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 an old redwood deck that I had painted with bahr deck over a few years ago, I stripped and sanded the oil paint off down to the wood and it is ready for me to use your product which I’m going to receive next week to clean and bright it. My question is how how long can I wait before I have to put Armstrong Clark clear stain on it as I haven’t ordered the stain yet and I’m sure it’ll take a few weeks before I receive it.
Stain within 2 weeks of prep is best.
Hi. I have a 6-year-old Southern Yellow Pine deck that I plan to stain with RAD Semi-Transparent. It has already been stripped but requires sanding along most surfaces. I would like the wood–particularly the deck boards and railings–to be a smooth as possible. What is the finest grit sandpaper I can use that will not inhibit penetration of the stain? I don’t mind if staining takes a little more work or time in order to get a smoother finish, but not at the risk of the stain failing to penetrate as it should.
Also, I need to patch a few deep gouges in a couple of the railings before staining. Are there any wood fillers that are recommended or that should be avoided?
Lastly, can an insecticide additive (e.g. NBS 30 or Bug Juice) be mixed with RAD Semi-Transparent stains? If so, some guidance on that would be appreciated. Thanks much!
60-80 grit. Wood filler will not work on decks and will not “stain” to blend. Do not use them.
You should be fine with either insect additive.
Great, thanks!
How long after 2nd coat of solid stain can deck be walked on (just to get from house to the grass beyond the deck)? We aren’t planning on putting the furniture back on the deck or spending any time on it until 48 hours after Application, but are having a small group of people over and there’s only 1 way into/out of the house to get to the backyard so we’re wondering if everyone can step on it up get to/from the house/grass within a few hours of 2nd Coat application. Thanks!
4-6 hours to walk on.
I have a 20+ year old redwood deck that hasn’t been stained in at least 5 years. It was weathered and gray, but, has now been completely power washed and some of it has been sanded to a smooth finish and close to its original color. Once the smooth finish sanding is complete, can I go directly to applying the natural color semi-transparent stain? Thank you!!!
Do not over sand. 60-80 grit at most. Then clean and brighten the wood after to help open the wood pores so the stain can soak in deeper. Just one coat for sanded wood.
Hello – I have an old redwood deck I’d like to stain (the deck has been cleaned and brightened — and I may do some light sanding where needed). I’d like to use one of your stains specifically designed for redwood decks with a color that will match of nearby IP deck (see pictures of both decks. I’m hoping for a stain that’s one-coat. Can you please recommend a stain I should use?
Try the light walnut color. https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-wood-stain-5-gallon/flypage.tpl.html
It is not possible to get Redwood to look like IPE though. It will be somewhat close but not exact.
I do not have running water at our camp. What would be the best way to wash off the cleaner and brightener? Also, I have lots of spindles and railings. I do not know if can get deck and spindles all d e in one day. Should I do spindles and railing first then next day the deck?
You need water for prep or it will not work. You may want to rent a water tank truck for the day with a pump and attach a pressure washer to it. You can break up the prep into consecutive days.
I have a 2000 sq foot redwood deck that has a Behr Solid Terra Cotta stain applied 10 years ago
Pictures are enclosed
I have a power Washer
The bad wood has been repaired and areas redone and now in good shape
My questions are
1 ) which of your refinish products should I use to remove solid stain ?
2 ) how much deck remover will I need ?
3 ) what is the best method for application
4) directions for application
5 ) Do I need to reapply primer to redo the solid stain on the raw wood?
Thank you in advance
Solid stain cannot be stripped fully. Use the stripper to remove as much as of the loose stain as you can. You can then cover the intact stain with the RAD Solid Stain. Do not prime the wood. Use a roller and brush to apply.
I need to reapply a maintenance coat of Armstrong Clark transparent stain on my fence. It has been 3 years since I applied the initial coat. I am confused on the prep part. Do I use the cleaner only? Or do I need to use the brightner too? I think I am supposed to clean only and then stain. Would you please confirm? Thank you.
Clean only if you have a base coat: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/RAD-Cleaner-Only.html
Hi there, I have my deck already painted with semi solid brown color, more than 60% of the deck is already peeled. all prep is completed (sanding, cleaning,..) and ready now to be stained, do you have as semi solid stain as i didn’t find in your website, otherwise what do you suggest in this case? thanks.
We do not have semi-solid colors. If you dod not remove 100% of the current coating you would need to apply the RAD solid stain: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
I just stripped, brightened, and stained my deck with the Restore-a-Deck product (cedar stain). Right after putting on the second coat, it unfortunately started raining for around 15 minutes and then stopped. I looked at the deck 12 hours later and looks fine. Will it be okay or has this compromised the product in some matter?
Hopefully, it is fine if it looks good. There is no other way to tell and nothing you can do at this point.
