Restore A Deck LogoSee independent customer how-to videos for the Restore-A-Deck Wood Prepping and Stain Products. All videos have been made in the field without any compensation from Restore-A-Deck, by actual consumers.

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How to Prepare A Deck for Staining with Restore-A-Deck Products

Products Used

  • Restore-A-Deck Cleaner
  • Restore-A-Deck Brightener

How to restore a 30-year-old deck with Restore-A-Deck Products

Products Used

  • Restore-A-Deck Stripper
  • Restore-A-Deck Booster Additive for Stripper
  • Restore-A-Deck Brightener
  • Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain

How to prep and apply a maintenance coat of stain with Restore-A-Deck Products

Products Used

  • Restore-A-Deck Cleaner
  • Restore-A-Deck Brightener

How to clean and stain Decks and Retaining Wall In One Day with Restore-A-Deck Products

Products Used

  • Restore-A-Deck Stripper
  • Restore-A-Deck Brightener
  • Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain

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    Kelly Caudill · 09/10/2021
    I just applied the deck cleaner to my deck which about 2 years old, never stained. It now looks fuzzy and didn’t seem to get all the mildew looking stuff off. I sprayed an area then took a broom to try to scrub. I then rinsed with power washer. What else do I need to do? Don’t want to neutralize yet as I don’t feel it got clean enough!! 
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      RAD Products · 09/11/2021
      Reapply the cleaner and then pressure wash off, not just rinse. Brightener after.
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        Kelly Caudill · 09/11/2021
        So yesterday I ended up going to get a deck scrub brush. Once I wet down the deck again I was able to scrub a lot of oxidation off. I did power wash after to rinse the product off. I went ahead with the brightener and rinsed as directed. Today I’m just not sure if I got enough oxidation off or do I need to repeat these processes again? There is some white still on the boards but also the fuzzies. Are these boards sufficient to start to stain? 
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    Obed Juarez · 09/10/2021
    Here is another pic
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    Obed Juarez · 09/10/2021
    My covered deck is 9 Feet off the ground and serves as a porch from the underside. Do i need to stain the underside? Deck is 10x24 Never been stain or sealed Its about 10 month old How much product do i need?  Transparent is what i think in using.Please advise.Thank you.
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      RAD Products · 09/10/2021
      No need to stain undersides unless you want to for appearance only.
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    Obed Juarez · 09/03/2021
    I have an year old cedar deck that has black spindles 1inch wide  x 1/4inch thick attached to my cedar rails. Do i need to remove or protect them during the cleaning, brightening or staining with the semi-transparent process?  
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      RAD Products · 09/03/2021
      You should be fine with the prep. Do not get the stain on them. 
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    JBR · 09/03/2021
    We have a new-wood deck-zilla with 450 deck railing spindles.We have to stain it ourselves because no local contractors are familiar with RAD products.
    1. Can I use a paint/stain mitt to apply RAD semi-transparent stain to deck railing spindles? 2. Can I use a mitt to apply cleaner and brightener to spindles?3. Can I use a mitt to rinse off the brightener from spindles?If not, what’s best to use?3. I don’t have a power washer. Can I use a strong spray from a regular water hose?Thank you.
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      RAD Products · 09/03/2021
      Yes on stain no on prep products. Use a sprayer and then pressure wash off. You need a pressure washer for best results. 
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    JBR · 09/02/2021
    We have a rebuilt deck of PTP. The railings have a lot of wood components: verticals and cross pieces. What would be the best tools and procedure to use for the cleaning, brightening and RAD semi-transparent staining?
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    Edward Vargas · 08/30/2021
    Finally getting a break in the weather and ready to do the 3 step process. The deck wood is 12 months old and has never been stained. It is graying a bit and is exposed to hot sun. Should I still apply only one coat? Secondly, do you recommend applying the semi transparent stain with the wood damp or dry? Does it really matter? Is one better than the other? 
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    Carolyn Cassel · 08/28/2021
    An unexpected rain fell on my deck about 6 hours after applying the second coat. This morning it had areas of white liquid. I swept off the extra water and the white areas smoothed out. What do I need to do next?
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      RAD Products · 08/28/2021
      Let it dry out for a few days and it should go away.
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    Bruce · 08/26/2021
    After applying semi transparent stain with a sprayer does it need to be brushed or sponged in to be effective
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      RAD Products · 08/27/2021
      Yes, to ensure it applies evenly and dries correctly.
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    Judy · 08/14/2021
