Hi, I’m Scott Paul. Since 1993, I’ve been specializing in prepping and stripping exterior wood decks. Over the years, I’ve tested just about every product on the market and have compiled a comprehensive list of the top wood and deck stain strippers.
- The best deck stain stripper depends on coating type: use caustic-based strippers for semi-transparent stains and gel strippers for solid stains or multiple layers.
- Restore-A-Deck Stripper with Booster and Thickening Gel Additives is the top-rated option, raising effectiveness up to 300% for stubborn stains like Behr and Olympic.
- Always apply a Wood Brightener after stripping to neutralize the wood's pH, improve stain penetration, and prevent uneven color absorption.
- Never let the stripper dry on the surface; proper dwell time is critical, and most failures happen because the product was not left on long enough.
- A deck cleaner only removes dirt and mildew, while a deck stain stripper breaks down existing coatings and properly preps wood for a new stain.
My reviews and tips are based on decades of experience as a wood and deck restoration contractor. Each recommendation comes from hands-on testing, ensuring you get the best product options for your needs.
Looking for expert advice? Learn more about me here and discover how my experience can help make your project a success.
The Best Deck Stain Strippers 2026
With over 30+ years of restoring decks as a contractor, I have done extensive research to find the best deck strippers and compared the positives and negatives of each brand and product. However, if you’re still not sure which deck stripper is best for you, I can help. Just post a comment or question below, and I’ll reply as soon as possible.
✅ What Is the Best Deck Stain Stripper? (Quick Answer)
The best deck stain stripper depends on the type of coating you are removing. Most homeowners will need a strong, cuastic-based stripper for transparent and semi-transparent, while gel or heavy-duty strippers are better for thick coatings and multiple layers and solid stains.
Without further ado, here’s a look at my four best deck stain strippers of 2026:
- Restore-A-Deck Deck Stripper with Booster/Thickening Gel Additives: My top-rated deck stain stripper features a special blend of pre-mixed solvents with 5 gallons of the original Restore-A-Deck Stripper. It provides an effective solution for even the most stubborn deck stains.
- Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Stripper: The Restore-A-Deck powder is consistently considered one of the best deck stain removers and easily removes old stain or varnish, along with dirt, mildew, mold, and mill glazes.
- R-A-D PaintStrip Stripping Gel: Stripping deck paint instead of stain? Eco-friendly R-A-D™ PaintStrip works fast and removes up to 5 layers of deck paint in 45 minutes or less.
- Defy Exterior Wood and Deck Stripper: Defy Stripper’s biodegradable formula restores wooden decks to a like-new appearance while removing transparent and semi-transparent deck stains.
Read on to learn more about the best deck strippers available and tips on choosing a deck stain stripper and how to use it effectively.
Choosing a Deck Stain Stripper
Scott’s Steps to Stripping a Deck Stain
The best deck stain stripper for your project can vary depending on the type of stain or paint you need to remove. Here are a few things to consider and steps to take when buying deck stain removers.
1. Gather Your Deck Stripping Equipment and Materials
- Water! You need a water source for pressure washing and rinsing
- Pump Sprayer for applying your deck stripper
- Deck scrub brush to help agitate the stripper
- Pressure Washer – Not 100% needed, but it will help remove coatings
- Gloves, goggles, and masks
- Tarps to cover plants and your home
- A Premium Deck Stripper!
- A Wood Brightener to neutralize when done
2. What to Look for in a Deck Stain Remover
Before you select a deck stain stripper, consider the following to ensure you select the right product for your job:
- What are the application requirements? Some deck stain strippers require special equipment to be applied to or cleaned off your deck. Make sure you’re aware of the requirements before making a purchase.
- What type of stain do you need to remove? Certain deck stain strippers work best with different types of stains. Make sure you know whether your deck is covered in a solid, transparent, or semi-transparent stain, then find a compatible stain remover to ensure a job well done.
- Is the deck stain stripper biodegradable? Finally, make sure your deck stain remover is biodegradable. This will ensure a safer stripping process and keep harmful residue from entering your yard or nearby waterways.
✅ How to Choose the Right Deck Stain Stripper
- For Semi-Transparent Stains:
Use a standard deck stain stripper - For Solid Stains or Paint:
Use a heavy-duty or gel-based stripper - For Multiple Layers:
Stronger stripper or multiple applications required - For Light Prep / Maintenance:
A mild deck cleaner may be enough
3. Why Use a Deck Stain Stripper?
Whether your current deck stain has seen too much wear and tear or you’re just ready for a refresh, a deck stain stripper can make it easier to remove old stain by softening the old coating down to the bare wood. The best deck strippers will help remove built-up dirt, mold, mildew, and grime from the wooden boards. Once removed down to the bare wood, you can use any deck stain type you choose. Using a deck stain stripper will make pressure washing easier and with less potential damage to the wood.
4. How I Use a Deck Stain Stripper
I will guide you to deck stain and paint removal and provide a walkthrough of the process. However, the basic steps are as follows:
- Remove all furniture from the decking and place it 20-30 feet away.
- Cover plants, landscaping, furniture, windows, and anything else that isn’t getting stripped.
- Make sure you’re wearing proper gloves and eyewear.
- Use a brush or sprayer to apply an even layer of stain remover to the wooden deck.
- Let the deck stain stripper sit for at least 10-15 minutes for thicker coats of deck stain.
- Use a pressure washer or garden hose to remove the coatings and stain remover.
- If needed, repeat the process, then rinse thoroughly.
- Apply Wood Brightener to neutralize.
✅ Basic Steps for Stripping a Deck
- Apply the stripper evenly
- Let it dwell (do not let dry)
- Agitate if needed
- Rinse thoroughly with pressure washer
- Apply a wood brightener
Scott’s Pro Tips for Stripping a Deck
To get the best results using a wood stain stripper, let the product sit for several minutes after applying it to the wood. This allows the stain stripper to penetrate and break down the old stain. The dwell time depends on the type of existing stain. For instance, most semi-transparent oil-based stains will be removed more easily than semi-solid deck stain.
For hard-to-remove stains such as acrylic or silicone-based stains, several applications and longer dwell times may be necessary. In extreme cases, such as when dealing with a solid deck stain or paint, some sanding may be needed to remove the existing stain fully.
Once the failing deck stain seems to have softened, it is best removed with a power washer using light to moderate pressure. The caustic stripper raises the wood’s pH level during the stripping process, causing it to appear very dark. This darkening is why a Wood Brightener is needed to restore the pH balance and lighten the wood.
✅ Deck Stripping Mistakes to Avoid
- Not using a strong enough stripper
- Letting the product dry on the surface
- Skipping neutralizing/brightening
- Not pressure washing properly
- Expecting one application for heavy coatings
Expert Tip: Most stripping failures happen because the product wasn’t left on long enough or was allowed to dry.
5. What is the Best Deck Stripper?
This is a very popular question that I get here at Deck Stain Help, and it varies based on the condition of your deck and the type of stain you are trying to remove from it. Not all stain strippers will work for all deck stain types. For Example, a regular deck stain stripper will not remove a solid-color stain or paint entirely. To remove a solid-color stain or paint, you will need a Paint Stripper and possibly some power sanding.
Pro Insight: Even the best stripper may require multiple applications for solid stains or heavy coatings.
