Restore A Deck Stain Stripper Instructions and How To Help
Maintaining a wood deck will ensure you get the longest lifespan and most use out of the extra outdoor living space. To maintain the appearance of a deck it should be cleaned and recoated every couple of years on average.
When preparing a deck for refinishing it is vital that it be cleaned properly. It is important to remove any old stain or sealer remnants that may be on the deck that would block the new stain or sealer from penetrating the wood properly.
Restore A Deck Stain Stripper is a specially designed two-step system for stripping old transparent and semi-transparent deck stains from wood prior to refinishing. There are some basic step-by-step instructions for stripping a deck with the RAD Stain Stripper system.
Restore A Deck Stripper Steps
1. Be sure air temperatures are within 45-90 degrees before starting.
2. Remove all furniture and décor from the deck and the surrounding area. Move at least 20 feet away and downwind from overspray.
3. Although RAD products are Eco-Friendly it is still recommended to cover any sensitive landscaping, shrubbery, and/or plants or pre-wet with water. Make sure to rinse well any overspray that may get on plants.
4. Cover any windows, doors, and other areas of the house with plastic or pre-wet with water.
5. Be sure to wear personal protection equipment such as eyewear, gloves, and clothing.
6. Mix Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper by following the suggested instructions. Mix until all the crystals are fully dissolved. If using a pump sprayer to apply, mix in a separate bucket first and transfer to sprayer to avoid clogging of sprayer inlet tube.
7. Option 1: Mist fresh water onto the deck then apply RAD Stain Stripper using a pump sprayer or scrub brush. This is the most effective way.
8. Allow RAD Stain Stripper to sit on wood for 10-15 minutes or until the surface becomes slippery. Keep misting deck with water so is not allowed to dry.
9. Gently pressure wash at 1500-2000 PSI or hand scrub vigorously the deck until all dirt, grime, and gray fibers are removed. Rinse deck, shrubbery, and surrounding area with fresh water. Pressure washing is more effective.
10. Reapply RAD Stain Stripper to any stubborn areas repeating steps 7 & 8 to remove old stain or sealer as much as possible.
11. While wood is still wet apply Restore-A-Deck Wood Brightener following the mixing instructions and using a pump sprayer. The RAD Wood Brightener does not need to be washed or scrubbed, simply rinse off after 10 minutes of dwell time. Make sure to rinse the RAD Brightener thoroughly for 20 minutes until all soap suds are removed after the 10 minutes dwell time.
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
Need Help Stripping an Old Stain? Ask Below!
Do you Have a Difficult to Remove Coating?
Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Additives
what is the shelf life of stripper mix in plastic containers?
12 months.
Hi there…I recently purchased a home that has a low to ground deck that must have had various ‘quick fix,’ poorly applied stains prior to my purchase of house. I hired someone to stain my fence and deck. i used Defy stripper and powerwashed it myself. It didn’t remove all of it, that’s for sure. My deck guy said it’s not a problem and he would sand it. I had purchased semi-transparent Ready Seal in Dark Walnut. Fence (new) looks amazing…the deck is horrible. He sanded it using a small orbital hand sander and immediately proceeded to stain. What a disaster. When he said he’d sand it…I thought he meant he’d get it to bare wood. It truly was a mess…and I think if he had done another round of stripper, it wouldn’t be such a disaster. Will I be able to fix this? I’m quite aware that semi-transparent does not hide like solid stain and that’s why I wanted it back to natural wood. I looked to him for expertise. Nope. Do you think the RAD stripper can help?
Strip off what you can with the RAD stripper and both additives: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
Sand the rest off after. Brightener last.
I’ll order today. What type of sander is easiest/best to use? Is there anything I will need to do to wood after sanding? Thank you so much for your help.
Brightener after. Belt or orbital sander.
Previous owners applied Behr Deckover. I’m pressure washing and sanding to try to remove it all. I noticed on your other responses that one can never change from a solid stain to a semitransparent. However I’m not sure if that product is a solid stain or actually a paint. If I remove it all by sanding, can I then apply a RAD semitransparent stain?
If you remove 100% then yes.
We have a bronze colored aluminum deck/stair railing. Is it safe to use the stripper and brightener around it or will we need to cover the railing to protect it when we apply either or both of these products?
It should not be an issue.
Here aRe pics to the comment below
What do you recommend for a deck with solid paint? Do we need to strip it or can we just apply rad over the old paint. It is peeling but we power washed it and scraped what we could.
You will have to fully sand it off as you cannot apply a stain over a paint.
Hello,
We stained our deck a few years ago with a Sherwin semi stain. Although now that we are looking to strip the stain, I question whether it was a solid.
