Restore-A-Deck Brightener Only

Hi, I'm build a covered porch using 6x6 and 6x9 cedar posts and beams. I had the cedar milled locally last summer 2014. I lightly sanded it before building. It still looks clean and new. Do I really need to use the cleaner or can I just use the brightener before I apply my stain? Thanks.

mldriscoll:

Does the brightener need to be rinsed off?

Most do rinse but it does not have to.

Does the brightener need to be rinsed off?

mldriscoll:

I have both stained and unstained boards on my deck. I just cleaned the unstained boards and that went well. My question is can I wait to apply the brightener after I have stripped the stained boards? Also, what is the maximum amount of time I have to apply the brightener? I seem to remember someone saying 2 weeks was the max, but I'm not sure. The weather looks like it will be bad all week so I probably will not be able to strip it for a week or two. Can the boards that I just cleaned wait that long to be brightened?? Thanks!

You want to brighten as soon as possible after you are done stripping or cleaning, not wait weeks.

I have both stained and unstained boards on my deck. I just cleaned the unstained boards and that went well. My question is can I wait to apply the brightener after I have stripped the stained boards? Also, what is the maximum amount of time I have to apply the brightener? I seem to remember someone saying 2 weeks was the max, but I'm not sure. The weather looks like it will be bad all week so I probably will not be able to strip it for a week or two. Can the boards that I just cleaned wait that long to be brightened?? Thanks!

Jeff T"]A follow-up question:

After using the cleaner and brightener, the 4x4 posts for the rails (and the one 6x6 deck post I had replaced) now have a near-uniform green tint compared to the rest of the deck, which is very nice-looking clean wood. Previously, these posts had brighter green streaks in them. Is there anything that can be done about this, or do I just make do with the green tint? I have 5 gallons of amber semi-transparent arriving today regardless.

Thanks,

-Jeff


[quote name="TheSealerStore"][quote name="Jeff T:

I have a pressure-treated pine deck that had everything but the posts and joists redone last October - it is essentially a 2nd story deck coming off the back of a single story ranch with basement on a slope, 12 x 16 feet with stairs coming down the long side. ...[/quote]
You do not have to wash off the brightener.[/quote]

That is the wood itself and not much you can do about it.

A follow-up question:

After using the cleaner and brightener, the 4x4 posts for the rails (and the one 6x6 deck post I had replaced) now have a near-uniform green tint compared to the rest of the deck, which is very nice-looking clean wood. Previously, these posts had brighter green streaks in them. Is there anything that can be done about this, or do I just make do with the green tint? I have 5 gallons of amber semi-transparent arriving today regardless.

Thanks,

-Jeff


TheSealerStore"][quote name="Jeff T:

I have a pressure-treated pine deck that had everything but the posts and joists redone last October - it is essentially a 2nd story deck coming off the back of a single story ranch with basement on a slope, 12 x 16 feet with stairs coming down the long side. ...[/quote]
You do not have to wash off the brightener.

Jeff T:

I have a pressure-treated pine deck that had everything but the posts and joists redone last October - it is essentially a 2nd story deck coming off the back of a single story ranch with basement on a slope, 12 x 16 feet with stairs coming down the long side. I was able to do the cleaner step yesterday (power washed the posts and rails, scrubbed the decking) and washed it off until I couldn't see suds.

Today, I applied the brightener - and then ran out of daylight after work. As you can imagine the older framework remains darker than the new decking and rails, but not gray (darker brown).

Reviewing the posts here, it seems that washing the brightener off is not necessary. Is that true? I will be using Armstrong-Clark oil-based, semi-transparent (amber tone).

Thanks for a great product and informative website,

-Jeff

You do not have to wash off the brightener.

I have a pressure-treated pine deck that had everything but the posts and joists redone last October - it is essentially a 2nd story deck coming off the back of a single story ranch with basement on a slope, 12 x 16 feet with stairs coming down the long side. I was able to do the cleaner step yesterday (power washed the posts and rails, scrubbed the decking) and washed it off until I couldn't see suds.

