When working with newly installed wood and decking surfaces, the Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is ideal after 3-6 months of natural weathering. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain’s long-lasting composition works hard to absorb quickly and penetrate deep into the wood grain to withstand the elements and stay true to its beautiful finish long after the staining project is complete.
Before beginning the staining process, it is recommended that new wood surfaces be installed 3-6 months before prepping and staining. To prep new wood surfaces after the waiting period, use Restore-A-Deck Cleaner. It’s concentrated powder formula is cost-effective, easy to transport, and especially good at removing dirt, grime, mold, and mildew that is prone to showing up on new wood surfaces.
Note: Kiln dried and KDAT wood still needs to weather after install. About 1-2 months. Rough sawn cut wood does not need to weather.
After the new wood has been cleaned, the wood will appear slightly darker. To restore the wood and neutralize the pH, use Restore-A-Deck Brightener to lighten it to its original appearance. The RAD Wood Brightener further opens the wood pores for an ideal surface to apply Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain.
Following Restore-A-Deck Wood Brightener, continue with Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain. Unlike other brands of wood stain, Restore-A-Deck’s formula can be applied to wood surfaces following the Brightener on the same day on damp wood or can be applied to dry wood on following days. If applying to damp wood, it is recommended to allow the wood to dry 2-4 hours after prep is complete.
Only 1 coat should be applied to new wood that is less than 9 months old for the RAD semi-transparent stain. A light maintenance coat of the RAD semi-transparent stain should be applied 12-18 months after the first coat was applied. Every 2-3 years after that is normal.
For the RAD Solid Color Stain, apply 2 coats. Reapply as needed down the road.
Restore A Deck Stain Application Tips
If you have any questions, please comment below.
I just purchased a complete kit for a 11 month new deck. Four questions…
1 – do I clean and brighten the spindles?2 – how long in between do I wait between cleaning, brightening and then staining( I purchased the natural semitransparent stain)3 – how long do I have to wait before putting back the furniture and grill?4 – does it matter if the night temperature drops to 45 degrees the day I stain?
Thank you in advance John
1. Prep all wood.2. See here for tips: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/how-to-restore-a-deck-in-one-day.html3. 24-48 hours.4. No.
Thank you
We purchased a house last fall, 2020. The owner built a new deck in the summer of 2020. They did not stain it, unfortunately. And we didn’t get to it in the fall. I believe the wood is either pine or cedar. So, it’s been weathering for about 9-10 months. I’m going to stain in ASAP. The wood is still smooth but it has grayed. Can I use this specific product (the one advertised for ‘new wood’)? What should I do for pretreatment? Is pressure wash sufficient? Thanks.
Use this for prep: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Restore-A-Deck-Packages/Restore-A-Deck-Package-300/flypage.tpl.html
And then any color of the stain that you like: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain.html
Thanks! Just purchased! One more question…what is the best application method for this stain? Brush or foam pads?
Either would work well.
Last question. I’m sort of limited to weekends for this project. If I washed/brightened the deck a week before I stain it, that would be fine…right? This is my first time staining a deck. Thanks for the help/info!
Yes, that is okay.
I built some furniture using pressure treated wood. After it was built it has been stored in a garage for about 10 months. Does this need to be weathered before applying restore a deck?
Weather and then prep.
We have a cedar deck and just sanded it. It’s like new. What the process for semi transparent protection
Use both the RAD cleaner and then the brightener for final prep.
We installed a new cedar deck last August getting ready to order your kit. The wood has grayed what’s the best way to take it off. We have 800 square feet of wood to cover will one kit be enough. We will be using the dark walnut semi transparent stain.
Both the RAD cleaner and then the brightener. 800 sq feet will be close when using one kit.
Thanks I’ll get extra. Should a power washer be used or scrub the deck and rinse. Will the cleaners be ok getting on aluminum deck post and glass.
Pressure washer is best. Should be okay.
pressure treated deck aged 11 months-do i need to apply deck cleaner to the vertical rungs or only the brightener
Both cleaner and then the brightener.
Last year I cleaned, brightened and stained a new (1 1/2 year old deck) I used the semi-transparent stain and noticed after it dried it was uneven. Can I apply a second coat this year? Do I need to start over and reclean and brighten again before I restain?