My Top-Rated Wood Deck Stain Strippers
#1 Best Wood Stain Stripper/Remover | #2 Best Wood Stain Stripper/Remover | #3 Best Wood Stain Stripper/Remover |
 |  |  |
From: $89.97 each *Booster, Gel, and Stripper. Makes 5-Liquid Gallons. | From: $39.99 *Ships Free. Makes 5-Liquid Gallons. | From: $69.99 *Ships Free. Removes Solid Stains. |
#1 Restore-A-Deck Deck Stripper with Booster/Thickening Gel Additives
- My go-to stain stripper for difficult-to-remove stains such as Behr and Olympic water-based wood stains.
Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster Additive is a special blend of solvents added to 5 pre-mixed gallons of the original Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper. The Restore-A-Deck Stripper Booster will raise the effectiveness of the stain stripper up to 300% by helping break down the surface tension of difficult-to-remove wood stain finishes.
Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Thickening Gel is a special blend that is added to premixed 5-gallons of the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper. With a longer dwell time, Restore-A-Deck Stripper Thickening Gel will increase the effectiveness of stain stripping by adding the ability to cling to vertical and horizontal surfaces for up to 1 hour. It works especially well in improving the stripping performance on vertical wood, such as wood railings, wood fences, and wood-sided homes.
Manufacturer: Restore-A-Deck
Product Type: Deck Stain Stripper Additives to boost overall effectiveness.
Available Sizes: 16oz. Add these into 5 Liquid Gallons of RAD Stain Stripper.
Consumer Star Ratings:
My DeckStainHelp.com Review (On a Scale of 1-10): 9.8
See My Review Article Here: Restore-A-Deck Booster & Gel Additives Review
#2 Restore-A-Deck Stripper Rating
Note: This rating is without the Booster and Thickening Gel Additives
- My everyday wood deck stain stripper. We used this on 100s of decks annually.
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Stripper is a biodegradable, powdered concentrate that quickly removes worn finishes to restore wood surfaces. It removes transparent, semi-transparent, and most semi-solid stains with collected dirt, mold, mildew, and mill glaze.
Manufacturer: Restore-A-Deck
Product Type: Powdered Concentrate Deck Stain Stripper
Available Sizes: 2 Pound Container Makes 5 Liquid Gallons
Consumer Star Ratings:
My DeckStainHelp.com Review (On a Scale of 1-10): 9.4
See My Review Article Here: Restore-A-Deck Stripper Review
#3 RAD PaintStrip Stripping Gel Rating
Note: This product is designed to remove solid color deck stains and paints. While it will remove all other stain types, it is not always needed.
- This is what I use to remove solid-color deck stains.
R-A-D™ PaintStrip is the right choice for almost any paint or sealer stripping project. R-A-D™ PaintStrip is eco-friendly, works fast (starts working within 5 minutes), and removes up to 5 layers of most paints in 30-45 minutes and up to 15 layers in 24 hours.
Manufacturer: Restore-A-Deck
Product Type: Solid Color Deck Stain and Paint Stripping Gel
Available Sizes: 1 & 5-Gallons
Consumer Star Ratings:
DeckStainHelp.com Review (On a Scale of 1-10): 9.2
See My Review Article Here: RAD PaintStrip Review
#4 Defy Wood Stain Stripper Rating
Good stripper that may be found locally in stores.
Defy Exterior Wood and Deck Stripper is designed to remove transparent and semi-transparent exterior wood and decking stains. It is a biodegradable deck stain remover that restores the wood to a like-new appearance and will work on both water-based and oil-based stains.
Where To Buy: Select Stores and Purchase Here
Product Type: Liquid Wood Deck Stain Stripper
Available Sizes: 1 Gallon Pre-Mixed Liquid (Not Concentrate)
Consumer Star Ratings:
DeckStainHelp.com Review (On a Scale of 1-10): 8.25
See My Review Article Here: Defy Stain Stripper Review
| Image | Title | Price | Add to cart | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $44.99 |
6. ✅ Deck Stain Stripper FAQs
🔍 Do You Have to Strip a Deck Before Staining?
Not always—but it depends on the condition of the existing stain.
- ✔ If the old stain is peeling, uneven, or failing, stripping is required
- ✔ If you are switching stain brands or types, stripping is recommended
- ✔ If the wood no longer absorbs water, the surface likely needs stripping
A basic deck cleaner is not enough when dealing with old coatings. A deck stain stripper is designed to break down and remove existing finishes so the new stain can properly penetrate.
⚗️ What Are the Active Ingredients in Deck Stain Strippers?
Most effective deck stain strippers contain:
- ✔ Sodium Hydroxide (primary stripping agent)
- ✔ Surfactants (help lift and emulsify the stain)
They are typically available as:
- ✔ Liquid formulas (ready to use)
- ✔ Powder concentrates (more cost-effective)
Once mixed (if needed), they are usually applied with a pump sprayer.
🌿 Do You Have to Brighten After Using a Deck Stain Stripper?
Yes—this is a critical step.
- ✔ Restores the wood’s natural pH balance
- ✔ Neutralizes the stripper
- ✔ Improves stain penetration
- ✔ Enhances the final appearance
Skipping the brightener can lead to poor stain absorption and uneven color.
⚠️ Can a Deck Stain Stripper Remove All Stains?
Most quality strippers will remove old and failing semi-transparent and some semi-solid stains, but results can vary.
- ✔ Works best on penetrating stains
- ⚠ May struggle with solid stains or multiple heavy layers
- ⚠ Some surfaces may require multiple applications
🛠 How Do You Apply a Deck Stain Stripper?
- ✔ Apply evenly with a pump sprayer
- ✔ Allow dwell time (per manufacturer instructions)
- ✔ Agitate if needed with a brush
- ✔ Finish with a pressure washer
Proper dwell time is key to achieving full removal.
⏳ How Long Should You Wait to Stain After Stripping?
- ✔ Wait 24–48 hours for the wood to fully dry
- ✔ Ensure the surface is clean, neutralized, and dry before staining
🔥 Why Use a Deck Stain Stripper Instead of Just Cleaning?
- ✔ Cleaners remove dirt and mildew
- ✔ Strippers remove existing coatings and stain buildup, while removing dirt and mildew.
👉 If the old stain is unevenly worn, a cleaner alone will not prepare the surface properly for semi-transparent stains.
✅ Clean vs Strip vs Sand – What’s the Difference?
| Method | What It Does | When to Use | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Cleaner | Removes dirt, mildew, and graying | Reapplying the same stain brand and color | ✔ Easy to use ✔ Quick |
⚠ Typically does NOT remove stain |
| Deck Stain Stripper | Breaks down and removes old stain | Failing, peeling, or switching stains | ✔ Removes coatings ✔ Preps for new stain |
⚠ Requires brightening after |
| Sanding | Removes coatings mechanically | Heavy buildup or problem areas | ✔ Effective on tough coatings | ⚠ Reduces absorption if overdone |
✔ Quick Takeaways
- ✔ Use a cleaner for reapplying the same stain brand and color
- ✔ Use a stripper when removing old or failing stain or switching stain brands and color
- ✔ Use sanding only when necessary (spot treatment or heavy buildup)
💡 Pro Tip
A strip + brighten system is the best method when removing old stain and preparing wood for a new coating.
🔥 Why This Works
The Best Deck Strippers Video – DeckStainHelp.com
Best Deck Stripper Reviews
I am reworking my deck, that was “treated” with the Sherwin Williams Super Deck water based, semi transparent deck stain. If I am going to go with a TWP product, do I need to remove every bit of the stain on my deck, and the oether parts of my deck? If so, what deck stripper is recommended, in addition to sanding off the stain on the deck?
Yes, you have to remove the SW stain. Add some pics in the comments of the current condition.
