Restore-a-Deck Wood Stains can be applied to damp or dry wood but is best applied to damp wood. Easier and will avoid potential Hot Sun Application Issues.
Hot Sun Stain Application Potential Issues
Before you start your wood stain project, ensure your temperature conditions are optimal for best results. The air temperature should be between 45 degrees F and 90 degrees F. Check the weather forecast and do not start the staining process if the temperature is expected to drop below 45 degrees or if rain is a possibility in the next 12 hours.
If applying the Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain in full sun we suggest that you apply to a damp deck. Either 1-2 hours after prep or if the wood is already dry, lightly mist the deck with water prior to applying. Make sure all standing water/puddles are gone before applying the RAD stain.
Why do this?
- The surface temperature of wood in full sun can be 20-50 degrees higher than air temperature.
- The Restore-A-Deck Stain will be much easier to apply damp wood.
- Applying to damp wood will help avoid “flash” drying of the stain in full sun. This will allow the Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain to properly penetrate the wood grain as it dries and avoiding any potential issues.
- Applying the Restore-A-Deck Stain on overcast days, mornings, or afternoons will also help to avoid potential full sun application issues.
Make sure you mix Restore-A-Deck wood stain well initially and periodically throughout the staining project. Protect all non-target surfaces with cardboard or drop cloths. For equipment, you can use the Restore-A-Deck Stain Brush (if using the RAD Semi-Transparent Stains), hand brushes, or staining pads to apply. Apply the stain to vertical surfaces such as railings or posts first and protect the horizontal surfaces from the excess stain. Apply stain to the full length of the board, making sure to not break in the middle of the board.
Restore A Deck Stain Application Tips
We recommend allowing the surface to dry for 24 hours before walking or placing furniture on the surface.
Have you completed the Restore-A-Deck 3 step process in one day? Any tips we are missing? We want to hear your reviews. Be sure to comment with any photos and let us know how the project is holding up over time.
I can only find the mildew remover through a link in the newsletter in my email. I cannot find it on the website. Please update your website.
Hi, it is found on the link in the menu “RAD Guard Mildew Cleaner” or by doind a search.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-guard-mildew-algae-cleaner.html
Thanks
What is the best stain for beams that get hammered by full sun rain an all weather
Our Semi-Transparent stain will work very well.
Do you have to wipe the wood off after staining?
No. But take care to apply evenly and do not puddle.
I have 2 decks. 1 is 1yr 6 months old (12′ x 8′) and the other is 1 year old (21’x36′). I would like to apply a solid stain. How much stain would I need to do both decks?
What is the total sq footage with railings, flooring, and steps added up?
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.
Can I stain my deck during the day if the temperature will drop below 40 degrees during the night? Thank you
It canot drop below freezing.
How can I get the RAD semi transparent stain off of aluminum railings ( it has dried)?
Try Goof Off.
In my deck the wood in places is damaged , it looks like it could use some wood filler or drill a hole for water drainage , and suggestions and what wood filler is compatibable with RAD semi transparent dark walnut? Should I apply wood filler before or after stain or both?
Sorry but no wood filler will work on exterior decking and semi-transparent stains. It does not “stain” to blend. Best to leave alone or replace the boards.
I have 700 sq ft of old cedar deck ( 40 YRS ) , it was painted last time maybe 20 yrs ago, I have sanded the deck over several weeks.
I would like to avoid 2 coats of stain if possible. Am I understanding correctly that RAD stain recommends two coats while Armstrong Clarke is one coat . It also sounds like the clean and brighten is still required for the sanded deck.
Both AC and the RAD Stain are one coat for sanded decks. Hopefully you remove all the old solid stain as it still shows in the sanded areas in your picture.
Have used RAD stain product on same ipe deck approximately 1.5 years ago. Just finished cleaning and brightening process. Noticed on steps that get full intensity of the sun there are areas where previous stain is gone. Is it ok to proceed with 2 coats of stain or do I need to do additional prep?
