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.
I’ve used this stain on my decks for years and am more than pleased. I am having a new fence installed this week and wonder if I can use this on new cedar fence pickets or if I need to let it weather first. I’m not sure if fence pickets are considered, “rough sawn cut wood.” Please advise. Thanks!
Post some pics so we can help with this.
I have stained the deck with your product and I am very pleased with results. Now I need to stain support posts. What kind of roller is recommended for this application?
Use a stain pad or brush, not a roller for the semi-transparent stain.
I just completed replacing the boards on my 35yr old cedar deck. The railing is original and was stained with an oil base stain last year. I know I will need to strip the railing, can I use this same stripper as a cleaner on the new decking instead of purchasing a separate cleaner?
No. Use the Cleaner.
Hey, I’ve never used an exterior stain before. I am making a play set for my children out of old scrap/recycled wood. None of the wood has been stained before, but it all has been installed for multiple years on other exterior structures before I got it.
I used my old hand planes to straighten the wood and remove all mildew and oxidized wood layers, so the boards now all have a glistening/shimmering smooth surface on them. (It was quite a workout!) I am concerned that this ultra-smooth surface will not absorb your stain well.
Should I let this new surface weather for multiple months before I apply your stain even though the boards themselves are old and much dryer than new stock? Also, do you think I still need to use chemical prep even though I have planed the boards down past any mildew or dirt concerns? Thanks!
Hi Daniel, the issue is it is not supposed to be smooth/shiny, so no, it is not ready to be stained. Weather and prep in the Spring.
Hi,
I need to stain only the posts and top and bottom rails of my new composite/wood hybrid deck. The wood has seasoned about 2.5 months.
Will I be able to stain earlier than 3 months or is it recommended I wait the minimum 3 months.
Also, will I be able to use only the cleaner and apply the stain or will I need to use the Brightener as well.
Thank you
Best to wait at least 3 months. You must use both the Cleaner and the Brightener for prep.
I have a new PT deck that has been seasoning for 7 months. The total square feet is 1300. How much cleaner/brightner and how much sei-transparent stain will I need. I am considering the cedar color.
2 Cleaners and 2 Brighteners. About 7-9 gallons of stain for the 1 coat.
We have 15 steps of treated pine stairs that are one year old. I need to stain not only the top, but the bottom of all the stairs and the under structure for the stairs since it is exposed. Spraying the understructure with cleaner and brightener may be pretty difficult
without raingear. Any suggestions or tips for how to best handle this part of the job? Also do I need to apply a sealer after the RAD semi-transparent stain is applied or is the sealer part of the RAD stain?
You do not need to stain the undersides unless it is for appearance only. There is no “easy” way to do the undersides as it will get dirty and messy, so best to wear protective clothing. Never apply a sealer over a deck stain. It will peel if you do and no reason to as well.
My deck was put in almost 3 years ago. I finally got around to putting RAD on, 2 coats. It soaked up a LOT of product. The second coat was put on 2 days. Currently it is raining and the water is only kind of beading up. I would have expected the water to completely bead up. Does it need a third coat?
No, and it is not supposed to bead water like a car wax. That is a myth. You want the wood to breathe and not be 100% sealed. It “sheds” water instead.
Why only one coat of semi-transparent stain if new wood is less than 9 months old? What would happen if I gave it a second coat?
Kevin
New wood is not very absorbent so over applying can lead to the stain not fully penetrating into the wood grain as intended.
I just installed a new rough hewn pine privacy fence. The wood is quite green with splotches and streaks of green, especially around knots. The wood also feels slightly damp although we a haven’t had any rain for over a week. Should I wait for the wood to weather and age before applying RAD stain or can I apply now? If wait, how long?
You cannot apply if still internally damp. Let it dry out longer. Maybe 1-2 months.
I have a ton of spindles on my deck. Is a contour applicator a good method for these spindles?
We prefer brushes or stain pads. You can also spray and then back brush. That is the fastest.
