This post was updated on February 24, 2024
Rust-Oleum Rock Solid (Deck Restore) Update 2024
Since the article was first originally published, we have had over 2000 comments and 450 Reviews from consumers who have used the Rust-Oleum Deck Restore (now named Rock Solid) and have had a poor experience with peeling and failure. If you have used Rust-Oleum Deck Restore please upload and post pictures of your exterior wood or deck. A short description of your experience would be helpful as well. This can be done in our comment area below. Feel free to also submit a Star Rating on the Rust-Oleum Deck Restore coating.
Note: There has been a ruling on the Class Action Lawsuit as of March 6th, 2017:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9r279S4WUPSRXlrd1E0c0R2Mnc/view
Important Note on Label Change for Deck Restore (Rock Solid)
Even though they have settled this lawsuit, Rust-Oleum Deck Restore is still sold to unsuspecting consumers and has not been pulled from the shelves. Rust-Oleum has changed to a newer, relabeled version of their Rust-Oleum Deck Restore. From what we have seen in the field and heard, the Rust-Oleum Rock Solid is not any better than the Deck Restore and continues to peel and fail.
Rust-Oleum Deck Restore is a water-based, low odor product that is designed to mask the wood not allowing the wood grain to show. It is marketed as a thick paint product for wood decks that is outside of conventional restoration.
Recently there have been investigating claims on behalf of customers who have used Rustoleum Deck Restore on their decks. Rustoleum Restore has been alleged of being prone to premature failure. When it is applied to exterior wood it may be susceptible to bubbling and/or peeling, which can lead to costly repairs and replacements.
Consumers involved in the Rust-oleum class-action lawsuit are claiming to have significant peeling and bubbling within a year to a year and a half of applying the product. The manufacturer claims to have a 10-year warranty on the deck product. In one lawsuit the company allegedly offered an unhappy consumer a check to cover the cost of the product even though the premature failure of the deck restore would cost in excess of several thousand dollars to remove.
Out of the many consumers who purchased Rust-Oleum Deck Restore in 2013, there is a large number of them experiencing utter failure of the product. Even though application instructions were followed to the letter, there is a significant report of bubbling, peeling, cracking, and/or flaking within a year of application. Reportedly, the company refuses to take responsibility for their failing product and is trying to blame the customer instead. They are only offering to reimburse the actual cost of the product and nothing more.
This deck restore product is sold as a DIY product so they are claiming the labor cost is uncompensated. A meager product refund is not nearly enough for most of the decks needing to have the product removed or completely replaced. It is sad that the consumers who bought this product fell victim to false advertising claims and thought they were buying a product as a way to help protect their investment.
Read the full story of Class Action Lawsuit against Rust-Oleum Deck Restore 10x: See Here
The plaintiffs are represented by Daniel C. Levin, Esq. of Levin, Fishbein, Sedran & Berman in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Pennsylvania case 5:14-cv-06156
Rust-oleum Deck Restore Lawsuit Info
-We are not connected with the lawsuit in any way. The only info we have is to contact the counsel who represents the plaintiffs directly if you would like to join. This link may help as it lists the lawyers involved at the bottom:
https://cookcountyrecord.com/stories/510658013-judge-clears-nationwide-lawsuit-to-proceed-vs-rustoleum-over-latent-defects-in-restore-deck-products
Update Spring of 2024
Please read our article on Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive Review 2024 We believe this product has real value if looking for these product types that actually work.
If you have used the Rust-oleum Restore, Please Post a Comment Below!
Rust-Oleum Rock Solid (Deck Restore) Customer Photo Issues
Rust-Oleum Rock Solid (Deck Restore)Video Review
Deck Stain Help & Questions
Stain Reviews & Comparisons
My deck has gone into disintegration mode year after year. My neighbor had the same problem however mine is 3 times the size and we have benches on 2 sides and 2 set of stairs. Today I hired a man to replace everything on the top deck up the benches at a heavy price and repair the rotted back steps. The benches are starting to rot now. He told me that the product was Restore and that it is like placing Rubber over wood and does not let it breathe. It suffocated my deck. My husband cannot do the repairs since his Lyme disease several years ago and every year I would worry that my tiny grandchildren were going to fall through the boards. When I googled Restore I was shocked to see there was a class action against them. I actually paid a guy 1000 to paint the deck both stairs and all the planks around it. I feel if I had known sooner I would have saved receipts, taken photos and been prepared. What a nightmare.
