When working with newly installed wood and decking surfaces, the Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain is ideal after 3-6 months of natural weathering. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain’s long-lasting composition works hard to absorb quickly and penetrate deep into the wood grain to withstand the elements and stay true to its beautiful finish long after the staining project is complete.
Before beginning the staining process, it is recommended that new wood surfaces be installed 3-6 months before prepping and staining. To prep new wood surfaces after the waiting period, use Restore-A-Deck Cleaner. It’s concentrated powder formula is cost-effective, easy to transport, and especially good at removing dirt, grime, mold, and mildew that is prone to showing up on new wood surfaces.
Note: Kiln dried and KDAT wood still needs to weather after install. About 1-2 months. Rough sawn cut wood does not need to weather.
After the new wood has been cleaned, the wood will appear slightly darker. To restore the wood and neutralize the pH, use Restore-A-Deck Brightener to lighten it to its original appearance. The RAD Wood Brightener further opens the wood pores for an ideal surface to apply Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain.
Following Restore-A-Deck Wood Brightener, continue with Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain. Unlike other brands of wood stain, Restore-A-Deck’s formula can be applied to wood surfaces following the Brightener on the same day on damp wood or can be applied to dry wood on following days. If applying to damp wood, it is recommended to allow the wood to dry 2-4 hours after prep is complete.
Only 1 coat should be applied to new wood that is less than 9 months old for the RAD semi-transparent stain. A light maintenance coat of the RAD semi-transparent stain should be applied 12-18 months after the first coat was applied. Every 2-3 years after that is normal.
For the RAD Solid Color Stain, apply 2 coats. Reapply as needed down the road.
Restore A Deck Stain Application Tips
If you have any questions, please comment below.
We are hoping to use your RAD semi-transparent stain on our new deck (pressure treated pine boards, installed 6 weeks ago). I’ve ordered your sample semi-transparent stain pack to determine color of stain we want. I have leftover deck board scraps we will use as my test boards for color choices. We know we need to wait at least 3 months before applying the RAD semi-transparent stain to our new Pine decking.
Questions:
1. Yes, they will. Our yellow flooring brush is by far the easiest and best way to apply to flooring. We like stain pads for the vertical/railings. Any quality brush should work.
2. Best to protect house from splatter and spills.
3. They should not.
4. Best to brighten the same day as cleaning, while wood is wet from the cleaning.
I have a deck with old boards covered in peeling Ben Moore arbor coat. I have replaced many boards with new pressure treated pine. I want to coat with a solid color stain. I think I need to strip because the current stain is failing. Which products do I use in which order? Do I need brightener after stripping? Do I wait three to six months to start the process or strip and brighten now?
Wait 3 months and then strip off what is loose and peeling. You do not need to remove 100% of the old coating as you can cover the intact coating that is not failing. Brighten all when done.
I want to make sure I’m doing everything correctly this time with the new 5/4 treated decking I installed.
Northern Michigan – Deck gets LOTS of Sun; I used hidden fasteners- which makes it very barefoot friendly!
Here’s my plan and I would appreciate any advice or feedback on where I might have gone wrong:
1. Wait three months after the new 5/4 treated installation (it was Installed in early June; plan to stain in August).
2. Sand the entire deck by hand with 80 grit orbital sander.
3. Spray the deck with water, then apply RAD cleaner, wait 15 min, scrub, and rinse well.
4. Apply RAD brightener, wait 15 min, then rinse well (same day as cleaner).
5. Wait 2-4 hours and then use RAD Semi Stain, making sure the wood is slightly wet as I stain using a water sprayer.
6. Stain boards against the house – the full length with a brush.
7. Work on only two boards at a time, completing the entire length before moving to the next two boards, ensuring to run the stain out of the brush and then backbrush the entire length.
I have ordered semi and solid RAD stain samples as well as the RAD cleaner and brightener.
I plan to test out my samples. Should I sand, clean, and brighten these small boards to get the true ending color?
Thank you for all the help on this site!
Will post pics when I am done!
See below.
2. We would not suggest the sanding. You want the wood porous and slightly rough, not smooth like a hardwood floor. When you sand, you close the pores which reduces stain absorption.
5. You only apply 1 coat to new wood with the semi-transparent stain. Use stain brushes or pads, not spraying when doing only one coat. Solid stain needs two coats and that should be applied with rollers and brushes.
Thank you so much — will post pics and let everyone know… FINALLY I feel like I found the right products…. after many years…..
You are welcome!
First time staining our pool deck, I have all the supplies but am a bit nervous if chlorine will transform and discolor the stain over use this summer? Any tips on pool deck staining to avoid this (I have semi-transparent cedar)?
It is impossible to prevent chlorine (bleach) from “discoloring” any deck stain brand. Only way to prevent, is to not get the chlorinated water on the stain.
Hello:)
We applied RAD one coat of semi-transparent stain last summer to a new pool deck and looking to apply our second coat this week. Just to be sure i am following the stated directions..
Only 1 coat should be applied to new wood that is less than 9 months old for the RAD semi-transparent stain. A light maintenance coat of the RAD semi-transparent stain should be applied 12-18 months after the first coat was applied.
Even though it does not say it we use cleaner, brightener, then stain correct? And with the Wet on Wet application i can do this all in one day?
thanks !
Clean and brighten and then apply one coat. You can do this all on the same day.
thanks much!