RAD STAIN 1gal MenuWhen 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.

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  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Ming W · 01/24/2021
    Questions:
    -Do I need to apply Restore A Deck sealer to the exposed cedar deck cover wood surfaces?
    - The cedar deck cover is constructed of exposed raw/rough cut cedar posts (number of vertical posts 6”x4” and 6”x6”, and number of horizontal posts 12”x6”), exposed kiln dried untreated cedar joists (2”x4” and 2”x6”), and cedar railing. The deck roofing construction includes exposed (underside only) tongue and groove cedar planking. The topside of the cedar deck cover is covered entirely with usual plywood decking/roofing fabric/asphalt singles.
    Thank you in advance for your assistance and guidance.
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      RAD Products · 01/24/2021
      Apply to all the wood is correct.
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        Ming W · 01/24/2021
        Thank you for the quick followup. A few more questions:
        Do I need to wait the 3 months of weathering before applying a RAD sealer?
        Do you ship to TX?
        Do you offer a military discount?
        Thank you again.
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          RAD Products · 01/24/2021
          Yes, you need to wait and prep. We ship to all States and Canada. We do not offer discounts.
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    Dave Kat · 12/12/2020
    Hi. I plan to use Restore-A-Deck stain on an open flat trailer I have. I will replace the flooring with 3/4" pressure treated plywood. 1) Is this stain correct to use? 2) Do I need to wait approx. 3 months for weathering or is this considered rough wood (no need to wait)? Thanks.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 12/13/2020
      Yes you can use the RAD stain. Wait and prep wood.
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    David Van Winkle · 11/19/2020
    2nd pic
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    David Van Winkle · 11/19/2020
    I will be putting up a new cedar fence and plan to use RAD Solid Color Stain. You advise allowing the wood to weather before staining unless the wood is rough cut. Does cedar fencing qualify as rough cut? I would like to stain the fencing before I put it up.
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    Kathi Sanders · 10/28/2020
    We have completed the cleaning, brightening and staining process with your semi-transparent stain on a new KD cedar deck (weathered for one month). Is your stain also a sealer? If not, what product should we use to seal the deck and is it best to wait after the 2nd, maintenance coat is applied or seal it now?
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      RAD Products · 10/28/2020
      All RAD stains are sealers as well and you cannot ever apply a sealer over the top.
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        Kathi Sanders · 10/28/2020
        One more question. When we apply the maintenance coat in 12-18 months, do we use the cleaner, brightener before the stain again?
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        Kathi Sanders · 10/28/2020
        That's good to hear. I thought I saw a comment on here where someone asked about applying a sealer on top of the stain.
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    Mark Bardou · 10/22/2020
    If I use the semitransparent stain as a single coat on new KDAT which has weathered for two months, can the solid stain be applied over the semitransparent in 12-18 months if we choose to do so.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      Mark Bardou · 10/23/2020
      In regard to the question I posted dated 10/22/2020, I should also have asked if applying the solid stain over the semitransparent stain would require two coats or would one coat suffice?
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      RAD Products · 10/22/2020
      As long as you prep, yes.
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    louis stevens · 10/20/2020
    this is the second year I'm using TWP 1500 and I used the RAD cleaner and Rad brightener and stained the deck 2 coats (wet on wet). The weather was supposed to be dry for days, however I awoke the next day to rain. It only had 15- 16 hours dry before it rained and I blew it off with a leaf blower. Will this coating be ok, or do I recoat ?
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    Heather · 10/14/2020
    Can I use the stripper instead of cleaner on a new (6 mo weathered) deck? I bought stripper, brightener, and stain that was originally intended for an old deck.
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    Morgan · 10/14/2020
    I recently replaced some boards on my deck and used caulk to smooth out the seams in the long pieces of railing. Will the solid stain adhere to the caulk? It is paintable White Lightning
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    Paul · 10/10/2020
    Do you have a color chart?
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    Paul Waszkelewicz · 10/10/2020
    Can I buy RAD at a store?
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    Bob · 10/06/2020
    I stained my rough cut cedar posts about 12 months ago with RAD semitransparent stain. Could I use the brightened on them before applying a new coat of stain
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 10/06/2020
      Use the Cleaner and the Brightener when recoating.
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    Scott · 10/06/2020
    I am putting in a redwood deck. Which stain retains the natural redwood color?
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    Terry · 10/06/2020
    I want to stain 5 new cedar deck posts that were installed in 4 months ago with RAD natural semi-transparent stain. The 6" x 6" posts are 10' tall and support the deck above. Since the wood is new, my process will be to apply RAD cleaner, the RAD brighter, and finally the RAD natural semi-transparent stain. My question is what is the best way to apply each product on these vertical surfaces?
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    Moe Fortin · 09/28/2020
    Hi
    Just purchased planed cedar planks to build a deck. Do I need to weather these plank before applying your Restore-a-Deck stain?