This RockSolid product ruined my large deck. It peeled within the first year and in year 3, the deck has dry rotted from the moisture getting under the product where it peeled.
The application process was followed immaculately. My deck is ruined.
I used the Rustoleum Restore on my deck and it starting peeling the after the first year. Looks ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE! I’ve powerwashed, scraped and sanded and can’t get if all off and to do so, would take longer than just rebuilding the deck. I don’t know what else to do but try to cover this AWFUL stuff.
You cannot cover it. It has to come off fully: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-rust-oleum-deck-restore/
Big mistake using this product. Not even two years and it was flaking off in large pieces. It ruined my deck.
Terrible product. Would never use on any outdoor projects again. Expensive mistake!!!!
Same here – almost identical results.
One of the most horrible product ever used. Recommendations and promises were high but the results were opposite. The wooden flooring of 3 season room got spoilt and the entire money went down the drain. Have some pictures that tells the low quality of the product.
company should compensate each buyer who had spent their hard earned money on this low quality paint.
Total garbage-same as everyone else. If we can get some type of compensation for repairs that would be a bare minimum of an apology. To get off scot-free is totally unacceptable.
I purchased the Rock Solid stain because it was recommended my a worker at Lowes and man and I disappointed! I purchased 6 gallons and it took me a week to complete. And one year later, I have to do it over again. They should not even sell this product it is absolutely terrible.
We used restore on our deck and within one year it started peeling and cracking which allowed water to sit in those areas, in turn rotting out the wood, which was pretreated lumber. Our deck is huge, it’s a disaster!
Here’s a link to the video I created about this waste of money product.
Our experience with the Rust-Oleum Solid Stain 2x for lightly work decks has been all but pleasant. The deck is fairly new so we let it weather & age for about 8 months. It’s March 2024 and we JUST applied it fall 2023. It’s already chipping and cracking in several places. We followed the directions completely when applying and even used the “recommended” Rock Solid deck & patio cleaner AND the deck start wood primer. Unfortunately we’re left with a mess that’s going to cost a fortune to repair because apparently this product is trash. Too bad they can’t reiemburse me. Any suggestions on what product we can use to cover this disaster up would be much appreciated!!
You cannot apply anything over it. It has to be removed by heaving grinding/sanding or replacing the wood.
This is unacceptable!!! Paid a lot of money for the product to prolong the life of a 2 year old deck and now I’m going to have to start replacing and repairing!
It’s garbage. I put it on as per the instructions and prepped the surface correctly. Just like everyone else, it lasted less than a year. One winter was all it took and it has flaked and peeled off. I’m having my deck worked on today and they are scraping off what little is left. My son purchased a house several years ago where the previous owner had it professionally applied. His looks just as bad. What a mistake!!!
Any better results if you use the Rustoleum rocksolid deck start wood primer before application?
No, it will still fail.
Unfortunately no, we used the recommended wash and primer and we are still left with chipping just a few short months after application.
Used Deck Restore as well – just horrible! Couldn’t take it anymore so using my grinder with a 40 grit flap wheel, I have hand sanded this junk off my deck. Very labor intensive and time consuming but glad to get this awful stuff off.
I put it on a year ago and it immediately began peeling. This product is horrible. How do we become part of this lawsuit?
Can’t it was already settled.
This product RUINED our 10k deck and the company refused to compensate us for even the money spent on the failed product. 😡🤬
Seems like nobody makes a quality solid deck stain. Every product I research has terrible reviews. HELP PLEASE.
Thanks for your time.
Yes, there are high quality solid color stains: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
Restore A Deck Solid stain is the best.
What would you consider the best transparent/semi-trans. stain for a pressure treated deck? Also, which is preferrable, oil or water-based? TY
These are your best options:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
Does not matter is oil or water based as long as they are penertrating.
How do I get in on this lawsuit?
This product has ruined both my stairs, as well as my decking.
