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
    Kelly · 10/21/2022
    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!
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      RAD Products · 10/21/2022
      1. Yes.
      2. You need to clean and brighten after sanding.
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    David Van Winkle · 10/14/2022
    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.
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    Luke · 10/14/2022
    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.
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    Paul · 10/10/2022
    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 will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 10/10/2022
      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.
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    Robb Rempel · 10/03/2022
    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?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 10/03/2022
      You can stain rough sawn wood right away as long as it is clean and dry.
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    Tom · 09/29/2022
    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? 
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 09/29/2022
      Should be fine as long as you weather, prep, and stain as explained in the article.
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    Roberta · 09/27/2022
    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! 
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      RAD Products · 09/27/2022
      Just prep and stain all in the Spring. Do not stain the new wood now. 
      • We will reply to your comment shortly
        Roberta · 09/28/2022
        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. 
        • We will reply to your comment shortly
          RAD Products · 09/28/2022
          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.
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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. 
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    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!
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      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?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      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. 
          • We will reply to your comment shortly
            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!
            • We will reply to your comment shortly
              RAD Products · 09/01/2022
              No need to do it unless you want for appearance. 99% do not bother.
              • We will reply to your comment shortly
                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?
                • We will reply to your comment shortly
                  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.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    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?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      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?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      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. 
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    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?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    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? 
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    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.