We understand that everyone needs help with their wood/deck restoration and that not all projects are the same. Different species of wood, the age of wood, and types and brands of previous coatings make it difficult for homeowners to determine what is needed to restore their exterior wood or deck correctly.
We will ask some specific questions and reply to what you will need to do in your restoration process and the appropriate products and amounts to purchase, so it receives the proper prep and treatment required.
In the comment section below, you must include:
- Square Footage of Area to be Restored. See below.
- Type of wood if known:
- Approximate Age of Wood:
- If Applicable, Previous Stain Brand Used and Type (Examples of Type: Transparent, Semi-Transparent, Solid Stain, Oil-Based, Water-Based):
- If Applicable, When was the last time wood was stained:
- Wood Type to be Stained (Deck, House, Fence, etc.):
- Do you have access to a pressure washer:
- Miscellaneous Info:
- *Must Include 1-3 Photos of Restoration Project. There is a link to upload photos in the bottom right corner of the comment area.
How to Calculate Square Footage
Deck Sq. Footage
Flooring Length x width =?
Railing Length x height =?
Steps Width x Depth x #of Steps =?
Add up all 3 for the Total Sq. footage.
Fence Sq. Footage
Length x height =?
Multiply x 2 for both sides = Total Sq. Footage
Coverage Rate for RAD Stains
The specified coverage rate for RAD is 150-200 square feet per gallon for the first coat. Second will apply at 200-300 per gallon. This averages to about 100-125 sq. feet per gallon for 2 coats wet on wet. From this, and from measuring the surface you can calculate how much stain you need. For more aged wood you could easily factor in some extra stain. On newer wood that is still smooth and dense, you probably are not going to use as much.
For maintenance coats you are not going to use near as much stain as you did initially staining bare wood. There are just way too many variables to know the exact coverage rate of RAD for sure. There is really no way of knowing exactly how much stain you will need. It is better to buy more than you need than to not have enough. You can always save left over stain for next time. RAD has a shelf life of 1 year if opened and 3 years unopened as long as the can is properly resealed.
Restore A Deck Stain Application Tips
- Applying RAD Stain Wet on Wet Tips
- Restore-A-Deck Stain and New Wood
- Restore-A-Deck Stain Hot Sun Application
I’m just a regular home owner with a 35 year old deck and I got to tell everyone I did my testing on my deck with about 1/2 dozen stains and deck cleaners— I TRYED THEM ALL but hands down RESTORE A DECK STAINS, stripper,cleaner, and brighter are the best no question about it so for all you people out there who r going to do your deck this is it.
Thanks, Peter!
I have just stained my vertical deck skirting with a solid white non RAD product which I got before coming across your product. Next I want to use a semi trans RAD to stain the surface area using the 3 step system. Will the runoff of cleaner/ brightener applied to the horizontal cause any fading or other issues on the fresh white verticals?
No, it should not.
Thank you. Do you have any comments on whether the RAD three step system would be preferred over the Armstong Clark offerings?
same question for the TWP stains. Applying on 1 year old PT Pine that has never been stained
Same as above.
We like both but most are using the RAD.
and brightener, too
Part of my deck has painted walls. Will the cleaner affect it? It is exterior paint.
adding a picture. I’d like to stain both the topper on the fence and of course the fence, but there is a painted strip in the middle. Will cleaner and brightener hurt the paint?
It should not.
Great! Thank you!!
Hello, I have cleaned my deck with oxyclean before finding your site. Our deck is 22 yr old. It had been stained 12 yrs ago with semi transparent arborcoat and then 8 yrs ago with a semi transparent Sherwim Williams paint. There are only small areas of stain left on the deck. Do I have to use stripper still or sand then strip. I want to replace the railing.
We also have a gazebo that was painted with the same stains. Can I apply a semitransparent stain over it?
My deck area is 600 ft. How much stain and stripper and brightner would I need?
We added onto the deck with a composite. It is a light color. It has black mold on it. Would your cleaner clean that as well?
Thank you, Eileen
You cannot strip a solid stain so you will have to power sand it off if you want to use a semi-transparent. Clean and brighten after the sanding. The RAD cleaner will clean composite wood.
