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Restore-a-deck.com

Best Deck Cleaners for Restoring Wood

by The Sealer Store

Before staining a wood deck it must first be cleaned properly to ensure lasting results. Wood and deck cleaners are designed to clean wood and prepare the surface prior to stain application. The purpose of a deck cleaner is to remove contaminants such as dirt, grime, graying, mold, mildew, and algae. In some instances, a very faded old stain can be removed as well using a wood cleaner.

There are many different types of exterior wood cleaners to choose from. Typically, deck cleaners aid in the scrubbing or power washing of the wood during the cleaning process. Most deck cleaners consist of caustic soaps that raise the pH level of the wood leaving it in need of a deck brightening application that will neutralize the cleaner by lowering the pH level and brightening the wood.

Some of the best deck cleaners on the market today are the oxygenated deck cleaners. They consist of an active ingredient known as Sodium Percarbonate. This is an EPA registered ingredient for removing mold and mildew. Sodium Percarbonate blended with other power boosting detergents make up one of the best deck cleaners available for cleaning exterior wood prior to staining.

Restore-A-Deck comes in the form of a concentrated powder that mixes with water for effectively cleaning exterior wood. It can be applied with a pump up sprayer or scrub brush then rinsed off or power washed. The concentrated powder formula also results in a smaller, less expensive container.

Restore-A-Deck oxygenated deck cleaners are professionally tested and used by most deck cleaning contractors. Many professionals report excellent cleaning results over the older bleach based deck cleaners. Bleach cleaners have been proven to actually damage the wood fibers and jeopardize a deck’s structural durability.

After much investigating, the research reveals it is hard to beat the power, convenience, price, and overall effectiveness of the oxygenated deck cleaners. Restore-A-Deck deck cleaners make the prep process easier overall and give you professional like results.

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RAD Products
Admin
6 years ago

[quote name=”MelissaH”]Can I use RAD on Teak outdoor furniture?[/quote]
Yes, you can.

MelissaH
MelissaH
6 years ago

Can I use RAD on Teak outdoor furniture?

RAD Products
Admin
6 years ago

[quote name=”kbrick10″]I just ordered my Restore-A-Deck kits to clean and brighten my deck,
My question: Do you apply the cleaner to wet or dry wood? The instructions on the website are not specific, thanks[/quote]
Damp wood is best

Avatar photo
6 years ago

I just ordered my Restore-A-Deck kits to clean and brighten my deck,
My question: Do you apply the cleaner to wet or dry wood? The instructions on the website are not specific, thanks

RAD Products
Admin
8 years ago

[quote name=”Jon Carroll GC”]I have approximately 1800 sq ft of 2″ x 6″ incense Cedar decking and it is all under a covered porch roofing system . the edges get the rain and after 3 years are turning a little grey. I want to either due one of the following
1) Clean grey areas only as other parts look brand new
2)Clean all portions of decking and apply a TWP or wood Rich CLEAR-Transparent stain to this decking.
What do you recommend? I have researched TWP and they are a good product, (1500), BUT i recently called there number off their website and it is disconnected. Are they out of business?
Again, the decking and rails are made of incense cedar and I have already tried bleached based cleaners and they just do not work. I am excited about your product so please advise on the preceding and thank you..Jon Carroll, California Contractor[/quote]
You would want to clean and prep all. You cannot spot clean. TWP is a great stain and would work well. Clear with not tint though means it will not provide UV protection from graying. We tested the TWP phone number and it works fine. What number did you dial? Maybe dialed wrong?

Jon Carroll GC
Jon Carroll GC
8 years ago

I have approximately 1800 sq ft of 2″ x 6″ incense Cedar decking and it is all under a covered porch roofing system . the edges get the rain and after 3 years are turning a little grey. I want to either due one of the following
1) Clean grey areas only as other parts look brand new
2)Clean all portions of decking and apply a TWP or wood Rich CLEAR-Transparent stain to this decking.
What do you recommend? I have researched TWP and they are a good product, (1500), BUT i recently called there number off their website and it is disconnected. Are they out of business?
Again, the decking and rails are made of incense cedar and I have already tried bleached based cleaners and they just do not work. I am excited about your product so please advise on the preceding and thank you..Jon Carroll, California Contractor

RAD Products
Admin
8 years ago

[quote name=”Jeff Wallach”]Hi,
I have a deck that has semi clear Cabots Austrian Timber oil on parts of it that are somewhat protected by an overhang. It was last stained about 5 years ago. Can I clean and remove the remaining stain with the cleaner or do I need a stripper.
Thanks[/quote]
You will need the stripper followed by the wood brightener to remove the Cabot.