Hey just exploring the option of a two toned deck. I’m sold on the light walnut semi for the deck boards and horizontal boards. I have a darker gazebo built on the deck. Do you think two toned would look nice? If so what solid color do you recommend? Also, is the lattice better off light walnut in semi transparent or a solid color if I go two tone?
Do you want a darker brown solid to blend with the gazebo or white to blend with the house trim? Lattice should be the solid color.
I think that’s what I’m struggling with. If I go white to match the trim of the house, I’d have 3 colors (with the white, the darker gazebo, and the light walnut. Do you think it would look better matching the trim of the house or the gazebo being that the gazebo is integrated into the deck. I’m thinking I go the darkest solid stain on my lattice and spindles. If I do that, is there anywhere else I should put the solid stain? Also, should the vertical posts behind the lattice also be solid or would they be light walnut?
Blend with the Gazebo with Solid Stain Espresso. Floor and stair treads (tops of rails can be as well) only with the semi-transparent. All verticals solid.
Looking for some advice on good color options for this deck. It has not been stained yet. I’m also thinking I want to utilize a stain at least close to our shed (which is Sikkens Butternut 072 stain). Doesn’t have to be a perfect match but close enough. Check out my pics and I’d love some professional advice on a good stain color from RAD for the deck.
Light Walnut would be the closest to the shed color. Make sure to prep well first.
With the deck being a few years old but never stained, should I do one or two coats of semi-transparent RAD stain?
2 light coats applied wet on wet: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-stain-wet-on-wet-application
Even if I do a light sand throughout the whole deck before brightener?
If you power sand then only 1 coat. It really comes down to how absorbent the wood is. The stain needs to fully penetrate.
Sorry for all the questions but your responses are helping us big time. The deck is 3 years old but never stained. I will be using RAD cleaner and brightener. In your experience, would I get better results with a full power sand and one coat or skip the sand and apply 2 coats wet on wet? We are excited to use RAD for our deck but just want to make the best decision for our first time prepping and staining
No need to sand in most cases.
New deck is 3 years old and is pressure treated pine. I’m thinking it needs a good pressure wash with RAD cleaning product. I’d like to sand. Should the brightener be used after I sand or before?
Brighten last.
I bought a house that has a cedar deck, which is clearly many years old. It had some remnants of solid stain left on it in spots, was otherwise weathered and chipped free of it. I pressure washed, then sanded thoroughly with 80 grit, so I’m down to good wood, with only a few signs of gray in deeper ruts. I want to apply RAD solid stain to freshen it up and protect it, is the brightener required at this point?
Yes. After sanding, the brightener will help to “open” up the wood pores, creating better adhesion for the solid stain.
I have a 12×30 pressure treated pine deck. We do not know if it was previously stained with a water or oil based stain. It was a cedar tone. We have had to replace some of the wood – so there is a mixture of old and new. We have partially sanded about a 3rd of it and have stopped before moving on to the remainder after doing some research. We are not as concerned about it looking homogenous as we like the different tones. We are more concerned about getting good protection. 1) Do we need to strip the remaining pevious stain (left after sanding) to ensure good adhesion. 2) Since we have new wood mixed in, should we wait until it has been in for 3 months before sanding or striping the remaining deck? 3) Once prepped what would you recomend for stain?
1. Yes. Post pics for advice on prep.
2. Correct.
3. Depends on condition. Pics are needed.
I cannot seem to find how long do I need to wait before walking on newly stained fresh wood dock? (It looks beautiful!!)
24 hours.
I built adirondack chairs out of red western cedar wood bought from a local big box store. The wood is kiln dried and surfaced on one side (the side that will mostly be exposed to sunlight). Do I need to let the chairs age before staining? If so, do I also need to clean and brighten before staining?
Yes, with kiln dried, you should waether outside for 1-2 months and then use the prep to remove the mill glaze. One coat of the stain.
New ramp two years ago. Do you have to get the gray color all off before staining?
