We are pleased to announce two new additives for the Top-Selling and Top-Rated Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper!
These products work as additives for the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper and are not effective as standalone products. They work to help remove difficult-to-remove coating brands such as:
- Behr Semi-Transparent Acrylic (water-based) Stain
- Thompson Semi-Transparent Acrylic (water-based) Stain
- Super Deck Semi-Transparent Acrylic (water-based) Stain
- Most other Semi-Transparent and Semi-Solid Stains
Note: For best results, use the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster Additive in conjunction with Restore-A-Deck Thickening Gel.
Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster – Up to 300% More Effective
Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster Additive is a special blend of solvents that is added to premixed 5-Gallons of the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper. The Restore-A-Deck Stripper Booster will raise the effectiveness of the stain stripping up to 300% by helping to break down the surface tension of difficult-to-remove wood stain finishes.
This product works as a Booster additive for the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper. For even better results, use the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Thickening Gel in conjunction with the Restore-A-Deck Stripper Booster. The Thickening Gel adds the ability to cling to vertical and horizontal surfaces for up to 1 hour.
Restore-A-Deck Booster should be used to increase the effectiveness in stripping difficult-to-remove wood and deck stain coatings. Stripper Booster improves effectiveness on removal for most exterior wood and deck finishes including:
- Acrylic-based wood and deck coatings
- Oil-based wood and deck coatings
- Clear wood and deck sealers
- Transparent wood and deck stains
- Semi-transparent wood and deck stains
- Semi-solid exterior wood and deck stains
Restore-A-Deck Stripper Thickening Gel Additive – Clings up to 1 Hour
Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Thickening Gel is a special blend that is added to premixed 5-Gallons of the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper. With a longer dwell time, Restore-A-Deck Stripper Thickening Gel will raise the effectiveness of the stain stripping by adding the ability to cling to vertical and horizontal surfaces for up to 1 hour. Works especially well on improving the performance of the stripping on vertical wood such as wood railings, wood fences, and wood sided homes.
Restore-A-Deck Thickening Gel should be used to increase the effectiveness in stripping difficult-to-remove wood and deck stain coatings. RAD Stripper Thickening Gel improves effectiveness on removal for most exterior wood and deck finishes including:
- Increased effectiveness for vertical surfaces such as railings, wood siding, log homes, and wood fences
- Longer dwell time for horizontal and decking surfaces
- Clings to wood for up to 1 hour
If you have any questions on these two additives, please ask below in our comment area.
Important Note: Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper may not fully remove Solid Color Wood Stains, Paints, Varnishes, and Excessively Over-Applied Acrylic Semi-Transparent and Semi-Solid Coatings. To remove these deck and wood stain types, use the RAD Paint & Solid Stain Stripper
Hi there,
I had to replace a number of 2×6 thermowood boards as they were damaged.
The rest of our deck has been stained with TWP 100 Pro Redwood Total Wood Deck a while ago (see pictures).
And our lower dock was stained with TWP 100 Pro Cedar Tone Total Wood Deck.
Now we’d like to stain everything and have one uniform color for all of these parts. Ideally a semi-transparent cedar tone stain.
What’s the best steps to achieve that, for each part? Do I need the solid paint strip or the standard stripper (powder) will do it?
Thanks!
Use the Restore A Deck Stain Stripper (powder) with both additives.
Brightener when done.
Does this work on TWP stained wood?
Yes.
what product besides the restore a deck stripper should i use ? the thickening gel additive or the booster) to get CETOL Sikkens off of my log home Please respond asap as i want to start this product immediately. thank you so much as i am so praying this product will work..
pete
Post pics of what you are trying to remove.
A deck stripper will not remove a glossy finish so that would have to be sanded off. Your cleaning looks decent so keep that up and then sand the glossy areas before staining.
Thanks. The vast majority of the old finish isn’t shiny. It looks like this after the first cleaning – not shiny but chunky & brittle . Does that change your recommendation? Also, the siding is rough sawn, so we don’t want to create smooth patches, although we can still sand the shiny patches to roughen them.