Jeff Wallach
Jeff Wallach
8 years ago

Hi,
I have a deck that has semi clear Cabots Austrian Timber oil on parts of it that are somewhat protected by an overhang. It was last stained about 5 years ago. Can I clean and remove the remaining stain with the cleaner or do I need a stripper.
Thanks

RAD Products
Admin
8 years ago

[quote name=”Jeff”]Help! I am finalizing the prep on 6 mos old rough sawn cedar and have run out of Step 2, leaving a small area only prepped with Step 1. I will order more of the two Steps, but because of work/weather, I really need to get the stain done tomorrow. Can I use anything else to as an alternative to Step 2? there are no dealers within 250 miles and the holiday precludes use of mail/shipping in a timely manner. How will the lack of Step 2 affect the performance of using redwood Woodrich timber oil? Will the obvious color difference show up after the stain is applied?[/quote]
The wood will be slightly darker in the area where the brightener was not applied. No difference in performance of the oil.

Avatar photo
8 years ago

Help! I am finalizing the prep on 6 mos old rough sawn cedar and have run out of Step 2, leaving a small area only prepped with Step 1. I will order more of the two Steps, but because of work/weather, I really need to get the stain done tomorrow. Can I use anything else to as an alternative to Step 2? there are no dealers within 250 miles and the holiday precludes use of mail/shipping in a timely manner. How will the lack of Step 2 affect the performance of using redwood Woodrich timber oil? Will the obvious color difference show up after the stain is applied?

RAD Products
Admin
9 years ago

[quote name=”laura evans”]The directions say to dry in 75* temp for 3 days.It is October here in Wisconsin and the temperature may be in the 60’s. Can I still use the RAD kit? This is a new cedar deck that has been weathered for about 4-5 months. We would like to finish with Woodrich timber oil before it snows. Thank you![/quote]
Yes you can still use it down to about 50 degrees.

laura evans
laura evans
9 years ago

The directions say to dry in 75* temp for 3 days.It is October here in Wisconsin and the temperature may be in the 60’s. Can I still use the RAD kit? This is a new cedar deck that has been weathered for about 4-5 months. We would like to finish with Woodrich timber oil before it snows. Thank you!

RAD Products
Admin
9 years ago

[quote name=”karen lyons”]we have a womanized-deck with a little stain remaining. would this product clean off the remaining stain. also, would an armstrong clark
product be the best choice of stain after cleaning. could you please email me with your comments. thanks[/quote]
You would want the Restore A Deck Stain Stripper and the RAD Wood Brightener for the prep. Stain with AC.

karen lyons
karen lyons
9 years ago

we have a womanized-deck with a little stain remaining. would this product clean off the remaining stain. also, would an armstrong clark
product be the best choice of stain after cleaning. could you please email me with your comments. thanks

Lee
Lee
9 years ago

[quote name=”TheSealerStore”][quote name=”Lee”]Is this safe to use on a dock over a 1-acre fishing pond. thanks.[/quote]
Yes it should be fine.[/quote]

Great, thanks for fast response!

RAD Products
Admin
9 years ago

[quote name=”Lee”]Is this safe to use on a dock over a 1-acre fishing pond. thanks.[/quote]
Yes it should be fine.

Lee
Lee
9 years ago

Is this safe to use on a dock over a 1-acre fishing pond. thanks.

RAD Products
Admin
10 years ago

Ania, do you know what the black is? It could be rust if around nail heads.

Ania
Ania
10 years ago

I just cleaned my deck but I cannot get rid of black stuff on the planks . Railing looks great but floor not so good any suggestions

RAD Products
Admin
10 years ago

Ann, use a stripper and follow with a brightener.

Ann
Ann
10 years ago

Hello , I live in PA my pine pressure wood deck ( 4 years old )was stained last year with Clear Stain from Sears (I am not sure it was Armstrong or Olympus brand). My deck look horrible with patches grey/ black black mold and i am not sure what else . Do I need to use a cleaner or stripper. Please advise. Thanks

RAD Products
Admin
10 years ago

yes you can go longer. A couple of weeks will be okay.

Avatar photo
10 years ago

The directions say to wait 3 days after cleaning before staining. Can you go longer as long as you wait the 3 days for the deck to dry? I read somewhere that stain should be applied while the wood pores are open…don’t know if there’s a window of opportunity for that. Thanks in advance.

RAD Products
Admin
10 years ago

Yes you can apply to a fence as well. If you prewet the landscaping and rinse well than it will not harm anything.

Karen
Karen
10 years ago

Would you apply cleaner and brightener to fence as well? If so, would it harm my landscaping? thanks in advance

Chris
Chris
10 years ago

Do I need to apply RAD Cleaner with a pump up sprayer or is there another way to apply it? Also, how much time can one leave between the cleaning and brightening steps?

RAD Products
Admin
10 years ago

You do not need to stain if you do not want to but the wood will gray from UV.

Tyler
Tyler
10 years ago

I am new to deck cleaning/staining. Can you use this deck cleaner to just clean the wood and not stain/seal if the wood is not chipped or faded?

RAD Products
Admin
10 years ago

It is not sold in Canada.

Avatar photo
10 years ago

Can anyone tell me where I my be able to buy Restore-A-Deck kit in Alberta Canada.

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