The attached photo is after power washing the deck recently. We have purchased the restore stripper, including booster and additive.
I am now concerned this is not going to work. Is there a ratio for solution to best attach this stain, or might we be best in returning the product?
Yes, that is a solid stain and you will not remove it fully. You can use the products you bought for prep but you will then need to cover the stain you cannot strip with a new solid stain: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
Hello, I have a 22 yr old deck which was stained 8 yrs ago with Sherman Williams semi transparent stain. I have clean the deck oxy clean and there are just a few areas that have stain remaining. Do I need to apply stripper to the entire deck? I would like to paint over the rails with a semitransparent stain. Do I have to strip them first?
You will have to strip all off to be able to use a new stain.
We just moved into this house a few years ago and I’m just getting around to restoring the deck. It is pressure treated wood but I can’t really tell what they applied to it…looks like red paint or a paint stain of some sort? It’s extremely weathered in most areas and was wondering if the RAD stripper with the additives and the use of a pressure washer will remove this red paint/stain? My end goal is to remove the red color entirely. Any info you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
No, the stripper with additives will not remove a paint fully. It will remove some and that will make your sanding easier to remove the rest.
Bought a house with a nice cedar deck but ugly barn red stain covering it. Suggestions on stripper would be helpful. I realize it won’t all get fixed in this first year.
It is not possible to strip off a solid stain like this fully. You can strip the loose stain but you’ll need to reapply another solid stain over the rest: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
Will the cottage gray semi-transparent cover deck boards that still have some redwood color on them?
No, and you cannot use the RAD semi-transparent over different brands of stains.
When using your stripper and brightener, if some sanding needs to be done on certain areas after stripping, can I let the wood dry for a couple days after stripping, then sand the areas needed, and then use the brightener over the entire deck (to neutralize the stripper and open the wood pores after sanding) or does the brightener have to be applied right after the stripper in order to neutralize it?
If you sand, brighten after.
Can I use your stripper and gel additive application in direct sunlight? Temperature is 65 degrees.
Yes.
I have a deck with several layers I think I need to strip off – 3 of oil-based, 1 (the last), water-based (though you wouldn’t know it has that many layers, as I guess the weathering has worn to an extent the deck between stainings.) I want to use an oil-based stain this time. I have a couple of questions. First, does RAD strip down to the wood so I do not have to use a sander or a scraper? Does it chemically do the job? My second question is: after using RAD stripper & brightener on the deck – what about the spindles? With applying RAD to them, will they be prepped? My deck is 15 years old, in good shape in general. I have never used a stripper prior to the other applications, just a good cleaning. The spindles concern me, though. They’re not peeling at all, but I don’t want to not re-stain them.
Send pictures of the deck for prep help. You have to remove all if you want to use the TWP.
picture of the wall
pic of wall
What is recommended for the siding wall of a wood deck? My plan was to go with black and deciding on paint or a solid stain. The rest of the deck will be black painted spindles, TWP cedertone floors and railings.
You already have a solid stain on the deck so you will need a solid stain again. We do not sell the RAD Solid Stain in a black color.
I applied Behr Premium Semi-Transparent Stain (see photo) 4 years ago. It is peeling (see photo). Will your Stripper remove this? Do you recommend the Booster and Thickening Gel Additives? I would like to get it stripped down to the wood so I can apply your semi-transparent stain.
You will need both additives for the stripper and possibly some sanding as well to get it all off.
Does the brightener need to got on right after the stripper or can that wait til the next day?
Right away is best.
LF. May 5 2020
Two days ago we used your semi transparent light walnut stain on our six month old 450 square foot cedar deck, but we were not happy with the colour. The temperature on the second night also dipped to 5 or 6 degrees which was below the 45 degrees that you recommend. We would like to strip the colour back to original with your product. Do we need the additives as well to mix in the stripper solution? We are thinking of going with a clear application after stripping and brightening. Thx. LF from Oakville on Canada
Yes, use the additives as well.
You can stain over it, it will not have any issues as far as performance.
I’d kind of like to know what to do about the fuzzy situation. That doesn’t look good and was it because of chemicals or water pressure? How to avoid this?
I ordered the thickener and booster additives. Do I add these both to the 5 gallon mixture when mixing the powder? Then transfer to a sprayer? What do I do differently when using the thickener and booster additives compared to the instructions above?
Mix the power first. Add the additives and then mix. Add to the sprayer. Apply and let sit for 30-45 minutes. Keep wet if needed by misting with water.
Will the stripper remove epoxy bondo wood filler?
No. It will not.
