How to Apply Restore-A Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain with wet on wet application
Applying your Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain easily to exterior wood is a reality thanks to advancements in wood stain technology. It should be noted that there is a technique for applying to exterior wood for best results. This is called wet on wet application. Following this wet on wet application guideline is recommended when you wish to apply a second coat of stain on top of your first coat of stain before the first coat has completely dried or cured. This allows for fewer issues to arise over the drying period for a perfect, clean, finished product.
Our recommended guidelines for wet on wet stain application:
- Always properly prep your wood surface first with Restore-A-Deck Cleaner or Restore-A-Deck Stripper followed by Restore-A-Deck Brightener.
- Hot sun application tips: Restore-A-Deck Stain Hot Sun Application
- Start with vertical surfaces first, such as railings. Make sure horizontal and other surfaces are protected from excess paint. After the first coat is complete, apply a light second coat to the top of the railing only between 20 minutes to 1 hour after the first coat has been applied.
- Repeat this process for all benches or vertical structures.
- Once all vertical surfaces are stained, apply one coat of Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain to flooring and horizontal surfaces, ensuring the entire floor is covered.
- Reapply a second light coat 20 minutes to an hour after the first coat has been applied to all flooring and horizontal areas.
- Note that it is ok to walk on the first coat of stain even if it has not dried completely, but take precautions to not step in your second coat of stain to ensure a smooth finish.
Some final tips:
- Only apply 1 coat to new wood. Skip the second coat, you won’t need it. See here for tips on new wood: Restore-A-Deck Stain and New Wood
- Wear shoes and clothes you do not care about getting the stain on. It’s bound to happen.
- Apply the coats quickly to ensure you are not overlapping
- Only apply 1 overall coat to vertical surfaces while horizontal surfaces may require 2
- Avoid excessive application, filming of the stain may occur
- It is recommended to use the Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain with the Restore-A-Deck Stain Brush, stain pad applicator, brush, or sprayer. If using the Restore-A-Deck Solid Stain, use a hand brush, roller, or airless sprayer.
If you need Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Wood Stain application help, feel free to post a comment. If you have any suggestions or tips we are not mentioning, we want to hear from you. Leave a review including pictures of your finished product and indicate how well the project has been holding up over time.
We just restrained our three year old deck. One part gets more sun than the other areas. When we stained with restore a deck that area seems lighter. I think the other areas may have had more “leftover” old stain. Can we just do a spot second coat on that area to try to even it out or is that not recommended?
No, spot applying will not make it blend.
Can I buy one jug of solid stain and one jug of semi transparent stain
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain-1-gallon.html
and
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-solid-stain-1-gallon.html
Hello, bought your semi-transparent RAD stain. After I apply it and it dries, will it bead up rainwater so it doesn’t soak into the wood like a sealer? Is that how it protects the wood from getting wet and rotting? Thank you
High quality deck stains like the RAD stains are not designed to 100% seal the wood and bead water but rather “shed” water. You need the stain to be able to breathe as 100% sealing creates internal dry rot. The need to bead water is a misconception.
I have power washed and brightened our 10 yr. redwood deck. Planning on staining tomorrow which is the 2nd day after brightner was applied. Deck is in sun from 8am to 6pm in various stages as the sun travels across. I have a RAD semi-transparent stain and wondering if I follow directions for direct sun or wet on wet? I need to do 2 coats due to age of deck but the sun will be moving locations during the process. Also, how long do I wait to apply the 2nd coat in these circumstances?
Dampen the deck with water first and then apply 2 light coats wet on wet.
Can I use RAD prep one day, than apply RAD brightner and stain the next day
It is best to use the Cleaner and then Brightener on the same day. If you stain the next day, you can apply to dry or damp wood:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/how-to-restore-a-deck-stain-to-damp-wood
I have a new pressure treated pine deck and will stain in a few months with RAD products. Chemical Cleaning and brightening is required for the initial coat. Is chemical cleaning and brightening recommended for all future applications? Or is scrubbing/power washing enough?
You always need to use the prep products while lightly pressure washing when recoating.
I apply RAD stain maintainance coat, every two years, clean, brighten, stain. Unexpectantly a thunderstorm popped up 10 hours after application. How do I tell if efforts were successful or do I need to start over?
It should be fine. If affected, you would see water spots about the size of a quarter. Check after the rain water dries off.
drying time for solid stain to walk on
1-3 hours.
What will remove RAD semitransparent stain that has dried on downspouts and roof trim on the facia boards?