It’s only been 1 year since applied this product. This started bubbling/peeling 5 months after using product. Contacted Hone Depot with no success.
I certainly want in on this lawsuit.
Not sure but we belive it is too late. This was settled years ago.
Then why is it still being sold now? I painted 12 decks and in 6 months you couldn’t tell it. That was almost 2yrs ago. I just recently decided to try again and it did not adhere at all. Complete waste of money again
You would have to ask Rust-Oluem. We have no idea as to why they would continue to sell this poor product.
After pressure washing. Then the Diamabrush
I put this on deck and atv trailer. The first year it was amazing. Now 4 years later 70% is peeled off. Water has got under the big loose pieces and rotted the wood. Horrible product. Trying to get a refund is impossible. Now I have no idea what to do. Scrapping it all off would be days of work. Painting over the top (which I did already) it peels back off in less than a year. I loved the texture and look for a couple years. Now it looks horrible.
Lost two decks to this product. Used product as recommended 1 year later wood rot everywhere. Do Not Use
Used product 2 years ago, started pealing a year later. I tried again this past weekend followed all directions cleaned deck , primer, then applied product Rock solid 6x.
81 degree day during application, had 21 hrs of dry time. I walked on it and it seemed to be fine then the rain hit and now I have water blister and washout areas where the upper deck dripped on the lower deck. I do not recommend this product. I have over 600 Sq ft of deck that will need to be stripped and re-done.
I hate our deck, we used Rust-Oleum 10X and used all their preparation materials. It didn’t look good and the worst thing is that it burns your feet and the dogs paws. Tried removing it with pressure washer and it’s impossible to scrape. Any suggestions!
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-rust-oleum-deck-restore/
What is best way to remove the Restore and what should I use on my deck to protect wood
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-rust-oleum-deck-restore/
As to what to use after, it really depends on if you are able to remove it all or not.
Just did mine last year. It’s peeling. Bubbles everywhere. I want my money. And someone to come fix it! Two times iv tried this. Deck over first, then this shit. Thinking it’s better. Nope same problem.
We used Rustoleum Restore several years ago. It indicated this cover would extend our deck by 10 years. We spent $2000. Last summer we tore out a section and replaced the decking. This year we are tearing the remaining entire deck out due to rotting wood. We have wood over the rotten places to prevent us from falling through. Unable to use our deck.. Lumber has become so expensive, while living on a fixed income, we cannot afford to replace the lumber. We plan on putting rock and pavers down a little at a time knowing it will last. We wish we had known about the Class Action lawsuit sooner. Such a disappointment.
I had good luck using Restore brand on concrete deck around pool but after 8 years it needs painted again. What brand would be compatible if I didn’t use their Rock Solid replacement?
We have experience with wood only, not concrete. Sorry.
This worked fantastic for us. We live in snow area and this has lasted 9 years and just now starting to peel. It has last thru heat and snow.
This deck paint is the absolute worst after one yr and is peeling and we done it with the proper steps. Expensive mistake won’t ever use again.
I went to a home and garden show and there I talked with a person who does decks. I explained to him that I had used used the rustoleum restore and how bad it looks. He told me there was a class action lawsuit against the company. I did not know there was. Is it to late to get in on the lawsuit?
Sorry, but it was settled years ago.
This product rotted our deck. Left holes and I not only want a refund, I want some compensation for having to replace my deck the following year! 22,000 just to be able to use our decks is not in the budget.
How can I file a claim? I am convinced that use of the rust-oleum deck restore is responsible for the condition of my deck, which is currently being rebuilt. Besides the peeling and bubbling paint, it seems to hold moisture beneath it which results in rotting lumber. We did not use it to paint our stairs and side porch which were built with the same lumber, and those are fine. Terrible product.
Not sure if you can anymore but best to contact them directly.
This product simply does not work as advertised resulting in rotting treated lumber on the deck and stairs. It started peeling approximately 1 year after application.
year it started peeling and cracking which alowed water to sit in those areas, in turn rotting out the wood, which was pretreated lumber. Our deck disaster! I AM A DECK CONTRACTOR AND USED IT ON MY HOME IT ROTTED THE WHOLE DECK AND PEELED.