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!
Maybe you know the answer to this:
Your instructions step 5. States a 1500 psi washer will be fine. Is a 2700 psi too much even with the nozzle that lowers the pressure?
You can use a stronger pressure wash, just back off and wash 6-10 inches from the wood, it will drop the pressure in 1/2.
Awesome! You’re the best!
I have a cedar fence that has weathered for nearly a year – I used the cleaner and no matter how much I spray it down, I can’t get all to rinse off. Any suggestions?
Rinse well and then brighten to neutralize. I will go away.
Do you need to clean & brighten a new deck that has been weathered for 1 year & power washed before staining?
Yes.
Hello, I just installed two new boards on a deck I already replaced all of the boards on. These two are discolored, possibly by mildew. Since I want to ensure these stains are removable before waiting months to prep and apply a semi transparent, only to find out its not coming off, I wondered if it spot treatable? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.
We replied to you earlier. After weathering and prep, it should come off.
Thank you. Wasn’t sure if I could do something to it now with an RAD product, and then let all boards continue to weather before prepping.
Put a small amount of bleach on it now to see if that kills the mildew. 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. Then let the wood weather.
Thank you, will try that first.
Hi, I only had Oxy Clean, thinking it would be ok as a less abrasive solution, and was left with this. Some mildew still there, and despite my rinsing of the area these discoloration spots. Is this what it will all look like when I clean and brighten, or did the OxyClean stain it like a direct bleach solution would have? Thank you.
It will be fine once you weather and prep it later.
Thanks.For future reference, I should still avoid bleach vs. a cleaner like non-diluted OxyClean, because if these spots were bleach theywould not disappear after weathering and prep?
Yes.
For a previously stained deck, do I need stripper, as opposed to cleaner? I bought the cleaner…
What type and brand of stain is the previous coating? Pictures would help.
Also, what are you recoating with? Same brand and color?
We used RAD cleaner and in a few places there is still a slight oil sheen on the wash water. Do we need to do it again? We used Armstrong Clark Redwood Tone and are trying to bring it to a state where we can re-stain.
Post a picture of the prep after it dries.
I have a deck over an oak tree
What’s the impact of RAC on the root of tree after the wash runoff deposits on soil around the tree?
It will not harm the root system.
Is RAD cleaner biodegradable when there is no exposure to sun (under deck and oak tree)?
Yes.
Thanks for quick reply. I posted in June about applying Armstrong Clark Redwood Tone that was very dirty and stuff was tracking into the house. We put on two coats and wiped the excess after each one. We learned we needed the kit, which I bought (cleaner, not brightener). We haven’t been able to face the task (1,200 SF) but have 5 days to have at it starting Thursday.
If you are using the same color and brand then you need the cleaner, not the stripper.
Stripped the deck then applied the brightened. Needed to sand when dry. Do I reapply the brightened before staining?
Yes.
I would like to clean and brighten this weekend to stain early next week. Small chance of rain. Any issues if rain between cleaning, brightening, and staining?
No issues.
will this work on a vertical wall like on a gazebo?
After proper prep, yes.
We have a new cedar deck with cedar posts and railings and black powder coated aluminum balusters. We are planning on waiting a few months and then clean/brighten/semi-transparent stain the cedar components. The balusters will not be stained, of course, but what about the cleaner and brightener overspray? Should special care be taken to not let the cleaner or brightener get on the powder coated aluminum? That would be difficult since the posts and railings are cedar.
The prep should not harm the spindles but always test spot first.
The current Behr semi-transparent stain on my eight year old deck began to peel after about a year. I used a hand sander to remove the flaking stain. I want to use your product to remove the rest of the Behr stain so the solid stain replacement lasts as long as possible and does not peel. I have received Restorer and Whitener along with the Restore a Deck solid stain. I just read the last two sentences of your web site write-up that say: “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.”
Should I get the Restore a Deck Stain Stripper and use it instead of the Restorer?
You would need the stripper to remove the Behr and with both additives: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
You do not have to remove 100% of the old stain when staining with the RAD Solid Stain.
Can the cleaner be used for siding and gutters? Thanks in advance.
We would not suggest it for aluminum siding. Vinyl is okay.
