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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    John · 09/13/2022
    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. 
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      RAD Products · 09/14/2022
      No, you have to remove the old stain when you switch stain brands.
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    Terry Fletchall · 09/09/2022
    My deck wood is 2x6 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. 
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    Marilyn · 09/09/2022
    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!
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      RAD Products · 09/09/2022
      1. One coat.
      2. Grease if deep into the wood grain will not come off with prep. You can stain over it.
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    Dave · 09/06/2022
    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
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 09/07/2022
      If you do not follow the directions for new wood then your stain could prematurely fail.
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    Mary Ann · 08/31/2022
    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?
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      RAD Products · 08/31/2022
      What is total sq footage added up? Best to prep and stain in spring.
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        Mary Ann · 08/31/2022
        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
        • We will reply to your comment shortly
          RAD Products · 09/01/2022
          Why are you doing the joists and posts and underneath? There is no reason to outside of appearance. 
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            Mary Ann · 09/01/2022
            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!
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              RAD Products · 09/01/2022
              No need to do it unless you want for appearance. 99% do not bother.
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                Mary Ann · 09/01/2022
                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?
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                  RAD Products · 09/01/2022
                  Yes, that is correct.
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                    Mary Ann · 09/01/2022
                    Thank you very much. We'll order & use in early 2023.
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    JimF · 08/27/2022
    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?
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      RAD Products · 08/28/2022
      Try to stain within a day or so for the second coat to avoid dirt, etc.
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    Tara · 08/22/2022
    Can I use a Sherwin Williams deck prep with this or do I need to use this specific brand and system start to finish?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 08/23/2022
      The same brand of prep for the proper results.
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    Jill · 07/30/2022
    Just installed new cedar railing with black aluminum spindles. Is this product safe for painted aluminum? What do you advise?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 07/31/2022
      Do not get the stain on your black spindles when applying. it will look messy if you do.
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    EARL SEITZ · 07/27/2022
    We have ordered several Restore a Deck products to redo our deck.  As part of the project, we have to rebuilt some of the deck with new boards (could be treated or untreated).  I have read the information about waiting for new boards to weather several months before staining.  Is there any product that I could use during the rebuilding part to help preserve the wood before staining.  That is, sealing the ends or other cut sections and the backs, edges etc.  What about something like Thompson's Water Seal or is there another product you would recommend to help seal the wood before the rebuilding prevent access to these surfaces?  Or could we just use some of the stain (RAD semi-transparent dark walnut) on the ends and other cut surfaces?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 07/27/2022
      No, do not apply anything to the wood during the natural weathering. No need to stain end cuts but you can if you want.
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    Dorf · 07/23/2022
    Is it better to apply the RAD semi transparent stain 2-4 hours after brightening/washing (while still damp), or to wait till the next day when it’s slightly more dry?
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    RCF · 07/19/2022
    I have a 10 mo. old "new" cedar fence that has started to weather and gray- 140 ft. x 6 ft tall.  After cleaning and brightening, how many gallons of semitransparent will I need for both sides?
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      RAD Products · 07/20/2022
      About 15-20 gallons for both sides and two coats applied wet on wet.
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    Keith · 06/22/2022
    Is any prep needed for staining new Japanese cedar (cyprus wood) fence, boards are horizontal and rough cut?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 06/23/2022
      No prep is needed if rough-sawn cut and the wood is clean and free from graying.
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    Laura · 06/03/2022
    We just stained our weathered cedar deck with RAD after cleaning and brightening. We only applied 1 coat but it looks like 2 would have been better (it weathered for 1.5 years). The 1st coat is now dry.  Can I apply a 2nd coat even though not wet on wet?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 06/03/2022
      Not right now. In 6-9 months you can lightly clean and apply another coat.
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    Sandy · 05/22/2022
    I am preparing to stain a new western red cedar railing made with high quality kiln dried wood. I will be using Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent and understand I need to wait a couple of months. Moisture reading is ok at this time and the trim seems ready to take the stain. Top boards have mill glaze. I figure in 4-6 weeks I will work on the mill glaze.
    1. Am I correct that I use RAD cleaner (scrubbing gently) to get the glaze off?
    2. And immediately then use the brightener?
    3. If this causes the fuzzies I sand and then re-brighten? Is that correct?
    4.How much time can elapse between this prep and the staining?
    Thanks!
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 05/23/2022
      1. Use a pressure washer lightly after using the cleaner is the best way.
      2. Yes.
      3. Correct 
      4. For the Armstrong, wait 48 hours after prep and stain within 2 weeks of prep.
      • We will reply to your comment shortly
        Sandra Storer · 05/23/2022
        I’m afraid to pressure wash new cedar! I’ve ruined wood before. Is scrubbing not adequate for removing mill glaze? Thx. 
        • We will reply to your comment shortly
          RAD Products · 05/23/2022
          You can scrub but much easier to use a pressure washer.
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    Koz · 05/15/2022
    Hi! I had new porch post installed 6 months ago pressure treated pine. I was told to wait a few months to stain. I’m pretty sure they are rough cut as they are not smooth? 
    Do I need to prep these in any way before staining?  I also had gables installed to my home 3 months ago that I plan on staining the same color. Pressure treated pine as well but the wood looks smooth. None of the wood is gray and I’m assuming I’m okay to stain? Would appreciate any advice / feedback. 
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    YankeeR · 05/12/2022
    Hello - two quick questions on prep:
    1) Last year I stripped/scraped/sanded badly worn solid stain from deck surface.  Turned out to be a couple of coats under there - not fun.  I applied a single coat of RAD grey-semi after cleaning/brightening. I will be applying a second coat to darken and even out color.  After washing the first coat from last year, should I apply brightener prior to applying the second coat this year?
    2) I will be doing a two tone scheme with the railings using RAD white-solid. Current railings are a mix of older semitransparent stained pressure treated wood and unstained PT wood repairs. As prep for the RAD solid stain on these railings, is it best to use brightener as well?