    Thank You
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 09/28/2020
      Yes, weathere and prep as the article explains.
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    Richard · 09/28/2020
    I have 2 decks where I had to replace some of the boards and now both have to be stained. My wife wants to be able to see the wood grain. What would you suggest that I use to even the color of the old vs the new boards? Thank you!
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 09/28/2020
      You can use either the semi-transparent or solid stains after the wait and the prep.
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        Richard · 09/28/2020
        Sorry what is the wait and prep?
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    molly · 09/26/2020
    We're building a new deck and I'd like to stain the pressure treated deck boards before they are on the joists, close together and more difficult to reach. Is this not possible?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 09/27/2020
      No, you cannot prestain new wood nor would that help. You only need to stain the exposed side after install, weathering, and prep. You never need to stain the undersides.
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    Steve · 09/24/2020
    Just finished install of new yellow wood pine deck, will next April or May be right time for prep & Stain (1or2 coats). Moisture is at 18%
    what should it be?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 09/24/2020
      The next Spring is correct. Follow the directions in the above article. Moisture % does not matter. One coat.
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    jenn · 09/23/2020
    I would be using on new rough sawn juniper horizontal fence rails with weathered oak barrel staves. If I sand the juniper, does that change the ability to apply the semi-transparent stain before weathering? I cannot stain only the staves and not the rails since once they are installed, it will be much harder to do one element and not get it on the other. Also, I'm trying to preserve the beautiful purples of the insides of the oak staves while keeping the lighter outside oak color and juniper from darkening. Does the "natural" tint the wood and how much?
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    Marki · 09/21/2020
    I'm in the process of using semi-transparent stain on my cedar deck railing and it looks like I won't be able to finish two coats today (there's 65 feet of railing).

    Can I wait a day or two to put on a second coat or should I just leave it with one coat and add another coat in the spring?

    Thanks once again for all your great help.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 09/21/2020
      Has to be wet on wet so if you cannot get it on the same day, then do a second coat in Spring.
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        Marki · 09/21/2020
        thanks. If I wait til spring for the second coat will I need to do the cleaning and brightening steps again before staining?
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    Roy · 09/09/2020
    I have a new cedar deck that seems really smooth. Should I sand it with 60 or 80 grit to open up the wood before cleaning and brightening. It is 25' x 11'. Any tips for painting around metal, decorative balusters would be appreciated.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 09/09/2020
      Sanding does not open the pores but closes the pores. Wait the 3+ months, clean and brighten, and then 1 coat. Tape and use a stain pad and back wipe any excess that gets on the metal railings.
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    Liz · 09/07/2020
    I cleaned, brightened and stained one deck/stairs section in one day. The second set of stairs I cleaned/brightened but it started to rain so I had to wait to stain it. I had to sand down some rough areas. I applied stain about a week after cleaning/brightening and the second picture the grey stain is very light, more brown tones than the deck/stairs I was able to complete in one day. What did I do wrong? How can I make this match the more that looks more grey?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 09/07/2020
      it is the way the wood takes the stain that results in the final color. There is not a way to "fix" this outside of removing and starting over.
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    Krissy · 09/03/2020
    I have recently sanded a 20 year old deck down to fresh bare wood (removed 4 layers of old paint and stain). I plan to use your semi-tranparent stain. After sanding to fresh, bare wood, do you still recommend 2 coats?
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    Karen · 09/02/2020
    The new wood on my deck that was prepped after a year for restore was first power washed which I was told not to do on new wood and I asked the painter not to do it but he did applied the restore over the wet deck and it rained the next day which is today. I am very upset because I now have A wood plank with a hole and it looks like someone sanded my deck. Question: should restore have been put on a wet deck and allow rain than stain with semi transparent paint. My wood also doesn’t not have one shade. There are a lot of different shades. The deck was wet not damp.....no wait in between power washing....Looking forward to your answer.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 09/02/2020
      Post pictures.
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        RAD Products · 09/02/2020
        And what stain did you use?
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          Karen · 09/02/2020
          The semi transparent stain has not been used yet. I believe the restore needs to be put on a dry deck? I called the paint store.
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            RAD Products · 09/02/2020
            What product are you asking about? Full name and picture, please.
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              Karen · 09/02/2020
              Y painter has the full name. I think he used the cleaner will have to ask....I know he didn’t use brightner. Can’t take pictures because it’s pouring out. Painter cleaned deck yesterday with your product.
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                RAD Products · 09/02/2020
                I do not think he used our products so we cannot help without knowing for certain what he used.
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    George D · 08/29/2020
    That should have been bleach, not blew h!
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    George D · 08/29/2020
    Existing redwood is gray. New is bright pinkish w/ no treatment yet. Has been about 3 weeks since installation. Considering solid espresso. Has been cleaned w/ TSP and blew h. No mold or mildew present. Do I have to brighten, or can I just apply solid stain? If brightening is needed, can I use oxalic acid?
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    Claudia · 08/27/2020
    I am getting ready to install a new cedar fence made from rough cedar boards. I saw that rough cut wood does not need to weather. Does that apply to typical rough knotty cedar boards used for fencing? I am building the fence as part of my wrap up before renting my property and leaving the continent, so won't be here after weathering. Also, this is going to be a two sided fence on which you can only treat to the outer surfaces after installation, so I was hoping to install pretreated wood and then later only restain the outer sides. What's the best way to protect the wood I am installing?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 08/27/2020
      If it is rough sawn wood then you can stain now with no prep and prior to building the fence.
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    Pg · 08/25/2020
    Hi, I just installed kayu bato on my covered porch about a month ago. I know the wood was at the yard for at least a month before I installed it. I'm getting it sanded next week. Did I read things properly, does this mean I can stain after sanding? After sanding, do I use the cleaner then brightener before staining? The moisture content of my boards are around 10%
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 08/25/2020
      No, you cannot stain it until it weathers for 3 or more months after install and then the cleaner/brightener for prep.
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    Erin · 08/21/2020
    Another...
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    Erin · 08/20/2020
    Just finished sanding our deck then applying RAD products. Problem is my husband applied them in the wrong order. Instead of just strip then brighten, he then applied the cleaner last. Now what do we do? We were going to apply semi transparent stain but since some old stain is still showing through and since so much work has been done and we are only here at our northern MI cottage for another week, I'm being talked into just going with a solid stain. Can the stain be applied as-is, or do we need to clean/brighten again?