You will always have to prep when reapplying. Prep first.
Strip and brighten now and then you can apply one light coat. You do not have to weather since it is a year old.
As part of my deck renewal and solid staining project, I have to replace a couple of deck boards and a railing board with new weathered treated wood. Do I have to leave those pieces of wood un-stained until a period of time? Or can I apply the solid stain then apply again over those pieces a few months later? It will look odd with a few bare boards.
Wait a few months and then do all prep and stain then.
I just had a deck 10X 16 with railings installed how many gallons of stain will i need. also exactly how long should I wait before staining the first time. I have been told to satin after 30 days your write up says 3 months
Above article is correct on wait and prep. We would need a total sq footage of all wood to help with amount of products needed.
the deck is 10 X 16 with a stair
Please add up all wood to be stained into one sq footage. This includes floors, rails, steps, outside edges, etc.
We are installing kiln dried with rough sawn cut batten siding. Do I need to weather after install? Which product would you recommend in light color similar to honey?
You do not need to weather Rough Sawn wood. Try the Restore A Deck Stain in Natural color.
Thank you for your quick answers. My siding is about 4000 sqft. How many gallon do I need and do you offer discount for high quantity purchases?
30-40 gallons applied wet on wet: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-wet-on-wet-application.html
Apply only one coat for 40 gallon?
No, two coats wet on wet for rough sawn wood. See the link we sent prior.
Can you verify that 40 gallons are enough to cover a 4000sqft with 2 coats? Do I need to treat the wood first and with what if I do?
It should be. No need to prepthis if rough wood is clean and dry.
Thank you! I have Ajay purchased some samples and determine what color later.
Best to apply the Cleaner with a pump sprayer and then pressure wash off. Scrubbing is typically not needed this way. See here for applying to damp wood tips: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/how-to-restore-a-deck-stain-to-damp-wood.html
Questions:
Apply to all the wood is correct.
Thank you for the quick followup. A few more questions:
Yes, you need to wait and prep. We ship to all States and Canada. We do not offer discounts.
Hi. I plan to use Restore-A-Deck stain on an open flat trailer I have. I will replace the flooring with 3/4″ pressure treated plywood. 1) Is this stain correct to use? 2) Do I need to wait approx. 3 months for weathering or is this considered rough wood (no need to wait)? Thanks.
Yes you can use the RAD stain. Wait and prep wood.
2nd pic
Looks to be smooth.
Thanks
I will be putting up a new cedar fence and plan to use RAD Solid Color Stain. You advise allowing the wood to weather before staining unless the wood is rough cut. Does cedar fencing qualify as rough cut? I would like to stain the fencing before I put it up.
Wood fences can be smooth or rough sawn so no way to say unless you have a picture.
Some smoother than others. Can you make a recommendation based on these pics?
2nd pic
We have completed the cleaning, brightening and staining process with your semi-transparent stain on a new KD cedar deck (weathered for one month). Is your stain also a sealer? If not, what product should we use to seal the deck and is it best to wait after the 2nd, maintenance coat is applied or seal it now?
All RAD stains are sealers as well and you cannot ever apply a sealer over the top.
That’s good to hear. I thought I saw a comment on here where someone asked about applying a sealer on top of the stain.
One more question. When we apply the maintenance coat in 12-18 months, do we use the cleaner, brightener before the stain again?
Correct.
If I use the semitransparent stain as a single coat on new KDAT which has weathered for two months, can the solid stain be applied over the semitransparent in 12-18 months if we choose to do so.
As long as you prep, yes.
In regard to the question I posted dated 10/22/2020, I should also have asked if applying the solid stain over the semitransparent stain would require two coats or would one coat suffice?
Two coats will be needed.
this is the second year I’m using TWP 1500 and I used the RAD cleaner and Rad brightener and stained the deck 2 coats (wet on wet). The weather was supposed to be dry for days, however I awoke the next day to rain. It only had 15- 16 hours dry before it rained and I blew it off with a leaf blower. Will this coating be ok, or do I recoat ?
It should be fine.
Can I use the stripper instead of cleaner on a new (6 mo weathered) deck? I bought stripper, brightener, and stain that was originally intended for an old deck.
