Restore A Deck Stain Stripper and Brightener Kit
1 RAD Stripper and 1 RAD Brightener
Coverage: 500-1000 sq. feet per kit. Each Kit Makes 5 Gallons of Stain Stripper and 5 Gallons of Wood Brightener
DESCRIPTION
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Stripper is a biodegradable, powdered concentrate that quickly removes worn finishes to restore wood surfaces. Stains and deck coatings are removed along with collected dirt, mold, mildew and mill glaze.
Restore-A-Deck Wood Brightener is a biodegradable, powdered concentrate that is mixed with water to brighten and restore the natural beauty of all species of exterior wood. This product excels at brightening, removing rust stains, and tannin stains caused by fallen leaves. Restore-A-Deck Wood Brightener is a safe, product that will not only brighten but neutralize the surface of the wood, creating an ideal surface that is ready to be stained.
This combo kit includes Step 1 RAD Stripper and Step 2 RAD Wood Brightener.
WHERE TO USE
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Stripper removes most oil and latex based finishes including: clear film-forming varnishes, transparent, and semi-transparent stains.
SURFACE PREPARATION:
Surfaces to be stripped must be above 50°F. Protect adjacent surfaces; cover with plastic sheets and/or tape off any adjacent areas not being stripped. Thoroughly wet and/or cover plants and shrubs. Rinsing residue will not harm plants or roots. Exposure to full strength product will burn foliage.
The Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper needs to be neutralized and this combo kit comes with the Step 2 Restore-a-Deck Wood Brightener.
ADVANTAGES
- #1 Rated Wood Deck Stain Stripper and Wood Brightener
- RAD Stain Stripper removes most clear, transparent, semi-transparent, and semi-solid coatings
- RAD Stain Stripper preps previously stained wood and decks
- RAD Wood Brightener neutralizes stain strippers
- RAD Wood Brightener brightens and restores wood surfaces
- RAD Wood Brightener restore pH balance of wood
- Powdered formulas makes 5 liquid gallons when mixed
- Extremely cost effective. When mixed, the cost is less than $7 a gallon
- Eco-Safe formulas
- Safe to use on all exterior wood surfaces, not just decks
Important Note: Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper may not fully remove Solid Color Wood Stains, Paints, Varnishes, and Excessively Over-Applied Acrylic Semi-Transparent and Semi-Solid Coatings. To remove these deck and wood stain types, use the RAD Paint & Solid Stain Stripper
Do you Have a Difficult to Remove Coating?
Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Additives
Used step 1 to strip my deck last night and then power washed for 2 1/2 hrs. I know step 2 was supposed to be applied right away but it was getting dark. I also have lots of areas the stripper didn’t work that will need ore of step 1 and/or sanding. Is it ok that the deck doesn’t have step 2 on it yet?
Yes, just do step 2 when done with all the stripping.
Can you provide a link to the MSDS for the stripper and brightener?
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/pdf/RESTORE-A-DECK%20STRIPPER%20SDS%204-25-18.pdf
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/pdf/RESTORE-A-DECK%20WOOD%20BRIGHTENER%20SDS%204-25-18.pdf
Is the stripper and brighter safe to use on a rooftop deck with rubber membrane roofing underneath?
Yes.
I’m trying to remove the paint and apply new paint. The color is Ready Seal Peca. Can I use the Restore-A-Deck Stripper/Brightener Kit?
The Restore-A-Deck Stripper/Brightener Kit will remove Ready Seal.
I don’t know what paint color you see in the picture.
(Ready Seal color is the color I want to remove the existing paint and paint over.)
Can I remove the col or shown in the picture using the Restore-A-Deck Stripper/Brightener Kit?
Yes.
Do you offer a product that will clean asphalt or fiberglass roof shingles?
No, we do not.
If product is accidentally gotten onto vinyl surfaces (vinyl siding) will it cause damage ?
It should not. Prewet and rinse over spray while working.
I used the stripper + additives then brightener a month ago. However, the endless rain days messed up the staining schedule. Will I now need to clean first then brighten or just brighten. Thank you!
Just brighten.
I have a 750 sq ft deck in the high mountains of California. About 75% of the deck is uncovered and gets direct intense sunlight all year( and snow in the winter). The part of the deck under the front porch and all the rail aing stripped as expected. But the part of the deck that get direct sunlight daily will not strip. I’ve tried 2 applications of the stripper (with additives) and no results. Please help as I’m at a loss on how to get this old stain off. Sikkens semi-transparent oil stain. Photo – deck after two applications of the stripper.