Thanks for your response and I hope you are right. A follow up question: I know there is nothing I can do at this point, but do you think the product will have a shorter “life” given what happened? Meaning, am I going to need to stain again in 1-2 years instead of 2-3 years?
No way to tell. Only time.
So I needed to sand off some old stain…down to the wood. I have your walnut semi transparent stain. Planning to clean, brighten and then stain next…should I do 2 coats wet on wet or one coat and wait until spring?
If you sand only do one coat. You can do it now.
Any harm using cleaner and brighter before staining? 95% has been sanded off but there are some spots that sanders can’t get to. Was hoping I could use cleaner (or stripper) to remove the rest And then proceed with stain. Thanks in advance
You should clean and brighten after sanding as it will help the stain to soak in deeper. As far as using stripper or cleaner, we would need to see pictures.
Here you go.
That is a solid opaque stain in appearance. The only way to remove is to sand it. Strippers or cleaner will not remove it.
Last year did a full reno of our pressure treated deck. 12×24, with railings. It’s around 15 years old but still in good shape. We sanded everything down to bare wood and replaced a few pieces (and all the spindles) where needed. Cleaned and brightened then stained with TWP 1500 Pecan. The color was gorgeous and everything looked great. It’s been almost a full year and I’m noticing some fade, mostly in the areas hit by full sun. Is it ok to re-stain the areas that look faded or should I wait another year? I don’t want to over apply and end up with the mess we had before the reno. Also, the new pieces we stained are a touch lighter, can I re-stain them as well? Thanks in advance!
You cannot spot prep and apply. Either do all now of just wait until next year.
Will the faded areas get damaged going thru another winter without having much stain on them? I would prefer not to do the whole thing over again yet. Could we spot treat just the stairs to re-stain them or even just pressure wash them good and put on another coat (that’s where the worst fade is)? Thanks again.
It will be fine until next year. Just leave it for now.
can you effectively apply semi trans with an airless sprayer?
Yes.
Also, how long will the RAD solid stain last befpre needing to be reapplied?
2-3 years on deck surface. Twice as long on vertical wood.
We have an older deck that is about 1000 square feet. Just prior to us purchasing the house the former owners applied Messner’s oil based solid stain. That was about 6 years ago. It is no longer water resistant. We want to use RAD solid stain. What prep is needed? We were planning to pressure wash then apply the RAD solid stain. We also have a few boards (about 8) that we are replacing. Will they need to weather or can we just prep them with the rest of the deck? How much stain will we need to purchase? Can we apply the stain in direct sunlight- it is a large deck without a lot of shade.
Prep with the RAD stripper/brightener kits. New wood needs to weather: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
About 10 Gallons for two coats. Avoid very hot days when applying in direct sun.
What is the best tool to use when applying the RAD Semi-Transparent stain to a cedar fence? Sprayer? Brush?
Easies is to spray and then back brush right away to ensure it is applied evenly.
Do you have to use a sealant after using your water-based stain?
No need and it is actually not possible to apply a sealer over a deck stain.
My deck and stairs are over 20 years old. Last used a solid stain which is peeling in places. Should I sand and,powerwash before using stripper and brightner.
Strip off what you can. Let dry and sand off any more loose or peeling stain. Cover the intact stain with a new coat of the solid stain.
I’ve read elsewhere on here that the cleaner doesn’t last too long once mixed, a few hours to a day. How about the stripper and brightener?
Only the cleaner has a shelf life once mixed with water.
I pressure washed my year and a half year old, pressure treated deck, and it looks really good. Can I go right to stain or do I really need to clean and brighten? Thanks.
Post a picture.
Pictures of pressure washed deck
Looks good to stain.
I’m new at this process so sorry for asking what must seem like a dumb question. How do I apply the semi-transparent stain using the yellow brush? I understand all the prep and application instructions but this is the one step I am missing. I need to know how the stain gets from the bucket to the wood. Do I use an applicator and then brush the stain into the wood? Or do I dip the brush into the stain and brush it on?
Just dip into stain and apply evenly to the wood.
solid stain pics
do you actually show the colors on your website? If so, where are the pictures hidden?
Color charts are on the product order pages.
Do you know there’s a company using your name(restore a deck) isnt that copy right
Infringement.
Our logo is trademarked but it is not possible to trademark the words “restore a deck”. To generic of a term.
I just placed an order; # 1JZK031972
May I add to that order? I’d like to add step II Restore a Deck Stripper.
Thanks!
Sorry but we cannot add to orders as we do not keep credit cards on file.
I have several retaining walls that need staining. Some areas have never been treated and over 30 years old. Other areas the same age and treated as recently as 3 years ago Behr Deck Plus solid color waterproof stain was used and it is peeling and chipping after 3 years!
