Stain and Prep on the Same Day!
This Combo Kit Contains Two 2.5 Gallon Containers (total of 5 gallons) of Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain, One Restore-A-Deck Step 1 Wood Cleaner, and One Restore-A-Deck Step 2 Wood Brightener.
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Description
Restore A Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain is an advanced, water-based, semi-transparent stain formulation designed to penetrate deep into wood pores for maximum protection and longevity. Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain protects wood from harmful UV rays and damage caused by water penetration. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is safe to use, has a low odor, and is easy to clean up with soap and water. It is ideal for all wood types including pressure-treated pine, cedar, fir, or redwood.
Recent advancements in water-based wood stain technology have allowed the active ingredients in the Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain to offer better UV protection, excellent penetration into the wood grain, the ability to apply to damp wood, all in 5 beautiful semi-transparent colors that highlight the natural wood grain.
RAD Semi-Transparent Wood and Deck Stain will increase the life, appearance, and durability of all exterior wood surfaces. With the easy to apply and maintain Eco-Safe formula, you’ll be able to finish faster and enjoy your exterior wood or deck for years.
Note: Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain can be applied to dry or damp wood.
New Wood Note: New wood is not the same as “damp” wood and needs to weather and be prepped before staining. Restore-A-Deck Stain and New Wood
Restore A Deck Stain Application Tips
- Applying RAD Stain Wet on Wet Tips
- How To Apply RAD Stain to Damp Wood
- Restore-A-Deck Stain and New Wood
- Restore-A-Deck Stain Hot Sun Application
- RAD Two-Toned Wood Decks
RAD STEP 1 WOOD DECK CLEANER DESCRIPTION
Restore-A-Deck Wood Cleaner is a powdered concentrate that is mixed with water. It safely cleans and restores the natural beauty of exterior wood. This product also cleans weathered composite lumber, removing mold, mildew, and algae along with the silver-gray color that can develop over time. Restores all wood surfaces to their original appearance Restore-A-Deck Wood Cleaner will not harm wood fibers, pets, grass, or most plants. Restore-a-Deck Step 1 Wood Cleaner is not a stain stripper or remover of old stains. Please see Restore-A-Deck Stripper if you are trying to remove a semi-transparent stain.
*This product is Step 1 Cleaner of the Restore A Deck system.
RAD STEP 2 WOOD BRIGHTENER DESCRIPTION
Restore-A-Deck Wood Brightener is a biodegradable, powdered concentrate that is mixed with water to brighten and restore the natural beauty of all species of exterior wood. This product excels at brightening, removing rust stains, and tannin stains caused by fallen leaves. Restore-A-Deck Wood Brightener is a safe, product that will not only brighten but neutralize the surface of the wood, creating an ideal surface that is ready to be stained.
*This product is step 2 Wood Brightener of the Restore A Deck system.
WHERE TO USE
Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain is intended for all wood types of weathered, exterior wood surfaces including decks, fences, siding, outdoor furniture, gazebos, and playsets. You can apply Restore-A-Deck Premium Wood Stain to hardwoods including mahogany, ipe, or other types of exotic hardwoods.
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain can be applied the same day as the prep. Make sure that all standing water has dried off the surface after prep. Typically 2-4 hours at 70º F and less than 50% humidity.
Coverage:
RAD Wood Deck Stain applies at about 100-200 feet per gallon. Actual coverage varies depending on wood porosity.
RAD STAIN ADVANTAGES
- Stain the same day as the prep!
- Utilizing the latest advancements in water-based stain technology
- Cost-effective stain and sealer for your wood
- Deep penetration into the wood grain resulting in less chance of wear and tear
- Protects wood from damaging UV oxidation and graying
- Available in 4 beautiful semi-transparent finishes – Natural, Cedar, Light Walnut, & Dark Walnut
- For use on all exterior wood types and surfaces, not just decks
- Eco-Safe
- Dries to a flat, natural-looking finish
- Water-based, easy cleanup
- Easy to reapply as needed
- Easy to remove if needed
- Does not promote mold/mildew growth
- Low VOC content, compliant with all US states and Canada
RAD CLEANER AND BRIGHTENER ADVANTAGES
- #1 Rated Wood Deck Stain Cleaner and Wood Brightener
- RAD Wood Cleaner is designed specifically for all Exterior Wood and Composite Decking
- RAD Wood Cleaner Preps new wood, weathered wood, and maintenance coats
- RAD Wood Brightener neutralizes stain strippers
- RAD Wood Brightener brightens and restores wood surfaces
- RAD Wood Brightener restore pH balance of wood
- Powdered formulas make 5 liquid gallons when mixed
- Extremely cost-effective. When mixed, the cost is less than $7 a gallon
- Eco-Safe formulas
- Safe to use on all exterior wood surfaces, not just decks
Note: Restore-A-Deck Wood Cleaner will slightly darken the wood. Use Restore-A-Deck Wood Brightener to restore all wood to its original color and as a neutralizer to further brighten other wood species that have been cleaned with Restore-A-Deck Wood Cleaner.