Teh stripper should work on this but you will need both additives:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
Spot strip after cleaning and then brighten all wood to even out the color. Cover all plants, etc, that are below.
Great! Any impact to ground water with this combo?
No.
Fantastic! Thank you for your prompt and thoughtful advice!
You will have to power sand to remove this coating. Stripping is not possible ..
Darn. Is that doable for two not so handy people? Do we have to sand banister and top of banister too?
What about our side deck? Can we do semi transparent here? Or what would you suggest? Feels super brittle but In okay shape. Thank you!!
Once you remove the current stain you can then use the semi transparent stain.
Awesome. It would be —> strip, clean and brighten for this side deck as the current stain isn’t opaque, correct?
Strip and brighten. No need to clean if stripping. It is not opaque.
We are getting ready to stain a newly resurfaced deck. The frame and posts were previously stained multiple times. We’re not sure what kind was used. Will the stripper work or should we just sand? Do we need to also use the gel or booster if we use the stripper? Thanks!
See this about your new wood: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
As for the old stain, you can try the RAD stripper with both additives. Apply and let dwell for 45 minutes and then pressure wash. If needed, spot sand any stain that cannot be stripped, and then use the RAD Brightener last.
We have a deck with pressure treated pine, about 10 years old and has been treated with Olympic Maximum clear sealant at least 3 times. I am interested in switching to RAD Natural Semi Transparent. Will I need the Stripper + Brightner + RAD Semi Transp combo. Other suggestions or helps?
Yes, that is correct. Use the Stripper and then the Brighener before staining.
No, you cannot fully strip off a solid stain. You will need power sand to remove.
I have a western red cedar pergola. It was originally stained with Duckback Superdeck. The oil based version before Sherman Williams purchased them. I’ve cleaned and brightened with a pressure washer. A couple of the vertical surfaces that are not as exposed to the weather still have some old stain on them. I plan on using your stripper and thickening gel. Do I need the booster or just mix the stripper at a higher concentration? Here’s a couple of pics. In the 1st one the left side is stain free. The right side under the eves still has stain.
No need for the booster here, just the gel.
I’ve used your products for years but now, with a new home and a larger deck, I decided to hire someone to prep the deck for staining. The attached pictures are the result of two attempts to remove the previous stain with what they said was a bleach based stain remover. As you can see, it wasn’t effective. I’m assuming I would have much better results with your stripper products but would like your opinion in case I am missing something.
You cannot strip this off as it is on thee like a solid opaque stain. It will have to be sanded if you want to remove it fully.
Darn. Thanks for the quick reply. Would I have to use the same color or can I apply another given the type of stain?
You can apply a solid stain over this after a good cleaning to remove any loose or peeling stain: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
Sorry, I’m a little confused. Do you mean I can or a not apply a solid stain?
Can.
I live in Florida and have a large pergola that has multiple coats of stain that need to be stripped off. The sun just tears up the stains and wood and I want to give it the best protection. 90+% of the surfaces are vertical. I want to take off all the old stain and start over. This will be a challenging job for this 73 yr old. What do you recommend.
We would need to see pictures posted in comments for any proper prep help.
Here are some pictures
What you have on now cannot be stripped as it is opaque like a solid stain. You can pressure wash and then cover it with the RAD Solid Stain: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
Thank you. I appears that brown would be the best matching color. Is it possible to stain with Cypress and have it cover well? There are also a couple of beams in the front and a few rafters that were replaced last week with PT. Will those boards match with the older boards once stained? Can the opaque stain be effectively applied with a sprayer and after the stain has dried/cured will it be effected by insect killing sprays?
Any solid color would work. They will allow blend with the solid stain. You cannot pump spray it, rollers and brushes. Insect sprays will not harm the stain.
Deck was previously stained with Behr Semi-transparent Wood Stain and Sealer in One. Do you recommend using your RAD stripper and brightener to remove it before applying a different semi-transparent stain? Any other suggestions or watch outs? Thank you!
Behr applies like a solid or opaque stain so you may not be able to strip fully. Use the RAD Stripper with both additives, sand if needed to remove any areas that cannot be stripped, brighen all last.