Best to use the Stripper and then Brighten all the wood to ensure an even application here. Only 1 coat of stain for IPE wood.
Picture frame deck staining frame darker than rest, which should get stained first the picture frame or the rest?
Whatever is easier for you. Keep the 2 colors separate.
What is the correct prep procedure for our deck. Our deck currently has RAD solid stain in Brown Oak, we plan to stain it the with the same . It was last done 5 years ago, we had some rotted boards that needs replaced so they are new wood. Also some of the previously stained boards have mildew/moss. Do we need to do any cleaning, birightening, and/or doe we need to fully sand the deck to restain?
Pressure wash with the cleaner to remove th mildew an any loose or peeling stain. You can recoat over the top of the stain that is fully intact with the Brown oak.
I just stained my cedar deck with semi transparent RAD cedar color. Some of the picture frame boards came out much darker than the rest of the deck. They are mismatched boards. Therefore , I now want to use a solid stain on the picture frame boards and leave the rest of the deck with the semitransparent cedar. I assume I need to strip then brighten the picture frame boards prior to applying the solid stain, is that correct?
It will not be possible to spot-strip those boards and not harm the other boards. Give them a rough sanding of 60 grit and then you can apply over the semi-transparent with RAD Solid Stain.
Ok, thanks for your guidance
Hi! I used the cleaning, brightener and semi-transparent stain. I followed all directions to a tee and love the way it turned out. I walked out on it today and both my son and I notice it’s sticky feeling. I am heartbroken, as it was not humid or anything when applying. What can I do?? I worked so hard on this project and love the way it looks, but having that tacky feeling when walking on it is driving me nuts.
Continue to let it cure fully. It may take a few days or longer. There is not anything you can do in the meantime. BTW, this typically happens when it is over-applied. The RAD semi-transparent has to fully soak into the wood grain.
How long until I should be worried? I only did two coats… Should we not be walking on it or using it?
Hard to say. Stay off it for the week.
Thanks for the reply. I only applied two coats, I guess that’s why I’m so surprised. Is it OK for us to be walking on it and using the deck in the meantime?
Yes.
I power washed my 800 sf dock last week, but the last area I did about 100 sf is darker than the rest. What is the best products to use on the dark area vs the remainder of the dock prior to staining? The dock is cumaru.
Post some pics.
Here are some pictures!
Here is pic
and some more pics
Your best option is to apply a wood brightener to all wood. That should help even it out.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-brightener-only.html
Thx!
Attached is picture of the area.
Attached is a blow-up of the area
One more
Is it ok to strip and then brighten the following day? I ran out of time today to complete step 1 and 2.
Yes.
My forecast predicted nice cloud cover all day and clear skies the next 10 days. Of course as it turned out, there hasn’t seemed to be a cloud in the sky today. I already did the cleaner and brightener steps. Your instructions say to apply stain 2-4 hours after prep. My question is how long can I wait before I apply stain? My deck is south facing and all sun, and it’s about 80 degrees today and will only get warmer as the days to come. I want to avoid hot sun application and have already read your article about it.
You can apply stain to damp or dry wood. Stain within 2 weeks of prep.
Hello, is RAD OK to use in high altitude? I have ~1,000 sq ft of deck to restore and stain with limited time to do so, so the RAD product looks intriguing being able to stain while damp. 9,200′ elevation with direct sun in summer and snow in winter. Thank you!
Yes, it works without issues at high altitudes.
I purchased your deck stripper because I previously had a stain on my deck. My dad power washed me deck for me in attempt top be helpful, but did it much too aggressively and I need to sand it down to start over. Apparently if you’re sanding, it’s better to do clean-brighten-stain instead of strip but I bought the strip package already. Am I wrong in assuming that deck stripper will do everything deck cleaner does and more? Thanks!
Yes, the stripper will do what the cleaner does and more but it cannot take into account over pressure washing.
