When to use Restore-A-Deck Stripper vs. Restore-A-Deck Cleaner
One of the keys to having a beautiful, healthy stained wood deck is regular maintenance. Putting in the time and effort to regularly prep and stain your deck with high-quality products such as Restore-A-Deck will make enhance your deck for years to come.
The first step in the wood staining process is to prep a wood surface by applying either Restore-A-Deck Cleaner or Restore-A-Deck Stripper to the wood surface. How do you know when to use a wood cleaner or a wood stripper? Here are some guidelines to determine which formula is right for your situation.
Restore-A-Deck wood cleaner is ideal for prepping an old or new wood surface that has no stain that needs to be removed. The cleaner breaks down dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and mill glaze to make it easier to remove when scrubbed or power washed. It washes the wood to reveal a smooth, even surface ideal for staining. The Restore-A-Deck Cleaner is also excellent for “Maintenance” coats or prepping for applying the same brand and type of stain that was used previously.
Oftentimes, wood decks will have peeling or discolored stain already on it that you wish to remove for proper application of a new stain. This is when it is recommended you use Restore-A-Deck Stripper. The wood stripper has an aggressive caustic formula that emulsifies and breaks down most deck stains so they can be easily removed when scrubbed or power washed. The stripper also removes all of the dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and mill glaze that would have been removed by using a cleaner, so it is recommended to use either Restore-A-Deck Cleaner or Restore-A-Deck Stripper, not both of them.
Sometimes, it is hard to tell if a deck already has stain or sealers on it. When you are uncertain, splash some water on the wood surface. If the water beads up, there may be an old stain that is present on the wood surface. If the water absorbs into the wood quickly, there is little or no wood stain on the surface.
Follow either Restore-A-Deck Cleaner or Restore-A-Deck Stripper with Restore-A-Deck Brightener. The Brightener will restore the wood surface to its original color, neutralize the pH, and open the wood pores, revealing an ideal surface perfect for the stain.
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