Try a water-based grafitti remover like Goof Off.
I started my RAD project in mid April with all the vertical boards and 6×6 beams that support the deck. I then sanded with 60 grit orbital hand sander to remove the feathered wood. Unfortunately, weather and travel interrupted the project and I have not been able to stay in the two week intervals you have suggested. The original finish after the deck was built was a Behr stain that lasted less than a year after application. We then put down an Olympic semi-transparent oil based stain that also last a short period of time, ~ 2 yrs Last fall I began to sand the deck surface. This spring after reading multiple sites and reviews, your Restore-A-Deck products were the most consistently highly rated for deck restoration.
I started with the Stripper, Booster, and Thickening Gel. It has taken multiple coats to strip the vertical posts and deck steps, and still required sanding using the 60 grit sanding pads to get the Olympic stain off. The vertical support beams are having to be sanded to remove the stain.
I am now out 2 months on the project. I have to work on ladders because of the deck height from the ground, and am 75 y/o. I need to order additional Stripper, Booster, and Thickener to finish the deck surface and the remaining vertical wood surfaces. I have the Brightener, and 10 gallons of the semi-transparent stain.
Questions:
Thank you for your assistance.
Outside of doing what you are doing, there is not anything that can be done to make it stronger or more efficient. You could try the RAD PaintStrip for the difficult to remove areas. We do have test samples if you want to try it here:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-paint-solid-stain-stripper-sample-size.html
No time is needed after sanding to brighten. Brighten all wood after stripping and or sanding.
If you use an airless sprayer to apply RAD semi-transparent stain to vertical walls should you back brush as you apply or, just spray without back brushing? Is 1 coat usually sufficient on walls or should I plan on 2 coats? Thanks, Mike
You should always back brush verticals to catch any drips or runs and to ensure an even application of spraying. Most likley 2 coats wet on wet. Spray a section and then have someone back brush a light second coat within 20 minutes. Don’t forget to enter our contest when done:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-prep-stain-contest-2024
I have a large deck, will strip and brighten one day and stain the next. Should the wood be damp when staining? It states reapply 2nd coat 20-60 minutes after the first. Should I apply the first and second coat in sections if I cannot reapply the 2nd coat within an hour?
RAD stains can be applied to damp or dry wood but we find that damp can be easier You should be able to apply the first coat to the flooring within an hour and then apply the second right after.
Around 7-8 years ago I had a deck constructed from pressure treated pine. I allowed the deck to go for a tad over a year before applying a Baer solid tinted stain, around June. This was done approximately 6 years ago. The following Winter, after the snow melted the deck was flaking and peeling. It was then stripped about 4 years ago, using a diamond bit disc. Once stripped it was stained using “Ready Seal.” The Ready Seal finish was recently power washed and appears to have been completely removed from the deck boards. Questions as follows.
(1) Do I need to use any of the following prior to staining (Cleaner, Stripper, Brightener), or can I simply do one more power wash? It is my opinion that the stripping, using the diamond encrusted disc, probalby somewhat closed the pours in the wood, which made removing the Ready Seal stain much easier.
(2) Prior to staining with one of your semi transparent stains, would it be more effective to dampen the deck with water prior to staining? One or two coats? And should staining be done on an overcast day, or approaching evening when the house has completely shaded the deck?
(3) Once the stain dries and cures, is it safe to seal the deck with something like a Thompsons Water Seal. I have a large dog and during the rainy season, and fall months, she tends to track mud onto the deck, which I ultimately is tracked into the house by me from the tires on my wheelchair. My objective is to do the deck in such a way that I can use the garden hose to spray off any dirt she has brought onto the deck. It seemed that despite the Ready Seal claiming to be a stain with a sealer, dirt and mud was absorbed into the wood.
1. Based on your picture, we would clean and brighten to get rid of some of the white/graying you have. RS is very easy to remove as it never cures. That is why it comes off.
2. If using the RAD Stains, it is easier to apply to a damp deck. Same if not in direct sun.
3. No, you can never top coat over a deck stain. It will not work and it create issues when trying to fix.
Thank you for your prompt reply. My nightmare is the dog tracking dirt and mud al over the deck, which ultimately I track into the house and then spend an inordinate amout of time trying to clean the dirt and tracks off my hardwood floors. Are RAD stained decks easily cleaned to remove dirt, and mud? It seesm that the Ready Seal simple absorbed it and hosing off with a garden hose was innefective. How would I go about cleaning the deck once I have stained it? Thanks again.