Today, I applied the brightener - and then ran out of daylight after work. As you can imagine the older framework remains darker than the new decking and rails, but not gray (darker brown).

Reviewing the posts here, it seems that washing the brightener off is not necessary. Is that true? I will be using Armstrong-Clark oil-based, semi-transparent (amber tone).

Thanks for a great product and informative website,

-Jeff

sue:

I have a cedar deck which according to the calculator has a surface 880 sq ft. The estimate is 2 "jars" of RAD stripper and 2 jars of RAD brightener, AND 9 gallons of TWP stain.

A few questions:
1. According to your website, one 2 lbs "jar" of stripper is enough for 10 Gallons that should cover about 2,000 sq ft (100-300 sq ft/gallon). Why does the calculator assume 2 jars for 880 sq ft? Why is the range (100-300 sq ft/gallon) so 'wide", what amount should one use?

2. The estimate states that "Material requirements may vary according to application method, surface condition and weather conditions". How should one translate this, what could be the impact of these variables. Please give some examples.

3. The estimate states: "9 gallon(s) of TWP Wood Deck Stain (assuming 2 coats wet on wet use 2/3 amount for 1 coat)". What does the comment in parenthesis mean? I am sorry, I do not understand it, please explain.

Thanks.

1. Each Jar covers between 500-1000 sq feet. It is not exact.
2. Older wood take more stain than newer wood, If you spray the stain you will waste some and need more, certain wood types take stain differently, etc
3. If you apply only one coat you would need only 6 gallons compare two 9 for 2 coats.

sue:

I have a 6 yr. old 300 sq ft stained cedar deck that I am preparing to strip/brighten/stain. I live in Oegon where it rains a lot but the deck is mostly under cover. Is there a recommended periodic maintenance "procedure" that will extend the life of the stain? If so, is it described someplace on your website? Should we apply another coat of stain a year from now on top of the 1 yr old coat? How many coats of stain should we apply now after stripping and brightening? Thanks.

Depends on the stain brand you are choosing as to the amount of coats needed and reapplication for maintenance.

I have a cedar deck which according to the calculator has a surface 880 sq ft. The estimate is 2 "jars" of RAD stripper and 2 jars of RAD brightener, AND 9 gallons of TWP stain.

A few questions:
1. According to your website, one 2 lbs "jar" of stripper is enough for 10 Gallons that should cover about 2,000 sq ft (100-300 sq ft/gallon). Why does the calculator assume 2 jars for 880 sq ft? Why is the range (100-300 sq ft/gallon) so 'wide", what amount should one use?

2. The estimate states that "Material requirements may vary according to application method, surface condition and weather conditions". How should one translate this, what could be the impact of these variables. Please give some examples.

3. The estimate states: "9 gallon(s) of TWP Wood Deck Stain (assuming 2 coats wet on wet use 2/3 amount for 1 coat)". What does the comment in parenthesis mean? I am sorry, I do not understand it, please explain.

Thanks.

I have a 6 yr. old 300 sq ft stained cedar deck that I am preparing to strip/brighten/stain. I live in Oegon where it rains a lot but the deck is mostly under cover. Is there a recommended periodic maintenance "procedure" that will extend the life of the stain? If so, is it described someplace on your website? Should we apply another coat of stain a year from now on top of the 1 yr old coat? How many coats of stain should we apply now after stripping and brightening? Thanks.

Eric S:

My deck looks exactly like this at the moment.

Is heavy powerwashing neccesary to get the brightener out of the wood? Rain or a garden hose would leave the black spots the next day. Leaving the brightener on without rinsing looked fine until it got wet again.

The brightener is fixing the rust that is there now but as soon as it rains the screws are rusting again. The issue is the screws. They are rusting and ever time it rains it will get black again. Not much you can do except maybe replace all screws.

My deck looks exactly like this at the moment.