I have a food grease stain on a small section of my untreated deck. Ready to clean, brighten and stain. Will the cleaner get the grease stain out or do I need to do other prep for that spot? Thanks!
No, it will not remove grease that is deep in the wood. Nothing will that we know of. If at the surface, it should help get it off.
Okay, so cleaner as normal and however much it improves that is the best It will get and I’ll always have a stain?
Correct.
Another question, i think I should clean and stain stain the sides and the support beams? What about the rafters under the deck?
No need unless you want to for appearance.
After the cleaner I still have some sections that look dirty/green mold maybe that doesn’t come out? Used a pressure washer and still light green. Will brightener did this, was the cleaner not strong enough? Should I do the cleaner again?
That is deep in the wood grain and part of the wood. It will probably not come out. Just stain over it.
Did the front porch only today and it came out great! Only issue is some fuzzies on some of the boards (2 boards on the bottom step, stain seems splotchy from the fuzzies) that I sprayed lots of extra cleaner on and maybe it was a little too strong. I’d like to avoid fuzzies on the back deck that we’re doing tomorrow as much as possible. Can I make the cleaner more dilute or don’t spray/keep wet as much or less time? It is 3 yr old deck, never been treated and we will be pressure washing the cleaner off. Thanks for all the help with my questions, you guys have been great!
The fuzzies happen when you remove the graying/oxidized wood cells. It cannot be avoided as these have to come off. It is not a result of the cleaner.
Ok….deck looks great after brightner. We will be ready to stain in 48 hours. Ny next concern is the furring or fuzzies on it…. what is a solution ? I heard maybe buffing it with an orbital sander??
You can but not always needed. Rent a floor buffer with a sanding pad is the fastest way.
shall we increase the strength of the cleaner? If so, by how much? Brush? Soft or stiff? Actually used both. Do I keep reapplying cleaner until we are satisfied with results? Repeat process?
You cannot increase the strength any more than the 6-8 oz per gallon of water. You do not need a scrub brush, apply, and then pressure wash off. Brightener will aid as well to lighten the wood. Maybe test a small spot and see if that gets the gray out and you are satisfied. Leave one for 10 minutes and then rinse. Just do a few sq feet where the gray is. If all good, then brighten all and you will be done.
Yes, we power wash according to instructions. We got some of it out. Fibers raise to the top…..is it necessary to get all out b4 brightner? This is taking longer than sanding. I didn’t expect this to be this challenging . Help! We have a large deck
You do not have to get it all out but you should get more out. The gray is oxidation and you should remove as much as possible.
We are having a difficult time getting the grey fibers out. We cleaned/scrubbedlast night. But there is s many more spots we had to stop….resume this am) so does all the grey Need to come off b4 brightening and staining (twp)
Are you pressure washing? Much easier if you do. Feel free to post pictures.
Sorry, forgot 2 additional questions to the post below:
– Several areas of vertical wood/railings were sanded about 1.5 months ago. Does this affect how much time needed to wait before staining?
– How long after staining before porch can be used?
1. 3 Months or more total for sanded areas.
2. 24 Hours.
Additional photo
I have cleaner, brightener, and semi-transparent stain ready to go. My screened porch was built with PT wood in March so floor/posts have been aging about 3.5 months, and rails/spindles about 2.5 months. 2 walls of porch are vinyl siding and ceiling is painted wood. Questions:
1) Can I stain within the next month or need to wait longer? (Or wait until Fall when temps drop, I live in southern US: frequently 90+ in summer)
2) Okay if cleaner and brightener get on surrounding vinyl and painted wood as long as it is rinsed off? What about stain? Will it rinse clean from those types of surfaces? If all needs to be applied with pump sprayer I don’t see any realistic way to keep it from getting in adjacent surfaces.
3) What about the screen? Can I spray with plain water after applying the stain to make sure it doesn’t dry? Or will this affect the curing of the stain on the adjacent wood?
Thanks
1. July or August.
2. Yes on prep. No stain on house or paint.
3. No stain on screens and it cannot be rinsed with water after applying.
Hello. Today I cleaned and brightened my PT deck we installed last November. Followed all instructions. When wet deck looks great, when dry it looks like it has a chalk film on it in some spots. Do I need to rinse again? I saw another comment where you responded that as long as when wet it looked good, the chalkiness wouldn’t show when stained.