Yes, use this kit for prep: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-package-300.html
I have a new pressure treated deck , that has been weathered for 6 months . I’m ready to clean and brighten. Then I will apply the stain . In the following years to come , will I just stain directly on top ? What prep, if any, will I take as I need to re apply more stain. Thanks
You always have to prep when recoating. Clean and then stain. No need to strip.
Is restore a deck water or oil based ?
Penetrating water-based stain.
Hi,I have an 18 year old deck I’ve cleaned and pressure washed this past week. I have some sanding to do to the old wood and have replaced a couple of the boards with new pressure treated wood. How long should I wait for the pressure treated wood to age before applying stain and do I apply the stain to the old boards in a different way than the new boards?
3 months and then prep. Apply the same to both new and old wood.
Hello, I just applied RAD semitransparent stain on my deck after cleaning and brightening with RAD products. The deck looks great other than a few shoe prints where I stepped before the stain was dry enough. The stain has been on for more than 24 hours. Can I sand off these shoe print marks and just apply stain over the sanded areas?
Thanks for your help!
It will not blend if you spot prep and spot apply.
How long is it okay to delay between brightening and applying RAD semitransparent stain?
Stain within two weeks of prep.
how many gallons for new wood deck installed in july 2022 ….square footage of deck is 1400
About 10 Gallons for the 1 coat for new wood.
I have applied the cleaner and have a lot of raw wood fibers after power-washing — it is also taking a long time so I have a few questions.
I am no longer able to do it all in one day due to time. If it rains prior to staining (it’s supposed to rain tomorrow), do I need to re-prep with cleaner prior to staining? Should I brighten today and stain after rain? or brighten AND stain after rain?
Rain does not harm the prep so you do not have to redo it. Brighten today.
I have rust oleum deck restore on my deck will this product work?
You will have to sand it all off the fix this and then you can use the Restore A Deck Stains.
I have a 5 yr old pressure treated deck with PPG ProLuxe solid stain on it. The strain peeled badly after 1 yr and we are in search of a better option.
All decking is weathered already 3 months (some newer boards). How important is it to get all of the old solid stain off the deck of going with a new solid stain again?
Whatever can come off easily has already been removed. Can i just follow the clean/brighten/stain sequence at this point or will the properly adhered old stain need to be completely sanded off?
Remove all the peeling solid stain and then you can cover the intact stain that is not peeling with the RAD solid stain.
I have an unopened gallon of Restore-A-Deck Cedar stain that is dated 2021. Can I use that this Spring?
Yes, as long as it did not freeze. If using new RAD stain as well, mix together first.
Great! Thanks for the quick reply!
I used RAD Light Walnut Semi-Transparent stain on a new 600 plus SQ’ cedar deck. To my great dismay the snow finally melted last week, and the deck is peeling!
This is exactly what I did not want to ever see! I can live with fading color but my selection of using the RAD product was to avoid future high maintenance deck stripping.
So here is my story…
I built this crazy expensive very large cedar deck in the Fall of 2020. I let the cedar age through the winter and did the RAD prep (Cleaner/Brightener), in early August 2021. I absolutely followed all directions and thoroughly hosed off all products. On August 22nd I applied the stain using a low-pressure sprayer and soft brush pad. I used the pole mounted brush pad to be certain that I did not overapply and have pooling. I stained the cedar railings before installing the very expensive cable rail system to avoid staining the cables.
The end result looked great and met both the customers’ and my expectations.
18-months later… peeling! The deck is not used or shoveled off during the winter, so the peeling is not a result of abrasion. The deck did not see rain after applying the stain for about 20-hours. The deck is in the sun, and I did read the hot sun tips but perhaps still experienced some flash drying but I was not aware of it at the time.
Please help explain what went wrong and how I remedy the situation… I’m afraid this is going to be a ton of labor and cost. I am very detail-oriented and tried to do everything right the first time.
Please see the attached pictures throughout the process.