Hello, I have five questions for you! First – the background on what we have. We have two recently constructed redwood decks that have not yet been stained. Both have been left to weather. One, partially covered and partially full sun, has weathered for just over a year. The other, fully covered, has weathered about 18 months. So, we are now ready to proceed with cleaning, brightening, and staining with your RAD semi-transparent Natural stain. My questions: 1) There are a couple spots that got gouged from shoveling snow this past Winter – we may want to sand those spots a bit. I noticed on the website that sanding is a no-no as it will affect the woods ability to absorb the stain so there was a recommendation to weather the wood again if sanded. Do you foresee an issue if we just lightly sand a few spots? Do we really have to let them weather again and if so, for how long? 2) I am going to purchase your deck staining brush but thought I noticed in on of the Q&A’s that you recommend a different tool for rails and vertical posts but I can’t find it. So, my question is which tool do you recommend for rails and vertical posts – the paint pad or the paint brush or? 3) With our redwood weathered for over a year, I am assuming we can/should apply two wet-on-wet coats – am I correct? 4) We have approx. 1000 sq ft between both decks and all the steps so I am guessing I should order 10 gallons if we will apply two coats – do you agree? 5) With the virus situation, if I order tomorrow, 6/2/20, how long before you will ship? I live in Idaho. Would you have an estimate for me as to when I should receive the shipment? We are hoping to have the deck done by 6/18/20. Thank you in advance for your reply! Donna
1. Do not spot sand as then the stain will not take the same way if you do.
2. Use a stain pad or regular brush for verticals.
3. Yes, two light coats.
4. Yes.
5. Right now we are delayed about 7-10 business days before items ship out. No guarantee for the 18th.
Can I amend my order before it ships? I ordered too much stain.
Reply from your order email.
Do I need to remove the fuzzies from deck that appeared after cleaning and brightening before I apply solid stain to deck?
No need.
I am in the process of stripping the old peeling stain (Behr Transparent Cedar naturaltone) on pressure treated wood deck. Have not quite finished walkway which is only about 1/4 of the total area and it has taken several applications to get off the stain. The rest of the deck is half covered and half exposed. The covered part still looks good (no peeling) but may take even longer to get off. I am thinking it might be easier and faster to just sand off the rest of the deck instead of stripping. If so, what tips about sanding and do I add Brightner after I sand?
60-80 grit paper for sanding. Clean and brighten after.
I used the stripper and brightener and everything turned out great. However, there is a stained spot from where we had an outdoor rug. Is there anything I can do to remove it?
No, that cannot be fixed.
1. Do you need a chemical respirator when applying the stripper? 2. If I use the semi transparent stain this year and decide to use the solid stain in a few years, do i have to strip the old stain (all RAD products) or can I just apply solid over the semi-transparent?
1. Not but you can use one.
2. You can apply over it after a good cleaning.
I’m in the process of re-staining our 10 year old deck. I used the stain stripper and additive to remove the old stain, and then the brightener. After that, I even sanded every plank with an orbital sander to remove any residual stain, and to smooth out the wood. So, the wood was prepped well, and then I applied two coats of the TWP 100 Rustic Brown stain. However, it didn’t cover evenly, some parts stained well, and others didn’t really take on the color of the stain. I could apply another coat, but I’m concerned the wood would not soak it up and the stain would pool. Is there any way to even this out, by making the lighter areas match the darker?
This happened due to your sanding. It is lighter in the areas that were sanded smoother. The only way to even out would be to strip and start over or happy another light coat but not sure if that will make it fully even or not.
Yes, about the area being sanded smoother. Some paint had been spilled there, so more sanding was needed. I’d rather not strip it and start over, so I’ll conservatively try to apply another coat to see if that helps. Thanks.
I tried adding a another thin coat to a small section, and it looks better, but there’s now a sheen to it, and it’s a little tacky. With the TWP stain, should the final result be a matte finish, or a slight sheen acceptable? If there is a sheen, does that mean the stain is sitting on top of the wood, and therefore too much stain?