Scott do you work or get compensation from Restore a Deck? I just want the best product. No offense is meant. I’m older and have been working on 2 mountain cabin decks for a while and I just want the best outcome from all the time I have put in.
You can read here about this website:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/about-deckstainhelp-com/
And more info about me here:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/author/deckstainhelp/
I am fully transparent about my experience with this info on every page. In fact, it is directly above the comment section.
As for the best product for your cabin, I would need more info on what you are trying to accomplish.
Scott, a question for you. I’ll be working on a log home. I’ve got different areas of the house to strip. We tinted new logs darker to match existing areas 8 years ago when last stained. Now the tinted areas are darker so we strip them and do 2 coats of stain and things match. I’ve oredered the powder to try it out. How long is the product useable once mixed? I’m looking at adding the gel also as it’s vertical siding and will apply through a pump up spayer. Do you recommend scrubbing prior to pressure washing?
The stripper does not have a shelf life once mixed, so you can use it whenever. Scrubbing may be needed. It varies based on the difficulty or removal.
Hi, We used a Home Depot brand stain stripper, sanded, and power washed our deck and were not able to get all of the old stain out. It’s a 55-year old deck in Connecticut. What do you suggest for stripping all the remaining stain? What do we use for brightening; and finally what transparent stain do you recommend? Also do we need sealer after staining the deck? Thank you in advance for your recommendations!!!
What you have is a solid color stain. You will need to sand and or use a paint stripper to remove it. Tips:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-a-solid-color-deck-stain-or-paint/
You may want to consider a two-toned deck, as it will be tough to remove the solid stain from your railings. Tips here:’
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/advantages-to-having-a-two-toned-deck/
No need to apply a sealer over an exterior wood and deck stain.
ok thanks. In some of your videos you said there’s something to brighten the wood after removing stains (increase the ph). Is there such thing?
Yes, brighten after:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product/restore-a-deck-brightener-only/
ok, upon checking out, it says “TWP 100 Series Wood and Deck Stain 5 Gallon” is not eligible for shipping to Connecticut”. what other oil based option you recommend?
The TWP 1500 Series is oil-based and can be shipped to CT. Works great!
thanks. one last thing: what would you do with the damaged areas? see photo. I have put epoxy over it in the past.
shall i remove it, or just apply the TWP over it?
Replacing the board is your best option.
My deck is only 6 months old. I used ready seal natural cedar stain on it and soon afterwards the stain turned chalky on the surface and comes off . I also notice what I think is mold stains inside the wood. Can you help with suggestions on what to use to strip the old stain off and then what stain would be best to reapply with a natural cedar look and the wood grain showing through. I really appreciate it.
Use this kit for removal:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit/
Look at Restore A Deck Stain after:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product/restore-a-deck-semi-transparent-wood-stain-5-gallons/
I should have mentioned That i want to put a protective stain on the Pressure Treated Deck Frame also. I think that is suppose to be an oil based product for the pressure treat wood but Im not sure. The Pt frame has been up for 1 1/2 years so it is dry. Is there a product I can use for both the cedar as well as the PT beams? or should I use 2 separate products?
There is no need to stain the frame unless you prefer to do so for aesthetic reasons. You can use the stain for both.
and most the deck gets 100 percent sun if that matters in choosing a product. thanks you
Hey Scott: We used Behr semi transparent stain on Thermowood siding. It totally covered up the character of the wood and looks awful! Do you have any recommendations for removing it? We’d like to restore it to the original wood grain. Now it’s orange. Thanks so much for your help, Kristen
Behr lies about’s opacity of their stains. In many cases, such as yours, it looks fully opaque. It is really just a poor product all around.
A deck stain stripper will not remove this. You would need to use a Paint stripper, but it will not be easy since it is newly applied and on vertical wood. You may have to resort to sanding, grinding, or possibly media blasting if you can find a local contractor who offers this service.
Hi Scott,
Appreciate all your knowledge and have read through much of tour material. We are located in Canada and are having significant issues with getting products you have suggested in Canada locally. We were curious if ordering through your website, prices were quoted in Canadian $ or USD?
Thanks
USD.
With the high UPS rates and the exchange rate. I wonder of you might be able to recommend a good cleaner and brighter for our deck that is available for purchase in Canada? Thanks
Sorry but no idea as to if anything good is sold there.
I have a old deck which appears to have no treatment by past owner. Thinking of using the Retore-a-deck cleaner and then the Brightner before I put a stain on it. Looking for recommendation.See attached
No pics, but yes, that will prep the wood. For the stain, use a penetrating stain such as Armstrong Clark or Restore-A-Deck:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
Do not know what stain is on railings but appear to have a sheen so I think perhaps a type of sealer was put on them. Wish to revert to a semi-transparent stain with no sheen so that maintenance will be simpler. Would the Stain stripper work on this so as to switch to semi-transparent stain be recommended in this case.
We would need pictures to see what would work best. You can add them in the comments.
here are the pictures, sent the earlier but there were 5 so I guess they did not go through.
Still no pictures. Most likley they are too large in size. They have to be below 2mb.
Will try one more time but pictures are 1.2mb and there were only two.
Try one at a time.
here is one
Here is the second one. they are jpeg format.
Thanks for the information, Scott. What stripper would you suggest for a 14 year old pine deck that has 2 or more coats of Sikkens oil based stain and appears like a semi-solid stain at this point? The deck is covered but open to the elements. Thank you.
You are better off power sanding this, and stripping and pressure washing in an enclosed room is nearly impossible to properly do.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/
What would you say is best for repainting the exterior decks, my main concern is the old paint being removed going down the walls of the house. Isn’t there a product that dissolves the paint? Laser or steamer? Many thanks
You have a solid color stain. See tips here on how to prep and recoat with a solid stain:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-reapply-a-solid-color-deck-stain/
Hi, I have an old, badly worn picnic table made from pressure treated lumber and sealed with Thompson’s semi-transparent stain. What is the best way to clean and prep this so I can reapply a sealer/stain. Do I need to do every inch of this (underside and between slats) or just focus on the top and worn edges. Thank you.
It appears opaque, like a solid stain, rather than semi-transparent. If you want to reapply a proper penetrating semi-transparent stain, you will need to sand this coating off or use a Paint Stripper:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-a-solid-color-deck-stain-or-paint/
Hi
My deck is about 5 years old. Been stained twice with Sansin Pressure Plus semi-transparent. Both times, the finish would wear and flake.
Should I strip, brighten and reapply a new brand of stain?
Can I get away here without sanding?
I’m in Ontario and have limited options for l products.
Strip and brighten for prep first. Sand if needed to remove any stain that does not come off with the stripping. Use a proper penetrating stain so it does not happen again. Armstrong Clark stains or TWP 200 Series. You can buy all online from this site.
What pressure washer (brand and psi) is best for decks?
Brand does not matter. Use a gas powered pressure washer, not eletric. Rated at 2000-3500 PSI and around 2.5 GPM or higher. FYI, when you wash 6-12 inches away from the wood, the pressure drops in half at around 1200-2000 PSI, which is acceptable for wood and decking.
I failed to mention that I want to change the color of the stain to match the color of the trim which is darker than the siding.
The current coating looks opaque, like a solid stain. What stain brand is it?
We purchased a home that has an oil-based transparent stain on the back porch, landing and steps down. Do the recommendations you state apply to removing oil-based stain also? If not, what would recommend to remove an oil-base transparent stain? Thank you, Roxanne
Please add pictures in the comments so we can offer proper advice.