Do I have to strip this ? I was hoping to be able to power wash it. What do I use after the wood is prepped? I was thinking to do a semi-transparent stain
You will have to sand it to remove the solid stain if you want to use the semi-transparent colors.
I have an outside open porch area leading into my camp. I used Duck Back product..at first it looked good on covered porch and the open porch. However it is oil based and leaves a oily feel to wood. It also has contributed to black mold and mildew due to the high concentration of linseed and/or Tung oil in the product. Various manufacturers have told me the oil feeds mold and to go to a good acrylic product such as yours. I have used mold eraser and another product they sell and most of the black mold has been eliminated, however the wood grain has raised a bit on the knotty pine boards in the ceiling of the open porch over hang. Would you sand this left over mold off with 80 grit (one manufacture advised this) or would use your cleaner and then brightner before I stain. I want to keep the open porch/overhang as natural as I can…the rest of the place is the Adirondac dark Brown solid coloer from Benjamin Moore…it is holding up great and I like the dark brown color next to the natural look..Lucky for me the screened in porch block the mold spores from entering and left that area mold free….and looks good. I only have to fix up the open porch areas….what do you suggest here….Thanks you for all the help you can give me. Russ
Use the stripper and brightener for the prep.
I cleaned and brightened my deck, because of the 90 degree weather and the rain and size of deck it has been longer than the 2 week period when stain should be put on. I am using semitransparent stain on floor boards. what do you suggest i do? can I still stain now? floor boards still look good.
You should lightly clean and brighten the deck again.
Hi, can I use an HVLP sprayer of the solid stain? Thanks.
No. You would an airless sprayer for the solid stain.
Good afternoon. We completed our year long deck project yesterday. This was done on an approximately 10 year old painted deck (we’ve only owned for 3) and included power washing, stripping and sanding (both hand and power) the entire deck. After removing all paint and getting down to the wood, we went through your three steps process doing all three steps in one day. After working for so long to get it sanded and reading so many great things about your products, we were so excited to see the results. Sadly- we have been very disappointed. As you can see in the pictures below, the stain is inconsistent and in many places seems as though it didn’t take at all. We tried to follow the directions completely and though it was a sunny day in the low 80’s, we kept it wet consistently and much of it was in the shade for most of the day. By looking at these pictures, do you have any idea what may have happened? And is there ANYTHING that can be done now? So disappointing! Please advise!
That is a brightener issue. When the brightener is not rinsed off 100% you can leave the wood in a low pH balance and this will react with the stain. See picture.
At this point, you would have to remove and start over to fix.
Thanks for your reply. When you say start over, do you mean with the 3 step process or with sand it all again?
Strip and then brighten. Stain after.
I just finished the brightener. I will stain today using RAD semi transparent. Do I wait until all the wood looks dry…..it dries unevenly of coarse…..or do I lightly mist the wood that looks dry and then apply the stain to the board…..as in wet on wet. Is it best to have the wood slightly wet?
Damp wood is easier: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/how-to-restore-a-deck-stain-to-damp-wood.html
How can I see samples of semi-transparent stains?
You can order samples here: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-stain-samples.html
I am attempting to purchase your product we start a deck cleaner and Breitner I live in Southern California the Los Angeles area do you have a dealer anywhere in Southern California but I can purchase this problem. I went on Amazon and it’s going to take approximately two weeks before I get the product please help I want to try to use your product
Hello,
You can order directly from this site and have it shipped. No dealers in CA. Our products are not currently available on Amazon.
Hello,
You can order directly from this site and have it shipped. No dealers in CA. Our products are not currently available on Amazon.
I have stripped my deck. Your website says all 3 steps can be done in one day. I am wanting to do the brightener and then apply the stain while the wood is damp. Your website says can do all in one day yet the directions on the brightener say to wait for 48 hours before applying stain??
That would only be if using a different brand of deck stain. If using the RAD stains, you can do the same day while wet.
Have prepped my 750 square foot deck (stripped brightened). I have 5 gallons solid brown oak stain on hand, but ordered another 3 gallons on July 9. Today is great weather for staining but I am concerned whether I have enuf to do first coat today and second coat tomorrow. Any idea when the July 9 order will ship? Sounds like better to do the second coat as close as possible after the first coat is dried, correct?
Best to do the same day for both coats.
Can the restore stain color be darkened, we are trying to match our house paint color and the brown stain is too light.
Sorry, but no, it cannot.
Does RAD sell sample sizes of stain?
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-stain-samples.html
Hi I want to lighten the stain on my elevated screened in porch that currently has Sherwin Williams waterbourne Super Deck semi-transparent stain on it. The underside of the deck has vinyl screen as well. What can. Use that won’t damage screen?
You will have to sand this off to remove. It is not semi-transparent in appearance but a solid opaque stain and cannot be stripped. This may be due to multiple coats over the years.