No shine. Too much stain and it cannot soak in. See what it looks like after drying for a day or two.
2 days have passed since I added a thin third coat to just one plank to try to even out the color a little more. I’ve include a photo, with the right plank being the one with a third coat. As best that you can tell, is that too much shine, or is that acceptable? It’s not tacky and smooth to the touch. Thanks for all of your help.
That is too shiny and is laying on top of the wood.
Okay, thanks! I’ll leave well enough alone, and not add any more stain.
Good Morning, I’m not sure the age of our deck but the people before us probably stained it about 6-7 years ago. It currently has the Sherwin Williams Deckscapes solid stain on. It now also has 1 coat of the Olympic semi transparent stain that was put on about a week ago by a guy who did not properly prep and used the wrong type of stain. Will your products work and what do you recommend? Thanks!
Sorry but no, you will have to power sand to remove this and fix it.
Do you have a product to clean composite decks?
This will work: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/RAD-Cleaner-Only.html
Ready to apply solid stain and would love to know best way (tools) to apply it. It’s a very large deck. Once applied, how many hours do I wait until I apply second coat? Lastly, rain chance are in the forecast so how long after applying do we need it to be dry?
Apply with roller and brush. The second coat goes on as soon as the first coat is dry to the touch. No rain for 6-12 hours after.
Brightner has been applied to stripped deck. Rain expected for next week. How long can I wait to apply Restore-a-Deck stain?
Stain within 2 weeks of prep.
We got a bit of the Restore a deck wood stain on our siding. Is there anything we can use to remove? We have tried soap and water but it will not budge. Any advice?
Try a water-based graffiti remover cleaner from your local paint storel
I just removed stain from my siding using acetone nail polish remover. It didn’t hurt my siding but my siding is white so test it in an inconspicuous place if you do this
I am in the process of staining my deck first before staining my house, as the deck is in bad condition and needs immediate attention. If I use the Restore-A-Deck cleaning and brightening products on my house, after staining the deck, will the run off and over spray damage the new solid stain finish I am putting on the deck?
Also, I am not clear on whether or not brightener is necessary with solid stain.
Use a brightener with a solid stain if the wood does not have a previous coating. If a previous coating then no need. The prep products should only be used when recoating. If you get it on the freshly stained wood, it could discolor the stain.
How long will unused stain last in storage?
2-3 years. Do not let it freeze.
We are installing a new cedar fence on one side of our house however a few panels are difficult to get access to for prepping and staining after is installed. Can I prep (with RAD cleaner and brightener) and stain (Armstrong semi transparent stain) the new cedar panels prior to install? I have a little less than 2 weeks to prep and stain before the fence is installed.
If rough sawn wood then yes. If smooth wood, then no.
The panel is rough sawn, but below the panel, closes to the ground are the pressure treated boards. Can the pressure treated be stained at same time as the rough sawn cedar panel?
It is probably okay.
I am restoring a deck that has previously been stained. The previous homeowner did not leave the stain buckets behind, but it looks like transparent or semi-transparent. The old stain is fairly spotty – some places it has adhered well and other places there is no stain at all. My plan is to put on a darker coat of semi-solid stain. I was planning on using the Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and then staining – skipping the Brightener altogether because I am putting on a semi-solid and darker coat. Is this a good idea? Or should I still use the Brightener product? Thanks!
You have to remove the current stain fully first. Post a picture for help with this.
I posted a few pictures here. Thanks for the help!
You will need to strip this, not clean it. Use the Restore A Deck Stripper with both additives: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
You have to neutralize when done with the brightener.
Thank you. So does that mean I don’t need to use the Cleaner at all?
No need for the cleaner.
Thanks for the quick response! After applying the stripper, how long should I wait to then use the Brightener? And then after the Brightener, how long should I want to apply the new stain?
Brighten the same day as stripper. It depends on the stain you are using as to when to apply.
I’ll use Armstrong-Clark semi-solid stain (sold through this website). Do you have guidance on the timing?
48 hours after prep.
