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See independent customer how-to videos for the Restore-A-Deck Wood Prepping and Stain Products. All videos have been made in the field without any compensation from Restore-A-Deck, by actual consumers.
If you have a question, please ask below in our comment area.
How to Prepare A Deck for Staining with Restore-A-Deck Products
Products Used
- Restore-A-Deck Cleaner
- Restore-A-Deck Brightener
How to restore a 30-year-old deck with Restore-A-Deck Products
Products Used
- Restore-A-Deck Stripper
- Restore-A-Deck Booster Additive for Stripper
- Restore-A-Deck Brightener
- Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain
How to prep and apply a maintenance coat of stain with Restore-A-Deck Products
Products Used
- Restore-A-Deck Cleaner
- Restore-A-Deck Brightener
How to clean and stain Decks and Retaining Wall In One Day with Restore-A-Deck Products
Products Used
- Restore-A-Deck Stripper
- Restore-A-Deck Brightener
- Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain
I have a deck of pressure treated pine. Last year I machine sanded it, cleaned, brighten and semi-transparent stained it. Would it help to hand sand it this year when I re-stain it so that it will absorb the stain better?
No need to sand for prep but clean and brighten for prep.
In another post you say, “Strip while pressure washing.” Can this be done with cleaner as well. If so, please specify the equipment needed.
What stain did you use last year? Our brand?
Yes. I used your brand last year and plan to use the same again this year.
Then clean and brighen for prep this year. You do not have to strip.
I power sanded my deck last year, cleaned it, brightened it and stained it with Restore-a-Deck products. Stain instructions say you can on put on one coat of stain after power sanding. Now that it has been a year since power sanding it, can I put two coats of stain on after cleaning and brightening?
We would suggest just one coat since you will have a base coat.
Please refer me to instructions for doing some of the processes of cleaning, brightening and staining on different days. Thanks.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/how-to-restore-a-deck-in-one-day.html
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-wet-on-wet-application.html
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/how-to-restore-a-deck-stain-to-damp-wood.html
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-hot-sun-application.html
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-cleaner-instructions.html
All instructions are on the container as well.
This may be a nit picky question, but it has been a struggle so far and I do not want to make any mistakes. Is a 1600 psi pressure washer OK to use with the Stripper? I know that the directions specify using 1500 psi.
Yes.
Important addendum:
The power washer that I used was borrowed and quite strong. However, it came with a nozzle with several settings. The setting I used was delicate. I think that using such a powerful washer was a mistake, even with the special nozzle. It appears that the pressure washer stripped away the layer of old stain in multiple places.
Using the stripper while pressure washing and then Brightener is the way to fix this and get the new stain and wood to be even when all done.
After stripping and brightening……can I apply two coats of stain? I am using Light Walnut
Two coats wet on wet.
I purchased solid stain from your company what type of brush to use on a deck about 1400sqft – is clean up water.- also drying time before you can walk on stain
Any quality brush and roller will work with the solid stain. Clean up is water. 4-6 hours drying to walk on it.
Is it possible to over prep? I have physically scraped the dried sap from my untreated but 2.5 year old deck. I think I want to clean the clean the deck before sanding so I don’t gunk up the sander as much…and then can I clean it again before brightening? Not sure why I’m so nervous to do this. Haha.
You cannot over prep but you can sand unevenly or over-sand resulting in an uneven application if that happens.
is RAD solid stain recommended to be used on composite wood (Trex)?
If a true composite, it should be fine. Some Trex decks are 100% plastic and not coatings will work on those.
How long does it take for shipping
Depends on where you live but 2-5 days is normal.
I have a deck with a pergola over half of it. All was stained over 5 yrs ago (probably closer to 7-8 yrs!) and is in great need of restoring. I was planning on pressure washing, then using your cleaner and brightener before applying 2 coats of solid stain. Once I complete the pressure washing, how soon should the cleaner and brightener be added? Can cleaner and brightener be applied in the same day? Once they are applied, how much time do I wait before adding the stain? Example: I can pressure wash in a day. Then apply cleaner and brightener during one day? Then, do I wait a day or so before adding stain? Obviously weather plays a factor in all this.Thanks for your help!!