I have a 5 yr old cedar deck and have used RAD products 2 times. There are some areas ( under deck furniture) that have some semi transparent stain needing to be removed. Should I use stripper and then brightner, or stripper, cleaner, then brightner before applying semi transparent stain again? Would Armstrong Clark stain be better than staying with water based RAD semi transparent?
Pictures?
Attached pictures.
Stripping and brightening would be easier for the prep. AC is a good but not better.
What works best to remove water based solid stain?
See here for tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-a-solid-color-deck-stain-or-paint/
I have a large area of old siding that has to be stripped and properly cleaned before restaigning. Can I use the resto a deck products on the wood siding?
Yes, you can!
When using restore a deck stripper do I need to worry about covering/protecting adjacent vinyl siding? Thanks
It should not harm vinyl but we always prewet any areas nearby and rinse over spray rigt away if it happens.
Scott, After the miserable performance of SW SuperDeck solid stain, I am skeptical of what to put on my deck after stripping. I will use the Restore A deck stripper with additives but am considering staining with TWP 1000 in a solid. Am I asking for more trouble or should I be considering another oil based product? Done with water based stain.
TWP does not come in solid stains. It does have semi-solid colors. TWP is a great stain and will work very well for you.
I would like to understand more about how to use a stripper without damaging the wall of my house which is painted stucco and is right next to my deck and plants growing nearby. I can cover up plants so that they don’t get sprayed with the stripper, but will the stripper harm the plants growing in soil that the water running off the deck will drain into? I don’t think there is a way to redirect the run off somewhere else. Do I need to cover my house’s wall with a tarp or plastic?
Deck stain strippers do not remove paint. We would prewet and rinse immediately any overspray on the house while working. We have never seen strippers kill the roots of plants, but they can burn leaves or foliage, so we would cover while working.
I have read that pressure washing a deck is a big no-no because it can damage the wood. But you recommend it. I think you said low pressure – 1600 psi but as you’ve also noted, the amount of pressure depends on how far away on holds the nozzle. Can you give me some specific instructions for pressure washing? And can you tell me how to know if I’ve damaged the wood? I have a small redwood deck that was built about 5 years ago.
Pressure washing only with water can damage wood. That is why you use the proper prep products so you can reduce your pressure.
How do I remove/strip One Time deck sealer?
Use the Restore A Deck Stain Stripper with both additives. Brighten when done:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-booster-thickening-gel-review/
Can I use defy deck cleaner instead of brightner to neutralize ph? Or would baking soda work?
No, it must be a brightener.
Do you really need a power washer when using the RAD stripper solution?
Yes, this is normal. You cannot just rinse off the stripper and old coating with low pressure.
HI, Wish I found your site a bit sooner! I have a large 700 sq ft redwood deck that has never been stained or treated until a few days back. After washer down with a store bought deck cleaner and sanding I used Penofin transparent redwood oil. Less than pleased with results to say the least! Thinking, stripping for start in the least, followed by brighter and appropriate sealer.
Yes, you will need to strip and brighten to fix. Use the Restore A Deck Kits.
Hello, my PT wood with cedar gates fence was stained for the first time in 2017 with PPG Timeless transparent penetrating wood oil natural finish. I’m preparing to redo it myself this summer. Since they don’t make the same PPG product anymore, what is the best method to apply a different stain? Strip or clean, brighten, and re-stain? If so, will a 1800 psi 1.2 gpm pressure washer be sufficient with the RAD stripper/cleaner so I don’t have to use a scrub brush along the length of the whole fence?
Also I chose that stain then because I liked the look. Given how it looks now 7 years later, am I ok going with another transparent, maybe from Armstrong Clark? Do you have a better recommendation for a fence? Or should I do a semi transparent? I like the wood grain showing without too much color and the pics show how it’s held up after 7 years.
Finally, will summer be ok or do I need to wait until fall or spring? I live in the southeast. Thank you for your help.
We would strip and brighten this. Look at the Restore A Deck Kits. Armstrong Clark is an excellent stain. Using their semi-transparent colors will give longer UV protection and they do fully show the wood grain the same as the transparent colors. You can prep and stain whenever you want.
Thank you again. Is 1800 psi low enough for use on PT wood?
The PSI is okay but your GPM has less to be desired. It is low and will take you twice as long to wash. Is this eletric? Gas powered is much more efficient. 2400 PSI with 2.5-3 GPM per minute.
Yes, bought an electric one less powerful just for prepping a deck so as not to damage the wood. Is 2400 with 2.5-3 GPM safe for decks too? Held 6 inches away from the wood when spraying?
Yes, PSI is rated at the tip, when you wash 8-12 inhces away, the pressure drops in half. If you haven’t used the eletric yet, return it.
Revisiting this – If I buy a 3200PSI 2.5 GPM unit so that it’s efficient for cleaning concrete too, will using a pressure regulator to reduce pressure, a 40 degree tip, and holding the water 12 inches away from the surface be safe for use to prep a soft pine deck and wooden fence? Or should I stick with 2400PSI to keep the wood from furring? Thank you.
The 3200 PSI with the higher GPM will be much more efficient.
FYI, furring typically does not happen from pressure washing but from oxidation removal or heavy stripping:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-fuzzies-furring-on-deck/
Thank you. I bought the stripper to remove the old PPG stain that I plan to re-stain with Armstrong Clark. Is it ok to use stripper on the handful of boards I have replaced with new wood pickets that have never been stained? Or do I need to use the cleaner on those individual boards before brightening everything?
Yes.
Our decks were stained with Sikkens (PPG SRD) Proluxe Matte finish after bleaching and power washing (since learned our contractor really doesn’t know decks). They subsequently came back and bleach/powerwashed to what we have now. (At this point I moved on from them)
I would like to remove this to switch to a better stain. The Sikkens fails within a year in sun/rain. Holds up well in the shade.
How can I remove the Sikkens? Stripping?
Will any stain in particular be helpful over it?
Strip and brighten with Restore-A-Deck Kits and the Booster and Gel additives for the stripper. When done, any of these stains would be better:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
Another picture to show better
Stain was applied using a roller.. obviously not correctly. How do I fix it
You will need to remove and start over. What stain did you use?
How long can you wait once you’ve stripped and brightened the wood before it may need brightening again? I’d like to strip and brighten the deck this coming weekend but might not be able to get to staining for another 1-2 weeks given my schedule. Don’t want to have to re-brighten if I can avoid it. I’ll be staining it with an Armstrong-Clark semi-transparent Rustic Brown.
BTW, I’ve used RAD products before with great results.
If it longer than 2 weeks I would redo the brightener. If less you should be okay. Just make sure it is clean from debris. Post some pics when done!
I have a 24 sq. ft. “Stoop” + one step, that needs attention. I bought the condo 7 years ago and have no idea what the previous owner put down. I’m hoping you can tell from the photo. I really don’t want to rent a power washer for such a small area. What would you recommend? Thank you!
Pressure washing while using a stripper and brightener is the easiest solution. Other option is to power sand:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/
We just had two decks stained with Cabot Semi Transparent Redwood stain. It seems like the stain was applied very heavily as it is shiny and tacky. It almost looks like paint. It makes the wood very hot and slippery. What is the best solution at this point? One of the decks surrounds a pool.
To fix you would have to power sand this all off.
Oof. Ok, is that what you would recommend given the photos?
If the stickiness does not go away then yes.
And can you explain why sanding vs any kind of stripper or a combination of the two?
Strippers will not work very well with a newly and over-applied stain like this.
If we have a stained deck with a painted coat which is the best stripper ti take care of both to eventually restain?
You will have to power sand to remove this.