Unfortunately, no stain is immune to this, can you do anything additional to prevent this? The issue with cleaning a deck stain in between reapplications is that if the cleaning is too aggressive, it will degrade the stain over time, and it could fail faster.
If it’s just minor dirt, we suggest warm water and some dish soap, but heavy mud or ground dirt will not just clean off without potentially damaging a deck stain.
I have a 25 year old deck and just used the semi-transparent stain with the wet on wet technique, going over everything twice while wet. However, the deck floorboards are patchy in some places. Can I apply another layer of stain now, to even it out?
No. It will not take a 3rd coat right now. It will most likely even out over the next few weeks. You can lightly clean and recoat next Spring.
Hi, I used RAD system restore my deck two years ago and was happy with the result. Now the deck has some mildew and pretty bad grayish color. Here are my questions:
Thanks a lot!
The mold is on top of your stain. No deck stain can prevent mold or mildew on top of the coating. Just one coat should be sufficient. The older stain should be okay to use.
How much semi transparent stain is required for 450 sqft machine sanded pt deck with wood rails and spindles on two sides. Only one coat for machine sanded?
Please add in the railings, stairss, etc into the total sq. footage for a proper total amount.
Deck Sq. Footage
Flooring Length x width =?
Railing Length x height =?
Steps Width x Depth x #of Steps =?
Add up all 3 for the Total Sq. footage.
That would be 648. Thanks
One coat since you sanded. We would suggest one 5-gallon of the stain.
After prep with stain stripper and brightener Should Armstrong and Clark stain be applied wet on wet if two coats are desired
Yes, that is correct.
After use of paint stripper do I need brightener before applying semi solid stain
Yes, we do suggest it.
Do I treat my decks rim
boards like railings or deck boards?
Not sure what you mean by “rim”. Can you post a picture in the comments?
Hi there,
I’ve got a 30 year old Douglas Pine deck that hasn’t been maintained. (See pics)
Do I
A: Sand and apply Semi Transparent stain?
B: Sand and apply brightener then the stain?
C: Strip, then apply stain
D: Strip, Brightener, Stain?
TIA
You need to sand or use our RAD PainStrip to remove it. Brighten after.
Hello There ~ I cleaned, brightened, and stained with semi-transparent in the spring of 2023. I’d like to hit it again with another coat now after a VT summer and winter. Do I need to brighten or simply apply the cleaner?
Thanks.
Clean and then brighten.
I have the semi-transparent RAD stain. I’ve already bought a roller brush. Can i use that even though its not sold stain?
Rollers do not work very well with our semi-transparent stain. It splatters and is hard to get on evenly. Use a stain pad or brush.
I put 2 coats on wet wood. Can i put a third coat on after the second coat dries?
No. More is not better and the wood will not take a 3rd coat.
I bought to much stain. Is there a shelf life on an unopened container.
3 years. Cannot freeze.
Can I apply a second coat of stain after the first coat has dried completely or must I do it in one shot wet on wet? I’m confused!
It has to be wet on wet if doing a second coat.
How do I actually apply the stain to the long floor boards? Do I stain each board in one long stroke, or can I go back and forth with the strokes?
You can do either, just make sure it is evenly applied.
Thank you for your response! I have a couple additional questions:
1. The deck has not been treated in many years, and the wood has become very dry and starting to splinter. Do you recommend sanding these areas and if so, when in the process should I sand?
2. Some parts of the deck are in the sun. I will keep the deck moist during application per instructions, but after the second coat is applied, is it ok to let it dry in the sun?
Thank you!
1. No need to sand unless you want to lightly hand sand splinters. Do this prior to the brightener.
2. Yes.
I stained my back stairs yesterday and now see there is a milky film in a few spots. Is that excess and if so, should I remove it with a cloth?
Yes, it is most likely excess but if dry, you cannot remove it. Many times it goes away after full cure.
I prepped my deck, then stained my steps and horizontal deck boards. Then a trip interrupted the process, and the verticals didn’t get stained. If I brighten the verticals again, could any splashover damage the finished deck boards and steps?
By the way, the deckboards and steps are beautiful.
Possibly, yes, it could have a reaction. Might be best to just wash them with water only.
If I have a mahogany deck what is the best color choice to keep the mahogany color.
Most use Light Walnut.