It appears that you have the shiny Sikkens version, which, when applied, resembles a varnish. In this case, you would need our RAD PaintStrip to remove it. We have small jars for testing on this link:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-paint-solid-stain-stripper-sample-size.html
Okay, but if the same old stain comes off easily where it wasn’t subjected to sunlight constantly, what’s the difference? I’ve already spent many hundreds of dollars on stripper, and now I’m going to have to start over?
I’m not sure why, but it has to do with the chemical makeup of the Sikkens DEK coating that was used. You don’t have to start over everywhere; use it on the uncovered areas. Brighten all when done.
FYI, our description for the regular deck stain stripper states that it will not remove a coating if it looks like a varnish.
I’ll have to sand the areas that won’t strip as the other stripper you recommend will be cost prohibitive (500 sq ft). This is a really big deck with stairs, railings, facia boards, etc. I’m needing to do the stripping in sections as time and weather permits. Can I brighten all at once at the end, or do I need to brighten as I complete stripping of each section?
All at once will be fine.
Help me please. Photos are top deck, middle and bottom. I had the top and middle stained 6 years ago with RAD semi transparent maybe walnut. It’s more orange than I wanted and clearly wearing off. Top floor take a sun beating on the beach sunsets. I also bought a container of dark walnut but still have it on hand. I want the orange removed and restained along with now a new wood deck with seating on the bottom floor for the first time and all in a grayer tone. What to do?
Use our stripper and brightener kit for the prep for older deck:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit.html
For the new deck, see this article:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood
Will this product remove Seal Once Marine Grade Water Sealer?
It should.
Will this remove Thompson’s Clear Water Sealer? I applied it and didn’t realize I couldn’t paint over it- so now I’d like to remove and neutralize so I can paint! Thanks.
Yes, it will.
We have just moved to a new house – unsure of prior maintenance on this deck – and I’d like to stain it with your semi-transparent light or dark walnut color (TBD, will order samples first). It’s unclear to me if I need the stripper, or use the cleaner instead, before the Brightener and stain. Please advise! Thanks!
The cleaner and brightener kit will work here.
Thank you. We used the cleaner (20 minute soak, scrub with brush, then power washer) and brightner – our deck now looks like this – would you suggest repeating this to get the blotches off before we apply the semi-transparent Light Walnut stain? Or is that just the inherent state of the wood (10ish year deck). Seems be to be stubborn. Would love it to look newer but unsure if that’s possible. Appreciate your advice.
The dark areas appear to be stains deep within the wood grain. They may not come out as it could just be part of a 10-year-old deck. If you have any more brightener, you could try that again and let it dwell longer before rinsing.
Why don’t you ship to Alaska? Last I checked we were part of the USA? I can’t select Alaska when checking out. This is false advertising. We have UPS ground service to Alaska despite what most people realize. They still ship it by air but it comes up on a lower priority.
High shipping costs and the greater potential for damage are the main reasons. Also, some of our products cannot be put into airplanes due to the chemical nature of them.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/shipping-policy
I have a Douglas fir porch with Hardie Smart Side siding and painted porch posts. The deck has two coats of Pro Luxe/Sikkens oil based stain. I bought your stripper & brightener plus the additives. Now, however, I’m concerned about my siding and front of the porch which is not deck material. While I can tape off the siding, I can’t tape off the front of the deck because there is little overhang for the tape to stick. I’m also concerned about taping off the porch posts as I’m sure some water and stripper will get under the plastic. Has wetting the siding been adequate? I’m unsure how to proceed (I don’t want to destroy my house) or if I should have purchased the gel in this case. Thank you!
You would need both the Gel and the Booster additives for this. If you have the same stain on the siding and porch, do not get the stripper on it. Not sure how you can accomplish this (we are not there to see the project), but you have to take all precautions. Tape, tarp, etc.
Thank you. Yes, my house has white Hardie board siding with a Doug fir porch floor and steps. The back of the steps is the Hardie board.
Guessing I might need a different product that I can paint on with a brush…
Painting it on will not matter. It is the pressure washing after that that will get it all over the Hardie board. The stripper doesn’t remove paint, so you should have nothing to worry about. Just pre-wet and rinse all over spray as you work.
Can the stripper and brightener be applied using the Restore-a-Deck staining brush?
No, use a pump sprayer to apply.
Do i need the cleaner step before applying the stripper pr can that be done using a low pressure fan tip on my pressure washer?
You don’t need the Cleaner if you’re using the Stripper—just brighten after.
