Do-It-Yourself Wood Restoration Made Simple!

Restore-a-deck.com

Restore A Deck Cleaner Instructions

by The Sealer Store

RAD CLEANERdefaultRestore A Deck Cleaner Instructions and How To Tips

Keeping your wooden deck in good condition is without a doubt crucial to both its appearance and lifespan. Nothing looks worse and deteriorates more quickly than a neglected deck. Many deck owners have opted to do their own deck maintenance.

Restore A Deck cleaner is a specifically designed two-part system that is best used to clean and prep a wood deck prior to resealing it. The Restore A Deck cleaner system consists of a wood cleaner that will remove dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and grayed wood fibers. Step 2 of RAD Cleaner is a wood brightener that corrects the pH of the wood and brightens it up prior to applying a wood stain or sealer.

To clean a deck using the Restore A Deck system follow these easy step-by-step instructions.

1. Be sure air temperatures or between 45-90 degrees. Remove all furnishings from the deck and the surrounding area.

2. Though Restore A Deck is Eco-Friendly it is still a good idea to cover sensitive plants and shrubbery or pre-wet them with fresh water. Use plastic to cover doors and windows in the surrounding area.

3. Follow the Restore A Deck instructions to mix the Step 1 Cleaner in a clean bucket until all crystals are dissolved and transfer to sprayer to avoid clogging of sprayer inlet tube.

4. Lightly spray the wood deck with water. Use a pump sprayer or scrub brush to apply RAD Cleaner to the wood. Allow the cleaner to dwell for 5-15 minutes. Keep the deck wet by misting with water during the dwell time. If using a pump sprayer please make sure that no undissolved powder is poured into the sprayer. It will get clogged!

5. Hand scrub or use a pressure wash to remove dirt, grime, and graying from the wood surface. Do not use excessive pressure. Pressure washing at 1500 PSI is much more effective and easier.

6. Once cleaned, rinse the wood deck and the surrounding plants, windows, house siding, etc.

7. While the deck is still wet from rinsing, apply the Restore A Deck Wood Brightener (Step 2).

8. Blend the RAD Wood Brightener by following the product’s instructions and apply with a pump sprayer. Allow the brightener to dwell for 10 minutes then rinse off. No need to having scrub or pressure wash the RAD Brightener. Make sure to rinse the RAD Brightener thoroughly for 20 minutes until all soap suds are removed after the 10 minutes dwell time.

Note that the RAD cleaner is not intended for removing old deck stains or sealers. Please see Restore A Deck Stain Stripper when dealing with existing stains.

If you have any specific questions about your project or just need some help, please ask below!

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Lisa
Lisa
6 days ago

if I don’t have a pressure washer, how do I apply the cleaner and then the brightener?

RAD Products
Admin
6 days ago
Reply to  Lisa

Apply with a pump sprayer, heavy scrub, and rinse when done.

Lisa
Lisa
6 days ago
Reply to  RAD Products

sorry, I wan’t clear on my question—I have neither a pump sprayer nor a power washer…can I use a big sponge?

RAD Products
Admin
6 days ago
Reply to  Lisa

Yes but much easier to buy a pump sprayer for applying. They are fairly inexpensive.

Jim
Jim
10 days ago

Let me make sure I got this right. Using the Restore-A-Deck cleaner, you first lightly spray the deck with water, then apply the dissolved cleaner using the hand pump sprayer, then wait 5-15 minutes before using the scrub brush to clean. Is this correct? Call me stupid if you wish 🤔

RAD Products
Admin
10 days ago
Reply to  Jim

Yes, except pressure wash off is the preferred and easier method. Brightener goes on after.

Jim
Jim
10 days ago

I live in south Georgia. Summer temps here are 60’s and 70’s overnight …. and 80’s and 90’s during the day. I see that the recommended temperature for applying the cleaner/brightener is between 45-90 degrees. Is there any leeway in that temperature requirement? As I mentioned, we will often hit 95 degrees at mid-day or late afternoon.

RAD Products
Admin
10 days ago
Reply to  Jim

If you keep the wood wet while using the prep products, you can apply them in higher temps.