Is heavy powerwashing neccesary to get the brightener out of the wood? Rain or a garden hose would leave the black spots the next day. Leaving the brightener on without rinsing looked fine until it got wet again.

The water based stain was Defy on a pergola structure.

The floor is still to be stained.
I plan to use Armstrong Clark for the deck floor. I've tried to fix the dark spots around screws 2-3 times with different brightener concentrations and leaving it on without rinsing. It would look great the next day. But we are having terrible rainy weather with off and on rain every other day. If it rained or got wet afterwards the spots seemed to get darker than before. Is the brightener reacting to the screws or rust in a negative way? Will the dark spots return even if I am able stain after brightening but before a heavy rain?

Eric S"][quote name="TheSealerStore:

Yes and leave it on the wood without rinsing.[/quote]

I removed dark spots around screws by using this method. When dry the wood looked amazing and the black spots were gone. However when I went to stain over this the stain turned into more of a paste as it absorbed dried brightener. It smeared rather than penetrated. The stain was a water-based semi-transparent. An oil based stain may soak right through an be unaffected by the dried on brightener.

There is no issue doing this with an oil based stain.

TheSealerStore:

Yes and leave it on the wood without rinsing.

I removed dark spots around screws by using this method. When dry the wood looked amazing and the black spots were gone. However when I went to stain over this the stain turned into more of a paste as it absorbed dried brightener. It smeared rather than penetrated. The stain was a water-based semi-transparent. An oil based stain may soak right through an be unaffected by the dried on brightener.

Jimmy Robertson:

I stripped my deck with Restore-a-Deck stripper and then used the brightener afterward, but I forgot to rinse off the brightener. I haven't started staining. Can I rinse now, or do I need to re-apply the brightener and rinse? Thanks.

You will be fine without rinsing.

I stripped my deck with Restore-a-Deck stripper and then used the brightener afterward, but I forgot to rinse off the brightener. I haven't started staining. Can I rinse now, or do I need to re-apply the brightener and rinse? Thanks.

David Vittorio:

I used the restore a deck stripper and brightner. The wood has become very dark. Should I brighten again and will the wood become more natural (Pressure treated)
Thanks,
David

Yes and leave it on the wood without rinsing.

I used the restore a deck stripper and brightner. The wood has become very dark. Should I brighten again and will the wood become more natural (Pressure treated)
Thanks,
David

You apply the brightener as soon as you are done with the stripping, while wood is still wet. Hard to say if the deck will get dirty or not. Be careful with pets until everything is dry after the prepping. Wait a day or so.

I have purchased the stripper and brightener and plan on doing the deck over spring break. Do you recommend stripper and brightener in the same day? Can I wait a week or so to apply the new stain which is Behr deck over or will the deck get dirty again. How is this stripper with pets? I have rock and stone under the deck with the water delute the product so it is safer for my pet.

Cheryl, I would rewet it all and brighten everything at once.

Stripping the balusters fully is taking quite awhile and I have a lot of them. By the time I finish stripping everything, it will be several days since I stripped the original section. Do I need to rewet all of the surfaces before I use the brightener? Do I need to try and keep things wet from stripping to brightening.

Matthew, the "fuzzies" typically do not show when stained. If you cannot see them when wet with water than you most likely will not see then when stained. Not sure if the mold will stay permanently. I doubt that it will.

I just finished up with the cleaner and brightener and wow what difference!! But I've got a few questions...

The mildew that I didn't remove (tough to get it ALL) can it be removed with next years cleaning or will it be sealed away and locked up forever when I apply the TWP?

When I power washed everything I developed the "fuzzies". They don't really bother me that much if they won't be a problem and wear away after time, or should I sand them down? If sanded do I have to re-rinse the deck and wait 48 before sealing it, or lightly sand after stain application?

Just proceed when you can.

I completed cleaning the deck, but before I could apply the brightener a storm started coming through town. So now there is a 2-day (wet) gap before I can apply the brightener. Is there any additional step I should take first, or just proceed as soon as the weather dries?

Thank you,
Nadia