Sorry, we did not see your question until now. You pressure wash while using the cleaner, rinse, then apply the brightener all on the same day. You can stain the same day as prep or stain the next day.
So just got done with the stripping, brightening, and staining process. Cedar deck and used semi-transparent stain. We did it in two days due to time constraints. Stripped and brightened yesterday and stained today.
I am no pro so any issues are operator error but for the most part went as advertised. Tonight looking at the deck we see spots we were light on the stain. Still time tomorrow to do touch up or start whole process over?
You cannot spot apply, it will not blend. You would have to start over.
Which colour of Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent stain would best match brown (Sienna MicroPro) pressure-treated lumber?
Dark Walnut or Light Walnut.
Hi, I have read so many of these replies from RAD but am still confused… I am going to use your solid stain on a previously stained porch. I believe they might have used a semi solid. We bought the house 9 years ago and do not know what brand they used. They did the deck and railings. Half of the porch is covered so the stain is still good. The other half is weathered with a lot of stain fading or removed. Do I have to use your stripper as well as cleaner and brightener and in what order? Also I would like to use a sprayer for the solid stain. What type or brand of sprayer do you recommend? Thank you for your help!!! We are planning to do this in 2 weeks. How long does it take for ordered items to be delivered?
Strip all and then brighten. The only way to apply the solid stain with a sprayer is with an airless paint sprayer. Shipping time depends on where you live.
Should have also mentioned I have stripped and brightened. My mistake was not getting the gel. I have some stubborn spots on my cedar deck and have ordered more stripper, booster, brightener and the gel. My question is can I spot treat the stubborn spots or is it best to do whole deck again?
You can spot strip but you will need to brighten all to even it out.
I have a cedar deck that stands 6 feet off the ground. It has been stained before and I will be stripping and brightening before staining. Is it recommended to do the bottom side of floor boards and headers if possible?
No need.
I want to refinish my 2-year old deck. Cabot Australian Timber oil was used when the deck was built. It has not performed well especially in areas that get a lot of sun. My painting contractor recommends removing the previous finish by sanding rather than using a stripper and brightner. Is there a problem using sanding as preparation for your stain?
Sanding will reduce the stain’s ability to soak into the grain. If you sand, do not sand any finer than 60-80 grit and when done, use the RAD Cleaner and Brightener to open up the wood grain as the last prep. Only one coat of stain to sanded wood.
Hello,..please see the image I posted of a portion of my deck. Can you please suggest the products I should use? thank you !
What stain brand is on there? It looks like a polyurethane of some sort.
It is BEHR oil finish – clear. thanks
Strip with the stripper and both additives: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
Brightener after. Stain with the Restore A Deck Stain.
will do,..thank you very much.
If I have already used a cleaner and power washer, do I still need to do the cleaner or stripper and brightener before staining?
Depends on the condition. Post a picture of your prep.
A few areas are protected from the sun so the boards look better there.
You still have old stain on the wood. You need to remove it if it is not RAD Stains. Use the RAD Stripper and then the Brightener.
Thanks…. expect my order soon!
would like to clean up and restore the color to these cedar shingles. start with restore -a-deck cleaner and then the brightener ? do i need to cover any plants or lawn when using it ?
Use the Cleaner and then the Brightener. Cover plants or prep and rinse well when done.
We purchased a home in Northern Michigan last year. The deck was finished with Cabot Acrylic Solid Color Acrylic Deck stain. I have worked really hard at scraping and power washing and have only gotten about 40% of the deck stain removed from one portion of the deck. The deck is HUGE! I have never refinished a deck before and I need some advise. I thought that I could use a semi transparent stain which would somewhat soak into the wood, but I don’t think I can get all of this deck stain off and semi transparent would show the solid color underneath. What is your advise on how to prep this and what to use to refinish it? Thank you!