Tom
Tom
11 days ago

I have used your semi transparent products for a few years on my decks. I refinished this deck 2 years ago. It is not looking good at all now. Why do you think it has deteriorated so much and what are your suggestions?
Thanks,
Tom

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RAD Products
Admin
11 days ago
Reply to  Tom

It is normal to have to prep and recoat every 2-3 years. Use the Cleaner an Brighener Kit and pressure washing for prep.

david
david
13 days ago

do i have to strip deck or can i stain over this. it’s your product i put on last year

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RAD Products
Admin
13 days ago
Reply to  david

Use the Cleaner and then recoat. You could also wait until next year.

david
david
15 days ago

can i restain with your product without stripping from year to year

RAD Products
Admin
14 days ago
Reply to  david

Whenever recoating you need to cleanr for prep but you do not have to strip.

Karine
Karine
15 days ago

We have stain our deck 3 years ago with RAD semi-transparent walnut stain. We would like to recoat the deck this year. I was wondering if we have to do the cleaner and the brighter or just the cleaner before recoating? Thanks !

RAD Products
Admin
15 days ago
Reply to  Karine

Clean and brighten.

Karine
Karine
15 days ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Thanks!

Karine
Karine
9 days ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Okay…when recoating, should I do one or two coats?

RAD Products
Admin
9 days ago
Reply to  Karine
Anna
Anna
24 days ago

Can the cleaner be used just to clean off the grime?

RAD Products
Admin
24 days ago
Reply to  Anna

Only use the Cleaner if you plan on recoating. For dirt, just use some warm water and dish soap.

Anna
Anna
24 days ago
Reply to  RAD Products

UGH. I called the toll free number while I was waiting for your reply and I was told the opposite: that the cleaner can be used just to clean! I ordered from Canada and with exchange and shipping the total came to just over $100. I received the supplies I need to strip, brighten and stain last week and now I have the cleaner coming that will be useless.

RAD Products
Admin
24 days ago
Reply to  Anna

You can cancel the order. Thanks

CJcjcj
CJcjcj
1 month ago

I just did the whole process on my deck and steps last year and used the TWP stain. The deck surface and steps didn’t hold up well through a buffalo winter and need to be done again. Do I just powerwash and put down more TWP or do I have to go through the whole cleaner/brightener process again?

RAD Products
Admin
1 month ago
Reply to  CJcjcj

Use the prep products while pressure washing.

Avatar photo
6 months ago

I used the stripper/brightener and stain on the deck. Now I want to do the fence and railing nearby. The stain is in pretty good shape there, I think I can clean and brighten without the stripper. The stain is still visible but is fairly consistent on the uprights. the horizontal pieces show more graying but I cannot possibly get inside the uprights to scrub. If I clean and brighten with some stain left from before, am I making a mistake?

RAD Products
Admin
6 months ago
Reply to 

What brand is the prior stain? It has to come off if a different brand.

Linda
Linda
6 months ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Benjamin and Moore, semi transparent oil based

RAD Products
Admin
6 months ago
Reply to  Linda

Whenever you switch brands of stain you have to remove the old coating. 

Kermit
Kermit
7 months ago

We have a deck with pressure washer marks.  Will this product get rid of them?

RAD Products
Admin
7 months ago
Reply to  Kermit

No. The only way to get rid of this is to power sand the entire deck evenly to remove.

Scott Sheaffer
Scott Sheaffer
8 months ago

We have a pressure treated wood deck in northern Wisconsin. We stripped, sanded and stained (PPG ProLuxe Transparent) the deck in June this year. We were thinking about putting another stain coat on for extra protection in the next couple weeks before winter sets in.
1. Would applying another coat make sense?
2. If we apply another coat, would prep be just a light washing and stain, brightener and stain, or cleaner, brightener and stain?

RAD Products
Admin
8 months ago
Reply to  Scott Sheaffer

More is not better so leave it as is.

Loralyn Wagner
Loralyn Wagner
8 months ago

I have a large deck. Can I use both products all the way through on a section and then go on to another section?  Will it show where I stop one section and start the next?

RAD Products
Admin
8 months ago
Reply to  Loralyn Wagner

Clean all first and then brighten all last if the deck is all connected.