Thank you,
Joey K
It is normal for new wood to need a recoat about 12-18 months after the first coat. This is due to the lack of porosity for new wood, especially cedar wood. Clean and recoat. New wood tips.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood
In my last picture I show the peeling that is occurring. Do I need to use the stripper first? or will the cleaner remove any loose product in preparation for a new semi-transparent application? And will the new semi-transparent RAD stain application provide a uniform finish?
I assume with the cleaning process you also need to neutralize with the brightener prior to staining.
Still, this doesn’t explain the peeling. I would not have thought with a semi-transparent product that peeling would result, only loss of color pigment over time.
Thank you.
Yes, new wood is not absorbent so that is the need for reapplying in 12-18 months and is also the reason it wore like it did.
Clean and brighten while pressure washing. No need to strip.
My deck is 1200 sq ft including 6×6 support posts. 9 year old PT yellow pine. Stained 8 years ago with Sherwin Williams Deckscapes (oil) Semi Transparent. Planning on using RAD Stripper and Brightener, before applying a non RAD solid stain (heavy sun exposure). I have some filling to do on cracks in posts and some on deck boards. Will have to sand some. Is this the correct order: Strip, Fill, Sand, Brighten, Stain?
Filles do not work well for outside wood. We should not suggest them and cracks are normal for exterior decking. No need to sand as well but if you do, do not sand finer than 60-80 grit.
Your order of steps would be correct.
Redoing an 18×22 deck… The only thing that will be old wood is the 4×4 posts.. Everything else that can be seen will be “seasoned” pressure treated pine.. The 4×4 posts have been sanded to look new… Thinking I would like to stain them before putting down the new boards since I’ll need to wait for the deck boatds to weather a few months before staining them.. What is the best process for my sanded 4×4 posts? Also, the decking has been covered and outdoors for over 6 months, how long should I wait before I stain it as well?
Weather all wood and prep and that includes the posts. Sanding is not the best way to prep as it can close the wood pores.
Follow the directions in the article. 3+ months and then prep.
Hello, I just bought an enclosed trailer with an OSB floor and interior walls. I would like to stain and seal to protect. I am not able to “weather” the inside of a trailer. Will this product work on fairly new OSB?
If it is rough cut and absorbent, it would work.
Hello, I just had a new rough sawn cedar fence installed one week ago.
1) Does it need to be prepped with products, pressure wash, or nothing at all?
2) Do I apply one coat or two coats of the semi-transparent stain for the first time?
3) For maintenance – it sounds like I need to clean and brighten in 18 months. Then one or two coats of stain?
4) Then how often do I repeat that in the future?
1. No need to prep rough sawn wood if clean and dry.
2. 2 coats for rough sawn.
3. One coat.
4. For a fence, every 3-4 years is typical.
Where do I start to treat new treated deck wood?
The above article explains weathering and prep for all new wood types.
when applying the stain, how much do you put down and do you rub it with a cloth to remove any excess?
Hello,
Instructions are on the product label under Application. See pic.
You only apply as much as the wood can fully absorb with the semi-transparent stain. Do not over-apply.
We have sanded the old solid stain off our pergola, treated mold with Concrobium, and then used Concrobium mold stain eraser, which contains peroxide, various acids/alcohol, and alkali metal carbonate (ph adjuster). All is rinsed off to remove any residue. We hope to use semi-transparent stain. After all of that:
1) Will one coat suffice?
2) Do we still need to use your cleaner and/or brightener or can we just move to staining?
Thanks!
1. Yes.
2. You need to clean and brighten after sanding.
Just completed this outdoor patio table for a friend. Made from Kiln dried Doug Fir. Just delivered it the other day and it will be on a covered patio, exposed to the elements but shaded from the sun. I told it would a few months before I can finish it with RAD Semi-Transparent Stain. We’re in California along the coast so we will have a mild winter. Should I just wait until early Spring to prep and stain the table? I did sand the table, but only with 80 grit.