Last year we used the cleaner, Brightener and semi-transparent stain to a 1 year old deck. This year I want to stain again. Do I just use cleaner before I stain or do I need to use Brightener too.
Just the cleaner.
what is the best clean up method for the restore a deck wood staining brush? there seems to be a lot of dried on stain/sealer.
Al
Water. Maybe take your pressure washer to it.
I have a worn 1200 sq ft pressure treated deck and a 200 sq ft dock. Thinking of using stripper and brightener first, then cedar stain. How much do you suggest. Was going to do TWP but we are in rainy season.
2 Stripper/Brightener kits and 12-15 gallons of stain for two coats.
We have never stain or seal a deck before so please bear with my questions and reply back asap so we can decide and place order today and start staining next wknd. We recently bought house and dont know history of deck other then house is about 12yrs old. Last wknd we pressure washed whole deck and hand scrub extremely dirty/green algea areas. Yesterday hand sanded whole deck because entire floor was rough and had spots of splinters even before pressure washing. Here are my questions…
1. Are my pics of deck good enough to go straight to staining or will i still need to do which one: RAD stripper+brightener or RAD cleaner+brightener?
2. Want to choose something with longest protection yrs and least amount of maintenance work. Does a solid stain provide a longer protection vs semi transparent stain? If so how many more yrs compared to semi transparent?
3. We like the look of solid stain but is that more work maintenance wise? Would we have to strip off and also sand off entire color before putting on another RAD solid stain (either same color or darker color)? We may opt out of this choice if there’s more work involved every time to maintain (vs semi transparent) so plz explain in detail work involved so we fully understand what we’re getting ourselves into.
4. Do all RAD semi transparent stains and solid color stains have a sealer in it already? Or would we have to add a sealer to mix with your stain? Or do a sealer coat as last step on top of any of your stains? What does it mean RAD stain does not repel water but shed water.
1. No pic.
2. They last the same.
3. Just clean and reapply as needed down the road.
4. Deck stains are sealers as well. You cannot add more sealer into or on top of a deck stain. Sheds water as they are breathable coatings. They do not bead water.
Is there a dealer in Chattanooga, Tn.
No, online only.
In may 2019 I stripped my old stain, sanded, cleaned, brightened and applied two coats of Restore a deck semi transparent cedar stain. This past winter took its toll and need to apply a coat for maintaince. I have searched the forums on how to do this but have read different opinions on this. The stain is not peeling just looks like I applied to thin of a coat last spring. Can I just clean the wood with your cleaning product and re-stain?
Yes, clean and reapply.
How do you clean up the brush after applying the stain? Soap and water or ??
Soap and water.
After prepping my fence with RAD cleaner and brightener, rain is expected here and there during this week and next. If it continues like this for next 2 weeks, do I need to re-apply the RAD cleaner and brightener? How long can I delay on applying ArmstrongClark semi transparent stain before I need to re-apply the RAD cleaner and brightener?
Just lightly clean if longer then two weeks.
Thanks. What solution do i use to lightly clean? I have a pressure washer that can push out either 800, 1000, 1200, 1500 psi. Which psi should i use for light cleaning? Or do i use some other means?
Use the RAD Cleaner and lightly pressure wash.
Thanks. One more question. I noticed in a comment that for re-applying the same stain and color (for mine is the Armstrong semi transparent stain), i wouldn’t need to apply the brightener? In general my fence is still in good shape but the horizontal part is pretty beat up. It has been about 4yrs since I last stain it. Does it cause any issues if I used the brightener?
No issues.
I just finished applying the first coat of semi transparent stain on my deck but i dont have enough to apply a second coat. Can i apply a seccond coat once it is delivered?
No. The second coat needs to be applied wet on wet. It would be better to apply a maintenance coat next Spring.
Would fall be too early to apply the second coat or should i just wait until sprong? And before i apply the second coat should i clean it with your cleaner?
Clean first and then recoat. Spring would be best.