    Even the single coat of RAD grey-semi held up well over winter and looks  good.  Application was easy.  Very happy with the RAD products so far.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 05/12/2022
      1. No need for a brightener if you have a base coat.
      2. Strip and Brighten the railings.
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    Cathy · 05/11/2022
    We have an old cedar deck that was stripped and power sanded (finer than 80 grit) a year ago and want to apply your semi-transparent stain.
    1.  Should we still apply only one coat of stain bc it was sanded, even though a year has passed since then?
    2.  Also, some of the deck boards are more weathered than others due to one side being exposed to more sun.  What tips do you have to ensure that the applied stain will look uniform?
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    Jeanette · 05/10/2022
    We built a new back deck in November of 2019 and had a roof over it built in December 2019.  The contractor told us to go ahead and stain it before adding the roof and we did using the Restore-A-Deck stain.  We used the cleaner and brightner then stained it.  I know we should have waited for the wood to cure before staining but he insisted.  The stain of course didn't penetrate the wood and we need to restain it.  What is the procedure for doing this.  Do we need to clean and brighten again and then stain? 
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    John Barrett · 05/09/2022
    2 1/2year old cedar used RAD semitransparent after 9 months stripped and brightened first - suggestions on how to proceed- thanks! John 
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 05/10/2022
      Use the RAD Stripper and Brightener Kit for prep before recoating.
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    Cas · 05/04/2022
    I have a stainless steel wire railing system on my 3 year old pressure treated pine deck running through 4x4 PT posts.  I used Armstrong Clark semi transparent stain on the deck and posts.  The deck and posts still look pretty good, but I think it's time for maintenance.   I want to apply a second coat of the stain to the posts without cleaning and brightening but clean, brighten and re-stain the deck surface.  Q1.   Will your cleaner and brightener cause any harm to the stainless steel?  Q2. Should I do any masking or the  steel wires or of the posts where they meet the deck so I don't get splash up and color variation from the cleaner/brightener when I stain?        
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 05/04/2022
      You cannot apply more stain without doing the prep. You need to prep all the wood that is being stained. Prep does not harm the stainless steel. 
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    Peter Adams · 04/25/2022
    I have a weathered deck that doesn't appear to have ever been painted or stained. This is a south facing deck and it lives a hard life. I replaced some boards with new pressure treated wood. I need to get this deck stained this season and can't wait months for the new boards to weather. I can handle spot repainting and color variations but don't want to have a total failure to adhere.