No, the stripper is too aggressive.
I recently replaced some boards on my deck and used caulk to smooth out the seams in the long pieces of railing. Will the solid stain adhere to the caulk? It is paintable White Lightning
If paintable, yes.
Do you have a color chart?
On the product pages: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-wood-stain-5-gallon/flypage.tpl.html
Can I buy RAD at a store?
Online only.
I stained my rough cut cedar posts about 12 months ago with RAD semitransparent stain. Could I use the brightened on them before applying a new coat of stain
Use the Cleaner and the Brightener when recoating.
I am putting in a redwood deck. Which stain retains the natural redwood color?
All colors are tinted. Best to get samples to see what you will like on your wood.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-stain-samples.html
I want to stain 5 new cedar deck posts that were installed in 4 months ago with RAD natural semi-transparent stain. The 6″ x 6″ posts are 10′ tall and support the deck above. Since the wood is new, my process will be to apply RAD cleaner, the RAD brighter, and finally the RAD natural semi-transparent stain. My question is what is the best way to apply each product on these vertical surfaces?
Use a stain pad or brush: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/decktools.html
Hi
Just purchased planed cedar planks to build a deck. Do I need to weather these plank before applying your Restore-a-Deck stain?
Thank You
Yes, weathere and prep as the article explains.
I have 2 decks where I had to replace some of the boards and now both have to be stained. My wife wants to be able to see the wood grain. What would you suggest that I use to even the color of the old vs the new boards? Thank you!
You can use either the semi-transparent or solid stains after the wait and the prep.
Sorry what is the wait and prep?
That is in the article above for new wood.
We’re building a new deck and I’d like to stain the pressure treated deck boards before they are on the joists, close together and more difficult to reach. Is this not possible?
No, you cannot prestain new wood nor would that help. You only need to stain the exposed side after install, weathering, and prep. You never need to stain the undersides.
Just finished install of new yellow wood pine deck, will next April or May be right time for prep & Stain (1or2 coats). Moisture is at 18%
what should it be?
The next Spring is correct. Follow the directions in the above article. Moisture % does not matter. One coat.
I would be using on new rough sawn juniper horizontal fence rails with weathered oak barrel staves. If I sand the juniper, does that change the ability to apply the semi-transparent stain before weathering? I cannot stain only the staves and not the rails since once they are installed, it will be much harder to do one element and not get it on the other. Also, I’m trying to preserve the beautiful purples of the insides of the oak staves while keeping the lighter outside oak color and juniper from darkening. Does the “natural” tint the wood and how much?
Yes, it tints the wood. as to how much, you would have to test it on your wood type to see with samples: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-stain-samples.html
We would not suggest sanding but just going ahead and staining all since it is rough sawn. If you sand, you will need to weather and prep.
I’m in the process of using semi-transparent stain on my cedar deck railing and it looks like I won’t be able to finish two coats today (there’s 65 feet of railing).
Can I wait a day or two to put on a second coat or should I just leave it with one coat and add another coat in the spring?
Thanks once again for all your great help.
Has to be wet on wet so if you cannot get it on the same day, then do a second coat in Spring.
thanks. If I wait til spring for the second coat will I need to do the cleaning and brightening steps again before staining?
Clean only to remove dirt, etc.
I have a new cedar deck that seems really smooth. Should I sand it with 60 or 80 grit to open up the wood before cleaning and brightening. It is 25′ x 11′. Any tips for painting around metal, decorative balusters would be appreciated.
Sanding does not open the pores but closes the pores. Wait the 3+ months, clean and brighten, and then 1 coat. Tape and use a stain pad and back wipe any excess that gets on the metal railings.
I cleaned, brightened and stained one deck/stairs section in one day. The second set of stairs I cleaned/brightened but it started to rain so I had to wait to stain it. I had to sand down some rough areas. I applied stain about a week after cleaning/brightening and the second picture the grey stain is very light, more brown tones than the deck/stairs I was able to complete in one day. What did I do wrong? How can I make this match the more that looks more grey?
it is the way the wood takes the stain that results in the final color. There is not a way to “fix” this outside of removing and starting over.