Hi. I have some areas where, even after several applications of RAD stripper with both additives and pressure washing, the old stain will not budge. I’m thinking about sanding it down but have read that only one coat of RAD semi-transparent stain is recommended on sanded surfaces. These are trafficked floor boards so I’d like to put down two coats.
Also, I see one coat is recommended for vertical surfaces. Just curious, why not two?
Thanks.
When you sand, you close the wood pores of the wood. Because of this, 2 coats will probably not fully penetrate into the wood grain.
Is it best to remove all old stain with the sander and then apply only one coat? Or to apply two coats over areas where old stain remains?
Do I brighten just after sanding? The wood will be dry. Dampen the wood maybe?
Again, only one coat for vertical surfaces? Just curious as to why.
Thanks.
Best to remove the old stain fully. Yes, brighten after sanding.
Verticals last twice as long as flooring so 1 coat is sufficient in most cases.
I’m looking to stain pressure treated pine that will be ~16 months old. Nothing has been applied previously. There is a dock and another area is a deck with railings, stairs, etc. all totaling about 1600 sqft.
Thanks!
1. Yes.
2. Two light coats applied wet on wet.
3. 2 each of the Cleaners and Brighteners. 12-16 Gallons of stain.
4. Stain pads and brushes for applying Stain. Pump sprayer for the prep. Pressure washer.
I ran out of stain so did not do a second coat of semi transparent stain. Looks like I can’t do another coat a week from now when I get my new stain- right?
You do a second coat a week after the first coat cures and dries. Second coats must be applied wet on wet.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-stain-wet-on-wet-application
You will now need to wait 9-12 months and lighty prep before applying another coat.
Sept 2023. Stripped and brightened my deck ,lobrightened? However it looks like I might have missed a spot when stripping. Can I spot strip and brighten?
You can spot strip but you will need to brighten all wood to make sure it is even when done.
You mention using leftover cleaner for other uses. Ie. Concrete siding etc. My question is
1. Can I us it on Bricks and surfaces that are not specifically Concrete like Cement blocks and pebbled stone blocks or asphalt
2. When you say siding and lawn furniture are you specifically meaning if they are made of wood or can it be used on vinyl or aluminum products.
1. Sure.
2. You can use it on all furniture.
Hi all,
I followed the process of stripping, brightening, and staining however during the first coat, a rogue storm popped up and rained on the new stain when I was finishing the first coat. It wasn’t much rain, but enough to worry me about another one popping up so I stopped there and waited for better weather. After a few days, I applied a second coat and the deck has remained quite tacky for over a week after the last application. What can I do to fix it at this point? Thanks in advance!
Hi, 2nd coats have to be wet on wet, not wet on dry. Give it a time to cure and dry. Hopefully it will in a week or so. If it does not, you would have to remove all and start over.
I am applying this over a sanded redwood deck that is 25 years old. How many coats do I need and how much darker will the natural make the wood? I am trying to keep the deck as light colored as possible
After sanding, you need to clean and brighten for final prep:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-package-300.html
Only one coat for sanded wood. Final color is based on the color you choose. You can test samples:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-package-300.html
Hello- you mention “test samples”. However the link under that is for cleaning and brightening. Where do I get samples?
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain-samples.html
Hello, I have a 240sf western red cedar deck that I will stain with RAD semi-transparent after stripping off old stain and brightening. I plan to do 2 coats wet on wet. I have two gallons of stain. Will that be enough stain?
Hard to say as typcally you will need 2-3 gallons. You could just do the one coat if you are running short.
We are going to be applying to a floor on a boat dock which is IPE Brazilian hardwood. One side has a swim platform and is 10 ft wide. What is the best way to apply the light walnut semi transparent stain? I m not sure how to cover the 10 Ft board without a break.
Very simple. Just go end to end (you can dip more than once) until moving on to the next boards. Use this: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-staining-brush.html
We have just a small area of new wood. Can we go ahead and stain it after 2 weeks of weather?
No. https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood
Is there a maximum recommended period of time between applying a second coat of stain?
60 minutes with the semi-transparent stain.
Good day!!
I am going to stain my fence this weekend, 2-coats wet-on-wet.
I did read on your site somewhere that you recommend a 2–4-hour dry time between Brightener process and 1st coat of Semi-Trans stain application.
Is that dry time correct or can I immediately start with staining once fence is all prepped?
I don’t see any indication of a mandated dry time in the info above.
If the 2-4 hours is correct, do I need to mist the fence for the wet-on-wet application?
Thank you.
