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 used restore a deck and stained my deck last year (old wood). I just want to clean my deck this year. Can I use the cleaner and brightener again? I’m not staining again. Just annual maintenance.
No, our prep products should only be used when reapplying. Try warm water with some dish soap.
500 square foot Mahogany deck. 15 years old. We’re going to have it sanded to raw wood. How much stain do you recommend for 3 coats? Transparent vs Solid? Thanks
You cannot add 3 coats to a hardwood deck. Only 1 coat as the wood is very dense and it will not take more than 1 coat. Use the Restore A Deck Stain in Light Walnut color. About 3 gallons:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-wood-stain-1-gallon/flypage.tpl.html
Was thinking dark walnut. Would that work? Wouldn’t at least a double coat last longer? Thanks
No, more is not better. You want the stain to fully soak into the wood. Dark walnut is okay to use.
I have a covered front porch that’s about 20 years old. A couple or 3 years ago I put Thompsons’s Waterproofer + Tinted Wood Stain on it which looks pretty bad at this point. It appears to be a solid stain but I’m not sure. I was hoping you could tell me which of your products I needed to redo this porch.
Thanks for the help.
Prep with RAD Stripper and pressure washing to remove the loose and peeling stain that you have. Brightener after. You will not be able to remove all of your old solid stain but you can cover the intact solid stain after the prep with the RAD Solid Stain: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
Thanks for your help. Really appreciated.
Sorry to be a nuisance but another question. Should I stick with a brown toned solid stain (like cypress) or would I possibly be able to use the coastal gray? Thanks.
Any solid stain color will work. You will need two coats.
I use your semi transparent stain. I plan on applying a maintenance coat this year to my already stained deck. I dont plan on brightening the wood, but i do plan on cleaning it with the step 1 product. My question is, can i apply the stain the same day as i clean the deck with step 1? Or do i need to wait a day or two? If staining is acceptable the same day as cleaning the deck, how long should i wait to apply the stain after i clean it?
You can apply the same day as prep: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/how-to-restore-a-deck-stain-to-damp-wood.html
Applied your Semi-Transparent stain a couple of years ago. Some areas still look great while the areas exposed to the most sun are in need of restaining. How do I proceed since not all areas are in the same condition stain-wise? Which products will I need? Thanks for the help.
Can you post some pics in the comments?
Here is a picture of the porch.
For prep, best to strip and brighten all wood so you have a nice ven surface to stain: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/RAD-Kits-Best-Prices.html
Another question – Our project is a covered front porch floor. The vertical railing posts are stained white so I will need to avoid them when staining the floor with the dark walnut semi-transparent stain. I was planning on ordering your yellow stain brush but that seems to be too bulky to stain around the white stained posts? Also, how do I stain in-between the boards?
Use a stain pad or brush to edge out around the white-painted posts. The yellow brush will get done between the boards a little.
I’m ready to stain.
1)The porch has been drying for 2 days although it has been muggy due to rain (porch floor has stayed dry since it is covered). Can I go ahead and stain it or do I need to mist it.
2)You mentioned using a brush to use around the posts. Should this be a polyester brush or a natural bristle?
3)While staining do I have to stain across the whole length of the board at once to avoid overlap marks?
1. Either. See tips: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/how-to-restore-a-deck-stain-to-damp-wood.html
2. Stain pads are better but any brush will work.
3.Yes.
I do not see any application tools that work with Solid Stain here. What should I use?
The RAD Solid Stain is applied with brushes and rollers. 1/2″ to 5/8″ rollers.
If your porch is fully enclosed, then you should sand off the stain instead of stripping as it is too confined for the stripping. All the old stain you are removing has to go somewhere and it will be very messy when enclosed like this.
What nap do you recommend for the roller application of the solid stain?