Do I need to power wash prior the deck prior to stripping?
if so, what degree nozzle?
You pressure wash while using the stripper. 25 or 40.
After I’m done stripping & brightening, can I wait a few days or a week to apply the stain or does it need to be done the same day?
You can wait a week.
Opinion on wood filler for small cracks or holes? Can a stain be placed over that.
Wood filler doe snot work on decks not will it “stain” to blend.
Can I touch up Restore A Deck stain I have some additional product for yours I’d like instructions how to use it to do a touch up
Are you asking about applying a maintenance coat of the RAD Stain over a previous coat of the RAD stain in the same color? If so, prep with this kit first: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Restore-A-Deck-Packages/Restore-A-Deck-Package-300/flypage.tpl.html
I am building a new fence which will have cedar framing materials to hold welded wire panels in place. Right now, the only thing in place are the posts, which are treated douglas fir posts. I realize I need to wait about a year before cleaning and bleaching the cedar materials to prep them for staining. Would it help to lighten the appearance of the treated posts to use a stripper and brightener on them now and let them weather for a year, and do it again next year with the cedar materials (since they will be installed in a couple of weeks?)
No. Just do it all later on. You do not need to wait a year: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
Peter
can i wait 6to 8 weeks after stripping deck to use brightened and then stain .
No. If you do that you will need to use both the Cleaner and the Brightener for prep again.
I have 8 yr old behr deckover on my deck, I have sanded the whole thing, power washed but still some remaining deckover on the boards but smooth surface- will stripper work or just use the cleanser first
we are going to apply solid stain of course after all the preps
Post a picture of your prep so far.
On the RAD stain stripper side bar, it says application tools needed Injector, sprayer, stiff brush. What is an injector?
The use of an injector is an option, not required. Most just use a pump sprayer for applying.
Will the RAD stripper remove Cabot semi-transparent stain? I had thought only solid stains could not be removed by the stripper. I ordered the whole package with additives but am having a hard time getting the stain removed. I have used a pressure washer along with the stripper and additives.
Yes, it should remove this. Let the stripper dwell for up to an hour before pressure washing off. It does look like you are removing it in the picture.
Will the RAD paint stripper remove Behr 436 primer that was improperly applied to wet wood and will not dry?
No it will not remove a primer.
Thanks. Would a solvent paint stripper remove the Behr 436 primer or is sanding it off the only way?
You will have to sand.
I have to strip stain off 1/2 of the deck (screened porch) with the RAD stripper. The other 1/2 of the deck (uncovered) has newer wood (3 years old) that was never stained.
Questions:
1. Can I use the RAD stripper on the 3 year old unstained wood as well without causing any issues, or do I need to buy both the stripper and cleaner?
2. The instructions say do not let stripper/cleaner dry after application. What can go wrong if it does dry?
3. Will the stripper cause any issues if it drips on the brick patio below the deck, or on the porch screen?
1. Use the cleaner for the unstained deck and the stripper for the stained portion.
2. Mist with water so it does not dry out. Letting it dry and you would have to reapply.
3. No, it should not.
How long after I mix the stripper will it have to be used? Can I let it sit overnight?
The Stripper and the Brightener do not have a shelf life after being mixed. Only the Cleaner does.
I was unable to apply the Brightener immediately after the stripper. What should I do?
Apply it as soon as you can.
Will RAD Stripper remove Cabot’s alkyd base (includes petroleum distillates, linseed oil, paraffin, lecithin)?
Depends on the type of oil-based stain. Best to post a picture or two.
Stain is 4 years old
That is a solid stain. No stripper will remove this. You will need to sand it off.
Thank you, and if I have a few spots that cannot be removed via powerwash or sanding, is it ok to apply RAD solid stain on top?
Yes.
I have a deck that’s probably 25 yrs old. Previously used Sikken Cetol Dek in 1998 with follow up cleaning/coating of same over the years. More recently, the product changed and is lousy. I want to use RAD. Do I strip, clean, brighten or just strip and brighten then stain? Thanks in advance.
Strip and brighten and use both additives with the stripper: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
No need for cleaner.
Will it strip polyurethane off mahogany door?
No, you will have to sand a poly off.
I have a similar question to another customer. I just applied a layer of Olympic semi-transparent stain and sealer and hate the color. What products do I need to remove it (600 square feet of deck). Also, it’s an oil based stain…can I apply a water-based stain once I’ve stripped and brightened? Thanks!
Are you sure it is oil-based? Can you post a picture of the can of Olympic and the stain on the deck? This will help determine the correct prep products to use.