When using the RAD Wood Stains as same day as prep, you can apply it to damp wood. Not visibly soaking wet wood. Basically no standing water on top of the wood.
Great…thank you.
I just finished stripping and brightening my large deck. The majority of my deck cleaning issue is algae! This has been so much work because of the algae and I was wondering what you would recommend to prevent regrowth after staining. I am reading several places to spray periodically with a mild bleach solution to stop growth but I don’t want to damage my stain after I have worked so hard to get it done. I am loving how the deck is turning out, but I don’t want to do this again next year. I would like to go two or 3 years between if possible.
Put this on after the stain dries and cures: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-guard-mildew-cleaner-preventer-1-gallon.html
How long does it take to cure? We live in the south with 80%+ humidity
2-7 days.
Hello…..
Return user.
I have ~ 150 linear feet of 6′ tall Shadowbox style fence and will do both sides (300 linear feet?)
Questions: After I do the Stripper/Brightener routine, do I let the fence dry before I start the wet-on-wet staining work? If yes, how long to dry? If no to drying, should I keep fence sections moist with mist until I get to them?
Can I use a Graco Power Airless sprayer to apply the stain on fence and get good results?
Thank you!
Youc an apply the RAD Stain to wet or dampe wood. Up to you.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/how-to-restore-a-deck-stain-to-damp-wood
You can spray the stain. You may have to back wipe drips and runs.
Excellent…thank you!
Hi. I just put down two coats of RAD light walnut, prepping per instructions and navigating around rain days that generally worked well. My question is I had to stop about 2/3 through (applying two coats to the first section) as it was a large deck, and for the remaining section, I applied it when it was a little damper and cooler, so the same two coats came out a little darker. My question is can I put another coat on the first section (without re-prepping, brightening, etc.) to darken it a bit and get a closer match. It’s been about a week since that first section was done. Thanks!
Sorry but no, it will not take now once cured and you cannot apply more than 2 coats. You can lightly clean and apply a coat in 6-12 months.
We started with using your RAD Stripper to strip the latex original paint but it was not taking all the old latex paint, so we sanded the deck. There are still a few spots where the paint can be seen. Should I brighten the deck first, and then use the solid stain? If so, can we do the wet on wet technique with the solid stain after the brightener?
Yes, brighen and then use the RAD Solid Stain. The solid tain is not a wet-on-wet application.
I have a bunch of stain left over from 2 years ago when I did my deck. They have been stored closed and a cool dry place. Are they still good.
Probably. The shelf life is 3 years in unopened.
So from the store they have duct tape over the top. That counts as sealed right? I never opened them but maybe they were opened to add dye?
The duct tape is used to protect the top from coming off during shipment.
Okay. My deck has some stain on the horizontal boards. The vertical
Boards are fully covered. I plan on putting the same stain down again. Should I strip the old stain or just clean the deck.
Post a couple of pics in the comments so we can help with the prep.
Here they are.
Clean and Brighten while using a pressure washer.
I stained my deck with light walnut last year. Great job. I have enough stain for second coat. Can I put another coat this year because I fear that if stain is not used, it will go bad
Yes. Clean first.
I prepped and applied Restore-A-Deck Wood & Deck Stain last year. I would like to apply a second coat this season. Can I just wash the deck with a hose nozzle, let dry, and apply stain?
You always need to use the prep products when reapplying.
Hello! I’m in Southern California and the weather has been perfect for staining. I stripped, brightened and stained with two coats of the semi-transparent stain (about 30min between coats) with the cedar color two days ago. Two things: the deck is still sticky. Is that normal? It’s not tacky where color is coming off, but it’s sticky. Should I refrain from putting anything on it, like furniture or plants?
Secondly, dust from my shoes are printing the patio. Is that normal? How do I get that off with the deck being a bit sticky still? Will that always be a thing or am I ruining the wood?
Please let me know and thanks in advance!
Sticky typically means it was over-applied. Let it fully cure out before using. It could take a week or longer.
oh, ok! and if we are already using it? 😅
Hello,
Can I clean my deck and then stain later? If so, how long can you wait to stain. Also can you apply stain with sprayer, or which method would be best to apply and do I need to wet it down to apply.
Yes, stain within 2 weeks of prep for best results. You can apply it to damp or dry wood. If you spray, back brush to ensure an even application.
How would you handle the cracks/vertical surfaces between boards? Brush first then pad on the flat surface?
The stain will get into the cracks when using the brush or pads.