1/2″ to 5/8″
I have a 600 square foot IPE deck that I had applied RAD light walnut stain to two seasons ago. It came out beautiful. The deck gets full sun in Connecticut. After the two years the deck has areas that are visibly lighter where there is the most foot traffic. It almost looks like bare, greyish, weathered IPE. I applied a coat of the same stain today but the gray areas are still much lighter than everything else. Do you recommend a second coat to help get a more uniform look. Thanks.
No, and you cannot apply a second coat once the first coat dries. Second coats have to be applied wet on wet. To get it even, next time you will have to strip and brighen for prep so you have a bare surface to apply the stain evenly too.
Thanks for the info and thanks for a great product
Used RAD semi-transparent to stain deck in 2020. I want to put coat of stain on just the stairs, top of rails and deck landing. How do I prep the existing surface – just cleaner or cleaner & brightner? I don’t want to recoat any of the vertical surfaces (ballasters, stair risers). What is the best way to recoat the horizontal surfaces without harming the vertical surfaces? Pictures attached.
Just eh cleaner should work since you have a base coat. Just one coat of the stain to the floors and horizontals. Use a stain pad and brush to get an even application while not affecting your verticals: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/decktools.html
Use a stain pad or brush to apply the cleaner to avoid cleaner spilling on to the vertical balasters and stair risers? Or the cleaner won’t hurt the vertical if spill over or runs on parts – just need to hose off?
It should not harm the verticals but you may need to touch up a few spots where the wood meets.
And just to confirm – use a pad or brush to apply the cleaner rather than a sprayer?
You can spray it, just rinse lightly any over spray on the verticals right away.
We installed marine pressure treated decking on our FLA full sun/salt water location dock 5 yrs ago. Dock is @1400 sq ft.
-applied first stain after waiting @2 -3mos : Sherwin Williams Super Deck semi-transparent
-2 yrs later, had mildew so cleaned w a diluted bleach solution (oops says hubby)
-reapplied same product w roller as before
-now it is peeling/ pics are after handyman pressure washed -water only.
what do you recommend going forward?
we are not concerned about color consistency-just need it clean, splinter free and hopefully get a bit more time before having to re-stain.
You need to restain now and to properly do it, all of the old coatings need to be removed by stripping and sanding.
So are you saying using the Rad stripper is not enough?….:
Also have to manually sand entire deck? Yikes!
What you have on the wood looks like the Super Deck Water Based Stain and it goes on like a solid opaque stain. These stain types typically cannot be fully stripped. strip off what you can using both stripper additives and then sand any stubborn areas after.
Ok thanks!!
Sorry about the shipping damage. If you need anything. Please reply back from your order email.
Hello, using the calculator below, we came up with 1200 SQ feet of surface area. Type of wood is treated pine. Age is 4 years. Previously used product: Valspar water-based stain/paint, not sure which type. Maybe you could determine from the photos. We have access to a pressure washer. There are a lot of vertical surfaces as well as partial cover, which will need to be re-done as well. Do we need to send all surfaces before staining? And what would be the right products for us to stain with? Thank you!
It looks like a solid stain now so it most likely cannot be fully stripped off. That means you will need a solid stain after the prep. Prep with the RAD stripper and pressure washing to remove what you can and then Brightener after. RAD Solid stain would be last: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
I’m going to attempt to answer all your questions listed above first.
Based on your calculator my 12 x 16 deck with steps and rails has 293 sq ft of surface area.
Material is pressure treated pine.
Guessing the age is approx 10 years but I do not know for sure.
Guessing the finish is some type of paint / solid stain. (hoping you can tell from the pictures).
Again not sure of the age of the current finish.
Yes I have access to a pressure washer.
The deck had some water damage that I have repaired. Primarily to the steps. You can see those repairs in the photos. I want to finish the deck in a gray color. Hoping you can help with how to prep and what products to use for prep and gray finish. Thanks.
You have a solid stain so you will need the RAD Solid Stain going forward: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
For prep, use the RAD stripper with pressure washing to remove any peeling stain. You do not have to remove all. Cover the non-peeling stain with the RAD Solid Stain.