Need to re stain treated deck as the old product is flaking off and our little girl just started walking. Trying to figure out what the process looks like and where/when to incorporate RAD products into the mix. Do I pressure wash first and then apply the cleaners/strippers? Do I need to sand at all? Or would the stripper kit and additives take care of everything and no need for sanding/pressure washing? We are most likely working with wolmanized wood and are unsure about what type of stain/sealer is currently on it now. Thanks!
This is a varnish-type coating, so our regular deck stain stripper will not work here. You can use our RAD PaintStrip or power sand it all off. It does need to be fully removed. The previous owner used the wrong type of coating.
Thanks for the insight here, much appreciated. So after I put the PaintStrip on, I should let it sit and then power wash the varnish off, correct? Then once old material is removed I should hit it with the brightener and then stain? And do you deliver to Hawai’i before I go too far down this rabbit hole?
Sorry but no, we do not deliver to Hawaii.
Do you ship to Hawaii now? Was just browsing the site for shipping time and Hawaii was on the graphic so curious if I might be able to get some of your product now? Thanks
Sorry, but no, we do not.
We just stained the deck and it didn’t come out how we want. We didn’t use a stain stripper for the old stain, we sanded instead. I am looking at the bundle for the stain stripper and brightener. Would this work to re-do our deck? The stain we used is oil based and we just did it a few days ago.
What stain brand did you use?
I used Behr deckplus transparent water proofing wood finish, the railings and some overlapped areas on the deck surface still repel water. I want to paint with semi transparent penetrating oil. What product would remove this finish?
Please upload some pics of the current condition in the comments.
The deck is 2 years old.
Use the Restore A Deck Stripper and Brightener Kit while pressure washing and both stripper additives:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
A water based (acrylic) stain was used 2-years ago on our 7 year old ipe deck which needs to be refinished. Will your RAD stripper work with a water based stain?
If the stripper does work what size container of stripper and brighter would I need to cover approximately 550sq feet?
Yes, it should work on this. We would suggest the Booster and Gel additives:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
One of all will be enough:
-1 Restore A Deck Stain Stripper
-1 Brightener
-1 Booster
-1 Thickening Gel
My deck is about 800 sq ft.
I want to stain it a medium gray color, pressure washer got off about 50% on the main area that is exposed to sun, didn’t do much where it’s protected from uv. What product would you recommend for stripping the remaining stain?
The old coating looks very thick. Do you know the brand?
It might be Benjamin Moore.
My father stained the deck two years ago but he isn’t sure.
Coatings that resemble a varnish or shiny finish cannot be easily stripped with our Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper. The best option would be our RAD PaintStrip:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-paintstrip-paint-solid-stain-stripping-gel.html
Stripper and brightener powder purchased 5 years ago. I have one set opened and another set unopened. Are they still good to use? Thanks.
If in powder form (not mixed with water yet), they should be good to use.
Is your solid coat espresso a match in color to Armstrong and Clark semi solid espresso?
No, and it is not possible to match two different brands and stain types. While it may be close. It cannot match exactly.
Use this kit while scrubbing and rinsing:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-package-300.html
Is your solid color stain similar to an oil base full stain like sherwin Williams and others used to make.
Our solid stain is water based.
Does the stripper remove the gray in the wood?
Yes, it does.
I have a garapa deck that has been regularly coated with linseed oil and turps mix. There is now a slightly sticky waxy build up on the surface that is full of dust and dirt and when it gets hot and sunny the deck gets sticky to walk on.
I want to strip all the old coatings off to get back to the original wood.
Subsequently, I want to lightly oil the bare wood to protect it and retain the natural colour.
Which of your products do you recommend? Will I need the booster to remove the oily residue and what to finish it with. Many thanks in advance
Can you post a picture of the deck, please? Click the attachment in the lower right corner.
Deck planks with waxy residue and also where I used a rag soaked in thinners and rubbed over to remove a small section. Turps did not remove it.
Second pic shows small test area where I used some thinners to remove the coating, but it was hard work!
I recently applied Ready Seal Pecan color stain to my fence and don’t like the color, it’s too dark. Will RAD stripper & brightener work to remove the stain?
Yes, it will.
Does the deck cleaner get rid of the ink stamps on new wood?
Probably not. Best to sand those off first, let the wood weather for a month or two after, then clean and brighten.
Hi there, Going to try your product out on a customers deck. I dont see any labels for the ingredients inside this, just want to do my research because there are flower beds around the customers deck. Also, I have a customer that needs a deck cleaned but its a old composite material. Its a 20 year old deck. The rails are like a composite shealth wrapped around a wood railing, would this work for a composite deck?