    I have stripper, brightener, booster and thickening agent left over from two years ago when I only did the base of my 200 sq. foot deck.  Is it still good to use when I re-stain my entire deck this year?  I don't see an expiration date.  Thanks.   
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    Nick Damaskos · 08/09/2021
    I had recently a cedar board fence installed I was interested in applying a clear sealer using your Restore-A-Deck finish however I would like to know if your product when applied turns yellow when applied?  
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      RAD Products · 08/10/2021
      We do not offer a clear sealer and a clear sealer will not provide any UV protection from graying. It must be tinted for UV protection and that means the color will be enhanced based on the color chosen.
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    Bo · 08/09/2021
    I have a 15 month old unopened container of Light Walnut that I plan to use this week.I am an 85 year old curmudgeon and hardly a weightlifter so…..My plan to mix it is to set it on the counter and slide it vigorously back and forth, sloshing the contents and rotating the container occasionally. How long should I slosh to ensure thorough mixing?
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    Bruce · 08/08/2021
    I have a deck of pressure treated pine. Last year I machine sanded it, cleaned, brighten and semi-transparent stained it. Would it help to hand sand it this year when I re-stain it so that it will absorb the stain better?
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    Bo · 08/06/2021
    This may be a nit picky question, but it has been a struggle so far and I do not want to make any mistakes. Is a 1600 psi pressure washer OK to use with the Stripper? I know that the directions specify using 1500 psi.
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    Bo · 08/05/2021
    Important addendum:
    The power washer that I used was borrowed and quite strong. However, it came with a nozzle with several settings. The setting I used was delicate. I think that using such a powerful washer was a mistake, even with the special nozzle. It appears that the pressure washer stripped away the layer of old stain in multiple places. 
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      RAD Products · 08/05/2021
      Using the stripper while pressure washing and then Brightener is the way to fix this and get the new stain and wood to be even when all done. 
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        Bo · 08/05/2021
        After stripping and brightening......can I apply two coats of stain? I am using Light Walnut
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    Roy · 07/29/2021
    I purchased solid stain from your company what type of brush to use on a deck about 1400sqft - is clean up water.- also drying time before you can walk on stain 
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      RAD Products · 07/29/2021
      Any quality brush and roller will work with the solid stain. Clean up is water. 4-6 hours drying to walk on it. 
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    Mjv · 07/26/2021
    Is it possible to over prep? I have physically scraped the dried sap from my untreated but 2.5 year old deck. I think I want to clean the clean the deck before sanding so I don’t gunk up the sander as much…and then can I clean it again before brightening? Not sure why I’m so nervous to do this. Haha.
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      RAD Products · 07/27/2021
      You cannot over prep but you can sand unevenly or over-sand resulting in an uneven application if that happens.
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    Robby · 07/15/2021
    is RAD solid stain recommended to be used on composite wood (Trex)?
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      RAD Products · 07/16/2021
      If a true composite, it should be fine. Some Trex decks are 100% plastic and not coatings will work on those.
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    Mike · 07/10/2021
    How long does it take for shipping 
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      RAD Products · 07/11/2021
      Depends on where you live but 2-5 days is normal.
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    Doug Bing · 07/04/2021
    I have a deck with a pergola over half of it. All was stained over 5 yrs ago (probably closer to 7-8 yrs!) and is in great need of restoring. I was planning on pressure washing, then using your cleaner and brightener before applying 2 coats of solid stain. Once I complete the pressure washing, how soon should the cleaner and brightener be added? Can cleaner and brightener be applied in the same day? Once they are applied, how much time do I wait before adding the stain? Example: I can pressure wash in a day. Then apply cleaner and brightener during one day? Then, do I wait a day or so before adding stain? Obviously weather plays a factor in all this.Thanks for your help!!
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      RAD Products · 07/11/2021
      Sorry, we did not see your question until now. You pressure wash while using the cleaner, rinse, then apply the brightener all on the same day. You can stain the same day as prep or stain the next day.
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    Steve Olson · 06/30/2021
    So just got done with the stripping, brightening, and staining process.  Cedar deck and used semi-transparent stain. We did it in two days due to time constraints.  Stripped and brightened yesterday and stained today.  