Thanks for the reply. Follow up question about quantities. From what I see 1 package of stripper should cover me. What about the solid stain? Product description says 200 to 350 sq ft. I have approx 300 x 2 coats. Can I get away with 2 gallons? Or 3?
3 to be safe.
I am applying the second coat of RAD stain after 18 months or so from the first application on a horizontal picket fence (rough-sawn cedar). Do I just use the cleaner, then reapply?
Correct.
Just clarifying, no brightener needed?
If you have a base coat, then you do not have to use it.
Total square footage: 600
(Verticals: 250 Horizontals: 350)
Type of wood: unknown
Age: (best guess) 20-30 years
Looks like a semi solid or solid stain we’re last used.
Last stained: (best guess) 5 years ago
Wood type to be stained: deck and railings
We do have access to a pressure washer.
Misc: Deck is in central Illinois on the North side of our home. Half of the deck is shaded all day, but the sunnier side has seen significant weather (see both close ups taken from each side of the deck). The original owner kept up with this kind of home maintenance but the owner before us lived there only a short time and let these things slip. There are several larger cracks were hoping to fill with a wood filler/putty product if you have one you recommend as well.
Cracks are normal for wood decks and wood filler does not work on exterior wood well (fails and breaks up) and will not “stain” to blend so leave the cracks alone.
As for the prep, use the RAD Stripper with both additives: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
Pressure wash off and then the RAD Brightener after. Stain with the RAD Semi-transparent stain.
I installed RAD semi transparent stain on a new treated pine deck after I cleaned it with the RAD cleaner and brighter at the end of 2020. It has held up well but I would like to stain it again in the fall to keep the deck in good shape. My question is what do I need to do before I apply another coat of the RAD semi transparent stain? Can I just hose the deck down to get any loose dirt off, or do you recommend using the RAD cleaner and then apply a coat of the RAD semi transparent stain? In both cases I believe I need to let the deck dry for 2-4 hours before I apply the new coat of satin, is that correct? Thank you.
Use the RAD Cleaner and then the Brigthenr for prep when recoating. Wood can be damp when applying but not soaking wet. 2-4 hours should be okay.
Hi. Can the stripper and brightener be applied on a rainy day, or does it need to be dry weather? If it needs to be dry, how soon after application could the stripper take rain, and how soon could the brightener take rain? Thanks!
It can be a slight rain when prepping but not a hard drizzle or downpour.
Thanks! And how soon after prepping can the deck take rain?
Rain does not matter with prepping. 4-6 hours after staining before it can take a rain.
Thank you!
What is the best material to use with a stain pad? I noticed there are several options from sponge like to lambswool.
Any of the pads and brushes on this link will work well. https://www.restore-a-deck.com/decktools.html
Please help! Have used RAD several years. This year: power washed; used cleaner; power rinsed; used brightened; power rinsed; when applied stain, some areas “gummed up’ – yikes! What should I do next??
Sounds like you did not rinse the brightener off fully? No easy fix outside of removing and starting over. See pic.
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly — I really appreciate your questions and responses section on-line. Will try this again! Rinse, rinse, rinse.
Yes, it can be used on cedar singing. The ingredients are a blend of numerous ingredients that make it extremely effective for wood. It is not straight sodium percarbonate.
I started the RAD stripping and brightening process on my 25 year old cedar fence over the weekend.
1. It will be raining off and on for the next week. Can I apply the stripper to wet wood once I get a break in the rain?
2. I expected the wood to be more of a natural color once I completed the strip/brightening; however, it is a pale white/gray. Is that what I should be expecting?
1. Yes.
2. Yes, the stain will restore the color.
Pre-wet and rinse any over spray while working.
Will any of your products work with a solid stain? I have an older deck that has had solid stain applied several times.