I am so glad to finally find your site! I am a single woman with a home in a temperate rainforest climate with a large UNOCOVERED deck. I have only had the home for 2 years and the deck “looked” pristine when I got it. Now it has severely deteriorated – lots of cracks, peeling, lifting, etc. I believe the previous owner went over it with Valspar 1 Coat Exterior Stain and Sealant Opaque Solid (found leftover) without any prep to make it appear good to sell.. I have someone to refinish it for me but they want me to choose the process and materials.
The deck itself is pressure treated wood and approximately 10-12 yrs old.
With information from your site and other research, I think I would like to strip the floor, recondition it and apply a semi transparent stain in a redwood color to coordinate with the pickets and rails. The pickets look perfect and the rails have some splitting and mold but are otherwise in good shape. I would like to refinish just the rails with the Valspar product and leave the pickets alone.
Please help! (in the last pic, we tried a stripper as a test. we also pressure washed) Thank you!
See this for tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-a-solid-color-deck-stain-or-paint/
What stripper will remove behr deckover acrylic based
It is not possible to remove a deck resurface stain with a stripper: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-rust-oleum-deck-restore/
I stripped and redid my deck last year with a lot of great help from this site. I’m very happy because this deck gets a lot of wear and rainy cold winters. What should I do this year. I need to clean it for summer and a few areas did flake. I’d like to fix those. Thoughts for my spring.
See these tips for recoating a solid stain:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-reapply-a-solid-color-deck-stain/
Looking for recommendations to strip and restain 800sq ft deck. Existing coating is Thompsons semi transparent. Deck is on second level supported by painted structural beams. Is stripper going to damage the painted beams. Will restore a deck do the job. Please advise
What you have on the wood is more of an opaque solid stain. Thompsons lies about their opacity. Problem is that a deck stripper will not remove this fully. You can strip off as much as possible but then you will need to sand to get it all off. You would have to do this if you want to use a proper semi-transparent stain. The other option is to remove what is peeling and then cover the rest with a solid color stain. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-reapply-a-solid-color-deck-stain/
Scott- very recently had a small deck restained with a Sherwin Williams oil-based stain to a cedar color (see 1st picture) that is too orange for my liking. Would like to remove that stain so i can reapply a more clear finish to get closer to the more natural cedar color (see 2nd photo). So 3 questions: (1) Will the restore-a-deck stain stripper and booster products do the trick for this job, or will I need to consider sanding as well? (2) Any recs on a clear stain product and color? (3) Will a clear stain, baked in Minnesota sun, evolve into a color I’m not expecting? So maybe the orange cedar I’m seeing today is not as undesireable as I think? Thank you!
1. It should remove all or most. Make sure to pressure wash.
2. Clear sealers = zero UV protection. It has to be tinted.
3. Clear will turn gray in months.
Very helpful. Thank you!
How long is too long? In early July I used Restore-A-Deck stripper and brightener on my 1000 sf redwood deck. (I built it in 1985 and re-finish it every year or so.) Did a good job and all looked great. Then life and vacation and rain and weekends on the river and repairing some soft areas and sanding the railings all got in the way — and I have not refinished it yet — the naked wood looks great when wet – the rest of the time it looks hungry. I have always refinished with transparent or “natural” finishes. Right now I have 5 gal of Cabot Australian Timber Oil finish, Natural, sitting here ready to go when things dry out. My question is: given the 2 months that have passed since the cleaning/brightening — am I still ok to apply the finish, or should I “brighten” it again? Thanks.
Clean and brighten again.
Customer used this thick ‘correct deck stain’. But he stained over top of a clear sealer ,of course it’s bubbling n flaking all over. Whats best stripper for this type job? I got half it off just pressure washing.
You cannot strip that coating type. Sanding is the only way and it is not easy.
Yep sanding my butt off , gottta be better way in life. Lol
Thompsons Deck stripper with sodium hydroxide. will it harm the deck hardware and concrete? and it will be rinsed into into the soil below it which will also down the slope of terraced rocks and plantings, and stream water. Is this OK? We will be using about 3 gallons.
Strippers will not harm concrete or deck hardware. The ground should be fine as well.
I read California states sodium hydroxide causes cancer and birth defects. In our case a stream runs under one of the decks through which the stripper will be rinsed. There is ground under the other deck adjoined to the home, but the stripper will soak into the ground and eventually through to the stream. WE live on an island.
Too much exposure to anything can cause issues. You will be fine when only stripping your deck once but you can always sand the deck if concerned.
I used Sikkens on my deck 4 years ago. There is only one coat on the deck. It’s looking pretty rough so I decided to restain it. I pressure washed it which removed a lot of the colour right down to the wood, but there is still enough colour on there to make the deck look brown as opposed to natural wood colour. After reading your posts, I think I want to switch to the TWP 100, 200 in semi-translucent or semi-solid stain. Do I have to remove all the Sikkens first? If so, is the Restore-a-deck enough to pull all the stain up and off? Or should I sand the deck? If I have to sand the deck, would you recommend an orbital sander (I’ve used before and it was a hassle as the pads kept slipping), or a drum sander? And is it important to sand or get Restore-a-deck in the cracks and along the sides of the boards (the space between the boards)? I live in Victoria, BC, Canada and we get A LOT of rain here. Which one of the TWP products do you recommend for our climate? Thanks! Attaching pictures – it had just started raining so it looks very deceiving and uneven but it’s all I got. Sorry. Also fyi, one deck is cedar and the other is pressure treated wood. Your website is so informative. Much appreciated.
Yes, you have to remove the Sikkens fully and this cannot be stripped. You will have to power sand to get this all off. For Canada, you will need the TWP 200 Series.
I have a deck from Hell…have a 300ft PT lumber deck built 5 weeks ago. The Builder hired a painter who only uses Sherwin Williams products. He told me he was going to us SW Deck stain (gray). He did a horrible job and when he said he would fix it, we said no…
I found another painter who came out to look at the deck. He asked what was put on the deck and I told him…H&C® COLORTOP™ WATER-BASED SOLID COLOR CONCRETE STAIN. The original painter and his Sherwin Williams Representative highly recommended it.
Immediately, the painter said that he didn’t think the stain can be used on wood. Sure enough, the application instructions state it cannot be used on wood surfaces.
Ended up speaking to the SW District Manager and was told that they would fix it.
So, can you tell me what needs to be done to get the stain off? Do you recommend sanding or a Solvent? If a Solvant, is there anything you recommend? I’m thinking they will use a SW product…
I’m going to eventually have it painted. If a Solvent is used, do you recommend a light sanding before the Primer?
Really appreciate any help you can give me.
You will have to sand it all off. A solvent will not do anything. You do not use a primer before using a solid color deck stain and never use a paint on a deck.
Thank you for your reply. I know a Primer would never be used before applying a solid stain. I was referring to it when using paint on the deck. After this experience and the fact that the deck looks horrible with the “stain” that was used, we are leaning towards paint. I understand and appreciate your point of view on paint though.
Paint peels on decks and should never be used.
I have years of solid stains applied to my deck. Time to remove but most strippers don’t strip solid stains. Help!!!
Sanding is the only effective way to remove a solid stain.
i have a customer with a deck that is in fairly good condition. The previous person applied Thompson Waterseal Penetrating Timber Oil Cedar transparent stain. It is flaking off in places and is bonded well in others. I do not plan to use this product again, so i want to remove it. Will Restore A Deck stripper remove the Thompsons? Please advise
It should but use both RAD Stripper additives as well.