Coverage: 750-1000 sq.feet per container.
AVAILABLE SEMI-TRANSPARENT COLORS:
NATURAL, CEDAR, LIGHT WALNUT, DARK WALNUT, COTTAGE GRAY
WARNING: This product can expose you to Ethylene oxide, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm, and Cumene, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.
My deck is about 9 months old but I’m unsure on how to prep, I have some grease stains from the bbq, do I need to strip the stained areas? Or will the cleaner remove the stains?
Has this been stained previously, or is it bare wood? It’s hard to tell from the picture. Grease or oil stains may not come out fully with the deck cleaner or stain stripper, as the grease oil can penetrate deeply. Sanding might not remove it either. If unstained/bare wood, we would suggest using our regular deck cleaner and brightener kit and then see if it comes out fully. If not, try a spot cleaner or degreaser after to see if that helps.
Question about prep. Is it possible to use the cleaner with a pressure washer instead of a handhelp sprayer? We are doing 600 ft of fence and just trying to speed up the process
Hi,
No, the cleaner cannot be injected through a pressure washer. Pump spray it on, and then pressure wash it off.
Attaching the photos. Do I need to cleaning or stripper?
I am planning to do semi transparent stain and area is around 25×10. So what all product and tools is needed for the project.
You have a two-toned deck:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/two-toned-decks-with-restore-a-deck-wood-stains
You will need our solid stain for the railings and semi-transparent for the flooring. For prep, strip and brighten all.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit.html
You do not need to remove 100% off the railings as you would apply our solid stain over any intact stain that does not strip off.
I have a pressure-treated pine deck. It was finished in parts, so some of the wood is from July 2023, some is from February 2024. This is in Central Texas (Austin) and it’s full, west-facing sun, so a LOT of sun. Should I do one coat or two?
Also, what color would you recommend? I want to go with a lighter color because the dark brown solid stain or paint I used to have was SO HOT underfoot. The house is a light yellow with brown trim, so I was thinking either the Cedar or Light Walnut, but I am not sure if the Cedar is best reserved for actual Cedar wood.
Clean and brighten for prep and one coat of the stain for this newer wood. Either color would work great!
We have Sienna brown pressure treated wood deck, part of it is 3 years old and the other part is 2 years old. We have not done anything with it since we build it and would to refinish it. We really like your semi-transparent Cedar. It’s about 520sq feet.
Would appreciate help on what and how much I would need.
Did you add all the railings and stairs into your square footage? You will need to clean and brighten for prep but we do need a total sq footage for amount needed.
The total square footage with railings and stairs is 720square feet.
One cleaner and brightener kit should be enough prep. If you do the two coats applied wet on wet, you will need 5-7 gallons of the stain.
I have a 15 year old deck, its been more than a few years since I last stained it. I’ve already pressure washed it, and have been debating sanding… It’s as worn as you’d expect a 15 year old deck to be. But overall good condition. The fibers that were there after pressure washing have pretty much disappeared after two rains and a good sweeping. I read if you sand to not do two coats, which I am wanting to do with the 14″ brush I ordered today to give a nice good stain/level of protection.
Will be doing the Brightener/Cleaner/Dark Walnut stain.
So, no sanding?
Not if you want two coats.
Hello,
I have a new pressure treated pine deck that has been weathering for about 4 months now. The top deck is 16×16 and bottom deck 10×10. 42” inch railings and 48” wide stairs. I want to do the semi-transparent cottage grey stain.
First, do you think that will look nice or is there another semi-transparent to consider? And also, how much product do I buy to cover everything plus the exposed parts of the pillars beneath?
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated greatly!!!!
The Gray works very well. Only 1 coat for new wood. One of the 5-gallons of stain and the RAD Cleaner/Brightener Kits will be enough.
Thank you very much! Will order today!!
Hi I’m wanting to rest in my dad’s deck for the weekend as his
Fathers Day gift…
It says you do free shipping but I do not see the amount of time it takes to arrive…do you do next day shipping?
Free ground shipping only. It would not get there in time.
I used the semi transparent stain last year and only did one coat because it was a new deck. However it went on a bit splotchy and it’s a bit lighter in some areas that dried and absorbed differently.