I have a 4 year old deck stained with Behr Premium semi transparent redwood stain. It’s peeling in a few spots. Later, I discovered RAD and used it on my wood fence which looks much better. How do I get all of the Behr stain off my deck? Or is it impossible?
If you are using the RAD Solid stain you do not have to remove 100%. Strip off what you can with the RAD Stripper and both additives. Brightener after.
If I have a cedar deck that is 20 years old with a few solid stains application, what products should I use. From reading the thread it seems that stripper is not going to remove all of the old solid stain unless sanded. I will be using a solid stain again. So should I use stripper or just cleaner? Do I need any additive or the boaster? Do I need brightener? How long does it take to ship to Michigan?
Use the Stripper to remove as much as possible of the old solid stain. No need for additives. Brightener to neutralize. The point is to remove the dirt and peeling stain but you can cover the old stain that is not peeling with the RAD Solid Stain. 1-3 days to arrive in MI or pick up in our store in Bloomfield Hills, MI.
So I have a semi-solid Cabot deck stain to remove. Being told to sand it off that gel products will “make a mess”. Willing to try your product if you feel it will work. Please give me your fiduciary response and I will follow it. Thank you
Post some pictures here.
Photos as requested – thank you so much
That is a solid stain on there now. You will have to sand it off.
Thank you!
I’m refinishing a one year old cedar deck where Ready Seal was applied incorrectly (product was not mixed well before application) the second coat (applied shortly after and mixed well) restored proper color but a few months later, resulted in peeling, blotchiness due to it not penetrating and rather, just drying on the surface. The deck has been cleaned of most of the second, failed coat but I’m worried a new coat won’t penetrate due to any sealer still present in the wood. Will the RAD stripper along with booster work to remedy this prior to re stain/sealing? If not, would you have any recommendations?
It should remove Ready Seal without any issues.
Is this safe to use on stained teak? I’m trying to get the stain our and go back to natural teak.
Yes, make sure to use the Brightener after.
I used “Seal Once Exotic” deck sealer on my new garapa deck and it absorbed non-uniformly into the wood and now I have a blotchy mess. I need to remove it and refinish the wood, so what stripper product do you recommend?
Not sure if that product actually can be stripped? It is a very “unconventional” formula that is kind of a gimmick in our opinion.
That’s not good news for me…. Where it absorbed, it’s tenacious. I used your 2 part Restore a Deck another time and it worked great. Is that what you suggest to try or is it another of your products that might have the best shot of removing the sealer?
Sorry, but we do not have other options. You would try our stripper but we cannot guarantee it will work. The Seal-Once contains silicon that goes deep in the wood to “supposedly” harden internally by reacting with the wood’s alkali.
Have you tried stripping discs? Am researching for my deck project this summer and am considering using these after I do the Restore-A-Deck products.
Those would damage the wood.
Will RAD stripper remove Ready Seal semi-transparent stain oil based from vinyl sliding and concrete from overspraying of a deck?” .
From vinyl, yes. Not from concrete.
Thank you.
We have painted railings. I am sanding 98% of the paint off. On the hard to reach spots will the stripper additive help get off white paint remnants?
You would want the booster and the gel.
I have a cedar deck which was stained about three years ago (deck is about 4 years old). The stain is an oil based product (Olympic Maximum) and starts to flake/peel. According to your calculator I have 720 sq. ft. of surface area (deck and railing).
I was considering the Restore-A-Deck Stripper/Brightener Kit, is that what you would recommend? Do I also need the additives? How much do I need?
Many thanks in advance!
Send a picture.
I had to wait for a break in the rain – attached two pictures. Thank you!
Yes, use the additives. You will need 1-2 of each Stripper, Brightener, and additives.
Will this remove a solid color latex deck stain that has aged for a few years?
No. You have to sand to remove a solid stain fully.
So is there any sense in applying the cleaner or brightener prior to applying a solid stain? Or can I just stain it after sanding? Also, can I cover a dark stain with your lighter gray solid stain?
You can strip and pressure wash to remove the loose or peeling stain and then sand. No need for a brightener. You can go lighter but you will need at least two coats.
