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Restore-A-Deck Stain Wet on Wet Application

by RAD Products

Restore A Deck Staining BrushHow to Apply Restore-A Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain with wet on wet application

Applying your Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain easily to exterior wood is a reality thanks to advancements in wood stain technology. It should be noted that there is a technique for applying to exterior wood for best results. This is called wet on wet application. Following this wet on wet application guideline is recommended when you wish to apply a second coat of stain on top of your first coat of stain before the first coat has completely dried or cured. This allows for fewer issues to arise over the drying period for a perfect, clean, finished product.

 

Our recommended guidelines for wet on wet stain application:

  • Always properly prep your wood surface first with Restore-A-Deck Cleaner or Restore-A-Deck Stripper followed by Restore-A-Deck Brightener.
  • Hot sun application tips: Restore-A-Deck Stain Hot Sun Application
  • Start with vertical surfaces first, such as railings. Make sure horizontal and other surfaces are protected from excess paint. After the first coat is complete, apply a light second coat to the top of the railing only between 20 minutes to 1 hour after the first coat has been applied.
  • Repeat this process for all benches or vertical structures.
  • Once all vertical surfaces are stained, apply one coat of Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain to flooring and horizontal surfaces, ensuring the entire floor is covered.
  • Reapply a second light coat 20 minutes to an hour after the first coat has been applied to all flooring and horizontal areas.
  • Note that it is ok to walk on the first coat of stain even if it has not dried completely, but take precautions to not step in your second coat of stain to ensure a smooth finish.

Some final tips:

  • Only apply 1 coat to new wood. Skip the second coat, you won’t need it. See here for tips on new wood: Restore-A-Deck Stain and New Wood
  • Wear shoes and clothes you do not care about getting the stain on. It’s bound to happen.
  • Apply the coats quickly to ensure you are not overlapping
  • Only apply 1 overall coat to vertical surfaces while horizontal surfaces may require 2
  • Avoid excessive application, filming of the stain may occur
  • It is recommended to use the Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain with the Restore-A-Deck Stain Brush, stain pad applicator, brush, or sprayer. If using the Restore-A-Deck Solid Stain, use a hand brush, roller, or airless sprayer.

If you need Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain application help, feel free to post a comment. If you have any suggestions or tips we are not mentioning, we want to hear from you. Leave a review including pictures of your finished product and indicate how well the project has been holding up over time.

author avatar
RAD Products Owner
Scott only carries wood deck stains and wood restoration products that perform best based on his experience using the products and his 30+ years of helping others. Scott has been approached about selling numerous restoration products through the years but selects only the products he has used and trusts to perform.
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Kit
Kit
4 years ago

Can you apply a second cost the next day?

Fran
Fran
4 years ago

Why is my deck tacky and what to do about it. Really followed instructions.

Gena
Gena
4 years ago

We have a 1400 sq. ft. deck that is pressure treated pine that has been down a year now, so we need two coats withing 20 to 40 minutes of each other. My question if my husband starts the first coat and I come behind him with the second coat we will eventually have to walk on it when applying the second coat. Will that damage it or show foot prints?

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

I stripped a large 1600 s/f deck about a month ago. We had a death in the family and I had to travel for work. Can I just brighten and use the semi-transparent stain or do I need to clean and brighten again?

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Do I need to use a pressure washed again with the cleaner?

Julie
Julie
4 years ago

Have RAD Semi-Transparent Stain and RAD Stain Brush. Any tips for applying stain to decking where the RAD brush can’t reach, such as decking tucked under siding and under Trex railing? I am concerned that addressing these places on all four sides of deck is really going to slow me down and mess with the finished look.

Natallie
Natallie
4 years ago

I am in the process of stripping and sanding my deck. Should I fill the old nail holes with exterior caulk before or after I clean and brighten?

Russ
Russ
4 years ago

I applied the brightener 4 days ago….I am going to wait a full 2 days without rain before applying the stain….is that ok or do I have to brighten again.

Dan
Dan
4 years ago

I got some fuzzy wood after stripping and brightening, not fibers ripped from power washer but the fuzzy wood that alwasy seems to show up, is it ok to stain over top of it or does it need to be completely sanded?