Richard
Richard
6 days ago
Reply to  RAD Products

I have been puzzled by this…Applying cleaner to whole 950 sq ft deck, keeping it all wet, pressure washing with Powerwasher 1500HD takes a few hours; meanwhile I need to keep it wet the whole time for next step, which takes longer than time I am supposed to start rinsing it off. The same problem exists for the second step. The rinsing here also gets delayed while finishing the application and waiting for it to bubble. Struggling with what the priorities should be re timing. Had similar trouble with stripping, not to mention that powerwashing has not seemed to work as well as scrubbing. No doubt I am doing something wrong.

Ralph L Roseman
Ralph L Roseman
8 months ago

Wife says need to keep deck damp after using cleaner until we put the brightener on. Can we let the deck after using the cleaner sit overnight then dampen in the morning before putting the brightener on?

RAD Products
Admin
8 months ago

Best to apply right after cleaning while wood is damp.

Jeff
Jeff
8 months ago

We recently redid our 25 year old deck with kiln dried wood flooring /steps and an aluminum railing system. Will be using RAD deck cleaner, brightener, and stain. Will the deck cleaner and brightener damage the posts (black aluminum) where they attach to deck boards or should we cover them prior to application? Also, do we need to cover our house siding that is in contact with the deck boards? Thanks. 

RAD Products
Admin
8 months ago
Reply to  Jeff

They should not harm them but always test spot first. As for siding, it depends on what it is made of and the coating on it.

Steve
Steve
9 months ago

I plan on using RAD on my pool deck. Should I be concerned about any cleaner or brightener getting into the pool?

RAD Products
Admin
9 months ago
Reply to  Steve

Wash away from pool when cleaning as best as you can. Check pH level of pool when done as you may need to balance it.

Loralyn Wagner
Loralyn Wagner
10 months ago

I am in a water critical area. If I use a pressure washer to rinse off the brightener doi still have to rinse 20 minutes?  I don’t think it would take that long to get rid of all soap suds. 

RAD Products
Admin
10 months ago
Reply to  Loralyn Wagner

Yes, you need to make sure all is rinsed well.

Eric
Eric
11 months ago

If I’m putting on a new coat of the same stain, should use stripper or cleaner? 

RAD Products
Admin
11 months ago
Reply to  Eric

Cleaner.

Eric
Eric
11 months ago
Reply to  RAD Products

If the finish is damaged from sun and weather or stained from spotted lantern flies in some places is the cleaner still sufficient?

Eric
Eric
11 months ago
Reply to  RAD Products

If there is some damage from sun and weather and spotted lantern flies in some places is the cleaner sufficient or is better to use the stripper then?

RAD Products
Admin
11 months ago
Reply to  Eric

Strip and brighten then.

Eric
Eric
11 months ago
Reply to  RAD Products

is there guidance on how to know when to use cleaner and when to use stripper?

RAD Products
Admin
11 months ago
Reply to  Eric

Sure, just ask or post pics. Every scenario is different.

Eric
Eric
11 months ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Here are some pics. Your can see the main floor is in pretty good condition but there one spot with more weather damage. With the cleaner do you actually remove the old stain or no?

RAD Products
Admin
11 months ago
Reply to  Eric

We would strip and brighten this one to ensure the new stain applies evenly. You have a lot of dirt/grime so some stain may come off unevenly if you just use the cleaner.

Gary
Gary
1 year ago

I have some 8×8 pressure treated vertical and horizontal beams on my porch that are pretty black with what I assume is mold. Will the Step 1 cleaner handle cleaning that mold with pressure washing or do I need something else?

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Gary

Post pics.

Gary
Gary
1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Here is a picture

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Gary

It should work well but the one issue is that it looks like you have a stain on it and the mildew may be embedded in the stain.

Gary
Gary
1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

It’s never been stained. This will be the first time. I’ll give the cleaner a shot and see how it goes.

Bryanna
Bryanna
1 year ago

Hello, 
I will be cleaning and brightening my deck tomorrow and then staining six days later with TWP 1500. Two days after my Cleaning and brightening there is rain/ very light snow in the forecast. Is this going to ruin my cleaner and brightener steps?

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Bryanna

No, just let it dry for 48 hours after before staining.

Bryanna
Bryanna
1 year ago
Reply to  Bryanna

Thank you,
I have another question. I might need to replace the railing wood. If so I understand I need to let the wood weather. After several months of weathering I would clean and brighten the new wood? Then stain? Would I have to also clean and brighten and re stain the deck floor. The stain on the existing deck floor is TWP 1500

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Bryanna

It would be best and easiest to do it all at once so as to not harm the flooring that is stained.