Isn’t the brightener required to neutralize the stripper? Or are you just saying sand and strip without chemicals?
You do not need a brightener to neutralize for a solid stain.
Our deck had Sherwin Williams Semi-Transparent applied 4 years ago but it looks more like solid. It is starting to peel up (see pic) and I’m going to switch to RAD solid in a different color. If I don’t strip it completely before applying will it be very noticeable/uneven where the old stain has come off? Would it be more durable if it were stripped before applying RAD? Trying to figure how much effort to put in. Thanks!
You do not need to remove this fully nor would it strip off fully anyhow. Just strip off the loose stain and then you can cover the rest.
Thanks! Does brightener still need to be used after cleaner with this solid(ish) stain in place?
No.
I am finishing building a new fence, which I understand will need to set for a year prior to prepping. The posts are treated douglas fir, which I have already heavily sanded; the rest of the wood is cedar wood.
Should I start with using the RAD Cleaner, and then use the RAD stripper with enhancer and thickening gel additive on the posts only to lighten them up? Then use the RAD brightener to finish.
Can I do these steps sequentially without waiting for anything to dry? Of course, I know it will need to dry well before applying the stain.
Thanks!
You do not need the stripper. Just the cleaner and brightened.
RAD confirmed previously that I should strip my deck before re-staining. Can I use the Chapin cleaner and stain sprayer for your stripper and additives? Is there an alternative to spraying the stripper products? I don’t have easy access to a pressure washer, do I need one to clean off the stripper and additives? What is best way to rinse off the brightener? I will be ordering the stripper, additives and brightener today. How long before I get them? Thank you
Yes, you can use the sprayer for applying. No, you have to spray them on and then pressure wash off. Rinse brighter with the pressure washer.
We plan to use the RAD Stain Stripper Booster and the RAD Thickening Gel to remove failed Behr Semi-Transparent Stain. Can we mix all the products only in the amount that we expect will be needed for our 300 square foot deck and store the remaining portions of dry stripper powder and unmixed booster and thickening gel for future use? What are the shelf lives of the unmixed products?
Yes, you can do this. Unmixed and stored correctly, they should last a couple of years.
Can rad stripper with additives (including gel thickener) still be applied using garden sprayer? Special nozzle neede?
A quality pump sprayer with a fan nozzle and it will work.
Hello! My question is on whatprep products and techniques to use if I am going to switch to your brand in the solid formula? The deck has had several Wolman products applied in the past, but not sure if semi transparent or solid. Does it make a difference in how I prep if it was one versus the other, given that I am going to be applying the RAD Solid?
Pressure wash with the RAD Deck Cleaner to remove the dirt and grime. Make sure any of the previous stain that is failing and peeling is removed as well.
P.S. My remaining (unstained) cedar posts are about same color as untreated railings and I am really hoping to keep the same natural color when I do stain.
I have a new (6 mos) mixed-wood deck: railing is pine, posts are cedar. Last week I applied Sikkens/PPG ProLuxe Cetol SRD, 1-coat, transparent matte stain in Bitternut color. Says it’s high-solids alkyd-oil formula. It came out MUCH darker than expected and with spotty sheen, so I’m thinking my handyman over applied the stain in multiple coats. Sunny & hot TX weather, but under 90 since. Will your stripper remove such a new, heavily applied stain? Only a portion of the deck was done, and now I’m totally stuck! Thanks.
It is harder to remove a newly applied stain. Strip off what you can, use the additives as well. Sand the rest if needed.
I already have a deck brightener (different brand) to restore PH balance. Can I use that, or is there something proprietary in your deck brightener and therefore must be used with your stripper?
Best to use the RAD brightener as they are not all made the same.
I have an 20 yr old deck with several coats of Olympic Solid Stain on it. I have tried several other stripper products with partial success. Will your product stripper with the added booster and thickening gel be effective at removing solid color deck stain?
No, sorry but no deck stain stripper will effectively remove a solid stain. While the RAD may get most off, you will still need to power sand some point to remove all.
Can RAD Stripper be applied in warm, sunny conditions?
Yes.