Do-It-Yourself Wood Restoration Made Simple!

Restore-a-deck.com

How to Restore-A-Deck in One Day

by RAD Products

How to Restore-A-Deck in One Day!

Restore-A-Deck’s three-step process makes it possible to complete a wood staining project in a single day. The stain is safe to apply on damp wood, perfect for those who are busy and want to achieve same-day results for their exterior wood staining projects.

Here’s a rundown of Restore-A-Deck’s three-step process, it’s components, and how they work together to produce an immaculately stained wood surface.

RAD Stain Steps

Step 1: Restore-A-Deck Wood Cleaner or Restore-A-Deck Wood Stripper

Are you working with a wood surface that has not previously been stained? If so, use the Restore-A-Deck Cleaner. The Wood Cleaner works hard to remove dirt, grime, mold, and mildew better than the competition after one application. It restores the natural beauty of exterior wood to its original appearance without harming wood fibers, pets, grass, and most plants.

Restore-A-Deck Cleaner can also be used for maintenance coats when using the same brand stain as before.

If you are working with a new wood surface that has previously been stained or painted, strip the wood surface using Restore-A-Deck Stripper. The Wood Stripper quickly and efficiently removes most oil and latex based finishes including clear sealers, transparent stains, and semi-transparent stains. On top of removing the stain, the Wood Stripping formula takes off collected dirt, mold, mildew, and mill glaze.

Both come in a concentrated powder form that is convenient to transport and is extremely cost effective. Can be mixed on site with water then applied directly to the wood.

Step 2: Restore-A-Deck Brightener

After you complete step 1, using Restore-A-Deck Cleaner or Stripper depending on your situation, we recommend you follow up with Restore-A-Deck Brightener to neutralize the pH of the surface to allow for proper application of the stain. This formula works hard upon initial application to brighten the wood surface as well as remove stubborn rust stains and tannin stains caused by fallen leaves. Restore-A-Deck brightener will give your deck or wood surface a clean looking finish ideal for applying the stain.

Step 3: Restore-A-Deck Stain

The final step in this three-step process is the Stain. Restore-A-Deck Stain uses the latest in water-based wood staining technology to create a formula that allows for better UV protection, excellent penetration into the wood stain for long lasting beautiful results, and the ability to apply to damp wood for single day project completion or to dry wood the day after prep. The Wood Stain comes in four radiant semi-transparent colors that highlight and enhance the natural wood grain.

Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is best applied the same day as prep typically 2-4 hours at 70 degrees F and less than 50% humidity. Make sure that all standing water has dried off the surface prior to application.

See here for: Wet on Wet Application Tips

See here for tips on new wood: Restore-A-Deck Stain and New Wood

See her for hot sun application: Restore-A-Deck Stain Hot Sun Application

If you have used the Restore-A-Deck in one-day system, we want to hear from you. Feel free to leave a review and don’t forget to include pictures.

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Mike Coleman
Mike Coleman
2 days ago

Last year we sanded deck rails and applied 1 coat of your walnut stain. Can I just lightly sand and apply another coat?

Mike Coleman
Mike Coleman
17 days ago

Step 1 Wood and Deck Stain Stripper (was 2 lbs. now just under 1/2 lb.)

Mike Coleman
Mike Coleman
17 days ago

How much stripper will it take to do a 70 sq. front porch? I have some left from my big deck in back.

jill richards
jill richards
18 days ago

I have some left over Geeni cleaner and brightener from old deck. If I use their product to prepare my new pine deck, can I still use your product for wet wood application?

Joni Gonzales
Joni Gonzales
22 days ago

I cleaned and brightened today but wasn’t able to stain. I know I need to stain within 2 weeks. If it rains in the meantime, do I have to reclean and/or rebrighten? I’m using RAD semi transparent

steve
steve
24 days ago

I used your product about 3 years ago. Deck looked great. Now it’s kind of wearing off and some of the wood grain is showing. Deck needs to be done again. What steps should I take? Please advise. Thanks

Sharon
Sharon
28 days ago

Stained our deck with RAD products (cleanser and stain) 2 years ago. Time to restain. Do we need to repeat prep steps? Thanks.