Hello
I am re-staining a deck which was stained 6 years ago with the DEFY semi-transparent stain which I bought from your company. I contacted your shop for advice and was told to get the cleaner and brightener which I ordered and received very quickly <thank you>. Unfortunately, the cleaner is not getting the old stain off and feel that the stripper is probably the right product and should have been recommended in the first place
How do I exchange the 3 x 2lb bags of cleaner(one is opened) for stripper (I live in Canada). If possible I would like to get this quickly so I can finish the deck in a timely manner
Thank You
Guy Groulx
St Andrews, NB, Canada
Contacted RAD Products by phone today about my situation and their response was better than anything I had expected…it is a pleasure dealing with such a company and I know where all my deck products are coming from in the future !
THANK YOU !!!
I should also mention I am in Ohio with full sun on the deck and snow in the winter. Can I do the wet application method in the morning on days when it will reach 90 or above?
Yes as long as it is not 90 when applying.
Hi there!
I have a 3 year old cedar deck. It was stained 2 years ago using a semi transparent water based stain. I have access to a pressure washer. The floor of the deck is approximately 650 sq ft. This includes stairs but does not accommodate for rails or edges/posts of the second story deck. What products would you recommend in what amounts? I have wood rails with black metal vertical bars, do I have to tape those off when staining?
Strip and brighten with the RAD Stripper/Brightener Kits. Just one kit should be enough. Stain with the RAD semi-transparent stain. About 5-7 gallons for two coats.
I was not able to apply the 2nd wet on wet coat. What do I need to do to apply it later?
You cannot now since it already cured. You can prep and apply a light coat next Spring.
I miscalculated our amounts for needed stain. Do you have an office in Michigan where I can just go grab another gallon? I’d like to get the project done this week if possible
We are located at
2388 Franklin Rd
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Open 8am to 5pm M-F for pickup.
For application of a solid stain which is more effective a pad or roller?
Relative to dry time prior to applying second coat, is dry enough to touch sufficient or is 24 to 48 hours preferred?
You need a roller and brush for the solid stain, not the pads. The second coat goes in 1-2 hours after the first coat or as soon as the first is dry.
Does it hurt rad stain to be stored in hot temperatures.
It is suggested that the RAD stain is stored in temperate controlled rooms of 60-85 degrees.
Did deck last year but only one coat of semi-transparent.
Can I do a brightener and then do another coat?
Clean and brighten for prep.
Can the solid stain be used over an existing semi-transparent stain ? What prep work should be done and how long is it expected to last from peeling ? Thank you
Yes but make sure to prep by stripping as much as you can and then brightening the wood. You can cover any stain that is not peeling with the new solid stain. Redo every 2-3 years or as needed.
I plan to stain my 8 year old deck with Restore A Deck semi-transparent cedar. I will also need to remove the old Behr stain and apply whitener. How can I order it through you or from another party that will send it to my home in Katonah, NY 10536? Thank you.
All products can easily be purchased directly from this website.
We live in Chicago and installed a new 3-story porch (pressure treated #1 pine) About a year later (late Sept 2019) we applied the RAD Semi-Transparent Stain (dark walnut)
We bought the RAD combo kit & followed the instructions for staining new wood: cleaning, brightening, staining. Unfortunately, after one typical cold Chicago winter, we are already seeing the stain peeling (see photos). We have one more floor to finish this summer (the weather turned too cold to finish last year) we want to make sure we can correct what ever we might be doing in our application method before tackling the remainder of the porch.
Please can you let me know any ideas about what might have caused this peeling to happen? I am wondering if this is due to over-application of the stain (causing a film to occur on the surface and there stopping the full cure?) though I did pay attention to wiping off any excess so there was no pooling. Also, what do you recommend we do with the areas that are peeling, if anything? The rest of the stained porch, about 85% of it, looks great!
Thank you in advance for any help you can offer
Hi,
Yes, you over-applied as you can tell it laid on top of the wood. Not sure if you did one or two coats but only one is suggested for new wood: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
Also, you could have had hot sun issues when applying: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-hot-sun-application.html
We would suggest just lightly touching up the affected board to get through this year and then next Spring do a full redo to all the floors.
Thank you so much, that all makes sense–the hot sun was out for some of the time when we applied. I did dampen the wood beforehand but now i know to avoid applying in full hot sun altogether. We did one coat but maybe wiped back too many times as we cleaned up the excess.
When i’m lightly touching up the affected areas what prep do i need to do first?
Just do a light pressure wash.
Thank you, do so appreciate the excellent support and advice
I am cleaning a 10 year old IPE deck and plan to let it go gray again after so not applying any oil or stain. Is it okay to just use the cleaner and skip the brightener?
Yes.