You will need the RAD solid stain unless you remove 100% and that will require heavy sanding to remove a solid stain. https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
I would like to have a two tone look for my decks. I am going to sand, clean and brighten the decks and then use a solid stain. The railings and balusters are in relatively good shape with no peeling or cracking; however, they have been previously stained with Benjamin Moore’s solid Oxford Brown stain and I would like to use RAD’s solid white stain. Would this be possible using just RAD’s stripper, cleaner and brightner, as sanding the bottom rails and balusters would have to be done almost entirely by hand?
You can use the stripper on the railings/verticals where the RAD solid stain will be used. Remove as much as possible and then you can cover the current solid stain that is not peeling with the RAD Solid Stain.
Will I need to use the brightner in addition to the stripper before I stain?
Yes, to neutralize the stripper.
Hi – Can you help me figure out the best process and products to restore my partially covered deck. I’m not sure what kind of wood it is (there are some knots) nor what was used on it (paint or stain) but it was likely built in 1995.
As you can see, the area under the welcome mat still beads up water vs the exposed slats. It has a couple cracked areas I need to smooth out prior to refinishing.
Thanks
You have a solid stain. Prep to remove the stain that is peeling and apply the RAD Solid Stain over the rest: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
What is the procedure for prepping a deck after it has been sanded, with the intention of using your solid stain ?
Use the RAD Cleaner and Brightener Kit.
Plan to use RAD cleaner and brighter with additives to strip and clean deck. How do I know if I should sand?
Then plan to apply TWP dark oak 1503. How long does the deck need to dry before I apply the stain? I should or should not let the stain dry in between coats? How long do I wait in between coats?
Only sand if you cannot remove all of the old stain. Let dry 48 hours after prep to install the TWP Stains. TWP is applied wet on wet or second coat goes on 20-40 minutes after the first coat.
I need to restore my deck, but I don’t know what kind of stain was put on. I have no clue where to start and what to use. Here are a few pics of my deck now, and hopefully you can point me in the right direction to having a beautiful deck to relax on.
What you have on the deck cannot be stripped off fully, as what you have is on top of the wood like a varnish. Also, why it is peeling. Option 1 is to strip what is loose or peeling, spot sand if needed after for same, cover all with the RAD Solid Stain. Option 2 will require power sanding to remove this fully. Clean and brighten for final prep. Use the RAD Semi-Transparent stain.
Thank You for your response. I was able to contact the previous owner and they told me they had put a product called Deckall. Now if I use Rad stripper with the additives, would it take it off.
We would need to see pictures. Post them here in comments.
Here are the pics of my deck of how it looks today
You cannot strip this. It will have to be removed by sanding. 100% will need to come off.
My deck is 16’x26’. What kind of sander would you recommend.
Probably a drum sander from a rental yard.
Just stained my new 275 sq. foot pressure-treated pine deck (installed 8 months ago) with Driftwood Gray semi-transparent stain, carefully followed the prep with cleaner and brightener, making sure that deck was rinsed thoroughly. After stain application and two days of drying, hardly any of the stain seems to have been absorbed. The color of the deck looks essentially unstained, with just faint coloration. I put on one light coat as recommended for new wood, but did not skimp. Any ideas on why I got the result I did and can you suggest a way to remedy this? For example, although I’ve read in other comments that a second coat cannot be put on after the deck is dry for another 6 to 12 months, is there anything you can suggest for now? Also, can/should a sealer be put on now? Thank you.
Hi, you cannot apply another coat now but you can in the Spring. A sealer cannot be applied over a deck stain.
Thanks but any tips for ensuring the stain soaks in better when I do it again next spring?
Final color is determined but your wood type and the age of the wood. New wood is less absorbent so colors will be lighter. As the wood ages it will become more absorbent and richer in color.
We sanded our deck, then cleaned, brightened, and stained with your semi-transparent cedar. It was difficult to see how much stain was going on, as the damp wood looked nearly identical to the stain as it was being put on (we used a stain pad). Perhaps it was a bit “too damp”? As a result, we have some splotchy, heavy/light areas. What do you suggest to “fix” this issue?
Those as brush marks form not applying evenly. You cannot remove them outside of stripping all and starting over. They will fade though and be less noticeable shortly.
The green mold color of our deck will not spray wash off in many places. We sprayed cleaner and are power washing with 1500 PSI. What went wrong?