Dan Kennedy
Dan Kennedy
29 days ago

Hi I have a 20year old Epi wood Deck, 400sq ft Deck. The last time I stained my deck was in 2021 I used an oil-based product. I have access to a power washer. The railings are very dark in color almost black I think from all the oil used in the past.If you could please advise me on what I can do to bring this deck back to life.
Thank you

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P.k.
P.k.
1 month ago

I completed the first 2 steps on my fence yesterday and was left with some vertical stripes. I followed all of the instructions as stated and am a little worried about the result. Can you advise me on what to do next?

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P.k.
P.k.
1 month ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Wow, I really don’t see how that is possible. I used a sprayer and went board by board in each section. It took an entire day to complete about 60 feet of fencing. I timed each application and kept everything moistened as per the instructions. It is really disappointing and I’m hesitant to repeat the process and get even worse results. Not too mention I will have to rebuy cleaner and brightener. Would the recommended 2 coats of stain bond properly if I just leave the current results?

Barbara S.
Barbara S.
1 month ago

I have stained my deck with RAD semitransparent light walnut stain 1 year after it was built. Followed with second coat the following year (2 years ago). Last year I have noticed chipping of the horizontal surfaces. Was told it happened most likely due to too high temperature when stain was applied. This year I purchased RAD products to prep the deck for restraining. The deck has been already power washed without using any cleaning/stripping RAD products. It doesn’t look bad. Should I still use stripping followed by brightening or just use the brightener only. Also should I apply 1 coat vs 2? How soon can I apply the stain after brightening? For the staining what would be the best tool for RAD semi- transparent stain. Roller or applicator pad?

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Barbara Anna Savoy
Barbara Anna Savoy
1 month ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Unfortunately I have a picture before power washing. It does not look now after when it’s dry. Looks clean.

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Barbara Anna Savoy
Barbara Anna Savoy
1 month ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Was able to take a pic as deck is dry

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Jay
Jay
1 month ago

We’re getting ready to strip and brighten vertical cedar siding trim that is above standing seam siding on our house. Will either product (including gel and booster) damage the metal siding or window trim? Is plastic sheeting necessary around the whole house?

I can have my sidekick present with a power present to rinse as the need arises if that helps.

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Buzz
Buzz
9 months ago

How long does it take to ship to Illinois?

Buzz
Buzz
9 months ago

Shipping time

Lyriclyd
Lyriclyd
10 months ago

I have 2 small decks with a 2-3 year old Behr acrylic stain that is starting to peel/wear in a few spots, but not much.  They are fairly clean and stain free, the colour is very much like it was to begin with, just less shine & the few small areas of peeling.  What is the minimum number of steps/products required to use RAD stain in this situation?

susan weckbaugh
susan weckbaugh
10 months ago

Insurance company had Benjamin Moore solid cedar put on old deck and house 3 years ago. (Hail damage) It’s peeling in spots. I had semi-transparent previously. House built in 1989 and I’m 74. What can I get away with?

Julie
Julie
11 months ago

Which application product do you recommend?   I’m unsure of the difference between the speed mop, the wood staining brush and the stain pads?  I have a 700 sq. ft. deck to clean and stain, as well as a long wooden fence.  My in-laws are also interested in using your RAD products for a cottage dock.  I’m just not sure which brush/pad to purchase.  Thanks for your help!

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11 months ago

I have completed the prep work and applied one coat of stain on my one year old pressure treated deck. I am now too tired and it is too late to apply a second coat. Can I wait a day or two before the second application? Are there any special instructions I need to follow? Thank you!

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11 months ago
Reply to  RAD Products

So when I reapply in the fall or spring, can I clean and brighten on one day and stain the next day?

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1 year ago

My question is how many coats of semi-transparent stain. Here’re the details:

Deck is 6 year-old pressure-treated pine and has never been stained
Last weekend I powerwashed, sanded with 60 grit, cleaned with RAD cleaner and powerwashed off, and  then brightened with RAD brightener. Wood looks like new.

Do I use one or two coats of the semi-transparent stain?

Thanks!

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1 year ago

I was going to do my deck today, but now i hear that we may get spotty showers starting around 5am tomorrow. Will there be a problem if rain gets on my deck within 12 hours of staining? 