Avatar photo
4 years ago

Here are some pictures. Front has the pillars

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4 years ago

I stripped, lightly sanded and then use brightener about a week ago. All RAD products. Weather is good to stain now with RAD products. Since easier to apply wet should I lightly mist the deck boards (very light no puddles)?

Avatar photo
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

It says wait 2 hours to dry. This only applies if I brightened same day? So I can mist and stain right away ?

Avatar photo
4 years ago

Hi – If I am using RAD Brush on deck floor, is back brush by hand still required on 1st or 2nd coat?

Avatar photo
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Hi. Front deck and pillars look amazing – RAD cedar has deep, rich color. Rear deck not as good. Rear is same wood but more weathered because not under porch. Some parts of same board are not as dark / rich as front or even some in rear. Did I not apply enough? Not wait long enough between coats? Thoughts would be helpful so I can fix in 9 months. Next year can I clean with Oxi clean then RAD brighten and rad restain heavier where it’s too light ?

Avatar photo
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Here is picture of rear

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4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

What about the far corners. Yes there is some darkening in middle. But same issue in corners or did I apply heavier in those places

Avatar photo
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Thanks. Last question for now. Does it matter how long it dries after first coat 15/20 minutes v 1 hour. Will longer dry result in darker 2nd coat wet on wet?

Avatar photo
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Also if I decide not to stop again can I just clean next year and apply heavier where it is too light…as if I were doing 2nd coat again?

Avatar photo
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

And far corner showing not as dark

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4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Front deck comparing. Looks amazing

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4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Front porch looks great

DebraO
DebraO
4 years ago
Reply to 

Hi Joe. I love how your front porch came out. What type of wood is it, what is the age and which stain did you use? Thank you!

veronica
veronica
4 years ago

Also, does the deck need to be sprayed with water before applying the stain? It’s a porch and so not in full sun. Thanks!

veronica
veronica
4 years ago

if I am using a staining pad to apply the semi-transparent stain, do I dip the pad into a bucket of the stain and then rub it on the wood? how do I know that I am not over-applying?

Dave c
Dave c
4 years ago

If you use Your solid stain Over a semi transparent stain all I have to do is pressure wash and I can’t apply damp? Isn’t this advice the opposite of everything else your website says. Please clarify since you say your product works best with damp wood that has been stripped.

Jim Abbatoy
Jim Abbatoy
4 years ago

I didn’t know of the RADbrush when i ordered. Can a paint roller or other soft broom be used with semi-transparent?

Insley
Insley
4 years ago

I found the stripper onlyoption. Sorry.

Corie
Corie
4 years ago

Regarding cedar decking that is weathered (18 months) and will be cleaned and brightened…do we need to apply two stain (semi-transparent) coats wet on wet? The deck is too large to do wet on wet in one day. If we can do one coat, when can we do a second coat?

Corie Turner
Corie Turner
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Thank you. If the deck is too large to do two coats wet on wet, can we do one coat and do another a few months later?

Avatar photo
4 years ago

Video of mold.

Insley
Insley
4 years ago

Hi! I laid a new deck last summer and bought you cleaner/brightened/semi-trans dark walnut stain kit to protect the deck. Everything went smoothly until a flash storm came out of nowhere. My awning covered most of it, tarps the other parts. But some rain (a lot in some places) got through and parts of the deck have somewhat lighter spots today and it’s still tacky/damp on the deck. Is it possible
to do a third coat since it’s still wet? Thanks.

Insley
Insley
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

That’s what I figured. So I left it. It looks awful – when can I start the process over? Do I need to strip so that the new stain will be an even coat when I redo it?

Thanks!

Insley
Insley
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Do I need any of the additives?

Insley
Insley
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

I’m only doing a horizontal surface. Is the gel necessary? Also, I have brightener. Is it possible to just purchase stripper?

Shara
Shara
4 years ago

I have been told that the darker color stains actually protect the wood better from UVs. I plan to use RAD semi-transparent stain on a pressure treated pine deck. I like the natural color but am wondering if the light walnut color would give more protection since it is darker?