Keith
Keith
1 year ago

I cleaned and brightened my cedar deck using Restore A Deck and am now ready to apply stain. The day following cleaning and brightening it started to rain and the forecast is for daily rain for the next week. Do I need to wait for two consecutive dry days before applying stain? Do I need to clean and brighten again before applying stain?

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Keith

Depends on what stain brand you are using? 

Keith
Keith
1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

I’m using TWP 1501 Cedartone stain. 

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Keith

Wait 48 hours after prep or rain before staining. If longer than 2 weeks after prep, redo by washing and brightening the deck.

Avatar photo
1 year ago

I need to do my 2 year maintenance cleaning and re-staining of my deck. I will be  using same color,  How long after I clean and brighten my deck with the RAD products, do I need to wait before applying RAD semi transparent stain. 

RAD Products
Admin
Linda
Linda
1 year ago

If I like the color of our ipe siding – as-is. Can I just clean it and reply with a new coat of transparent protector?

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Linda

No, that is not possible. To prevent graying you must have a tinted stain and that means the color will be enhanced based on the color you choose.

Avatar photo
1 year ago

How much cleaner powder make one gallon if I use a measuring cup

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to 

6-8 oz of powder by volume.

Debbie
Debbie
1 year ago

i stained my deck last year with twp.  Can i just use the restore-a-deck cleaner and brightener and re-stain the deck with twp?

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Debbie

Yes, that is correct.

Amanda L
Amanda L
1 year ago

What do I do if I finished Step 1 cleaning of my deck, but have waited do the brightening/PH balancing Step 2?  My deck is large and it was too difficult for me to finish both steps in one day.  Have I completely blown it?! 

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Amanda L

No, but it is always best to brighten the same day as cleaning. If you could not do it, you should still brighten the wood when you can.

Julianna
Julianna
1 year ago

We need to stain our untreated rough-sawn pine shed/studio. In the few months of its existence it has grayed and countless storms splashed mud up the sides. How do I tackle this? Freaking out a bit because I don’t want to use harsh chemicals and the advice I’m getting is conflicting. Thanks.

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Julianna

Prep with the Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kits. Stain with the RAD semi-transparent stain after.

Scott
Scott
1 year ago

Hello,
We just cleaned our deck using RAD cleaner and neutralizer and looks great… We have lots of both leftover so we are wondering if we should keep it for future cleaning after we stain the deck using RAD solid stain.  It may be overkill but just curious, is it acceptable to use these products for general cleaning in the future even if we are not retaining?  
Also one other question – what is the proper way of disposal for any leftover RAD cleaner and neutralizer?
Thanks in advance!  Scott

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Scott

The cleaner has a shelf life of about 4 hours after being mixed. If not mixed with water, they will both last a couple of years or longer.

scott
scott
1 year ago
Reply to  Scott

PS – Apologies, just wanted to clarify – the ingredients I am referring to in both questions above are the unmixed powders…  Thanks in advance!

John
John
1 year ago

We only sanded and stained half our mahogany deck last summer. We used Armstrong Clark stain. We’re sanding the other half this summer and wonder if we need to cover last years work when we clean and brighten newly sanded section. Also, can we simply just wash with water after sanding and go straight to staining the bare wood and skip the cleaner and brightener?

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  John

You should avoid the prep from getting on the stained half and you do need to clean and brighthen.

Dave
Dave
1 year ago

Hello, I am planning to use RAD semi-trans stain on my redwood deck ~3 yrs old. About 2.5 yrs ago, 1 coat of Thompson’s Water Seal (clear) was applied. Deck is in full sun, does not appear to be resisting any water these days. Do you think I need to use stripper first, or can i just clean and brighten then stain?
Also, if I need to strip it, do i need to cover my adjacent stucco house wall? It’s parex stucco.
Thank you.

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Dave

You will need to remove the Thompsons fully. Please posts some pictures here in the comments for prep help.

Dave
Dave
1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Ok thank you, so if i strip should i cover the stucco? also, do i need to cover the steel balusters?

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Dave

Use the RAD Stripper and Brightener kit for prep. Best to cover the stucco to be safe.