It should not show when stained.
Thank you! I will be using semi-transparent stain. Will it still not show?
If it does not show when wet then it should not when stained.
I have about 1000 square feet of decking including benches and rails. Should I do the benches first? (clean, brighten and then stain?)
I have a way to do this in three sections if necessary. Bench are in two of the three sections. thank you for your reply. Bea
Just do it all at once.
How soon can we walk on the stained area? can we put cardboard down on it?
After done with staining, wait 4-8 hours to walk on it. No cardboard.
Can I use the cleaner just to clean a previously stained deck? Does it Damage stain?
The cleaner should only be used as a prep for when reapplying.
Can you apply the brightener with a brush?
No, a sprayer.
I just purchased your deck cleaner and semi-transparent stain but not the brightener. My deck is old and made of pressure treated wood and never stained or coated. The stain I ordered is your darkest brown. Why would I need the brightener?
To neutralize the cleaner after done with the cleaning.
Using your products on a new screened in porch. Waited for the kdat and pt to dry since last fall so it should be ready. Will the cleaner and brightener damage the screen? How best to apply the products to the vertical framing and ceiling?
No, it should not harm the screens. Apply with a pump sprayer.
Since it’s a new structure do I need to do the cleaner and brightener or can I skip a step? Also I’ve had your stain in the box since November. Is it still good to use? Some spilled in the shipping and the instructions were destroyed. Can I find everything I need online?
Clean and brighten is needed. Instructions are on each product page in the images.
Can I use the soap nozzle and tank on my pressure washer to spray on the cleaner and brightener instead of the hand pump?
No.
Hi I am getting ready to clean Brighten and stain. (Products are coming today) but I needed to sand a couple of areas to get rid of some splinters. My deck is #1 YSP installed a year ago. No previous stain. Do I need to wait to stain now that I have sanded a few areas? Also what do you recommend to get rid of sap bleeding through? I have two boards that gave this sap issue.
You cannot stop sap or even clean it off. Wait a month and the clean and brighten for prep.
Thanks so much for the quick reply.
I will send pics before and after for your contest. In June.
If I need to do a second application of cleaner should I do cleaner-brighter and cleaner-brighter again or cleaner-cleaner, brightener-brightener?
Clean and then brightener.
Are your RAD products the same as the ones sold on TWP stain?
The private label their Gemini kit with our products.
What should I use to remove spattered stain from alum, painted swimming pool skin? Thanks
Try a water-based graffiti remover from your local paint store.
I don’t have a pump sprayer, what can I use to apply the cleaner and brightener?
Best to buy one for applying.
Can I apply the cleaner to a wet deck (as in it recently rained) or should it be dry?
Wet is okay.
What happens if I use your stain on a older pergola without cleaning and brightening? It would be a huge job to go over all of the different surfaces three different times. I would be satisfied if your solid color stain covered evenly and lasted for a few years before having to re-coat. Thanks. Paul
You have to prep and if you did not, it would fail.
If I do the prep work how long can I expect the finish to last? When/if the finish begins to fail do I have to then strip and brighten at that point before re-coating?
About two years. Clean and brightener prior to recoat.
Hi our deck has not been cleaned or stained in 10+ years, it is not in the worst condition but it is about time we do it. I just wanted to assure myself I have the steps in the right order. Step 1: Remove all furniture. Step 2: Hammer in any nails sticking out. Step 3: Sand splintering areas with 80 grit. Step 4: Apply stain stripper on railings and verticals (and horizontals if needed). Step 5: Apply deck cleaner on horizontals and verticals. Step 6: Apply wood brightener. Step 7: Apply wood putty in 1/8 inch cracks. Step 8: Apply Stain. Here attached are pictures of the deck maybe you have any other tips or suggestions on products needed. Thanks.
Strip all wood first, use the additives as well: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
No need for the cleaner, just use the stripper. Sand after the stripping to remove any stain that does not come off and to remove any splinters. Brightener last.
Never use wood filler or putty on a deck. It does not work. Leave cracks as is.