The prep removes anything that is on the surface of the wood. If the green is deep in the wood grain, then it will not come off with a cleaner. Apply the brightener and then let dry. It will most likely go away then.
the old deck has numerous cracks in the boards. I want to use a semi-transparent stain. So do I need to fill all these cracks? If so what do I use.
No, never use a filler with a semi-transparent stain. It will fail and will not blend with the stain. Just leave, as is. It is normal to have cracks.
1. what should I coat rusty nails with?2. Is any primer needed on bare wood.3. Is the finish smooth? Non Slip?Thanks.
You cannot use the RAD Stains over a primer. Nothing we know of will prevent rust from bleeding through. Need to replace the nails.
We have a mahogany front door on our shore house. The builder failed to seal the solid mahogany door during construction and the rich brown color faded! The builder stained the door to restore the color, and it looks terrible! Can we use your stripper, brightener and sealer on the door to bring back the natural rich mahogany color? Please advise
Not sure what the builder used on the door so not sure if the stripper will work. You may have to sand it all off. In addition, the RAD stain would work on unstained Mahogany but many people want their doors shiny. RAD will not give you a shiny look and it cannot be top coated with a polyurethane.
We have Ipe decking that has turned grey. Can we use your cleaner, brightener, and sealer to restore the natural rich brown color?
Yes, clean then brighten. Stain with the RAD Stain in Light Walnut.
We have a mahogany front door on our shore house. The builder failed to seal the solid mahogany door during construction and the rich brown color faded! The builder stained the door to restore the color, and it looks terrible! Can we use your stripper, brightener and sealer on the door to bring back the natural rich mahogany color? Please advise
We have a solid mahogany front door and side lights that was not sealed by our builder and faded. The builder had the door stained to bring back the color. It looks terrible!! Can we use your stripper, brightener and sealer on the mahogany door to bring back the original natural color?
Should I use a deck brightened before applying a solid deck stain
Clean and brighten for prep.
Good morning, What process would you suggest for restoring this 3 year old deck? The material is hem/fir pressure treated and stained with a water based stain.
Prep with the RAD Stripper and Brightener kits and then stain with the RAD Stains.
Will the stripper remove the Sunwood water base stain and mold/mildew?When should I sand the rough spots?What tip number for pressure washing?What do you use to apply the stain to the vertical spindles?When can I apply a second coat of RAD light walnut stain?
Use the stripper with both additives. Only sand if needed. Use the green tip. Use a stain pad to apply. See here about wet on wet application: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-wet-on-wet-application.html
If we can’t apply a second coat while wet what is the procedure? if sanding is needed is it done before or after the stripper. Will the additives harm the painted Hardy Plank siding? Do you sell the stain pads?
You cannot apply a second coat once the first coat dries fully. You would have to weather it for 6-12 months and then redo the prep. Sand after stripping, before brightener. Stripper does not remove paint unless it is peeling. Rinse ant over spray. Pads are here:https://www.restore-a-deck.com/decktools.html
We just received our kit, stripper, both additives, brightener and dark walnut semi transparent stain. Yesterday we sanded the railing and spot sanded the deck as some of the wood was splintering. As I reread your directions you say to strip first then sand. (I know read directions first!) Are we ok to go ahead with stripping and brightening today?
Yes.
Do we need to cover and tape adjacent areas before stripping?
To be safe, yes. Typically it will not harm the siding or paint though if you prewet and rinse over spray right away.
I need to clean and refinish a deck that surrounds an in-ground pool with a vinyl liner.
Are your products (Stripper, Brightener, Stain) safe to use around pools?What steps should I take to ensure my pool is not damaged or discolored?
Yes they are safe but you will want to wash away from pool to minimize dirt and grime from getting in the pool. That will make your cleaning of pool easier. Also always check pH of pool when done and balance if needed.
I have a pressure treated deck and it’s been stained several times over the past few years. The stain is now peeling. I’ve started using a pressure washer and stiff bristle brush to clean it. I’m hoping I don’t have to sand the entire deck and possibly use a striper to help remove the peeling material.I’d like to apply new stain after removing the old peeling stain. Would would you suggest?