Shara
Shara
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

OK, I’ll go with my first choice, natural. Thank you very much!

Amanda
Amanda
4 years ago

We followed the directions to the letter to do a wet-on-wet application of your stain following the Stripper and Brightener, BUT the finish is not beading up when water hits it as I think it should. Our deck is a long-neglected meranti (hardwood) – it looks great, but I’m concerned that the water is still soaking in despite 2 coats of stain. Any suggestions?

Scott
Scott
4 years ago

We did a second coating on a portion of our deck on a hot day. It is now 48 hours since application, and that portion of the deck has a shiny/blotchy appearance. I think this is “filming”/why we weren’t supposed to do this. What is the solution to this? Wait a while and then start from scratch? Sand it down later? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Danny Hawtin
Danny Hawtin
4 years ago

I applied my first coat last evening and it has been drying all night. Is it ok to put a light second coat on this morning?

isaac
isaac
4 years ago

After using wooster brush for semi transparent how should i clean it?

isaac
isaac
4 years ago

when should i use stain pad and when should i use wooster brush?

isaac
isaac
4 years ago

Can i shake the gallon semi-transparent bottle to mix? Or should i pour into 5 gallon bucket and stir first before applying?

isaac
isaac
4 years ago

So vertical beams and spindles only one coat?

paul
paul
4 years ago

It rains a lot here. How soon after rain can I apply solid stain to old and new wood, how many coats, and how much cure time before next rain?

Julie
Julie
4 years ago

Pressure-treated pine decking installed June 2019. Connecting stairs with three steps installed September 2019. Untreated to date. Have RAD Cleaner, Brightener, and Semi-Transparent Stain.

1. Okay to apply cleaner (and rinse off) in sections? What about brightener?

2. Apply two coats stain to decking and stairs now (June 2020) or wait until September when stairs at one-year mark?

Thanks

Bill R
Bill R
4 years ago

If we Clean and Brighten on one day, but cannot stain until the next day, do we have to do anything to the deck before staining (e.g., misting/dampening the deck before applying stain)? There’s a small chance of rain the morning of the day we can stain, but the afternoon should be clear with temps in the low 70s and completely clear the day following the day we stain. We’re applying the same stain we used 3 years ago. Thanks.

Bill R
Bill R
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

RAD Cedar semi-transparent. All RAD products — cleaner, brightener, stain.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

I have a large deck >1500 s/f with railing. Can I strip and brighten one day and then stain the following day?

Hackett
Hackett
4 years ago

Purchased the RAD deck brush. Not going to use a pump sprayer to apply stain to avoid over spray to vertical areas already completed. What is best way to apply stain using brush? Stain in treat then dip deck brush?

Hackett
Hackett
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

How does stain need to dry before you can walk on it and put furniture on it?

Michele Jones
Michele Jones
4 years ago

I will be applying the solid color stain in the early morning to my deck before it gets hot with full sun. Will be in shade for about 6 hours before it will get full sun, is that enough time for the stain to set up properly before getting full sun??

Michael M.
Michael M.
4 years ago

Have horizontal area that did not get applied properly/evenly. Used semi-transparent natural. Pressured treated pine not stained previously. Possible to just sand, clean, stain? Want to avoid stripper getting on vertical areas that are finished properly.

Michael M.
Michael M.
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Use 60 or 80 coarse sandpaper? Okay to use small orbital sander? Would go faster and more even than by hand.

Michael M.
Michael M.
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Thank you!

Sandy
Sandy
4 years ago

I have applied the semi-transparent stain to my floating dock. I think I would like to apply a second coat, but I have waited over 12 hours now. Can I apply the second coat anyway later.

Sk
Sk
4 years ago

Do you think I need a stripper or is a cleaner plus brightener sufficient

Avatar photo
4 years ago

Hello. For semi-transparent stain application, do you have a preference between pump sprayer or airless sprayer (with tip specific for stains)? Too much deck to stain by hand (brush/pad/roller). Based on other comments, I assume back brushing is recommend for both spray options. If airless, how much (if any) extra stain do you recommend buying? Thanks in advance.