    What is the failure mode when applying to new wood?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 04/26/2022
      It will not soak in as well and will need a recoat in less than a year. It will also stain lighter in color for the new wood.
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    Joyce · 04/25/2022
    I stripped, cleaned and stained my deck last year using all your products. I have a few green spots scattered a few places on the deck. What do I use to just spot clean these places?
    Many thanks
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 04/25/2022
      Try a product called Wet and Forget to remove the green spots. 
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    Vickie · 04/24/2022
    Our PT deck was installed last June. We won't be able to get to our prep/staining in our Northern Minnesota location until end of May or early June. Does that fall under the "new" deck category? Will we need 1 or 2 coats of RAD semi-transparent stain after using the cleaner and brightener? Thanks for your help.
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    Richard Jeffares · 04/17/2022
    I have a pressure treated new dock 10 months old 170feet by 5feet
    It has nothing on it and has weathered thru the winter.
    I want to use the grey semi transparent 
    How many coats? How much product do I need? Thanks
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 04/24/2022
      Sorry, we did not see this question until today. 2 coats applied wet on wet. 1 Gallon should be enough. 
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    Ernest · 04/08/2022
    Thanks for the awesome website!  I have a few questions if your don't mind.

    1.  RAD is your second best choice, above all the other oil based stains that you like?   

    2.  When I reapply in 9 months, I don't have to strip this water based sealer?  It doesn't create a film or anything?  I just need to clean a bit, and put on a new coat?

    3.  I have rough sawn pickets.  One side is really rough, the other is smoother, but still not perfectly smooth (see attached picts).  I also have 2"x4" that say they are rough sawn, but are smoother than the pickets.  I have then in a barn, and I'm using dehumidifiers and a large fan to get the wood down to 15% moisture (since I was going to use an oil based stain).  Also, the boards were really wet, so I don't want them to dry out fast in the sun.

    Questions:

    a.  I don't have to weather the boards since they are rough sawn?
    b.  You said it was better to apply RAD to boards that are more moist, maybe even wet.  Is this just because you got more coverage?  Or am I degrading the process by drying out the boards?
    c.  Is it bad to back brush RAD in?

    Thanks again!  Best website I've found!
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 04/08/2022
      1. RAD is our top choice for stains.
      2. No need to strip, just clean and recoat. It will last much longer than 9 months on your pickets. 2-3 years or longer.

      3a. No need to weather.
      3b. No, you are not degrading the boards. Applies easier to damp wood, not better coverage.
      3c. No, but do it right away.
      • We will reply to your comment shortly
        Ernest · 04/08/2022
        Wow!  So impressed with this site.  Two follow up if I may?

        1.  The grain is pretty high, which I like.  I assume back brushing is the best. Or is pad the best?  Something else?  Is back brushing even necessary?

        2.  So there is no disadvantage to dryer wood?

        I’ve been googling for a while, and this site is helped so much.

        Thanks!
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    Amy · 03/22/2022
    What's the minimum temperature for application and overnight dry time?
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      RAD Products · 03/22/2022
      45 degrees.
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        Tim · 03/24/2022
        is the lowest apply temperature or the lowest for overnight/ 24 hours time frame? I was planning on doing this Saturday and daytime temps when I would do this would be 56, but the overnight low will be 30. Should I wait for another time when the temps don't ever drop below 45?
        • We will reply to your comment shortly
          RAD Products · 03/24/2022
          45 is the minimum temp for application. It can drop below that at night as long as it has 4-6 hours of dry time prior. It cannot drop below freezing the first night.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Darrell Olivier · 03/18/2022
    My cedar fence is 4 months old, can i just pressure wash then use RAD semi-transparent stain or is it better to use the cleaner and brightener before staining.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 03/19/2022
      Use the Cleaner and Brighener while pressure washing for proper prep.
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    Brian · 03/03/2022
    I am building a deck on my home and I have sawn, kiln dried and milled white oak boards for the decking. The wood has acclimated and has an acceptable moisture content for exterior use in my region (wood is at 15-16% and I’m in the Carolinas). This wood has not been pressure treated and has been sanded to 80 grit. Reading through your installation instructions I believe I can use Restore a deck without weathering at this point but wanted to ask if I needed to prep the wood any way before staining. Also do you feel like restore a deck is the optimal choice for staining this project? 
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 03/03/2022
      You still need to weather. It is not about moisture % but porosity. For kiln dried wood, weather for 1-2 months and then prep with the RAD Cleaner and the Brighener Kit. 
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    Justin · 02/25/2022
    I have a 5 year old PT deck that has never been sealed or stained. Do I follow “new wood” process and do only 1 coat or would it need two? Thanks! 
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    James · 02/19/2022
    I'm using new "rough cut" cedar board and batten for my exterior siding. Just to clarify, do you need need to use the cleaner and/or brightener to prep new wood prior staining with semi-transparent stain ? Or, if the wood is pressure washed and cleaned lightly prior to stain application, will this be considered adequate preparation ?
    Thank you, JW
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 02/21/2022
      Not needed to use the prep products for new rough sawn wood.