Patty T.
Patty T.
1 year ago

can light walnut and dark walnut be mixed?
Have cats how long to keep them off decck after staining?

M.Lebo
M.Lebo
1 year ago

After a lot of spring rain my deck is pretty water logged.  How long does it need to dry out before I can use the solid stain?

Xxx
Xxx
1 year ago

Purchased the complete stripping and stain kit along with the stripper booster and thickening gel. For assurance, all 3 items (stripper, booster, & gel) can be mixed together for better results? Thx

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1 year ago

I want to apply a very light coat of stain to a fence.  I am going to use the dark walnut semi transparent.  Can I use the sprayer you sell?

Constantin
Constantin
1 year ago

I successfully applied your stain last year. Now, I have some bare areas from snow shovelling and such. I need to reapply this year again. So, cleaner, brightner, stain? Any need for pressure washing or anything like that?

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1 year ago

which color semi-transparant is closer to a reddish color? 
2nd Application process, do you spray on cleaner and then scrub or apply the let sit for awhile?  20 yr old non-stained deck, or 

Ann
Ann
1 year ago

I’m going to apply 2 coats of classic white solid stain to the 20 year old 6 x 6 posts that support my decks. I also want to apply the solid white stain to two benches built January 2021. I’m planning to clean and brighten both first. I’d appreciate any advice on keeping the cleaner/brightener on the vertical posts. I also want to know how long I should wait between applying the 2 coats of stain.

Doug
Doug
1 year ago

The overnight temps are getting down into the 40’s. What is the minimum temp we can start applying the stain in the morning?

Joe Williams
Joe Williams
1 year ago

I have a 2nd floor deck that is surrounded by painted railing and  support structure, will the stripper damage the latex paint in these areas?

JC
JC
1 year ago

What size/type nozzle should I use on the pressure washer for rinsing the stripper and then the brightener? 

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1 year ago

Hi, We found out that the house we purchased has a non-PT wood deck, heat-treated only (pine). What can we do to preserve it/maintain it? Location: SC mountains, partial shade, surrounded by deciduous forest.

Lorri
Lorri
1 year ago

Hi.  My older redwood deck is 205 sq feet.  I have just sanded it completely.  I would like to use RAD semi transparent stain.  How much should I purchase?

Cheryl
Cheryl
1 year ago

If you stain, the same day as your strip/brighten how long should you wait before applying the stain? Part of my deck is covered, concerned the wood in the uncovered portion will be dryer than the wood that is covered.

Cheryl
Cheryl
1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

It took the entire day for me to strip and pressure wash. I didn’t have time to brighten before it was dark. The deck has some areas where the old stain did not come up. Should I strip again or go ahead and brighten.  I will have to order more stripper, if I need to strip those areas a second time.  

Cheryl
Cheryl
1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

I used both additives with the stripper the first time.  Should I use the additives for spot stripping as well?

Cheryl
Cheryl
1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Once the wood is wet it is hard to see the spots that need stripped a second time. Is it ok to apply the stripper to dry wood when spot stripping or would it be best to strip the entire deck a second time?

Carolyn
Carolyn
1 year ago

Do I need to remove all of the Behr semi-transparent stain before using Restore a Deck? It’s nearly gone on horizontal surfaces, but still pretty firmly attached to many vertical surfaces. Will your stripper remove it readily?

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1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Here are some photos. The deck itself has just bits of stain left. Many of the verticals are still pretty well covered.

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1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

I already submitted my order earlier today. Can I update it to include the additive?

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1 year ago
Reply to 

Also, can you tell me what the coverage of the additives are? I ordered the 5 gallon set of stain/stripper/brightener. The horizontal part of my deck (which will not need additive) is about 600 sq ft. How much of the additive will I need?

Carolyn
Carolyn
1 year ago

Is the stripper and/or brightener harmful to plants? If so, is it harmful to getting on the leaves as well as getting in the ground? What is the best way to protect garden plants?

bill
bill
1 year ago

1 year old semi transparent Restore A Deck stained deck.  process to apply another coat now.

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1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

I came here to ask this question. :). Just to confirm, if I want to reapply RestoreADeck , I need to go through the full Clean/Brightener steps again this year. (approaching my 1 year anniversary)

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1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Thank you! 