We do not list all the ingredients due to trade secrets. Yes, it works with composites to cleaner.
Okay, for the composite deck would you clean it and use the brightener after? how would you suggest to seal the deck again after cleaning?
No need to brighten composite wood after the cleaner. Use the RAD Guard after to prevent mildew: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-guard-mildew-algae-cleaner.html
The decking is vintage trex decking. The deck is probably about 20 years old and has moss all over it.
Pressure wash it with the cleaner and then apply the RAD Guard after it dries to help protect it from coming back.
I stained my wood deck with Ready Seal (paraffine and natural oil stain) and it never dried, even after months. The floor was oily and it was tracking inside my house. I cleaned it, sanded it and finally stripped it with another product. The stain is all gone (no more color) but the wood remain oily and still tracks inside my home, but less. I tried to wash the wood with dish soap and warm water. It’s a little better, but the wood is still oily. It seems deep. Do you think Restore-a-deck stripper could work to get the oil out ?
It should if the oil is from the RS Stain. Apply and pressure wash off. Brightener after. Stain then with a fully curing stain like the Restore A Deck: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-wood-stain/restore-a-deck-wood-stain-5-gallon/flypage.tpl.html
Just to make sure, do I need to get 1 or 2 STRIPPER/BRIGHTENER KIT for a 550 sq. ft. deck? I plan on getting the RESTORE-A-DECK BOOSTER ADDITIVE too. Please let me know, thanks!
1 Stripper/Brightener should work.
Hi,
I used the stripper then the brightner on my deck floor and steps and it went well. Wasn’t on planning on doing the rails and the spindles at first. However, the next day, decided to do the rails and spindles but since I was out of stripper and brightner, I decided to sand them away (which took me a full day!).
Now the weather is crappy for the next week- lots of raining. I know I can wait around 2 weeks for my deck floor after the brightner but what should I do for the part of the deck (rails and spindles) that haven’t been prepped but only sanded?
1-) Clean and brighten it?
2-) if so How much time can I wait before cleaning it and brightning it? Is it okay if I wait 1 week (the time to receive your kit)?
3-) Also, should I cover the rails and spindles from rain with a tarp??
Thanks
1. Give it a good cleaning and or brightening.
2. 2 weeks is okay.
3. No.
rickyray….tackiness issue
So after a few shipping issues I went ahead and applied stain remover and then brightener and then stain. It was very easy to apply and looked great afterwards. I came back to the house this week and notice a tackiness when I walk on it. It’s more of a sound than anything else (i.e. I don’t stick to the deck nor does it mark up). Is there any way to remedy this and what was the cause? Thanks.
Over application is the reason. Give it more time to fully cure.
Last year had a new deck installed. Pressure treated pine. Followed instructions for Sikkens Stain. After just 1.5 years peeled. My son aggressively power washed last week trying to surprise me by helping. going forward: do I need to sand? or just use RAD stripper? then brighter either way , then stain?
Strip and brighten and then stain.
Moved into house about 4 years ago. My deck is about 20 years old. I used a Behr semi transparent cedar tone stain about 2 years ago. (deck had been re-stained previously of course) It seemed to stick to old wood but not new wood….. used on some replacement hand rails, etc
I will have to replace some stair treads this time around. Because of all the old and new woods. and different stains, I thought would use your solid coating to help cover all the mix of stuff.
Which cleaner and/or stripper? Need a brightener with a solid stain ?
Strip and then brighten for prep while pressure washing.
After the stripper and brightener, can I use a Kilz primer material as a crack filler before the new solid stain ?
Can you tell me how long to leave the stripper on the deck to get rid of the old stain? Will the stripper harm the pool in anyway?
10-20 minutes. Pressure wash off after, minimizing the stripper, old stain, and grime getting into the pool. Check water balance of pool when done.
My deck was “professionally” stained this past weekend with a Sherwin Williams semi-solid product. The “pros” did not strip the previous stain so we are left with multiple uneven colors on a subpar job. I’m considering stripping the stain and redoing the entire project. I’m already out $1300 so I’m willing to try anything at this point to make it right. Will this product make any impact on removing new stain?
It is very hard to strip a newly applied stain, especially when it was not prepped correctly prior. Do you know what brand and base type they used of stain?
I know Sherwin Williams and I believe it’s the Superdeck Exterior Waterborne. I requested the semi-solid but I’m not 100% sure based on the coverage.