Don
Don
1 year ago

Currently sanding our redwood deck, then will apply cleaner followed by brightener, followed by a semi-transparent mahogany stain.   Can the cleaner and brightener be applied from the mix bucket with a rag or brush or is a sprayer necessary? 

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Don

Spray on and then pressure wash off is the correct way.

Karisa
Karisa
1 year ago

We just finished the RAD cleaner and brightener and we’re letting it dry the 48 hours before staining. We have a couple light dirty shoe marks and bird poop that have gotten on our deck during that 48 hrs. Can we just spot clean with water and a rag? 

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Karisa

Yes.

Doug Houden
Doug Houden
1 year ago

I am going to use RAD Cleaner and Brightner after sanding my Red Bhatu Mahogany deck.  With possible rain showers in the area off and on over the next two weeks I need to find 2 drying days after cleaning and brightening and then 24 hours of dryness for the Armstrong Clark Stain to dry.  IF it showers after the  clean/brightening what then, do I need to reclean and brighten?  How long can I leave the clean brighten. before I stain?  Can I clean and brighten 1 day then stain a week later if there are showers in between?ThanksDH – Canada

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Doug Houden

No, you do not need to reclean. Just let it dry for 48 hours after prep or rain before you stain. A week later is okay.

Connie
Connie
1 year ago

How well does RAD semitransparent stain perform on 3 month old pressure treated wood without cleaning or brightening?

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Connie

You have to prep and cannot skip the steps.

Bonnie
Bonnie
1 year ago

We stained our deck floor last June with RAD Solid. The railings and posts were replaced at the same time. I want to stain the rails and post but am concerned that it will damage the beautiful finish on the floor boards. Will it damage the floor? How can I prevent this? Plastic sheeting seems like it might trap the cleaner/brightener when I am rinsing.

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Bonnie

It should not harm the solid stain on the floor. Prewet and rinse well any over spray.

Avatar photo
1 year ago

in sept 2019 to my 15 year old untreated deck using all your products i cleaned, then brightened, and applied two coats semi transparent dark walnut, with semi cedar on border. Did not overcoat it. Looked great (see pix), but 6 months later when i washed it with dawn dish soap it seemed like it washed or lightened the stain out in some spots (not all, just some.) And its worse now (2nd pix) What went wrong? Now i want to fix it, what should i do? i want to apply same color and product. No need to strip first? only clean and not brighten? one or two coats? help! don’t want to repeat any mistakes. i followed all your instructions the first time. 

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to 

Use the RAD cleaner and then pressure wash. Brightener after. Apply one coat of the RAD Stain. it is normal to have to re-coat every 2 years.

Avatar photo
1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

thanks. Why do i have to use the brightener again? Is dawn dish soap a safe product to use to clean it next spring? if not, what is a safe cleaning product i can use next spring after i’ve done this maintenance coat this summer? 

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to 

You always have to brighten after you clean to neutralize. Just use water to clean with a little bit of dish soap. Not anything too strong or aggressive.

Avatar photo
1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

but in your instructions it says that if you are applying a maintenance coat you only have to clean and not brighten it-so i am confused why you are suggesting i need to use the brightener again. please clarify and explain why you are suggesting something different than the instructions. thanks

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to 

It is used to neutralize the cleaner when you have bare wood as you do.

Keith
Keith
1 year ago

How do you remove the white plastic ring from the top of the one-gallon stain can?

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Keith

It pops off. Just pry inwards. 

Tom
Tom
1 year ago

I did step one cleaner in overcast conditions, and now it’s turned to full, hot sun. How soon does step 2 brightener have to be applied?

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

Same day for best results. Just mist with water first.

Tom Westrup
Tom Westrup
1 year ago
Reply to  RAD Products

Does step 2 also need to be rinsed off before it dries?It’s 88°, with 1/3 of the deck in full sun. ?

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom Westrup

Yes, and thoroughly as well. Just mist it with water while rinsing. It is easy.

Brett
Brett
1 year ago

I cleaned and brightened my 1 yr old redwood deck with RAD.  I used a soft bristle brush and pressure washer with the cleaner.  The deck looked great after I cleaned it, however when I started to stain it with Armstrong Clark Sierra Redwood Semi-Transparent Stain I noticed some boards had areas looked blotchy.  Upon closer inspection there were other boards that had this appearance after the cleaning and brightening.  Do you have any suggestions on how to prevent this appearance on the boards I haven’t stained yet?  