I have recently sanded a 20 year old deck down to fresh bare wood (removed 4 layers of old paint and stain). I plan to use your semi-tranparent stain. After sanding to fresh, bare wood, do you still recommend 2 coats?
1 coat and clean and brighten for final prep.
The new wood on my deck that was prepped after a year for restore was first power washed which I was told not to do on new wood and I asked the painter not to do it but he did applied the restore over the wet deck and it rained the next day which is today. I am very upset because I now have A wood plank with a hole and it looks like someone sanded my deck. Question: should restore have been put on a wet deck and allow rain than stain with semi transparent paint. My wood also doesn’t not have one shade. There are a lot of different shades. The deck was wet not damp…..no wait in between power washing….Looking forward to your answer.
Post pictures.
And what stain did you use?
The semi transparent stain has not been used yet. I believe the restore needs to be put on a dry deck? I called the paint store.
What product are you asking about? Full name and picture, please.
Y painter has the full name. I think he used the cleaner will have to ask….I know he didn’t use brightner. Can’t take pictures because it’s pouring out. Painter cleaned deck yesterday with your product.
I do not think he used our products so we cannot help without knowing for certain what he used.
That should have been bleach, not blew h!
Existing redwood is gray. New is bright pinkish w/ no treatment yet. Has been about 3 weeks since installation. Considering solid espresso. Has been cleaned w/ TSP and blew h. No mold or mildew present. Do I have to brighten, or can I just apply solid stain? If brightening is needed, can I use oxalic acid?
See here about your new wood and how to weather and prep: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
Clean and brighten after the waiting period.
I am getting ready to install a new cedar fence made from rough cedar boards. I saw that rough cut wood does not need to weather. Does that apply to typical rough knotty cedar boards used for fencing? I am building the fence as part of my wrap up before renting my property and leaving the continent, so won’t be here after weathering. Also, this is going to be a two sided fence on which you can only treat to the outer surfaces after installation, so I was hoping to install pretreated wood and then later only restain the outer sides. What’s the best way to protect the wood I am installing?
If it is rough sawn wood then you can stain now with no prep and prior to building the fence.
Hi, I just installed kayu bato on my covered porch about a month ago. I know the wood was at the yard for at least a month before I installed it. I’m getting it sanded next week. Did I read things properly, does this mean I can stain after sanding? After sanding, do I use the cleaner then brightener before staining? The moisture content of my boards are around 10%
No, you cannot stain it until it weathers for 3 or more months after install and then the cleaner/brightener for prep.
Another…
Just finished sanding our deck then applying RAD products. Problem is my husband applied them in the wrong order. Instead of just strip then brighten, he then applied the cleaner last. Now what do we do? We were going to apply semi transparent stain but since some old stain is still showing through and since so much work has been done and we are only here at our northern MI cottage for another week, I’m being talked into just going with a solid stain. Can the stain be applied as-is, or do we need to clean/brighten again?
Post some pictures.
Here you go!
You can probably go ahead and stain it.
Thanks for getting back to me.
I recently answered you by return email to my questions of 8/6/2020 below as I could not figure out how to upload the photos by clicking on camera. The deck photos are still on that return email. Hope you will access them. When I poured water I didn’t see bubbles like in photos on the net. One of my photos shows some of the test water running with the slight slope of the deck. It had rained the previous two nights and part of the day, so the wood was not entirely dry to the touch for my test. Since then it has rained and the water has not bubbled.
We are also in the process of replacing screws that have caused black marks. (Builders didn’t sink the screws and the ceramic coating came off many of the screw heads.) We plan to use Savogran oxylic acid wood bleach on the marks, following the directions to triple rinse and then follow up with application of a solution of one tablespoon of baking soda/gallon of water because we are using a water base stain (as per directions on the container.) Then we would do the light cleaning and brightening with RAD products before restaining. Any comments or instructions concerning the black marks would be appreciated.
The black marks are rust from the screws and those should be replaced. After replacing the screws, the brightener will help to remove the rust stains.
You should be able to prep and stain this year.