Any tips for getting a more even finished Color when I re-coat this week? I’ve heard you can use a pump sprayer but not sure how this works. Any advice would be appreciated
Best to strip and brighten to get the surface even. When applying the stain, apply it to damp wood and use the Yellow brush that we sell:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/how-to-restore-a-deck-stain-to-damp-wood
Would overspray of cleaner or brightener on hog wire fence inserts in deck handrails and cedar siding be detrimental to these surfaces?
They should not.
Deck installed June 2022. Basically three levels culminating 1,413 sq ft railing around 80% of the decking. Pressure treated pine. Locations is southeast Missouri. Deck condition is some light to moderate silvering (mostly on the flooring.
Wanting to stain it myself for the first time ever in the next 3 weeks. Wanting to complete it all in one day. West facing side of the 1-story house so not a lot of time in the shade. Pretty anxious about the amount of work and not wanting to fail.
Liking the cedar semi-transparent. Don’t want a yellow/orange look, more brown since siding is light cream color.
How much wash/brightener and stain? Never used a sprayer before and hesitant to use due to not wanting to overspray. Best applicators? What do I use to hold the stain for the applicators?
Are 3-4 people enough to complete in one day?
Can I wash and brighten the evening before so we can get to staining early morning? .
Am I missing anything in terms of supplies?
2 Cleaner and 2 Brighteners. 10-15 gallons of the stain. Use a paint bucket or pain tray for the stain when applying. You have a lot of wood so hard to say if you can prep and stain all in one-day or not. You can prep all in one day and stain the next day if you want.
Thanks. Does the quantity of stain take into account applying 2 coats? And when applying two coats, the first coat should be somewhat wet, correct? Wouldn’t that leave foot print impressions on the first coat when applying the second coat? Or am I overthinking this?
Yes, two coats. See here: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-stain-wet-on-wet-application
It does not leave foot prints.
I did the full RAD treatment last summer, but since it was a new deck, I only applied one coat. Should I be applying to a second coat this spring? If so, what is the process?
If needed, yes. Clean and brighten for prep.
We installed a deck with sanded kiln-dried redwood last October. The lumber yard suggested we wait for 30-45 days before staining. Then it started to rain, so we couldn’t find a good time to stain it. Now it looks dirty and old. (Please see the pictures attached.)
Should I treat it as new wood or old wood? Do I still use cleaner instead of stripper and only apply one coat? Thank you.
New wood. Clean and brighten for prep and then 1 coat of the stain.
Thank you. The other question, do you sell sample stains?
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-stain-samples.html
we did the whole process on two of our decks. turned out amazing with exception for two of our steps…. what do you think went wrong? and how should we fix it?
Not sure, something with the knots in the wood there. Wait until Spring, light wash to remove any dirt, and apply a coat to the steps then.
I have a screened in porch with all new wood installed 14+ months ago. Planning to stain everything including ceiling and rafters.
1. Planning to do two coats since it has been over a year. Sound correct?
2. Should I clean and brighten the ceiling? If so, any tips on the best way to do that since cleaning the ceiling is more awkward than the deck. Should I just brush best I can and rinse?
1. Just one on ceiling and verticals, 2 light coats on floors.
2. Yes, spray on and light pressure wash rinse.
I completed a cedar deck in December of 2021, and recently bought your RAD semi transparent stain along with the cleaner and brightener. I have a couple questions:
1) do I have to wait for the wood to be a certain moisture content before staining? It’s been a very wet winter and is only just drying out now.
2) the wood has silvered a bit over the spring and I plan on giving it a thorough sanding to remove the top layer of wood. Will the wood still need the cleaner? Or should I just use the brightener and then stain?
3) should I try for one coat or two, given it is around 8 months old now?
1. Not with the RAD stains.
2. yes, clean and brighten the wood.
3. 1 coat.
More new wood tips: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
Thanks, also, would it be better to use a 40 grit sandpaper before cleaning and brightening or 60?
it seems 40 might give more porosity for the stain to absorb into…?
It would.
Sorry, one more question:
I’m currently in the process of sanding the surface of all the wood with an orbital sander and 40 grit discs.
it may take me a little while to get it all sanded since I have a big deck. How long can it sit, sanded, before applying the 3 step RAD process?
Is the sanding just to remove the mill glaze? and will I compromise the sanding prep work if I wait a couple weeks before doing the RAD process?
You can wait a few weeks to prep and stain after sanding.