Yes, you will have to power sand off this old coating to remove fully. What you have on there is acting like a varnish and cannot be stripped fully.
Thank you for your quick reply and advice. In your expert opinion should I continue to remove as much of the old peeling stain off using a pressure washer. Then follow up with a deck stripper material and power sand it? This deck is made of pressure treated wood.
You can try to apply the stripper and then pressure wash off what you can. Let dry and sand the rest off.
We have an 8 year old pressure treated pine deck. We had previously used solid stain which was peeling, so we used a hand sander to sand down to bare wood. Would you recommend the stripper or the cleaner before the brightener?
Cleaner and then brightener.
Are there any deck re finishers in Eugene, OR with RAD experience?
Sorry but not that we know of.
what is coverage for 5 gal. stripper with gel and booster and 5 gal. brightener?
Averages to about 750 sq feet for the stripper and the brightener.
Brushes and rollers for the solid stain.
Last fall I stained my lower deck with Restore-A-Deck stain. Last year I also replaced the deck boards on my upper deck. I plan to clean, brighten, stain the upper deck this year. Do I need to cover the lower deck to protect the stain I applied last year when I clean and brighten to upper deck?
Yes, you should.
What is the typical shipping time to Alberta, Canada?
4-6 business days.
I put in a new cedar floor on my deck in July 2019. We left it to dry thru the winter (Illinois) and in June 2020. I prepared the deck using Wolman Deck and Fence brightener (followed the directions). The deck looked brighter and we thoroughly washed the deck as per instructions. Then next day we put on two coats of restore-a-deck semi-transparent Cedar wood stain. Looked great. However April 2021 it looks terrible. It is peeling terribly. see pictures. What did we do wrong and how is the best way to fix it.
Hello,
The pictures show they you excessively over applied the stain. The RAD stain is a penetrating stain designed to fully soak into the wood, not dry on top of the wood as your pictures show. Couple of other things could have contributed to this as well:
-Prepping without using the RAD products can create potential issues with proper penetration and adhesion.-New wood is only supposed to have one coat applied. -Applying in a hot sun application: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-hot-sun-application.html
At this point you will need to use the RAD Stripper and then the Brightener for prep. Apply just one coat of the RAD Stain.
i am about to order the stripper and brightener , because the new deck was put in on July 2019, I am confirming that i need to only put still one coat of RAD stain. Since it is no longer new wood. One of the reasons we applied two coats in June 2020 was the first coat seemed very blotchy. When we did the second coat it looked nice. Also we did follow the instructions of wet on wet correctly. I just don’t want to make same mistakes.
Just do the one coat.
Are my credit card charges for Canadian orders in US$
USD
I bought the Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain and applied it about a year ago. I pressure washed, stripped using your stripper, sanded, then brightened the wood with your product, then stained it. Looks great. it is time for a a new coat though. What do I need to do? Just use the cleaner then apply the stain?
Yes, correct. Clean and brighten.
Are prices quoted for products in USADollars or Canadian dollars
USD
After I use RAD Cleaner/Brightener how long do I have until I have to put stain on? I am thinking of doing RAD Cleaner/Brightener one weekend and then the next weekend doing stain? Is that going to be an issue or do you recommend doing all in one weekend?
Stain within two weeks of prep is okay.
We have a 12 year old spruce pressure treated deck that has been treated a few times with 50/50 boiled linseed oil/turpentine. It’s been a few years since this treatment, so so we need to use the stripper or is the cleaner/brightener adequate?
Stripper and brightener kits.
We also added new pressure treated sienna coloured spruce steps last summer. Do you recommend we get a package of the cleaner for those or will the stripper do the job? Is the light walnut the colour closest to the new sienna colour of pressure treated deck boards?
Cleaner, not stripper for the new wood. Not sure on the color, best to get samples.
Wood is damp.
Have done all the prep, cleaned and brightened. Today is cloudy, 55-70 degrees, 80% humidity (foggy) and rain in 24 hours. Would is damp, not wet from the dew and fog. Would you recommend staining or wait.
If using the RAD stains, you can do it now.