    I am no pro so any issues are operator error but for the most part went as advertised. Tonight looking at the deck we see spots we were light on the stain.  Still time tomorrow to do touch up or start whole process over?  
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      RAD Products · 07/01/2021
      You cannot spot apply, it will not blend. You would have to start over.
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    William Price · 06/30/2021
    Which colour of Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent stain would best match brown (Sienna MicroPro) pressure-treated lumber?
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    Steve Olszowy · 06/28/2021
    Hi, I have read so many of these replies from RAD but am still confused... I am going to use your solid stain on a previously stained porch. I believe they might have used a semi solid. We bought the house 9 years ago and do not know what brand they used. They did the deck and railings. Half of the porch is covered so the stain is still good. The other half is weathered  with a lot of stain fading or removed. Do I have to use your stripper as well as cleaner and brightener and in what order? Also I would like to use a sprayer for the solid stain. What type or brand of sprayer do you recommend? Thank you for your help!!! We are planning to do this in 2 weeks. How long does it take for ordered items to be delivered?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 06/28/2021
      Strip all and then brighten. The only way to apply the solid stain with a sprayer is with an airless paint sprayer. Shipping time depends on where you live.
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    Steve Olson · 06/24/2021
    Should have also mentioned I have stripped and brightened. My mistake was not getting the gel. I have some stubborn spots on my cedar deck and have ordered more stripper, booster, brightener and the gel.  My question is can I spot treat the stubborn spots or is it best to do whole deck again?
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      RAD Products · 06/24/2021
      You can spot strip but you will need to brighten all to even it out.
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    Steve Olson · 06/23/2021
    I have a cedar deck that stands 6 feet off the ground.  It has been stained before and I will be stripping and brightening before staining. Is it recommended to do the bottom side of floor boards and headers if possible?
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    Richard Dew · 06/21/2021
    I want to refinish my 2-year old deck. Cabot Australian Timber oil was used when the deck was built. It has not performed well especially in areas that get a lot of sun. My painting contractor recommends removing the previous finish by sanding rather than using a stripper and brightner. Is there a problem using sanding as preparation for your stain?
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      RAD Products · 06/21/2021
      Sanding will reduce the stain's ability to soak into the grain. If you sand, do not sand any finer than 60-80 grit and when done, use the RAD Cleaner and Brightener to open up the wood grain as the last prep. Only one coat of stain to sanded wood.
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    lcj · 06/19/2021
    Hello,..please see the image I posted of a portion of my deck.  Can you please suggest the products I should use? thank you !
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    Jody B · 06/09/2021
    If I have already used a cleaner and power washer, do I still need to do the cleaner or stripper and brightener before staining?
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      RAD Products · 06/10/2021
      Depends on the condition. Post a picture of your prep.
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        Jody B · 06/12/2021
        A few areas are protected from the sun so the boards look better there.
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          RAD Products · 06/12/2021
          You still have old stain on the wood. You need to remove it if it is not RAD Stains. Use the RAD Stripper and then the Brightener.
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            Jody B · 06/12/2021
            Thanks.... expect my order soon!
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    Joe · 06/04/2021
    would like to clean up and restore the color to these cedar shingles. start with restore -a-deck cleaner and then the brightener ? do i need to cover any plants or lawn when using it ?
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      RAD Products · 06/04/2021
      Use the Cleaner and then the Brightener. Cover plants or prep and rinse well when done. 
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    Tracy · 06/02/2021
    We purchased a home in Northern Michigan last year.  The deck was finished with Cabot Acrylic Solid Color Acrylic Deck stain.  I have worked really hard at scraping and power washing and have only gotten about 40% of the deck stain removed from one portion of the deck.  The deck is HUGE!  I have never refinished a deck before and I need some advise.  I thought that I could use a semi transparent stain which would somewhat soak into the wood, but I don’t think I can get all of this deck stain off and semi transparent would show the solid color underneath.  What is your advise on how to prep this and what to use to refinish it?  Thank you!