The line of RAD (Restore-A-Deck) products are the most effective and efficient means of prepping a deck during restoration and maintenance. These highly concentrated powdered formulas are designed to be mixed on site. This equates to a huge savings in shipping costs compared to heavy premixed water based cleaners. Always mix RAD products like the wood cleaner, brightener, and stripper according to the directions on the container.
When using Restore-A-Deck Solid Stain on the verticals or railings of a deck, you can create a two-toned deck that looks great and can ease the maintenance down the road.
There are several advantages to having Restore-A-Deck Solid Stain on your vertical wood or railings.
- The ability to color match the railings and vertical wood to blend with the color of the house.
- Solid stains on vertical wood/railings can last 2-3 times longer or up to 6 years with little to no maintenance. Note that solid stains will fail much quicker on horizontal flooring and can be harder to maintain.
- Choosing Restore-A-Deck Solid Stain for the verticals and Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain for the horizontals will reduce the need for maintenance to every 2-3 years for the floors and every 4-6 years for the verticals
If you don’t already own one of the many commercially available pressure washers for a homeowner, you can rent one from your local home center. Seek out the highest GPM (gallons per minute) machine they have available. This will make the job go considerably faster. The pressure is not important as high pressure should not be used to clean wood. A simplified analogy is to think of cleaning a dirty dish with a spray bottle (higher pressure/lower flow) versus using the water from a faucet (lower pressure/higher flow)
A pressure washer is a serious tool. Damage to property and person can occur if you are careless.
Damage from using high pressure can vary from splinters and raised grain to visible lap marks in the wood (these show up more after sealing) Just using a pressure washer without a proper detergent like Restore-A-Deck can also yield unwanted results. The pictures below show examples of a homeowner using no cleaner and just high-pressure water to clean.
After you have allowed the oxygenating power of Restore-A-Deck to work its magic, it’s time to rinse. While you are at the home center renting your machine, try to have them give you a nozzle which will lower your effective pressure to 800 psi. If you do not have access to interchangeable nozzles, you will need to keep the tip of your gun at 12-18 inches from the surface.
Start the flow away from the wood surface and bring the gun slowly into the position to start rinsing. Start at one end of a board and walk your way to the opposite end keeping the nozzle the same distance from the surface the entire way. This will prevent lap marks. If for any reason you need to stop in the middle of a board, start the process from the beginning (at the end of the board) until you pick up where you left off. Take your time and always keep conscious of the distance between the spray tip and the wood. Be extra cautious on spindles.
When you are finished cleaning, apply your brightener and rinse. You may use the pressure washer again or a hose may be faster for you. No pressure is necessary during this final step.
Note: You may experience some small fuzzies that appear after the wood dries. This is normal to a small degree (especially on cedar). Often times these will dry up and fall away during subsequent rainfall. If you are planning on sealing as soon as is possible, these can be sanded away.
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The product you are about to order is not highly caustic and is biodegradable. Nonetheless, there are hazards in using any type of chemical, even household bleach. The main cleaning compound in Restore-A-Deck deck cleaner is sodium percarbonate, better known to most by a brand name called OxyClean™. In addition to the sodium percarbonate, there are other proprietary chemicals that assist in cleaning, killing mold growth and lightly removing existing finish.
The following are true of Restore-A-Deck Cleaner.
- It has a slightly caustic pH balance
- It is a mild stripper suitable for use when an existing deck finish has been on for over a year. If your finish is newer (water will still bead on it) please see the F.A.Q section
- Protective gear should be worn. This includes hand and eye protection. Long pants and a shirt with sleeves are added precautions.
- It is mildly irritating if left on the skin. Skin should be flushed and/or neutralized with water or lemon juice if skin contact is encountered. An eye wash is also recommended to have on hand.
- Some darkening of wood may occur if the cleaner is not followed and neutralized with Step-2 BRIGHTENER.
The following is true of Restore-A-Deck Brightener
- It has an acidic pH balance and is a blend of citric and oxalic acids.
- By itself, it can be used as a maintenance cleaner if wood is not going to be sealed.
- Protective gear should be worn.This includes hand and eye protection. Long pants and a shirt with sleeves are added precautions.
- It is irritating to some when breathed. The blend used in Restore-A-Deck Brightener is safer than straight oxalic acid and also less harsh to the wood.
Do not allow Restore-A-Deck Cleaner or Brightener to dry on plants, glass, siding or furniture.
Restore-A-Deck Cleaner contains NO sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
Deck surface may become slippery from melting mold or finish. Exercise caution when walking.