Our deck is 16 x20 with an additional 5 x 20 walkway, 30 years old, treated lumber. It has been coated with latex paint annually, most recently using Valspar latex deck paint. The boards are in decent shape, and we’ve stripped it with a commercial paint stripper, power washed, and sanded. There is still some paint in the grooves that we’re attempting to remove, but we may not be able to get it all up. We would like to cover it as thoroughly as possible, but don’t mind if some tiny specks of paint are still visible. We would like to use a light gray (cottage gray looks about right).
The biggest issue with this deck has always been peeling, so that’s what we want to avoid at all costs. I know the solid stain will provide better coverage, but I’m concerned it will peel. Does the semi-transparent stain sound like the best way to go with this project?
You will need to remove all of the paint and you still have a decent amount left before using the semi-transparent. It will not work unless you get it all out of the wood grain.
Will the transparent stain stop sap from bleeding through?
No. Nothing will stop sap.
In my previous post, I said I had put on one coat of solid stain last fall and ran out of time for the second coat. We wanted to darken the color this spring and you advised to put on two coats. We decided we like the deck color, and are changing the color of the house instead.
1) Do I only need one coat on the floor now if I’m staying with the same color?
2) Do I just use the cleaner on the floor?
3) Clean and brighten the rails that weren’t painted? Thank you.
1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
Hello! I am expecting RAD stripper and brightener along with RAD stain to arrive early next week. Thanks for all your help up to this point. I had to sand the deck to remove previous water based stain (eco wood treatment from Home Depot) that was only applied less than 4 weeks ago along with rough wear patches on some boards. The deck is 6 years old, pressure treated. I used 60 grit sand paper. (Before and after pic attached). Another question: how many coats should I apply of the dark walnut stain? Thank you for your help.
Only one coat for sanded wood.
Thanks for your time to answer my questions. I’m getting started in morning.
Questions:
1. What’s best way to strip stain from rafters on the covered porch? Roof is SunTuf polycarbonate.
2. Will stripper damage Hardie board siding?
3. Will RAD semi trans stain damage Hardie board?
4. Should I strip, brighten, stain all the deck or just half of it? It’d look odd to have one half of the deck (the uncovered/weathered portion and the exposed surfaces) be RAD cedar stain and have the other half (covered/unweathered) be the existing stain. And it’d be a pain to try to prevent stripper from getting on to the covered portion of the deck when stripping and rinsing the weathered exterior surfaces. Am I correct?
5. Can I walk on deck during the 30-45mins it’s stripping? For instance, to mist other areas?
Current plan:RAD stripper with additive gel via pump sprayer then power wash (after an unsuccessful Behr stripper effort).RAD brightener.RAD semi transparent in cedar via pump sprayer + backbrush. 2 coats, wet on wet.
My Deck:
Square footage of surface area: 1,281 sq ft including deck, stairs, railings, support posts.
Type of Wood: PT pine (I think)
Wood age: 4 or 5 years
Previous stain: Behr Semi-Transparent in Castle Gray (Does this seem right?)
Previous stain applied: Not sure. Not in past 3 years.
Pressure washer access: Yes.
You will not be able to strip this fully as the Behr on the wood is opaque, like a solid stain. You will have to either sand this off or use a solid stain to cover what you have.
Is it typical of a solid stain to come off like this after 45 mins of dwell time with additive? Wondering if the previous owner put 2 coats of Behr semi on…or did the flats with semi and the horizontals with solid. See this video: https://share.icloud.com/photos/0aqJl3r_gf7exSgfcDkB59dGw#Roswell
I decided to use a solid stain. If I fill some cracks and knot holes with wood filler, will the solid stain cover the filler?
Yes.
Thanks
I cleaned my deck today and will brighten tommorow but due to the size of my deck I will not be able to start staining untill next weekend, is it okay to that and if so any additional prep prior to stain?
No issues.
Silly question-do I shake the stain container and pour in paint tray or pour in bucket and stir first?
Stir first then pour.
I have a covered porch, that is painted grey with an unknown product. I was prepping the service by sanding – but the old paint is stubborn and won’t completely come off with 20 grit. I’Ve removed all the loose flake, and am wondering if I can apply the RAD solid stain (coastal grey) overtop of the remaining paint, after RAD application of cleaner and brightener?