Here’s a photo of the stain and the deck. The stain was a bit too orange in color for my liking. It’s an older deck (maybe 10+ years) and the wood has a lot of knots in it. I’m wondering if a dark solid stain might look better. Can RAD stain work if I strip off the Olympic stain?
For the prep, use the RAD stripper and pressure washer to remove. RAD Brightener after. RAD Solid stains will work after.
I applied a single coat semitransparent cedar stain to one rail of the deck. The color is terrible. Will this be effective in removing a newly applied stain?
What brand of stain?
Valspar semitransparent stain and sealant
It is always more difficult to remove a newly applied stain. Could you post a picture so we can see how thick it is?
Here are some photos
Yes, it is a terrible color! While we would be more than happy to sell you some Stripper, Booster, and Gel to help remove this, it would be way easier for you sand this off since it is just one board.
Thanks for your input. Hopefully it comes out easily
My deck is about 4 years old. I’ve been using transparent Thompson water seal on it. Do I need to use your stripper product or just the cleaner/brightener combo? before using the semi transparent cedar stain ? Also its about 1200 sf with no railings or stairs. I’m trying to figure out if I need 10 gal of stain or 20 ?
Stripper/brightener. About 10-12 gallons for two coats applied wet on wet.
Side note, recently got the house, so this is the shape the poor deck was at =
I am planning on getting my deck back in shape. I don’t think it was stained, but rather painted. What would you recommend on doing in this case or what products do I need to get? I’m thinking of doing the upper deck, stairs, and lower deck.
Pressure wash with the RAD Stain stripper to remove the loose paint, dirt, and algae. It will not remove the solid stains fully so you will need to cover with the RAD Solid stain: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-solid-stain.html
Thanks, I was wondering if it was a solid stain or a semi-transparent. Is there a way to completely remove the solid stain and switch to a semi-transparent? Is there a benefit to sticking with solid. Thanks again for the help, I am new to this whole deck world.
The only way to switch would be to sand it all off.
If you add the Stripper Gel additive to the Stripper mixture to aid adhesion, can the Stripper plus the Gel be applied to the surfaces through a garden sprayer? Will it be too thick and clog the sprayer? Does it need to be applied by brush only? Thanks.
Yes you can spray it with a high-quality pump sprayer.
I have 691 sq’ of what I believe is pressure treated pine. I last used Sikkens semi-transparent stain and I am not sure what was used prior. The deck is about 8 years old. How many gallons of the stripper, Brightener and semi-transparent stain will I need?
Post a picture of the current condition. Thanks
The deck is in need!
1- 2 of the RAD Stripper. 1 of the RAD Brightener. 6-8 gallons of the stain.
Thank you, I’m going to order now!
Just want to make sure, the stripper can be applied to a wet deck correct?
And secondly, is this harmful to vinyl siding?
thirdly, I likely wont be able to perform all three steps at once: strip, brighten and stain. how long can I go between steps if this is the case?
thanks.
You can apply the stripper to a wet or damp deck. Should not harm vinyl.
See this article: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/how-to-restore-a-deck-in-one-day.html
Will your RAD Stripper used with a pressure washer remove Behr Deck Over? This product was applied about 7 years ago. It is a 19 year old deck and the Behr product is cracked and peeling.
No. No deck stain stripper anywhere can remove the Behr Deckover paint. You will have to sand this off.
I have 822 sq.’ of 15-year-old PT pine decking, with decks on the NE, SE, and SW sides of the house. The last two times it was stained w/ Olympic Wood Protector / Sealant / Clear; don’t know prior to that. There is tremendous variation in the amount of stain left (see photos). Should I order 1 or 2 containers of stripper? For areas that have more of the old stain should I do a second application of the stripper or mix it stronger and do it once? THANKS!!!
2 Strippers as you will need to most likely go over this twice. Use the additives as well: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
Let the stripper dwell for 30-60 minutes (misting to keep wet). Brighten all when done.
more precise deck info: 5y.o. pressure treated pine, 750sf deck with 14 steps (2 sets of 7steps) 3ft wide steps, approx. 120ft of 3ft high railing/spindles. Will be stripping off twp500 stain. Live in MA
What is the total sq footage of all wood added up?
according your calculator, 1052sq ft
What are you trying to strip? Brand and type of stain? Pictures would help.
twp100 prairie gray.
10 Gallons of Stain
2 Stripper/Brightener Kits
2 Booster Additive
2 Thickening Gel Additive
does the stripper work on vertical surfaces?
(750sf deck, 3ft high railing, 14 (2 of 7steps ea) 3ft wide steps)
Yes but look at our additives for vertical wood: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
Can I use an airless sprayer such as the Wagner power painter to apply the stain?
Yes.