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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  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Sam White · 09/26/2015
    Will a deck immediately begin to weather gray when finished cleaning and brightening if no stain is put on? Most of this deck is covered on a wrap around porch and is shaded.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 09/15/2015
    Sharon Carico:
    WILL RAD CLEANER OR BRIGHTENER DAMAGE PORCELAIN TILE WITH EPOXY GROUT? PART OF OUR WOOD RAILING IS AROUND THIS TILE. I REALIZE WE WILL NEED TO RINSE IT OFF THE TILE.

    It should not harm the tile or grout but it will clean them.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Sharon Carico · 09/14/2015
    WILL RAD CLEANER OR BRIGHTENER DAMAGE PORCELAIN TILE WITH EPOXY GROUT? PART OF OUR WOOD RAILING IS AROUND THIS TILE. I REALIZE WE WILL NEED TO RINSE IT OFF THE TILE.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 09/08/2015
    David McGlashan:
    I used restore a deck stripper then the brightener on an old cedar deck with deteriorated stain. I used a vibrating deck sander to remove the fuzzy wood fibres the power washing created. Do I need to redo the prep using the deck cleaner and brighter.

    No, just rinse the deck well with water and you should be okay to stain after it dries for a couple of days.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    David McGlashan · 09/07/2015
    I used restore a deck stripper then the brightener on an old cedar deck with deteriorated stain. I used a vibrating deck sander to remove the fuzzy wood fibres the power washing created. Do I need to redo the prep using the deck cleaner and brighter.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 08/24/2015
    CD:
    I have a 1200 sq.ft pressured treated pine deck. The deck dried out for 5-6 months before using restore-a-deck, scrubbing, rinsing, applying whitener, and rinsing. I then waited 2 days for the deck wood to dry out before applying Armstrong Clark Stain. After 2 weeks and several rains I am seeing white residue on all the knots and imperfections in the wood. I followed all of the directions. The white residue only appears on the knots and on the horizontal surfaces. What can I do to remove the white spots and get the residue to stop? Please help.

    If it is a white residue (and not the wood grain itself) then it is sap bleeding through the stain from the knots after the prep removed the oxidized wood cells. Unfortunately this is part of the wood and it will stop naturally in time. You cannot force it to stop.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    CD · 08/23/2015
    I have a 1200 sq.ft pressured treated pine deck. The deck dried out for 5-6 months before using restore-a-deck, scrubbing, rinsing, applying whitener, and rinsing. I then waited 2 days for the deck wood to dry out before applying Armstrong Clark Stain. After 2 weeks and several rains I am seeing white residue on all the knots and imperfections in the wood. I followed all of the directions. The white residue only appears on the knots and on the horizontal surfaces. What can I do to remove the white spots and get the residue to stop? Please help.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 08/12/2015
    Virginia McCarthy:
    I have been trying to clean my deck using your product. I have applied then scrubbed and waited 15 min, keeping area damp and then rinsing. After doing this twice and it is still not clean. How many times do I need to do this? I have a large deck (300sf) no power washer. What else can I try?

    You may need to use a pressure washer. The cleaner removes dirt, grime, mold etc but it does not remove old deck stains. Do you have stain on the deck. Feel free to reply to your email with a picture. Thanks
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Virginia McCarthy · 08/11/2015
    I have been trying to clean my deck using your product. I have applied then scrubbed and waited 15 min, keeping area damp and then rinsing. After doing this twice and it is still not clean. How many times do I need to do this? I have a large deck (300sf) no power washer. What else can I try?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 07/23/2015
    John Barnhard:
    I have a new deck that is made of cedar and it is 3 months old.
    It has an aluminum black railing on the deck will your product hurt the black paint on the aluminum or the aluminum?
    How soon can I use your product on this new deck?
    Do you have a deck brush I can oder with your product?

    Hard to say on the ratings as all ratings are made differently. Best to test first and avoid the aluminum if possible. You can use the cleaner and brightener now.

    Scrub Brush: http://www.restore-a-deck.com/Brushes-Stain-Pads-Sprayers-and-Tools/Deck-Scrub-Brush/flypage.tpl.html
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    John Barnhard · 07/23/2015
    I have a new deck that is made of cedar and it is 3 months old.
    It has an aluminum black railing on the deck will your product hurt the black paint on the aluminum or the aluminum?
    How soon can I use your product on this new deck?
    Do you have a deck brush I can oder with your product?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 06/29/2015
    Steve M:
    Hello,

    I saw the previous post below with a similar topic but the deck was 2 years old and untreated, mine is brand new...

    I just finished installing my new tiger wood deck about 2 weeks ago and was prepping the surface for stain/uv oil with the 2-in-1 RAD system. It had just rained the night before and since the directions said to wet the deck first I applied the cleaner, scrubbed and throughly rinsed. About 20mins later I applied the brighter and throughly rinsed.

    Now, it appears that the deck had a white film/hue to it, what do I do? Can I simply apply the UV stain or should I do something else first?

    Thanks!

    Did you pressure wash off the deck cleaner? You may not have removed all the wood fibers from the wood.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Steve M · 06/29/2015
    Hello,

    I saw the previous post below with a similar topic but the deck was 2 years old and untreated, mine is brand new...

    I just finished installing my new tiger wood deck about 2 weeks ago and was prepping the surface for stain/uv oil with the 2-in-1 RAD system. It had just rained the night before and since the directions said to wet the deck first I applied the cleaner, scrubbed and throughly rinsed. About 20mins later I applied the brighter and throughly rinsed.

    Now, it appears that the deck had a white film/hue to it, what do I do? Can I simply apply the UV stain or should I do something else first?