Deck is about 12 years old. Have used Sherwin Williams stain products all this time. I think Original stain was oil base because the water based stain never lasted. Nephew power washed deck and now a big mess! Should I try a stripper and then try sanding???
Post some pics fr prep help.
Hi I have decking that needs the old ronseal stain removed as it’s started to peel. Could you recommend the best stripper and then what steps you would then follow. The decking is next to some artificial turf so I want something that isn’t going to affect that at all.
Thanks
Post some pics for prep help.
Here you go
Use the RAD Stripper with both additives: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-booster-thickening-gel-review/
Let dwell for 30+ minutes and then pressure wash off. RAD Brightener is last.
I found your site and I am thrilled! I hope you can help me. I stained my deck 2 years ago using Valspar semi transparent stain. I prepped the deck the same way I have for the last 20 years. Now it is peeling! Never happened before. The deck is right next to a pool so I have a problem with the location. 1. Do I sand or strip! 2. do you have any recommendations for me? 3. Once it is prepped, do you recommend I use a semi transparent stain again? I am a 69 year old woman. Is it time for me to hire this to be done by an expert? Thank you so much.
Strip off what you can and then sand the rest off. Brightener would be last. Once prepped, use a penetrating semi-transparent stain so this does not happen again.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Hi- I made a porch swing out of red oak. We put it into service May of 2021 (Original Photo). Photos Example 1,2 & 3 show the deterioration of the finish and mold spots that have developed. I used 1 coat of Cabot Semi-Transparent Deck Stain as the finish. The label on the product can recommended only a single coat. Because the finish dried a little rough, I then waxed the surface with a paste wax which smoothed the final finish.
I am hoping that you can give me some direction on what to do next.
There is nothing you can do next at this point. You cannot top coat as it will peel.
Hi I like the info on your website! Very helpful.
Can I use RAD on the siding of my home? I have a Pan Abode cedar home. I have areas where black spot mold has developed on the wood. I coated one side of my home in Sikkens SRD about 8 years ago, but I need to redo that side due to weather and spot mold areas. I would rather not sand it off, if RAD will work. Thanks in advance for your input.
Post some pictures for prep help.
Thanks for the response.
The wood is a combination of Pan Abode Cedar wood and then 6’x1.5″
I look forward to your input.
I’m thinking First-RAD Stripper/Brightener.
In addition both RAD additives for vertical siding, and to penetrate the mold and former oil base stain sheen coat from older reapplication coats.
I don’t see the using the cleaner if I’m just going to use Stripper on this removal. I’m thinking of going with a water base stain for the next round of stain. Suggestions?
This will not be an easy strip as removing a coating that has a shine, can be difficult. The RAD Stripper with both additives is your best option. It should dwell for 45-60 minutes before you pressure wash off. Brightener is last. No need for the cleaner. The RAD Semi-transparent stain would work very well after.
Thank You. So with the concept- difficulty of the shine, in mind would it be better if I did a reasonable pass with an orbital sander 60-80 grit to knock down the shine and then did the stripping? Or just longer dwell time and no sanding? Or will I have to scrub after I applying the Stripper to get into the mold? I do appreciate your input!
I do not think sanding first would help at all. The mold is not the issue, the shine is. The stripper needs to get through that to break the bond between the stain and the wood.
Good advice thanks! I ordered up on the RAD stripper, additives and stain. I’ll post my findings.
I have to spot treat with the RAD stripper. Some drip marks from a previous attempt to strip won’t come off with either cleaning or sanding. The areas needing treatment are vertical and really aren’t large enough to spray. Can I brush the product on? Thank you.
Post some pictures.
thanks
You can brush or spray it on. The brightener after stripping should help even this out as well.
An update….I ordered and received the RAD Stripper and Gel.
Wanting only to treat a small area, I mixed 1/2 cup of stripper into
1/2 gal of water and then 4 oz of gel. After two applications, and brushing,
my ‘drip’ stains remain. Can you offer any advice? I can send pictures once the wood dries. Thanks.
Did you try the brightener as the discoloration from the drips may be internal?
My boyfriend and I bought a house and don’t know what stain was used on our porch. Is it a solid stain? The elements have nearly gotten it off, and we would like to restain it to help us sell it. We’ve never done anything like this before and are not sure what product would work best to get the remainder of the old stain off with minimal sanding. Any advice??
Yes, it is a solid stain. You will need to apply another solid stain over it unless you want to power sand it all off.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
We stained our deck 2 years ago and after reading all these comments realize that it probably looks as bad as it does because of improper prep. That being said…time to redo it. We originally used Cabots Australian Timber oil and are leaning towards using a solid stain this time. I started power washing and there’s still a lot of stain left behind..do I need to strip, use a cleaner, sand or just finish power washing and proceed with solid stain? Pictures sent..1st pic is pre power wash!
Thanks
Strip off what you can, brighten and then cover the intact stain with a new solid stain is okay: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
Purchased a home with a HUGE wraparound deck ( 30×18, 10×21, 4×21) and would love to replace- but am hoping we can squeeze a few more years out of this one. Currently, the largest deck has multiple layers ( atleast 3) of badly cracking, Peeling, lifting Sun Proof Acrylic latex solid stain from previous owners. We have tried pressure washing, scraping using CitriStrip- and nothing will penetrate to bare wood. Unsure what to do. Suggestions?
Not much you can do but sand off the loose/peeling stain and then cover the rest with a new solid stain:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
Will Restore-A-Deck stain stripper work on old film-firming stain and remove completely? Thank you.
Depends on the brand and type of stain? Pictures would help as well.
I am looking to strip and then stain my deck. I think it has an acrylic type stain on it now, not sure as we bought the house like this. What type of stripper should I use? I see the Restore-A-Deck does not work on acrylics. Once the stripper is done, then I will use a brightener correct? Lastly, what is the best stain to use going forward… do I need to stick with an acrylic since that is what was originally used?
Restore-A-Deck works on semi-transparent acrylics, but no deck stain will remove this solid stain effectively. You will have to sand it to get it all off. Once removed fully, you can use any brand you want: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
What can safely remove flood cwf exterior stain off pine log home?
That would depend on which version you had of the CWF and how many coats have been applied? Pictures would help as well.
Yep Two coats flood cwf clear
Pictures of stain on home?
Two coats cwf clear
Looks very thick. Not sure you will be able to strip it all off. Try the Restore A Deck Stripper with both additives and RAD Brightener after. Sand if needed to get the rest off: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-booster-thickening-gel-review/
Do you know where I can purchase Stripex L deck stripper, I have been told its very good
That was discontinued over 10 years ago. It was very good. Using the Restore-A-Deck Stripper with both additives would work better though.
Thanks, could you tell me exactly which products I need to strip old stain from my pine decking then please, thanks
We would need to see some pictures of the deck and know the type and brand of stain that is being removed.
Hi tried to attach pics but not sure it’s working, the product I used was ronseal decking stain
Picture size has to be below 3mb, and then they will upload.
Will the deck wood stripper barn vynal rails
It should not.
Hi there,
I am desperate. After reading so much and wanting to do a good job on my brand new 500sqft cedar deck, I hate the stain I applied. Daly’s DechStain clear with a golden oak tint. It is supposed to be transparent to semi-transparent and the color is awful.
Long story short, I want to start anew if possible. Would you recommend a deck stain stripper such as RAD? Anything to keep in mind as I go thru the process?
Yes, I prepped the seasoned (2 months) KLDA New wood with cleaner and brightener. The results look like a solid stain rather than a transparent (see pic). I LOVE the natural look of the wood and just wanted a slight tone for protection. I screwed up.