You can use our solid stain after you prep by removing any peeling solid stain that you currently have: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
The deck on the house we bought has peeling green stain which we are intending to strip. However, the rail posts are rotting from the inside out and we need to replace them. Since we will have a mixture of new and old wood, what is the best plan of attack?
You cannot strip a solid stain and if it is green, it is most likley a solid stain. Replace the wood now, wait 3-4 months and prep all, and then recoat with the RAD Solid stain: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
I have a 140sf mahogany deck. About 5 out of 15-20 boards need to be replaced. After using RAD stripper (to get up old stain from old boards), will the RAD brightener open up the pores of the new boards enough to allow the new oil stain to penetrate? (Some people say yes, some say to let new boards weather first–but it’s a very shady deck and will take a long time to weather.) Will I be OK to go a head and stain after the stripping/brightening? And will sanding help open up the new boards? If so, what grit?
Hi,
It is not possible to skip the natural weathering process for the new wood. Cleaners or strippers will not do this. Sanding makes it worse as it closes the pores of the wood.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
Will it help to weather the new boards faster if I leave them out in the sun for a few months before installing? (The deck is very shady.) And how will I know they’ve weathered enough?
A little bit but it still will need at least 3 months or longer. The wood needs to be slightly gray.
How do I know how many boosters I need per 600 package?
Boosters work only with the stripper, not the cleaner. The 600 is only the cleaner and brightener kit.
Sorry my bad. I have stripped and additives in the cart in addition to the 600 package. Sorry.
One booster and/or gell per stripper.
Read your response to Jeff…have the same circumstance….except one year, water based Defy in good shape, and want to clean/recoat in May. Is brightener not required?
A brightener is only required if the wood is down to the bare wood after using the cleaner. This can happen depending on how many years between coats and how it has worn.
It’s been 2 years, stain in good shape, can I use cleaner and re-coat to maintain deck. Also use one coat or two?
Cleaner for prep and typically one coat.
I applied RAD semi-transparent stain to my deck 2 years ago with good results. Can you direct me to proper instructions for reapplication with the same RAD semi-transparent stain?
Use the RAD Cleaner and Brightern Kits for prep for reapplying: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/best-restore-a-deck-prep-products/restore-a-deck-package-300/flypage.tpl.html
I have used Bakers Gray Away on my back deck (prepped with your products). It’s been 2 years since the last application. Right outside the doors going out onto the deck, the color has faded. There are a couple other small random spots where this has happened. The remaining 95% of the deck is still in good shape. Do I need to strip/brighten before applying the Bakers again this year or just use the cleaner/brightener? The deck is wet in the picture, but you can see the area where color is gone.
Use the Stripper and Brighen so that you have an even appearance when you restain.
I have stripped and brightened my 30 year old deck with RAD products with very good results. I have just applied Behr semi transparent stain and do not like the color or wood grain look. Could I go over the semi transparent with solid stain without prepping again.
Using our solid stain you can: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
Do you sand after the cleaner and brighter stage has been completed?
Typically is not needed.
Sounds good but if sanding is needed it can be done after the cleaner and brighter? Also last question with the semi transparent stain I have always been told one coat only is this true with your company’s stain? This is not new wood by the way.
If you want to sand, do it after the cleaner and then the brightener. 2 coats wet on wet unless new wood: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-wet-on-wet-application.html
Can Restore a Deck stain be applied on top of oil base Arsmtrong Clark stain ?
No, remove the Armstrong first with this kit: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/order-restore-a-deck/rad-kits-best-price/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit/flypage.tpl.html
Regarding prep for solid stain application:
My 10 year old deck is PT pine. The 5 year old semi-transparent stain is not peeling, but is worn to the wood in many places. I thoroughly pressure treated the deck. Most of the wood looks clean and new, but there are some areas where the wood remains stubbornly stained. Would I be able to apply RAD Solid Stain to the deck as is, or would it still require cleaner/stripper/brightener?