Thanks in advance,
Yes.
Great thanks, last question again in regards to RAD solid stain – should I apply 2 coats, and is it wet on wet or let first coat dry then apply second coat.
Cheers,
Two coats and the second goes on after the first coat fully dries.
Will your product remove Olympic Rescue-it wood resurfacer stain?
No, you will have to sand that product off.
I saw a 2 1/2 gallon size of the stain on your website earlier today for around $79.99. Now I can’t find it. Do you still sell a 2 1/2 gallon size of the stain?
Sorry, but we have never sold the 2.5-gallons on our website.
Is your product recommended for Florida pressure treated wood dock? It is over brackish (mild salt) water. 4 years old and no history of prior finishes or coatings. I have lightly pressured washed the surface going along the grain and it is very clean looking, a bright tan color now. Please advise.
Yes, it will work well here.
Will be applying solid stain. My deck is in full sun most of the day. Can I apply in full sun if temps are below 80 degrees?
Yes.
Will Restore-a-deck remove layers of old semi-transparent stain ? Any specific directions n what product to use .?
Post a picture of the deck.
Still need clarification: I am using RAD solid stain on railing, how should it be used in full sun? Your tips on application do not specify between different stains being used, so I’m thinking to just follow what is being stated. Dampen the wood and proceed. Wait about an hour and give 2nd coat. Is this correct?
With the solid stain, wait until first coat is fully dry and then apply the second coat. You can apply the solid stain to damp or dry wood, does not matter.
Once my deck has dried (24 hours), is it too late to apply second coat? What is shelf life for unopened RAD stain/sealer?
Shelf life is a few years. Do not let it freeze. As for the second coat, it will not take right now since it has fully cured. You can clean and recoat down the road.
We are in the process of re-shingling the siding of our house with Western Red Cedar shingles (rebutted and rejointed). We would like to stain them to preserve the color and prevent them from turning grey and then black. Can your product be used for that purpose and when is the right time to apply? I read that new wood needs to age but then I also read that cedar shingles need to be treated within two weeks. Also for this project do we need to pre-treat or not since the wood is new? So how would proper application look?
Thanks for your help!
See here about new wood: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
You can use the stain on shingles.
Can I use your product on the inside of my vegetable garden boxes? Will there be any harmful chemicals that will leach into the soil?
Yes, you can use it here.
Shipping issue: I was prepared to buy a complete kit and brush (free shipping on about $250 worth of products) but I also added a pad and groove brush (which cost $19 more) – then I saw, that by adding these two extra items you were going to charge me $20 just to ship the extra pad and groove brush! The shipping of these two extra items cost more than the two extra items themselves! And it would have been part of a larger order which could have all shipped together….so I cancelled everything while I decide what to do. Very frustrated at this bizarre billing practice.
Hello,
We just tested this and there are not any shipping charges when you have a combo kit, yellow stain brush, and a crack and groove tool.
I wish I had a screen shot – it added $20.01 shipping to my order when I added a pad and groove tool….I’ll try it again.
Screenshot it if it happens again.
Here is the best I could get for a screen shot….It tally the total as $258.99…then it add $20.01 for the extra items? Only after I enter the shipping address….is this tax??
Your issue is the 7″ pads. You never mentioned you had those in the cart and since they cannot fit into the same box as the rest, shipping is charged as it has to go into a new box. If you remove those items there would not be any shipping. We cannot give free shipping on items that have to ship separately.
I was going to strip the solid stain and re-stain. However I am reading your articles and it says that your stripper will not remove solud is that correct? What are your suggestions?
Yes, no stripper will remove a solid stain. You will have to sand this off it off if you want to fully remove it.
I ended up having to use a drum sander on our deck to fully remove the original semi-trans stain that was applied 3 years ago. I see in the instructions for your RAD Semi-Trans stain that only 1 coat is required for new or power sanded wood.
1). Why is only one coat needed for power sanded wood?
2). For power sanded wood, should I follow your “RAD Hot Sun Application” instructions?
1. Sanding makes the wood less absorbent so only one coat of stain.
2. Yes.