Thanks for any advice.
Silvia
You will need the RAD Stripper with both additives to remove this: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-booster-thickening-gel-review/
Brightener after.
Thank you!!
Where in Holland, Mi can I buy Boosts deck stripper?
Strip with the RAD Stripper and both additives: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-booster-thickening-gel-review/
Brightener after.
Where can I buy Boosts Rad Stripper in Holland, Mi or any where near?
No idea. Check with their website.
stained our deck with a semi-transparent stain and realized when we were practically done we forgot to wipe the stain off!!!! Looks almost like paint!! Can this be fixed? What should we do?
You would have to power sand this off to fix it.
I used behr stain on my new deck and it is niw turning grey in some sections
Pergola (12yr-old kit, ‘Sonoma Arched Wood Pergola Kit’) needs drastic attention: help! we don’t even know where to start with this project. I believe the wood species is Douglas Fir. Should we apply the stain stripper first? Multiple applications? Do we need to sand? If so, is there a recommended mechanical sander/sanding method/grit you might suggest? I have a 2400psi pressure washer at my disposal. Would sandblasting help? See pics. Thanks in advance
You probably will not be able to fully strip this as you have multiple layers. Strip what you can and then sand off the rest. Brightener last. Sanding tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/
My deck is flaking bad and I need to remove what’s on there. Would a stripper work or do I need to sand? Let me know what approach is best! Thanks.
A stripper will not remove this fully. You can strip some off then it will make your sanding easier. Brighten the wood after.
Stained our deck with Sikkens Dek stain four years ago. This the result. Will strip and sand. What do you recommend to strip the deck and what stain would you recommend to finish? Also have a green treated rough plywood enclosure around the bottom of the deck. Would like to restain that also. What do you recommend to clean the deck enclosure?
No pictures.
Hi, I have a 12′ x 4′ ft bridge (built like a deck ) over a small creek that was previously stained with a Sashco product recommended by a builder. I now want to strip, sand, brighten and then re-stain the bridge with TWP or Armstrong. I’ve read that Restore a Deck Stipper/Gels/Additives and Brightener are all ECO friendly, but would you recommend anything special in the typical stripping and pressure washing process? (I can obviously use some plastic to provide some protection, but with pressure washing, etc, there’s a good probability that there will be some spillage). Thanks in advance.
I see no issue with some of it getting in the water during prep. Try to tarp when staining though. The AC and TWP are oil-based stains.
I plan to use RAD Deck Stripper, Brightener & semi-transparent stain to update cedar flooring (35 yr) of screened in porch. The current stain is Cabot semi-transparent applied 9yr ago.
1) Is my small power sprayer (pic) sufficient to power wash rinse after stripper?
2) What duration of dwell time do you recommend for the RAD Stripper (no additives)?
3) any recommendations on preventing discoloration of screens during this process?
Thanks
1. It will work but will take you a while to get it all off with that smaller sized pressure washer.
2. 10-20 minutes.
3. Not much you can do outside of removing them first.
Hi, one more question to go with my previous post. Reading another of your answers to someone else , you said use brighter “after” sanding. On our new deck I have brightened before sanding. Am I supposed to brighten after Sanding too? New and old? Or just with old? Thanks again!
Brighten all after any sanding.
Hi! I have a year and one half old huge 2000 square foot redwood deck we need to stain now. Th tannins turned it very gray. We have pressure washed it and applied Preserva “Renewer & Cleaner” wood cleaner and brightener. It did bring back nice clean color. Next we will sand it and then stain. Also we have two much older redwood decks, but still ok, adjacent to the new one, that have been stained several times over the years with semitransparent stain, either Superdeck or Cabots. Questions: 1.) what is best stripper to use to try to get old decks looking like the new? (We plan to pressure wash, use Preserva Renewer and Cleaner, and sand the old ones too after the stripper). 2.) What type of sander is best, drum or orbital for the flooring part? We have to rent it. Included are pics of new cleaned, but not yet sanded deck next to the two old ones. Thanks!
1. Restore A Deck Stripper and Brightener Kits.
2. Use a floor buffer and sanding pads.
Can RAD stripper be applied to the remaining, original stain directly after a pressure wash (ie – while wood is still damp)?
Yes but you have to pressure wash off the stripper.
I have a treated wood deck. I waited 18-24 months for the new decking to “dry” then applied Sherwin Williams semi-transparent stain. After a couple of years, the deck stain is showing a lot of wear. I used a deck cleaner and power washer to prep it for new stain. I think I need to strip or sand it before I can reapply stain or clear coat. Which would you recommend? What type of stripper or sander?
Also can’t decide whether to use stain or just apply a clear coat finish. Any suggestions on this would be appreciated.
Yes, you need to remove. Strip what you can and then sand the rest. Brighten all when done. Use a tinted stain for best results: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
Did this Sherwin Williams come off well with the stripper and power washing? Did it come off the verticals?
Hi there, I have a deck that I’ve sanded down with heavy grit sandpaper but is still showing some green. It was treated about 4 years ago with copper 2 green wood preservative. Will a stripper help remove the remaining green? Or Is there anything else I can use to remove this remaining green? Thanks!
No. That is internal and a stripper will not get it out internally. Nothing will get it out.
Yeah i figured as much, should I just give it another year or do you think I can put a solid stain over it?
Test some sample colors in the semi-transparent and see if it blends or hides the green tint. Look at TWP or Armstrong Clark.
I’ve sanded down my deck with a heavy gritt power sander but there’s still a lot of green from the previous owner using copper 2 green preservative to treat the deck several years ago. Will a stain stripper work to remove the remaining green? Is there any other way to remove this green copper 2?
I put a semi transparent stain on my deck and it is way to thick, looks more like a brown paint job because the grain of wood is not showing through. Is it possible to use a stripper to take some of the stain off and then maybe finish it with a transparent stain, depending on how much of the stain comes off? It the first time this wood has been stained. What kind of stripper would you recommend?
Post a picture.
I have used a diamabrush to remove a large amount of paint from my deck but still have spots with paint..what paint remover do you recommend? I am then planning on staining the deck, what steps do you recommend? Thanks Pete
Strippers will not remove paint. You will have to sand it off. Once removed, use a penetrating deck stain. Like TWP or Armstrong Clark.
I was told by sherwin williams that smartstrip pro should work, do you not think so?
Doubt it. If you try and it does, let us know.
Okay thanks..also heard possibly citristrip could be used? Have you heard anything about that? The spots that still have paint on them will be incredibly hard if not impossible to reach with a sander. Some are in between boards
We have never had any luck with any stripper removing a paint. Sorry.
This is what is currently on it
I have an older cedar deck. The pictures show it after pressure washing. The peeling boards are from replacement boards put on one year ago. The whole deck was then covered with Sikkins water based semi-solid stain. I want to remove the Sikkins and wondering if I can use a stripper first (will it damage the unfinished spots?) and then spot sand before using a brightener. Thanks
A stripper will not remove this. You will have to power sand to fix this. Sorry.
I have 10 year old pine soffit with a clear finish. I suspect it was sealed with Profin oil based sealer (but am not certain). The soffit has aged and there are a few mildew spots. It actually looks pretty good considering. The house has a lot of soffit and I’m not looking forward to sanding it all or stripping it. What would you recommend? I live in Bellingham, WA.
Thanks for your help
Happy 4th
You would have to strip and brighten for the prep as you cannot apply over the Penofin. Stain with Armstrong Clark or TWP 100 Series.
Use the Restore A Deck Stain Stripper.