Okay got it. So the stripper works as a cleaner as well? And it’s fine to use everywhere? Because I have some areas that still have stain and some that are grey and weathered. Can you suggest products?
Use the stripper on all the wood, no need for the cleaner.
Okay. Will the stripper get rid of the green stuff? Also the deck has not been cleaned in 10+ years are you sure the stripper will do the job?
Yes, it will remove the green stuff. Make sure to use both additives as we mentioned prior.
What additives are you talking about?
That was in our first reply: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
Will the RAD cleaner and brightener damage appearance black powder coated Aluminum spindles in my hand railing? Also, same question for the black molded plastic fittings at each end of the spindles where the spindles attach. Masking each one will be a pain as there are around 200 total. Pic is of Cumaru with failed Penofin oil 🙁
Hard to say as they are not all made the same. Typically no but always test first.
We just installed a tongue&groove pine board ceiling to our gazabo area. It is not pressure treated. Can this be stained immediately? Do we need to use the cleaner and brightener on it before staining? If so what’s the best way for application so we don’t get a shower with the chemicals. Thanks for your help.
No, you cannot stain now. See here: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
one more
Use the Stripper and then the Brightener.
I have an old deck that hasn’t been stained in years. It has some what looks like semi-transparent stain left on railing and other vertical surfaces. Also some mildew and rust stains on the deck. Should I use cleaner and then stripper or stripper should do the job? thank you!
Pictures, please.
few picks. thanks!
how long should i wait after applying brightener to apply twc semi transparent stain to ipe wood?
About 48 hours.
will restore a deck cleaner remove the existing stain on the deck?
That would depend on the current condition of the stain and the type of stain.
I did the cleaner and brightener and it seems like my deck was brighter after cleaning and darkened after the brightener. I know I used them in the right order according to the package. I checked many times. Is it at all possible that the cleaner/brightener could have been packaged into the wrong bag? Is the cleaner the one that is grittier and doesn’t dissolve as easily? Thanks.
The cleaner does not always dissolve 100%. It is not possible that both were packed incorrectly.
Thanks for the clarification.
Can I still get good results with a garden hose? I don’t have a pressure washer.
You would have to use a scrub brush and then rinse method. It will take longer but turn out well.
Will you have to scrub the deck cleaner if you just doing handrails What will be the best way to do the handrails in the stairs
Spray on the deck cleaner and then lightly pressure wash off is the best way.
Can I clean and brighten in one day and then stain the next day? What happens if it rains inbetween?
With RAD Stain you can do the same day or next day. Rain will not harm it, just do not apply to a soaking wet deck. Damp or dry will work.
If I reconstitute all of both the cleaner and the brightener, how long are the solutions viable?
Months if not longer.
I am not sure this went through earlier or if it will show with the original post:-) This is in reply to an answer on 1/31/20 about how long the cleaner and brightener are viable after mixing and the answer was months if not longer….I was told that the cleaner had to be used right away after mixing and would not work later if stored. Am I misunderstanding something????
In powder it lasts many months. If mixed with water the cleaner has to be used within hours.
Do i need to use the Wood Brightener immediately or can I wait a day or two after I use the cleaner? am crunched for time and wondered if there is a best window for Brightener application
Right away for the best results. Very easy to do and takes about 30 minutes.
Hi! I have a 500 sq ft deck that was previously painted and several coats on it. I have stripped, scrapped, and sanded down to bare wood in order to stain with RAD semi-transparent stain. I also purchased your prep kit (cleaner/brightened). My question is; since I have sanded extensively should I use both the cleaner and brightener before staining? Or will just the brightener be sufficient?
Use both for better results of the RAD penetrating into the wood grain.
I have a new deck which was done about 9 months ago. We were planning on starting Friday with cleaner and brightener, but just saw the weather. Rain is supposed to end Friday morning but I was wondering if I could start it Friday afternoon. The temperature is going to be 55 Friday and 45 that night. Saturday and Sunday will be sunny with highs about 65 but lows about 38. Should I wait for another weekend or possibly next Spring. Thanks Kathy
Saturday or Sunday am would be best for this.
For clarification, my deck is cedar.