Gary
Gary
4 years ago

Can you apply stain with a pump sprayer?

Hackett
Hackett
4 years ago

I applied semi-transparent stain to balusters using pump sprayer. Although tried cover,horizontal flooring and steps have stain spray on flat areas that has dried especially where posts meet floor. Do I have to strip to finish horizontal area? If I have to strip, do I have to clean and brighten again? Deck has never been stained.

Hackett
Hackett
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

What is result if I just stain the entire area without stripping?

Hackett
Hackett
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

So it will cover but just look uneven or blotchy?

Katy
Katy
4 years ago

I prepped and stained my deck last year with semi-transparent RAD. It seems like the stain got worn away in many places over the year. Do I need to strip the old stain off my deck before staining again or can I just clean and brighten before applying? How many coats should I apply?

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4 years ago

I used the RAD cleaner and brightener last Sept and applied semitransparent stain to boards and solid stain to the top and bottom of the railing. (I was trying to do the minimum to protect the wood from the snow only). I am planning to tackle railing posts this weekend but hoping to refinish what I did last fall as well. Some areas are looking a little bit scuffed. Do I need to do the whole process again on boards and top of railing? Also, what is the best way to do cleaner and brightener on posts? Thanks!

Rebecca
Rebecca
4 years ago

I power washed, stripped. Brightened my 26 year old redwood. Applied TWP100 semi transparent. Worked late into darkness and this morning am seeing areas that I missed in the vertical surface. 1.Can/ should I spot treat this morning?
2. When it needs to be redone in a few years can I clean and brighten and apply the same stain and color over the top without stripping?

Rebecca
Rebecca
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

You guys rock!! Made the DIY project go better than I expected. Thanks for your great advice and quick response. If this Corona thing goes much longer I’ll be tackling more projects!!

David Kenney
David Kenney
4 years ago

Hi I am getting ready to stain our deck now that we have cleaned and brightened it with RAD products. The stain is semi transparent cedar
My thought is I would start staining using the stain brush, then have my wife come behind me 20-30 minutes later applying the second coat using a stain pad, is this a good approach or should it be all done using a brush?
Look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Thank you.

Dave

Tom Marshall
Tom Marshall
4 years ago

I put your semi-transparent stain on a few years ago and now time to do it again. Do I need to use the cleaner or the stripper to remove it before the brightener?

Tom Marshall
Tom Marshall
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

My deck is about 1400 s/f plus wood rails. How much of each product – stripper, brightener, stain should I order?My deck is about 1400 s/f plus wood rails. How much of each product – stripper, brightener, stain should I order?

robert otteni
robert otteni
4 years ago

I am a deck service provider but I have never used this product. I am planning on using this on a cedar deck. We sand the deck to prep it. Can I apply on to the sanded deck without using any other chemical treatments.

robert Otteni
robert Otteni
4 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

When I sand the deck area it is very clean and bright already. We sand with a 20 then 40 then 60 grit sand paper.I then vacuum and blow off any dust. I then apply the stain to a clean deck. Are you saying that I then need to apply a chemical treatment before I apply the stain even after all this sanding

Crystal
Crystal
4 years ago

This is light walnut. Sorry I left that out. That was so important when I was searching photos and trying to choose

Crystal
Crystal
4 years ago

I am in love with this stain. The color is gorgeous on our pressure treated deck that’s 7 years old. We have been staining a deck since 1993 and have only had one stain we liked as well, and it’s discontinued. Other than the fact that I have a tiny portion of a board that didn’t take the stain, and I ordered way too much, the whole experience was a pleasant one and we are so glad we went with this brand. I hope I can say the same in a couple of years when it has had a chance to wear. I have some trim inside the pool yet to do when the water warms.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

When applying to a pine wood decking that is 4 years old and has never been stained, does the wood have to be dry after washing it or can the 1st coat of stain be applied with the wood still wet from being washed and brightened?

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

Can a roller be used for the semi-transparent stain? If yes, what type of knap?

Bill
Bill
4 years ago

If I just stained my deck 3 and a half hours ago and looks pretty dry but I think it needs a second coat is it to late at this point ?

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