Hi. We have an Ipe tongue and groove covered front porch which is usually treated with Cabot Australian Timber Oil every 1-2 years. It was scheduled to be done this year. We did a very light sanding to rough up the surface. Unfortunately we used Sikkens Cetol and I absolutely hate it… how can I remove it?!?! We looked into having it sanded but last time the floor guy took too much off so that is no longer an option. I contacted Sikkens but they were not very helpful – just said use a stripper for oil based stain. I did try Circa 1850 stripper and it appears to have lightened it a bit. Only left it on for a few minutes. Any assistance is greatly appreciated, just sick over it. It’s only been on there for 48 hours
Not easy to remove when just applied. Use the RAD Stain Stripper with these additives: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-booster-thickening-gel-review/
Apply and let dwell for 30-60 minutes before pressure washing off.
We put Behr Semi-Transparent waterproofing stain and sealer on our deck 2 years ago. It is peeling off all of the flat surfaces, but on the vertical posts etc…We would like to remove it all and start over with a new stain. Will a wood stripper work or will we need to sand the areas that are not peeling?
Post a picture of the deck in its current condition.
Here are a few photos
Use the Restore A Deck Stripper with these additives: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-booster-thickening-gel-review/
Great, should that remove all of the stain?
90-100%
I use spent my weekend washing, sanding, and staining two new porches (seasoned for a year) but I really don’t like the color (semi transparent but too dark) and did a poor job with the application (some lap marks). How do I fix this?
Depends on the brand and type of stain? Pictures would help.
I used Valspar one coat Exterior Stain and Sealer, semi-transparent. The overall color is much darker than the picture.
You will need to power sand to remove this.
Have a deck surrounding a pool with IPE wood that was finished with Penofin Hardwood Formula, usually used jomax deck stripper, then a brightener then re-oil it, of course waiting for it to dry in between each step. What can i use to replace the Jomax to strip the deck. none of the local stores carry it
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-injectable-deck-stain-stripper-review/
How do I remove Behr Semi Solid stain (dark brown) applied 3 years ago? Will stripper take it off or will I have to sand? Made my deck too hot to use here in Atlanta. Thanks.
You will have to sand.
We used Flood CWF – UV (cedar) to finish our new deck 3 year ago. It now looks dull and has spots where the finish has come off. Should I strip it and re-finish? What product would work best to finish it. We would like to see some of the wood grain.
Use the Restore A Deck Stripper and Brightener for prep. Stain with TWP 100 or Armstrong Clark.
I am striping cwf Flood what should use
Which type of CWF? There are different versions and bases. Pictures would help.
We used Behr semi solid stain on our deck. The deck was properly washed and sanded prior to stain application. We woke up to a blotchy mess because we did not apply it correctly. How do we remove the stain? We want to rent an orbital sander but not sure if we need to strip or sand?
You will most likely need to sand this to remove since just applied.
Hello. If using a stripper is too harmful to the local environment, can pressure washing thoroughly then brightening suffice for prep?
If not, are there any eco friendly strippers? (I’m guessing that’s probably not a thing.)
No, pressure washing alone will not remove a stain. Stain strippers are used all the time and do not harm the environment.
Hello. We applied solid color paint for a deck and 2 years ago reapplied the paint. Since then it has been flaking off and looks bad. I hired someone professionally to do it. Costing me 2700 to remove the paint and replace a few boards and then have it restained. It took him forever and still is not completed. Come to find out, he fell through a small board and now is suing me. He told me that he applied 12 Strippers on my deck. He then came to the conclusion that I need to replace my deck that it is unsafe. I am out 1350 which is half of the job and never finished it and looks like crap still. He could not tell how bad my deck was until he fell through. Could that be the case. Could all that stripper weaken the boards and that why he fell through. Just trying to get another opinion on this. They only sanded one small area. Just need your opinion and expertise. Thanks for listening.
Strippers will not weaken a deck board. Only rot and decay.
Removing old layers of solid stain on deck bench’s need good solid stain removal do you have any recommendations. Thank you
You will need to sand off a solid stain.
can you recommend a stripping brand to remove old decking oil? I tried the ronseal stripper from woodies and used a power hose but that did not work. The oil is really deep in the decking and is about 3 yrs old. Thanks
What brand of stain are you removing? Pictures would help.
New deck using the usual 5/4×6 treated deck boards. Sanded using 220 grit paper. Rolled Superdeck semi-transparent oil. Many sticky patches weeks later. Any ideas how to fix this ?
You might need to strip it off and start over. You did a few things wrong. New wood needs to season and be prepped correctly to open the wood grain and remove the mill glaze: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Also sanding a deck is not a good idea, especially at 220 grit. This will reduce the stain’s ability to properly soak into the wood grain.
We used Superdeck too. It is the worst ever. We are on round one of stripping and it looks like we need another coat in most spots. The we will use a brightner. Can we use a non oil after we complete all of this?
You should let the wood weather and then prep again: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
As for water-based stains, try the Defy Extreme or Restore A Deck Stains.
I had someone stain my porch but I don’t like the color, so I’m trying to figure out if I need to strip what he did or if I can stain over it. He used Cabot semi-solid deck stain extra pigmented oil stain. I want a darker color but semi-transparent because I don’t like the way the semi-solid looks. Thank you!
You will most likely have to sand this off as it is very difficult to strip off a newly applied semi-solid coating. You cannot stain over this to get the look you want.
I have a similar question/concern- we stained an area of cedar on our new porch/deck and it is Sherwin Williams Woodscapes Extra White Solid- I want a neutral cedar color and not sure if we can sand the white off, or try to use another solid darker stain over it?
You can cover this with another solid stain if you like.
HELP!!!! We have a 5 year old deck that I had used a Behr solid deck stain on after waiting a year for it to “dry”. I put 2 coats on but last year decided I wanted a darker color so I just stained over it with another Behr solid color stain. This spring, “surprise” it started peeling in some spots so I started the awful task of trying to remove the stain and start over. I power washed and made a mess of quite a few boards and it hardly made a dent in the removal process. Then I rented a vibrating plate sander to try to remove the remaining stain. Again, there was a great deal of stain left behind! Then, like an idiot, I thought I could just paint over it with another brand of solid stain and now I basically have a “leopard” deck with various finishes from where the original stain was left behind, to the bare boards. I understand now what I should have done in the first place, and that is SAND the entire deck again. My question for you is, which grit do I start with to remove the actual remaining solid stain and then how do I proceed as far as when and to what grits to I switch to in order to get my deck back to a state where I can actually use a semi-transparent stain on it. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated!
“moronic mom in MN”
Rent a drum sander. Start with 60 grit and stop at 80 grit.
What is the best paint stripper… I inherited a painted deck…
You will need to sand off a paint.
Will strippers harm the finish on the aluminum deck posts
Hard to say as there are many different spindle manufacturers and they are not all made the same. Usually not, but always test first.
Trying to remove some Behr deck over on my deck. After 1 year it started pealing. Is there a stripper that will soften this stuff before I pressure wash?
No. Strippers will not remove Behr Deckover. You will have to sand it off.
will deck stripper hurt vinyl siding if it gets on it.also can you get solid oil base stain(dark brown).
Stripper should not harm vinyl. Not sure if anyone makes a solid stain that is oil-based anymore.
Just sanded deck and applied new semi transparent stain. I made a very poor choice of not testing the color. Now I want to remove the new stain. I really do not want to sand the entire deck again. Would a chemical stain remover and pressure washer do the job?
Depends on the brand and type of stain you used?