You can use the Solid Stain now.
Wow! Thanks for the unbelievably fast response to my question!! Here’s another: Could I apply RAD Solid Stain with a small, inexpensive, electric sprayer like Wagner Spraytech or similar?
No, too thick. Use rollers and brushes for the RAD Solid Stain.
How long should I wait before staining a new pressure treated deck? Do I use the cleaner and brightener before I stain? Do I apply 2 coats of stain a day apart? Thanks
Please read this here: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
Hello,
No pictures were uploaded. The only thing that could have gone wrong was that the RAD stain was applied to the point it could not have fully soaked into the wood. You also have to redo a new deck the second season as well since the new wood is not very absorbent. See here for more tips on new wood.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
Clean and brigthen and then apply one coat to the floors this year.
How many coats are the coverage estimates based on? I’m covering a solid stained pressure treated deck and porch, and some of decking is new due to repairs. I’m assuming this is okay as long as I let it season for some months first. I did a test run stripping some porch furniture stained with the same stuff, and I’m having trouble getting it stripped even after two passes. How necessary is for the wood to be stripped completely? Do you have any tips to do a better job on this with a pressure washer, as far as nozzles and techniques and so on? Or should I use other tools in addition? Thank you.
One coat for coverages. You do not have to remove 100% of the old stain if using the RAD Solid Stain. Make sure to remove the loose and peeling stain but you can cover the intact stain.
See here about new wood: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
How do I remove your stain from vinyl siding? Thanks.
Try a water based graffiti remover cleaner from your local paint store or Home Depot.
Does the stain need to be wiped after staining with the brush or pad?
Only if too much stain was applied.
Hi ,
I cleaned and brightened my deck last week witht be rad products. I’m getting ready to stain now but it’s been raining in my area so I’m holding off until the weather gets better. How soon after prepping my deck so I need to stain?
thanks
sean
Stain within two weeks of prep is best.
My fence was stained last week with a SuperDeck semi-transparent, but I’m certain it wasn’t prepped and applied correctly. Aside from using the wrong color, the stain is already peeling off in some places and chips easily. I read below that it’s harder to remove recent stain — is there a way to get a sample of the stripper + additives to test how well it’ll remove before buying the full 5-gallon package? How long do you typically need to wait for stripping to be succcessful?
Post some pictures of the deck for help here in the comments.
They said they did two coats — not sure if that’s over the top? Good to note they also mixed the semi-transparent with Thompsons clear sealant (like in the bucket, not painted over). A blunder all around!
Including in the last photo the luck I’ve had with Cabot stripper(top two boards) and DEFY (bottom board).
Thanks so much for your help!
They really messed this up. It does not look like it can be stripped fully right now as the coating is on the wood like a paint and sitting on top of the wood. You may have to sand it all off to fix this.
BTW, you can never mix Thompons into a deck stain.
They sure did! It was actually only supposed to be the Thompsons waterseal… the semi-transparent was a surprise!
I figured sanding would definitely be involved. Would RAD with both boosters put me in a better spot before sanding given the amount/type of stain? Trying to get as much as I can done with power washing.
If I wait a couple months, should it be a little easier to remove?
Using the RAD Striper with both boosters will remove a decent amount and then your sanding will be less.
A couple of months will not make a difference.
Not surprised to hear that — it was not the approved plan!
I figured a lot of sanding would be involved! Would RAD Stripper with both boosters still help to get it in a better spot pre-sanding? Trying to sod as much work with the power washer as I can.
Will it get easier to remove if I wait a couple months?
Hi, I have purchased RAD stripper and brightener. I have a fairly large deck and not sure I can get all of stripper down in one day. What is maximum time I can have between stripper step and brightener for best performance? Or is it better to do section by section a strip step, then brightener immediate after.
Brighten as soon as you are done with the stripping so if needed, split the Stripping/Brightening in half.
Is it ok to apply a second coat after the first one is fully dry?