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2 years ago

Can I use bug juice with the rad solid stain?Thanks

Lance
Lance
2 years ago

I applied thompsons  semi transparent last summer. Everything in the sun about 50% of the deck is peeling. Do i strip and brighten before restaining? Thanks 

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2 years ago

I’ve searched this site for the answer to this question but haven’t found anyone with my unique situation: I have a concrete patio under our deck… do we need to protect it with plastic sheeting prior to using your products?  If so, just for the staining portion or for the whole thing (i.e. will stripping/cleaning/brightening runoff stain our concrete)?  Because of the forecast for this weekend, I have to do our project in two days (strip/clean/brighten on first day; stain on third day with one day of rain in between). Many thanks!

F Kenney
F Kenney
2 years ago

I applied the Restore-a-Deck semi-transparent stain-2 coats- last summer after sanding carefully, using the RAD cleaner and brightener, but this Spring I noticed lots of white spots (see pictures), amplified when I power-washed the deck. Question: normally you restain every two-three years but it looks like I’ll need to do it now. If so, do I have to use a brightener again? And why the white spots?Thanks.

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2 years ago

I applied the Restore-a-Deck semi-transparent stain last fall.  How do I know when it is time to re-stain?  Just by visible wear or is there a water absorption test that should be done periodically?  Also, it is possible to re-stain too frequently, like annual, and end up with a film buildup?  

Constantin
Constantin
2 years ago

I already got the cleaner, brightened, and the semitransparent stain. Ready to restore my 2 cedar decks (never stained before). Now, I want to sand the decks a bit as well (they are old and have been power washed quite aggressively in the past. And it shows).  I am not 100% when should I do that, considering that the decks would have to fully dry before sanding. Either:1. Clean->power wash->brighten->rinse->let it dry->sand->wash->stainOR2. Clean->power wash->let it dry->sand->brighten->rinse->stain

Thanks

Dan C
Dan C
2 years ago

Ok, Time to re-stain. last stained 2 seasons ago. Used Restore-A-Deck Clear stain before. Do I need to remove the previous application before re-staining? Plan was was to clean and brighten, then apply the new stain. ThanksDan C.

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2 years ago

Can I use a roller to apply RAD semitransparent to horizontal surfaces? Thanks

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2 years ago

Another picture from hot tub sat.

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2 years ago

Another picture, a hot tub was in this spot.

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2 years ago

I am not sure if our deck was stained or painted (whatever it was happened 13 years ago)…can you tell? If painted, we have to first sand, then use your products, correct? If stained, we can go straight to strip, brighten, then stain? First timer!!

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2 years ago

Does Water bead on surfaces coated with RAD Stains?

How soon can a surface be rained on without damaging the finish? thanks, Phil

Charla
Charla
2 years ago

We recently stained our deck. I wanted a walnut color like the flooring in our house. However when the guy at the paint store “matched” the flooring, what we got was a gray stain. I thought maybe with a second coat it would look different. It does not. It looks solid gray. I hate it and so I want to strip it. Will the Restore-A-Deck work to do this or will we need to sand it all?

Michael L.
Michael L.
1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

I have a 3-4yr old solid stain that i like and would like to reapply same brand/color, so can I just use restore a deck cleaner and reapply the stain over the old stain?  And do I use a stiff brush or mild pressure wash to clean stain?  Thanks if you’ve the time

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2 years ago

I have a 15 + y/o cedar deck that’s been stained multiple times. 2 years ago after sanding large areas of the deck until smooth, I had used Olympic semi transparent stain which gave a good look. But, areas have peeled. I was on the deck review website And impressed with the reviews of your product which said it could be used with ( I obviously thought over) acrylic type stains like Olympic. I have cleaned and used the brightener and now also reading that I should have stripped the deck first. My error. Part of the reason for not wanting to strip the deck are some 80 ft of railing as well as a skirt around the deck , and the vertical posts. I assume the stripper will get on this and double the work, not just one day. I I was hoping to avoid that. What do you suggest?

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2 years ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Yes, my assessment as well. I was trying to get by without stripping and sanding as I know this deck well. Do you do returns? Thanks for getting back to me.

Joe
Joe
2 years ago

Can I dilute restore a deck stain

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