Yes.
How after rain should I wait before using the cleaner, brightener, and semi-transparent stain (using all on the same day) on my 12 month old untreated deck? If it rains a lot the day before, is that too soon? Or should it have a full 24 hours (or longer?) of drying in between rain and treatment? If the weather is relevant, I’d expect it to be in the mid 50s during the day most of the time.
Does not matter when it rains. Prep works on wet decks and the stain can be applied to damp wood: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/how-to-restore-a-deck-stain-to-damp-wood.html
In response to questions regarding RAD solid stain custom color, the answer always seems to be that it cannot be done, although it was stated that two different premixed colors could be blended (adding a little white to coastal gray to lighten it up). On the Product Data Sheet for Solid Stain, however, it is stated: Color Tinting: Restore-A-Deck Solid Color Wood Stain can be colored/tinted with any high quality, water soluble universal colorant.
Which is correct?
We do not custom mix colors, only sell stock colors. RAD Solid does not come in a base that can be custom mixed at a local paint store. You can take two stock colors and intermix them if you like. Adding compatible pigment to a stock color can be done but the outcome is hard to predict, so we do not suggest this.
I am installing new rough sawn cedar siding. It sounds like rough sawn cut wood does not need to weather. Is that correct? Can I apply RAD semi-transparent stain now to the siding or do I need to clean and brighten new wood before I stain?
You can stain rough sawn wood right away as long as it is clean and dry.
Can I put on two coats of the RAD semi-transparent stain?
Rough sawn, yes.
We used the RAD stripper, cleaner/brightener & stain last year. Neighbor is paying to have 20 year old cedar fence replaced w/PT pine on 1/3 of our fence, today. Will be moving overseas in Jan/Feb, and want to stain the new pine before leaving. We live near Nashville, TN and want to know if staining in early Jan will be ok. If so, anything other than stain needed on the new pine?
Should be fine as long as you weather, prep, and stain as explained in the article.
Hello, we are in the process of restoring our large deck. We had some bad boards replaced (redwood), and the rest of the deck sanded down. Then, we applied your cleaner and brightener to all. Now we are ready to apply the stain. However, I am just waking up to the fact that some of the boards are NEW wood, and have not been weathered, as recommended. My question: if we stain the whole deck now, then come back next year and add another coat, will that be ok for the new boards, or will the premature application of the first coat ruin the new boards for taking up the second coat next year?
Thank you!
Just prep and stain all in the Spring. Do not stain the new wood now.
Thanks so much for your prompt reply! I realize that waiting to do all the staining in the Spring would be ideal. But we would prefer to protect the old wood (30 years old!) before winter here in the Colorado foothills. Can you help me understand HOW bad it would be to stain the new wood now? Would it make it so the boards would never take the stain right or something?
I do not think we can get the crew to stain around the new boards. If we did stain the whole deck, should we strip the new boards of the RAD before cleaning and adding a new coat to the whole deck in the spring? If we did that, would we then need to let them weather for 3-6 months, after the stain is off? How much additional benefit would we gain if we did this, as opposed to just adding an additional coat to them in the spring?
Please help me understand why the wood needs to weather first– that will help me make a decision. Is it that weathering dries it out, leaving more room for the stain to penetrate?
I greatly appreciate your willingness to help with all these individual variations and concerns, and to set it up so we can read others’ posts as well. I’ve learned a lot! This is a valuable benefit of using your product.
It is not an issue to leave your older wood unstained through one Winter so the best is to prep and stain all in the Spring. If you do it now, you will end up stripping and redoing it all again in the Spring.
Can i use RAD on a 1 year old rough cut cedar deck that was originally stained with oil based stain? There are some high traffic areas where the surface looks bare and i dont want the wood to grey.
No, you have to remove the old stain when you switch stain brands.