No, not with the semi-transparent colors. It may not soak in correctly once the first coat has fully cured. You can wait until Fall and lightly clean and recoat then.
So, you are saying do not apply to coats immediately
Has to be wet on wet. Not wet on dry.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-wet-on-wet-application.html
Could you define what you mean by “lightly clean”?
Apply the cleaner and then lightly pressure wash rinse.
I have a small, 2-yr old, pine, pressure treated deck that has yet to be stained. Before applying stain I plan to prep the wood with Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener. It is the prep process that I have questions about. First, would a pressure washer produce better results (I don’t have one now, have never used a pressure washer, but am willing to purchase one if needed)? Next, there are a few boards/areas with some furring/fuzzies – Should I sand them off with 80 grit? If I do sand them, do I then have to sand all of the deck to get even staining? If I use a scrub pad (by hand) instead of sandpaper to remove this furring, do I similarly need to go over the whole deck with the scrub pad to get even staining? Should furring removal be done before cleaning and brightening? Lastly, what bristle stiffness do you recommend for the deck brush used with Restore-A-Deck Cleaner, and can such a brush effectively remove furring? Also, can too stiff of a deck brush cause additional furring?
Thank you –
Pressure washing is faster and more effective when using the RAD prep products. If you sand/buff, do this after the cleaner and before the brightener. Scrub pad will not remove the furring. You can buff them off with a floor scrubber and 3M sanding pad.
Brushes do not cause furring. The removal of graying/oxidation does. The more graying you have, the greater the chance of furring occurring.
I prepped half my deck according to all the RAD protocol and I stained it using a airless spray gun with the light walnut. I didn’t like how I sprayed, and my user error has it looking uneven and dark, and so several weeks later, I started over with it, using the stripper again so I could change my application to brush. But the stripper this time, didn’t take the RAD stain off hardly at all when I powerwashed it like it did the first time. Looks like I will have to belt sand it off, but its not sanding very easily either. Do you know why it won’t strip like it did before? and can you suggest how I get it off to re-prep for staining? Is it possible that the stain is so new and so good, it won’t come off for awhile? I really have to take it off to match the other side, which I applied stain with a brush. That side looks great. Thank you for your reply!
It is always much harder to strip a newly applied stain. Even more, so if over-applied. Did you use both Stripper additives? The Gel and Booster?
No, I did not. Didn’t know there were these products. I can take a look at that.
The RAD can all be done in one day. It can be applied to damp wood. It typically does better with mold or mildew issues. UV protection is about the same or slightly better for the RAD Stain.
Hi, I used the Armstrong Rustic Brown (semi-T) roughly 3 years ago–can I now transition to Restore-a-deck stains without stripping? Is the Dark Walnut closest in color?
No, you need to strip and brighten. Dark Walnut would be closest in color.
If I go back to the Armstrong, I would just clean and brighten? Thanks
Correct. Stripping is not any harder than cleaning. The same amount of work just removes the current stain fully.
Hello,
we have a deck and screen porch that was built one year ago. We wanted wood to cure before staining/sealing and now ready to get this task completed. We have pressure treated wood for the rails and posts of deck. We have composite wood for the deck flooring.
1) since there is nothing on the wood at this time what do you recommend for proper treatment?
2) we ordered the sample pack to get better idea of exact color we would like. What a great idea. (Made mistake of buying a gallon at lowes and it is awful color so wasted $48.00)
3) we have been told not to do underneath the deck, is that your professional opinion as well?
4) love all the videos and reviews as I have done research after buying on spur of moment sealant at lowes.
thanks
1. Use the RAD Cleaner/Brightener Kit
2. No problem!
3. Correct.
4. Welcome!
Hi, my deck railings look OK from a prior semi-transparent stain (Olympic), but I need to do the deck and want to strip, brighten, stain. Are you able to match any semi-transparent colors from Olympic in your brand?
We do not custom match colors.