Last fall we stripped our cedar deck of the Behr semi-transparent stain that failed after one year. It was too late weather wise to restain at that time. This summer we used RAD cleaner and brightener to prep for restaining. This did not touch the gray that was on the wood, and which Behr said caused the peeling of their stain in some places that first winter. (Behr said that on a gray deck we should have used stripper, not cleaner – this was not in Behr instructions.) So we followed up with RAD stripper, then brightener and power washing to remove the gray. We’ve done quite a bit of hand sanding (60 grit) to remove fuzzies nd the white that accumulated in and around knotholes. From reading your website, because of the sanding, we were thinking that we should “lightly clean” (with half strength (?) RAD cleaner) then brighten again to open the wood pores and we’d be ready to stain with one coat this year and then next year lightly clean and brighten and do a second coat of stain. Now, I’ve just read your answer to a question that makes me think we may need to wait at least 3 months as for new wood. This would put us into the rainy season again. Do we need to wait? Thank you.
Can you post some pictures and when you spill water on the wood, does it soak in right away or bead?
Do I need to clean and brighten 2 month old rough cedar fence before staining with Natural?
Not unless the wood has started to gray.
I plan on using stain on a new pine fence. I love the deck cleaner. With pine should it sit awhile? Can stain be sprayed?
If the pine is smooth you have to wait and prep. If rough sawn, then you can do right away. You can spray but back brush to ensure an even application.
Have to wait for posts to dry out a bit. I’ll order stain this week
already signed up
im not seeing the answer to my question anywhere…so I am posting it here: how long after final coat do i need to wait before walking on the deck? 24 hrs? longer? Im in a sunny climate and deck is mostly exposed…so it will dry very quickly. Thanks
4-8 hours for walking.
thank you. One additional question: I installed the deck @18 months ago. Los Angeles. Decking is siberian larch. The sun really did a number on it, so i had to go back around and face screw many boards (originally fastened with kreg hidden fasteners). I also power sanded the whole thing with a belt sander to take out all the raised spots, etc. I was more than halfway done with the sanding when I decided to use RAD. So the questions: is this now considered “new wood”? Do I need to wait months before applying RAD? And should I do 2 coats wet on wet? Or can I proceed with cleaner/brightener and one coat now and do another in April or so (of 2021).
Yes, clean and brighten and then 1 coat now and another next Spring.
I cleaned and brightened, then stained the next morning. Looks amazing. Its now been about 32 hrs (i finished stain around noon yesterday) and parts of the deck are still sticky. They are not obvious spots where it pooled. I tried to be very diligent about brushing out excess. Anything i can do about the sticky spots? will they go away? Can i neutralize them somehow?
It should fully cure and dry. Just give it more time.
I have 6 month old 5/4 x 4 western red cedar deck. I used your cleaner and brightener before staining with your Cedar color semi-transparent stain. I know it say only one coat on new wood but it seems a little blotchy to me. I just stained the deck a few hours ago, can I put another coat on it ti smooth out the color? If not what do you recommend? Thanks
No, it will not take. Leave as is and lightly clean and apply another coat in the Spring.
I have an 8 month old cedar deck that I cleaned and brightened and stained last weekend. The cleaner and brighter worked like a charm! I used one coat of the Natural Semi Transparent RAD stain after letting the deck dry 2.5 hours. I used the sponge applicator and the recommended deck brush. It went on great, however it is a very bright yellow-orange color. I wouldn’t call it natural. Thinking it would tone down after it dried. I waited patiently, however, it is still very orange. I bought lots of this stain (20 gallons to be exact) to stain my entire fence as well. I’m worried that I won’t be able to live with the orange color if it covers my entire yard. Is there something I can add to the stain to tone it down a bit before I stain the fence? And what about my deck? Now that the stain is on there should I strip it off and try a different color? Thanks!
The final color will always vary based on the wood type and age of the wood. You can strip it off the deck and do another color if you like. As for the fence, you could add some Dark Walnut into the stain to brown out the color some.
I will be using the RAD Soldi Color Stain, and per above, applying two coats. Some articles indicate that a 2nd coat should be applied wet-on-wet, but not this one. Should I stain an entire deck board with a first coat and then immediately apply the 2nd coat, or wait for the 1st coat to dry?
Not with the solid stain. The first coat must be fully dry before applying the second coat.