Just stripped, brightened and stained our mahogany paneling (vertical). Looks great. Label indicates that for mahogany, a restaining should be done every year. Is that right or is every 2 years sufficient? What prep should be done when the time comes – if we are using the same stain? Thanks
Vertical wood should last 2-3 years on a hardwood like Mahogany. Clean and brighten for prep.
Are these products safe to use near water. I have a lakefront deck I would like to restore but I don’t want it to impact the lake ecology.
Yes.
Is there an issue with applying the cleaner / brightener one day, then waiting some time to apply the RAD semi-transparent stain approximately a week later?
No.
we have a 950 sq foot deck, how much product do we need?
There is a calculator to the right side of this page on desktop or at the bottom on mobile. Please enter dimensions there to get the amount needed.
Ooh I’m doing a very neglected dry deck in Arizona. Should I get booster/thickener at all?
Only if you are stripping.
Can you apply Light Walnut semi over Dark Walnut semi w/o creating issues?
There would be no point in doing this but you can after proper prep.
We finished a pine deck late spring/early summer and we are in south/central Texas, just south east of San Antonio. Can we wait till spring to clean and stain the deck? Or would it be better to do it now? The deck is in full sun, so should we also just start with one coat or apply two? Of course our summers are brutal at 95 to 100+ degrees.
You can do it now or in Spring. Up to you. One coat if done now. 2 coats if the deck is a year old.
Hi, I have a 12 year old deck with galvanized deck screws with an extra protective coat. I power washed, sanded, used the RAD cleaner and brightener. The deck looked brand new! I have built in bench seating and planters. So I started staining those before the flooring within days of brightening. In the process, I noticed dark gray, almost black, around all the nails on mostly the deck flooring. After research, I learned it was rust from the screws. I decided to remove the screws and replaced with new ones. I initially thought I had either sanded over the nails and they lost their protective cost or they were old and lost the coat. Well, some of the screws had been previously replaced and were next to new with no rust on them and the were screwed into the wood enough to get sanded. A deck builder suggested it could be the chemicals in the brightener interaction with the screws. With that, could there be a chemical reaction with the cleaner and/or brightener that could be causing this with the screws? Thanks for any advice.
No, it is not possible for the prep products to harm or remove the protective galvanized coating. The rust only happens when the coating is removed by sanding, aging, or using a non-galvanized screw, etc.
We have a mixed wood second-story deck with stairs in the Pacific Northwest that’s 5-6 years old on a new to us house. The Deck and railings are one type of wood that looks weathered and gray, the stairs a 2nd (looks like hardwood with red tinges after pressure washing), and the support posts a 3rd (possibly ipa) would this work for all 3? We’ve pressure washed all the “clear” stain the previous owners applied off.
Yes the RAD stain will work on all wood types.
I will be staining my deck which is new pressure treated lumber installed 4 months ago and also a pavilion which is pressure treated lumber, standard lumber and the columns are a laminate southern pine.
Can I use the same process clean, brighten and stain on all types of wood?
Yes, just one coat for new wood.
Will the natural semi-transparent stain prevent the wood from greying? Will it do it a well as the other colors? The coverage is listed as 100-200 sq ft per gallon, for two coats. Does this mean one coat covers 200 to 300 sq ft?
The natural is tinted so it will prevent UV fading. It lasts the same as the other colors. Coverage is 100-200 sq feet per gallon per coat. Not two coats.
Would you recommend 1 or 2 coats of stain on a new cedar deck that was installed 11 months ago?
One coat after prep.
To mix the stain can I just shake the container?
Yes.
I am planning to apply a semi-transparent stain on my my currently-painted deck. I plan on power washing and sanding off the paint, but do you recommend using the cleaner, stripper, and brightener after removing the paint before staining?
Sand 100% and then clean and brighten for final prep.
Hello – I recently power sanded off Behr DeckOver that the previous owner of my home used. It was flaking badly. I used a drum sander and Diamabrush coating removal tool to get it off. Do I need to let the deck weather for 3 months before Cleaning, Brightening, and Staining with your products?
Wait a month or two and then prep and stain.
how much is shipping to ontario please and does customs charge duty when the product gets to canada?thanks
Please add products to cart and then enter your full shipping address for the entire costs. All costs will be included at cart.
We have a new third growth redwood deck (installed Sept 2020). Your new deck guide doesn’t mention sanding – are there any advantages to sanding, or is it more trouble than it’s worth? If you do recommend sanding, do when do I do it – after cleaning or brightening? Thanks in advance.
Sanding is not suggested unless needed as it can create issues.
Got it. And what would be a situation in which it would be needed? And what are the potential issues it can create?