I do not think you will be able to fully strip this based on the pics and info you sent. It is too thick, almost like a solid opaque stain. You can try to see how much you can remove. Best bet is to use the RAD Stripper with both additives: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
Apply and let dwell for 45-60 minutes and then pressure wash off. RAD Brightener after.
I cleaned by deck by using a home depot deck cleaner (Olympic) 2 days ago. I was planning to lightly sand some rough areas and stain it but then I came across your website and it seems like I need to use brightner as well. My deck is cleaned pretty decent (I think) with most of previous stain gone (not much was there anyways) and algae stains removed. I have few questions:
1) Can I use your brightener 6-7 days after cleaning with another product? Its been 2 days and I am assuming 4-5 more days until I get your brightener. I don’t wan to repeat the cleaning process if possible since my deck is huge.
2) If I use brightener, do I still need to do sanding for better absorption?
1. Yes, you can.
2. No need.
Thank you! Does my prepwork look to simply apply the brightener and then stain?
Correct. Make sure to rinse the brighener well when done.
I meant does my prepwork look OK based on the photo?
Are you able to tell if this is paint or stain and whether your product will be able to help me restore my deck?
You will not be able to strip this paint off the deck so you will need to sand it off to fix it properly.
Are you able to tell if this is a paint or stain? If it’s paint is my only option to sand along with the stripper/brighterner if I want to use a semi-transparent stain?
Looks like a semi-solid acrylic-based stain. Best to strip as much as possible with the stripper and both additives.
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/rad-stain-stripper-additives.html
If needed sand any stubborn stain that is not stripped after and then Brightener last.
Based on picture, should I strip, brighten and stain? Or can I just do either strip or brighten and stain? I had someone stain it last year but didn’t do a great job and they tried to power wash it and didn’t help. It’s mahogany. Thank you
Strip, brighten, and then stain.
Hello!
First timer here.
I bought this kit. Spent today cleaning the shrubbery around the deck as well as getting used to doing the pressure washing.
I see some scratches I think from people moving furniture.
Will the stripper/brightener be enough or should I get a sander to try to hand sand away the scratches a bit?
You cannot remove scratches with the prep if they are deep. Do not spot sand as then the stain will not apply evenly. Best to just leave as is.
Okay.
This is after 2 rounds of the stripper. Should I do a 3rd?
Send a picture when the wood is dry. Hard to tell now.
Several years ago I used Dalys Seafin Ship’n Shore Penetrating Waterproofing Sealer on otherwise untreated railings. It’s a petroleum based product, which they say is compatible with urethane varnishes. I want to use your products. Should I strip the railings first, or is cleaning and brightening enough? Thanks
You will have to remove the Dalys and it may not be strippable if similar to a urethane. Post some pictures.
I powerwashed my cedar deck & we are sanding down to the bare wood. Do I need to use stripper and brightener? If so, should I use it before or after sanding? Thank you.
No need to strip but you should clean and brighten after sanding to open up the wood grain.
I have a porch that was stained with Cabots Australian Timber Oil which has faded on the east side in the Florida sun. Do I needed to strip and brighten or clean and brighten prior to reapplying timber oil?
Strip and brighten.
Hello! I want to restore my 22 year old deck. The deck was stained with Sherwin Williams DeckScapes semi-transparent stain. I will replace my deck boards, but the vertical surfaces are ok. I want to stain them with a solid stain. What is the process of preparation? And what products will I need? I have a pressure washer (2000 PSI) and I have a pump sprayer HDX that I use to spray for ants around the house. Thanks.
Use the RAD stripper and pressure washing to remove as much as possible of the SW stain. Brightener after. After the prep is done, apply two coats of the RAD Solid stain.
Thank you for the reply! With further inspection, I will need to replace some of the wood. How long do I need to wait before I can apply stain to the new wood? Shall I assume I will use stripper and brightener on the new wood as I would the old weathered wood?
See here for new wood tips: https://www.restore-a-deck.com/Deck-Cleaning-Reviews-and-Tips/restore-a-deck-stain-for-new-wood.html
Used stripper with thickening agent, then brightened. Streaks have appeared on some sections of untreated pine, not the treated wood sections. Pics attached. Any suggestions to remove these? Sanding does not do the trick, I’ve tried. These pics have been sanded. I have many untreated pine boards to go but a little hesitant until I get your ideas. Thanks.
Brighten all the wood again.
If I have an herbicide sprayer, can I clean that out and use it to spray the stripper and brightener?
If it is a quality pump sprayer, then yes.