Ah yeah I didn’t communicate that well. The guidance I got from deckstainhelp.com forum was to power wash, deck clean (They seemed to think you can’t use deck stripper but only deck cleaner), then power wash, then sand, then brighten, then stain.
questions:
1) are you sure I can use deck stripper? I had purchased some RAD stripper, RAD brightener, and RAD stain previously before my dad over-pressure washed it and therefore requiring sanding, so I’d rather use the supplies on hand and return the extra I just bought (the extra cleaner that is)
2) is the order correct: power wash, strip or clean, sand, brighten, stain?
3) is there any minimum time that must pass between phases assuming dry conditions?
4) if it rains, which of those steps must be redone? For example, if I get the deck sanded but not brightened before it rains do I have to re-sand? Same question if it rains after cleaning or after brightening.
5) My understanding of the deck cleaner/stripper is that it should also be scrubbed as I go. If it doesn’t appear to be clean enough after first strip or cleaning, I DO have supplies to do it again but is that bad for the deck or must it be brightened before doing second coat of cleaning or stripping?
Apologies for all the questions but I have dogs that use the dog to get to potty area all day while we both work full time. When you add the sheer amount of time all these steps will take plus keeping them off it in between AND trying to align 3-4 sunny days (but NOT direct sunlight) in a row it is quite the endeavor. Thanks!
Upload some pics so we can properly offer advice.
I had issues with original post so I’ll attach pic with my comments but forgot to mention I DO have a 12 x12 gazebo but wouldn’t want it to leave marks in freshly-applied stain
We would suggest the Cleaner and Brightener for this as there is not any stain on the wood.
Steps.
Apply cleaner, pressure wash off, rinse, apply brightener, rinse well. Do ti all on the same day.
No need to sand this but if you do, do it after cleaning and when the deck dries out. Rain does not harm prep.
All your questions about the stripper are N/A at this point.
So I had planned on sanding just because I don’t want to do all this work to get dirt and mold/mildew off just to find out that I do in fact still need to sand. I know the stripper isn’t necessary but since I have it on hand and can’t get a refund on it, will it work just as well as the cleaner? The cleaner I ordered from you guys is arriving at some point tomorrow and I was hoping to strip (or clean of product comes early enough in AM), maybe sand tomorrow, finish sand on Sunday and Stain on Sunday.
Do not use the stripper in place of the cleaner for this.
So to clarify: I do believe sanding is important for it and want it done right and not to have to do it again.
My plan is to apply cleaner tonight, rinse thoroughly, go get sander tomorrow, sand, the. Brighten and stain. The instructions for the cleaner package say specifically that you need to brighten quickly after rinsing while still wet…. since I plan on sanding and it may be one to three days after I apply the cleaner, is it okay to have a 1-3 day gap after cleaning before sanding and/or brightening?
Before brightening I’ll be sure ti make wood damp.
The reason I may have to wait a few days is based off of possible rain forecast.
Yes, if sanding, brighten after.
Got it.What I think I will do today is clean it, rinse it well and then wait to see after it dries if it looks uniform (understand it might be darker or more gray than desired without brightener). Depending on timeline today, I may not get to the brightening step for 1 to 3 days. As long as I wet the deck before applying to brightener is that OK?
It should be fine.
Comments in pic.
Last 2 pics
I used your RAD stripper followed by the RAD brightener on my deck. It’s worked really well before but this time I noticed after the RAD brightener was applied / rinsed / dried that I got some stain streaks coming off of the deck screws. Please see attached photo. How should I get this cleaned up and the streaks removed near the deck screws?
That is rust from your screws/nails. Tt is not from the prep products. The wood brighener helps to remove this but you should replace them first.
My project came out pretty good, but there are obvious areas of lighter and darker stain. I used the RAD brush to apply the stain to the boards. Is this caused by applying the stain in the sun or poor technique? Any tips would help for next time or if touching up would help?
It looks like you applied a little heavy in areas. Maybe where you stopped with the brush. It will probably even out over the next month.
Thank you, so next time apply lighter coats is what you’d recommend?
Yes and little more evenly.