To smooth splinters or excessive furring from oxidation removal. Sanding closes the pores of the grain, reducing the stain’s ability to soak in.
Happy with the results. Cleaned and brightened and applied the first coat all in one day. Ended up going in second day with second coat for evenness of tone.
Howling is shipping to Canada
Depends on where in Canada.
Ontario
3-4 business days.
Can I use a colored stain on a redwood deck?
Yes.
I am staining a dock that is on a fresh water lake. Is the cleaner and brightener and stainl all environmentally safe to use over water?
Yes.
We removed a stain using the stripper, brightened and then applied stain. We did a coat of your stain but it has dramatically faded in less than a year. We do have extremely hot summers in Oklahoma and this deck gets full sun almost all day. So will we have to clean and brighten again before staining, even though it hasn’t been a year?
If in full sun and you applied only 1 coat to a very dried out deck then yes, you may need to apply a very light maintenance coat this year. Clean off any dirt and grim first and then apply one light coat to the horizontals.
First picture posted shows the floor after cleaning/brightening, and this is the completed deck
Here’s the first picture, partially complete
We used this kit with the dark walnut. It turned out GORGEOUS!!!!!!
We are going to replace some damaged slabs of wood with new wood. Contractor is going to sand the deck afterwards. I presume we will then have to use cleaner and brightener to condition the deck. Read somewhere that only one coat should be applied if the surface has been power sanded. Is this correct?
See here about new wood: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
Sanding will not speed up the process of natural weathering. Only one coat to sanded wood.
The contractor is sanding to remove old stain so we can start with an even surface for all slabs, those that are replaced and those that are not. Would the steps after sanding be:
1. Clean the new surface that has been just sanded
2. Brighten the surface
3. Apply only a single coat of stain
Is this correct? Or do you have a different recommendation?
After weathering for 3+ months for new wood, clean and brighten the wood for prep and then apply one coat.
Does the “Natural” semi-transparent stain still have UV protection? Looking for something for sanded redwood deck that will show the nice colors and keep from turning grey!
Yes, it does.
Is the stain and RAD cleaner/brightener zinc oxide and low VOC?
There is no zinc oxide in the prep products and they are Eco-Safe. The stain is low VOC.
Can the stain be applied using a hand held airless sprayer?
Yes, that should work.
Great product! Cleaned and brightened and stained in 6 hours. You’ve got a lifetime customer.
Looks Great! Do not forget to enter our contest: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-prep-and-stain-contest-2020.html
Which color is this? Thx
Ditto. Lots of rain in our mts. We can’t wait for deck to dry 2 days for oil base product as rarely have clear weather that long, plus time to cure 24 hrs. This breathable deck stain prevents mold and mildew better than oil based products, holds color better over time, can clean and apply on same day. Superior customer service. Done. You Have another lifetime customer.
(Hey everyone, prepping your deck is serious work. Do not make shortcuts. The wood has to be clean! The RAD cleaner and brightener made my 12 year old sun damaged SYP fence look brand new using a pressure washer. Don’t apply stain until you do your due diligence to get there.)
What color stain is this?
Do I need to clean and brighten new wood for a fence before staining? Do I need to let the Wood age before staining? I need to stain it before I can build the fence because we are doing a basket weave fence instead of traditional fence and need to protect all sides of the wood. Do you think I’ll be okay with not letting the Wood age first?
See here: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
You said that this can all be done in a day. I cleaned and brightened my deck yesterday only to find out on the brightening package that you must wait 48 hours before staining. Is this not the case? This has ruined my plans because of weather.
That is only when using a different brand of stain. You can use the RAD stain the same day as prep.
when you say the stain covers 100-200 sq feet per gallon is that with the 2 coat suggested on old wood?
I have 600 sq ft , should I expect 5gal in the cleaner, brightener and stain kit get me close to 2 coats.
You will need 5-7 gallons for two coats and 600 sq feet.
Which stain do you think would go best with our siding and roof? I was thinking light walnut. I don’t want something really yellow or orange. I’m going more for a rich light brown maybe with some reddish? I just want to do what is going to look the best though. I really like the look of natural wood until it starts graying. We also have a dark brown deck in the back.
Yes, the Light Walnut is a reddish-brown color. We also have samples for testing: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-stain-samples.html
If I use this, must it be stripped before restaining in future years? Or can you simply recoat over the existing stain?
Clean and recoat as neede.
If I order now can this be rushed/overnighted? If so what is the cost
You would have to call us for a quote.
Hi. Will the cleaner, brightener, or stain affect the PVC railing on my deck or do I need to mask? Thanks.
The cleaner and brightener should have no effect but do not get the stain on it.