RAD Products
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Brett

Redo the brightener. See if that helps.

Tim
Tim
2 years ago

I would like to stain this fence. I have enough TWP 100 cedartone stain to do the job. Where do I begin?

RAD Products
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Tim

Prep with the Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener kits while pressure washing.

paul sauer
paul sauer
2 years ago

do I need to cover the painted metal spindles of my deck railing when using the cleaners and brighteer?

RAD Products
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  paul sauer

In most cases, not but always test spot first.

Mike Balke
Mike Balke
2 years ago

 I put a new deck on last year with a semi-transparent stain.  I would like to put a fresh semi-transparent stain on this year.  How do I determine whether to use the RAD stripper or RAD cleaner? Thanks,Mike

RAD Products
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Mike Balke

In most cases, use the Cleaner. You would strip if it was uneven. Brightener after.

Jacqueline
Jacqueline
2 years ago

2 questions Do you rinse the brightner with a pressure washer or garden hose Will the cleaner and brightener damage a marble insert we have in the decking

RAD Products
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Jacqueline

Pressure washer. Not sure about the marble. Probably not but best to cover just in case. 

Avatar photo
2 years ago

We installed a new deck June last year and a friend advised us to apply superglue on the knots and cracks. Will the cleaner be enough or should we use a stripper? 

RAD Products
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to 

That was not a very helpful friend! Sorry, but not sure if either will remove it. You may need to sand it out.

Barnes
Barnes
2 years ago

what happens if the cleaner dries before washing it off?  Also, is there any expiration on the cleaner if it is kept in the bag?

RAD Products
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Barnes

Mist it with water to keep it wet while working. 24 months for shelf life.

curt
curt
2 years ago

Do I need to tape off metal balisters on my railing or does the products not harm powder coated metal?

RAD Products
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  curt

Teh prep products should not harm but alwasy test spot first.

Avatar photo
2 years ago

I have two 400 sf decks one above the other. We recently purchased the 18 year old house in Bend, OR and I believe it has the original decks. The climate here is high desert with little rain and 300 days of sunshine. The 1st picture shows the lower deck which doesn’t look like its has been sealed (water sits, but doesn’t bead). The 2nd picture shows the Upper Deck with an unknown sealer on it and the water beads. SORRY PICTURES WOULDN’T UPLOAD.
I bought the cleaner, brightener and semi-transparent natural stain. After reading more on your website, it appears I must strip the sealed upper deck with before cleaning, brightening and staining.
Since the working on the upper deck will drip down on the lower deck, what is your recommendation for the order in which I should refinish? The upper deck is the one most used and visible.  

RAD Products
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to 

We would need to see pictures for prep help. If they did not load the file size was too large. Try saving as smaller. Always start from the top, then down.

Jacob
Jacob
2 years ago

I have a deck that I plan on using the RAD solid stain on. I’ve already sanded it completely, removing old peeling behr deck-over that was on it. I plan on using the RAD cleaner on it next. Will I still need to use the brighter as well even though I’ll be coating it with solid stain after, which would hide the brightened wood? Or is this still necessary to assure a proper surface for the stain to work into?

RAD Products
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Jacob

It always helps to neutralize a deck cleaner or deck stripper with the brightener, so there are not any issues with chemical reactions with the stain.

Avatar photo
2 years ago

I cleaned, brightened, and applied the Dark Walnut semi-transparent stain last year. If I understand correctly, I can apply a maintenance coat this year, instead of stripping it and starting the process all over. Is that correct?

So, would this year’s process be:
1) Apply Cleaner and power wash
2) While the wood is still wet, apply one coat of Dark Walnut Semi-Transparent stain
Or do i need to apply 2 coats?
RAD Products
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to 

Correct. Damp though, not wet.

Sarah Johnson
Sarah Johnson
2 years ago

Hello!

We stained And sealed our deck a year ago but the moisture this summer created a mold and black stains on our deck. We plan on just cleaning the deck and to remove dirt and black mold stains as the deck stain is in good shape. Are we good to use the cleaner and brighter if we plan to not stain again?

Thanks!

RAD Products
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Sarah Johnson

No, the RAD prep products are only to be used for when you are recoating.

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