    Thanks!
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 06/28/2015
    Allan:
    How do I remove black circles on redwood caused by leaving a propane tank on the deck all year? Cleaner/brightener didn't work.

    Nothing probably will as that stain is deep in the wood grain. It is most likely rust and if anything would work, it would be the brightener.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Allan · 06/27/2015
    How do I remove black circles on redwood caused by leaving a propane tank on the deck all year? Cleaner/brightener didn't work.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 06/15/2015
    Bill Graf:
    My screen porch wall (siding) is stained but the floor and railings are not. Both have mold/mildew. Do I use the cleaner the same way on both surfaces? Do I need to use the brightener on the stained areas if they are not going to be restained?

    Use the cleaner on all. Only brighten where unstained.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Bill Graf · 06/14/2015
    My screen porch wall (siding) is stained but the floor and railings are not. Both have mold/mildew. Do I use the cleaner the same way on both surfaces? Do I need to use the brightener on the stained areas if they are not going to be restained?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 05/05/2015
    frank:
    Used Restore kit on 6 month old pressure treated pine and a few days later some strips of wood turned slightly green. Why did some wood turn green and is it ok to apply stain over the green. PS: it was not green before restore kit

    This is a result of your wood, not the cleaner or brightener. Not sure why but it is related to the wood. You can stain over it.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    frank · 05/05/2015
    Used Restore kit on 6 month old pressure treated pine and a few days later some strips of wood turned slightly green. Why did some wood turn green and is it ok to apply stain over the green. PS: it was not green before restore kit
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 10/27/2014
    Gary B:
    Will Restore-A-Deck Cleaner or Restore-A-Deck Brightener damage exterior iron or aluminum ballisters, or aluminum clad doors, or remove paint from siding?

    Does not harm paint but you shuld take precautions around aluminum with the Brightener. Either pre wet and rinse right away if any brightener get on the aluminum or take precautions by covering.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Gary B · 10/25/2014
    Will Restore-A-Deck Cleaner or Restore-A-Deck Brightener damage exterior iron or aluminum ballisters, or aluminum clad doors, or remove paint from siding?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 10/15/2014
    Jim T:
    We have a composite wood deck that a contractor spilled tub re-glazing paint on several planks. Although he scrubbed it twice with his own cleaner, there is visible white staining still evident. Is your stripper the proper product to use in this situation, particularly with a composite wood deck?

    Our composite wood deck is unusual in that it is NOT covered with an external plastic material, e.g., with a faux wood grain pattern. It is a smooth, flat wood product with very small plastic bits compressed into the material. (We inherited it with the house, and do not know the brand)

    Would love any expert input feedback you have about using the stripper in addition to the cleaner and brightener. Thanks!

    Sorry but our stripper does not remove paint and not sure if it will remove the haze left from the paint. Not sure what would work for this scenario.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 10/15/2014
    Sue Vermillion:
    My husband mixed up some brightener a week ago to use on our deck and did not use it all up. I am now going to clean the porch. Can I use the brightener that was mixed a week ago?

    Yes you can use the brightener after mixing a week ago. Only the cleaner would have gone bad.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Sue Vermillion · 10/15/2014
    My husband mixed up some brightener a week ago to use on our deck and did not use it all up. I am now going to clean the porch. Can I use the brightener that was mixed a week ago?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Jim T · 10/15/2014
    We have a composite wood deck that a contractor spilled tub re-glazing paint on several planks. Although he scrubbed it twice with his own cleaner, there is visible white staining still evident. Is your stripper the proper product to use in this situation, particularly with a composite wood deck?

    Our composite wood deck is unusual in that it is NOT covered with an external plastic material, e.g., with a faux wood grain pattern. It is a smooth, flat wood product with very small plastic bits compressed into the material. (We inherited it with the house, and do not know the brand)

    Would love any expert input feedback you have about using the stripper in addition to the cleaner and brightener. Thanks!
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 09/28/2014
    Cheryl Morris:
    My redwood decks front & rear are 10 yrs old, previously I put an opaque redwood paint on it & it pealed and was a mess so when that wouldn't come off I had it sandblasted which damaged the wood and really exposed the grain it was as mess so we sanded it a bit and then put on a deck sealer treatment which had darkened the wood and now it's ugly & discolored and not grey but not pretty redwood color. I have started sanding the back deck it and it does look like redwood color again. Should I sand the whole thing then use your cleaner & brightener on it afterwords? Please advise before I make things worse. Thanks

    Use our Stripper and Brightener for the prep. It will remove the darkened stain without the need for heavy sanding.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Cheryl Morris · 09/27/2014
    My redwood decks front & rear are 10 yrs old, previously I put an opaque redwood paint on it & it pealed and was a mess so when that wouldn't come off I had it sandblasted which damaged the wood and really exposed the grain it was as mess so we sanded it a bit and then put on a deck sealer treatment which had darkened the wood and now it's ugly & discolored and not grey but not pretty redwood color. I have started sanding the back deck it and it does look like redwood color again. Should I sand the whole thing then use your cleaner & brightener on it afterwords? Please advise before I make things worse. Thanks
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 09/24/2014
    Bob G:
    Can restore-a-deck products (cleaner, stripper and brightener) be used before applying a TWP 1500 stain?

    Yes they can be used for the prep prior to applying TWP.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Bob G · 09/24/2014
    Can restore-a-deck products (cleaner, stripper and brightener) be used before applying a TWP 1500 stain?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    RAD Products · 09/07/2014
    urbanus04:
    I am working to clean a 3500 sq ft fence.

    How long does your product stay active after it is mixed with water?

    Can I simply mist with plain water to keep the area wet or do I need to keep reapplying the cleaner for the 15 - 20 min?

    You can mist with water to keep wet. it is active for 1-2 hours at most.