that I was suppose to apply the RAD brightener while the deck was still wet from cleaning. Can I just rewet the deck and apply the RAD brightener after the rewetting or do I have to take any other steps?
[quote name=”Julie Opp”]I just completed this process on a new (2-week old) cedar deck. about 1/3 of the deck is very white, the rest is beautiful cedar. Can i just repeat the whitener step on the white areas to restore color?[/quote]
You may need to repeat the cleaner as well to remove all of the oxidized wood cells.
I just completed this process on a new (2-week old) cedar deck. about 1/3 of the deck is very white, the rest is beautiful cedar. Can i just repeat the whitener step on the white areas to restore color?
[quote name=”Stuart McClean”]I have just completed a new cedar deck with cedar hand railing and powder coated spindles.Will the deck cleaner (step 1) damage the paint on the metal spindles? Also the deck skirting is cedar boards should these vertical boards be cleaned in the same manner as the deck boards ? Thank you in advance.[/quote]
It should not damage the spindles but best to always test first. Treat the verticals the same as the horizontals.
I have just completed a new cedar deck with cedar hand railing and powder coated spindles.Will the deck cleaner (step 1) damage the paint on the metal spindles? Also the deck skirting is cedar boards should these vertical boards be cleaned in the same manner as the deck boards ? Thank you in advance.
[quote name=”Gloria”]I applied One Time natural wood protector to my deck 4 years ago. Would you advise cleaning it with RAD and reapplying One time again. Or strip it a d restain it with another product? Other than being dirty, it appears to held up. How can I tell if reapplying is necessary[/quote]
the One Time has a tendency to darken in color. We would suggest stripping it to remove and brighten the wood. Switch to TWP.
I applied One Time natural wood protector to my deck 4 years ago. Would you advise cleaning it with RAD and reapplying One time again. Or strip it a d restain it with another product? Other than being dirty, it appears to held up. How can I tell if reapplying is necessary
[quote name=”Larry Durbin”]We had a covered porch built in Feb. Floor is composite, rails and posts are cedar, but ceiling is 4×8 sheets of a pine beadboard that does not seem to take dark stains very well. Will the brightener make a difference in how the stain will come out? In other words, does it act as a “conditioner” to help the wood accept the stain without a splotchy appearance?[/quote]
No it is not a conditioner. It brightens the wood and neutralizes the Step 1 Cleaner or Stain Stripper.
We had a covered porch built in Feb. Floor is composite, rails and posts are cedar, but ceiling is 4×8 sheets of a pine beadboard that does not seem to take dark stains very well. Will the brightener make a difference in how the stain will come out? In other words, does it act as a “conditioner” to help the wood accept the stain without a splotchy appearance?
[quote name=”Kelly”]Hello,
We have a new cedar deck that was built over 3 months ago and was entirely sanded with 80 grit. We used your restore-a-deck cleaner and brightener today. Applied cleaner with garden sprayer, allowed to sit for 15 minutes then removed with pressure washer at around 1200 PSI. Then when still wet we applied the brightener, let sit for 10 minutes then removed with garden hose sprayer. On the main deck’s horizontal surface we have a film which seems to be a fine wood paste that clumps together when mildly rubbed with a finger almost as if the brightener removed a layer of wood in some areas!? Will this sweep away once dried or do we need to do something else prior to staining in a week or so. Please advise!
Thank you![/quote]
Those are wood fibers from oxidation that were not fully removed when you pressure washed. Nothing to do with the brightener. Re-clean and use a little more pressure to make sure that all the oxidized wood fibers are removed. Brighten again after.
Hello,
We have a new cedar deck that was built over 3 months ago and was entirely sanded with 80 grit. We used your restore-a-deck cleaner and brightener today. Applied cleaner with garden sprayer, allowed to sit for 15 minutes then removed with pressure washer at around 1200 PSI. Then when still wet we applied the brightener, let sit for 10 minutes then removed with garden hose sprayer. On the main deck’s horizontal surface we have a film which seems to be a fine wood paste that clumps together when mildly rubbed with a finger almost as if the brightener removed a layer of wood in some areas!? Will this sweep away once dried or do we need to do something else prior to staining in a week or so. Please advise!
Thank you!
[quote name=”David Vinch”]Hi, My electric PW has a tank that can take a cleaning solution that it will then mix at a ratio and spray at low pressure for washing. Can I mix your cleaner at a concentrate level with water to do this? I know I’m going to need to do some calculations to get the final mix right.[/quote]
No, the RAD cleaner is not able to be injected through a pressure washer.
Hi, My electric PW has a tank that can take a cleaning solution that it will then mix at a ratio and spray at low pressure for washing. Can I mix your cleaner at a concentrate level with water to do this? I know I’m going to need to do some calculations to get the final mix right.
[quote name=”Tom Michels”]Some of the cleaner got on my windows and will not wash off. How do I remove the spots left from the cleaner ?[/quote]
Water and soap will remove any cleaner on the glass.
Some of the cleaner got on my windows and will not wash off. How do I remove the spots left from the cleaner ?
[quote name=”Tom Bjornsen”]How long after I’ve used the cleaner/brightener can I wait to stain my deck. Will it make much of a difference if I wait several weeks or even a month? As long as the deck still appears clean and free of stains?
Thanks in advance.
The Cleaner/Brightener has made an amazing difference! Great Product!
TjB[/quote]
Best to stain within 2 weeks. Going to long and the wood may start to oxidize again.
How long after I’ve used the cleaner/brightener can I wait to stain my deck. Will it make much of a difference if I wait several weeks or even a month? As long as the deck still appears clean and free of stains?
Thanks in advance.
The Cleaner/Brightener has made an amazing difference! Great Product!
TjB
[quote name=”Tom Fiander”]What is the shelf life of mixed cleaner and brightener?[/quote]
The cleaner only lasts a few hours or less after mixing with water. The brightener lasts indefinitely once mixed.