My deck wood is 2×6 cedar. Stainless steel screws were used. It is 15 years old. It was cleaned with tsp and bleach and sealed with a light oil-based cedar tone semi-transparent stain 10 years ago. Last fall I used Restore a Deck Stripper and Brightener with a power washer. The result was the wood blotchy. My house is at the beach in Oregon. Cold weather and rains set in with fall and I determined to not move forward with the staining. Over the spring and summer, the deck turned light uniform grey. I have sanded the grey off the wood with an orbital sander so it now looks like dried cedar.
I have just finished sanding and it looks like the weather will hold for the next 10 days. Can i used the Restore a Deck stain I purchased last fall to proceed without preping with cleaner or brightener.
Yes, you can.
Deck is Yellawood flooring, rails, pickets, almost 2 years old and unstained. Cleaned in May but unable to complete project at that time and plan to do full prep. I have RAD cleaner, brightener, semi-transparent stain.
1. Any special suggestions for Yellawood? One or two coats of stain for new wood over 9 months old?
2. Several grease spots 3-7″ long under grill. Any suggestions? It will be covered up again but would like for stain to “take” in those spots if possible.
Thanks!
1. One coat.
2. Grease if deep into the wood grain will not come off with prep. You can stain over it.
What will happen if I use RAD on new pressure treated wooded benches that are only about a month old? The wood appears to be pretty dry. No telling how long it sat in the lumberyard prior.
Thanks
Dave
If you do not follow the directions for new wood then your stain could prematurely fail.
Thank you for rapid delivery of semi-transparent stain samples, which arrived today. We’re going to apply to scrap wood before the day is done. Our new second-story deck, made of pressure-treated pine, is split level; one section is 27’7″x8’10”, the other (one step down) is 16’7″ x 13′, with eleven 3’9″x11.25″ steps (with risers) and five piers 5.5″x5.5″x7’3″; vinyl rail. The front stoop is 94.5″ x 59.5″, no rail. How much cleaner, brightener, & stain should we order for the first treatment?
The deck floor was completed on 7/7/22 and the stoop on 7/21/22. Recommended 3-month weathering puts us out to October, when we won’t be able to do the work, and also too late for your 2022 stain contest. Would it be better for us to hope for good weather in November, or wait until early 2023 to order and do the process?
What is total sq footage added up? Best to prep and stain in spring.
Here’s our math for total sq footage:
horizontal deck surface (459 sq ft) x2 (top & bottom) = 918 sq ft
steps & risers (66 sq ft x2) = 132 sq ft
joists = 610 sq ft
piers = 66 sq ft
stoop = 40 sq ft
Total = 1,766 sq ft
Why are you doing the joists and posts and underneath? There is no reason to outside of appearance.
Thought we had to stain all wood, including under side of the deck, in order to protect it. We’re in northeastern Pennsylvania, which is fairly humid. Below the deck there’s bluestone patio, which is utilitarian for us, not a place where we entertain. We don’t want any more work than necessary!
No need to do it unless you want for appearance. 99% do not bother.
Good. Our revised figures are: deck surface (459 sq ft) + facing (53 sq ft) + steps (66 sq ft) + posts (66 sq ft) + front porch/stoop (40 sq ft) = Total of 684 sq ft. It appears that one RAD Semi-Transparent Wood Stain (5 gal) and Cleaner/Brightener Combo Kit can cover 750–1000 sq ft, and would be sufficient. Is that correct?
Yes, that is correct.
Thank you very much. We’ll order & use in early 2023.
I used RAD cyprus solid after prepping an old deck with RAD stripper/brightener. A second coat is recommended on horizontal surfaces. Is there a time limit on how long after the first coat that this can be applied?
Try to stain within a day or so for the second coat to avoid dirt, etc.
Can I use a Sherwin Williams deck prep with this or do I need to use this specific brand and system start to finish?
The same brand of prep for the proper results.
Just installed new cedar railing with black aluminum spindles. Is this product safe for painted aluminum? What do you advise?
Do not get the stain on your black spindles when applying. it will look messy if you do.