This post was updated on June 22, 2024
Hi, I am Scott Paul. I have been prepping and stripping exterior wood decks since 1993. I have tried them all and have compiled a list of the top wood and deck stain strippers. My reviews and help tips are based on my history as a wood and deck restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top product choices. See here for more info about me.
The Best Deck Stain Strippers 2024
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.
Without further ado, here’s a look at my four best deck stain strippers of 2024:
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
6. Common Questions About Wood Deck Stain Strippers
Do You Have to Strip a Deck?
Before staining a wood deck, it is necessary to prep the wood properly for the best results. Removing all the dirt, mold, mildew, and graying will help the new deck stain penetrate better and last longer.
A simple wood cleaning is insufficient when dealing with an old, failing deck stain. In this case, a deck stain stripper must be used to emulsify and soften the old stain so it can be removed more easily. Wood stain strippers are more aggressive than a typical wood cleaner.
What are the Active Ingredients in a Deck Stain Stripper?
Some of the best deck stain strippers I have found contain a mixture of Sodium Hydroxide and other surfactants. They typically come in pre-mixed liquid formulas or a concentrated powder formula for cost savings. Once mixed with water, they can be applied using a pump sprayer.
Do I Have to Brighten After Using Deck Stain Strippers?
Following the stripping process with an application of a wood deck brightener will restore the pH and brighten the wood while neutralizing the deck stripper. This brightening process should not be skipped. It is crucial to get optimal results from the new deck stain and a more natural appearance.
Using a quality wood deck stain stripper will give you the best chance of removing the existing deck stain. Once the old stain is gone, the new deck stain can fully penetrate the wood for maximum protection and lasting results.
The Best Deck Strippers Video – DeckStainHelp.com
Best Deck Stripper Reviews
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?
I have a solid stain deck that the floor of is look rough, missing color in spots. Whats the best way to get another solid stain to adhere to my deck? Chemical stripper, sanding, or just pressure washing?
You can strip off what is loose and then cover the stain that is intact with another solid color stain. Use a deck stain stripper and pressure washing to do this.
I used Rustoleum 10x 4 years ago and some spots have now peeled off. Could I spot repaint with more 10x after scrapping and power washing; followed by another full coat? Any other suggestions short of total stripping or replacing?
Unfortunately, you cannot fix the issues with this product by adding more on top: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/class-action-lawsuit-against-rust-oleum-deck-restore/
It will need to be removed to fix it.
I want to use a solid stain on my deck this time. The deck still has some of the semi-transparent stain in places. Do I need to strip off the old stain first?
No need to remove all if you are going to use a solid color stain. Just pressure wash for the prep.
I want to fix up the deck (approximately 600 sq ft) and not sure on best way to prepare it and what stain to use. I don’t know what the existing stain is as I just moved in but it looks like semi transparent. The wood is all in very good shape but the existing stain is peeling off in many areas, so do I have to strip it first or sand it off?
What process and products are best to use? See images attached:
Thank you!
You should be able to strip most of this off, 90% or more. Use the Restore A Deck Stripper/Brightener Kit. Sand if needed after to remove all.
Once I get it all prepared what stain should I use? The wood is pressure treated pine. I’m in St Catharines, Ontario and deck is on north east corner of house so sun half the day. I want it about the same colour.
Thank you!
Try the Armstrong Clark Wood Stain.
I have been researching and testing multiple products over the last few weeks. I just cannot finalize my decision. I love, love love X-180; I applied on an older stained red cedar siding board, it cleaned very well but left behind residual CWF-UV from 15 plus years ago – I just slightly scraped it, and the old coating was basically cedar colored dust – I did not use a power washer – is it possible that this would have removed this degraded coating? We have 2000 sq. feet of vertical surface, we really DO NOT want to use a stripper if at all possible. Our goal is to stain with either TWP-1500 or Q8 Log Oil. Any suggestions.
Doubt it. You will need to strip and remove the CWF fully. You cannot apply a different brand on top of the CWF. It will fail.
Are sanding and wiping clean a deck with 10-yr-old solid stain suitable for preparing a deck prior to refinishing with a solid stain having similar color? How does this approach compare to using stripper and cleaner prior to refinishing?
Sure that will work for the prep when reapplying a solid stain over an older solid stain.
Planning on stripping my 12 year old cedar deck to refinish (see earlier post): Question: Once it’s stripped and cleaned and brightened, do i have to let it weather again before I apply the new stain?
No, just let it dry for a few days.
Since my deck has been stripped and dried, can I wet the deck with water and now use a brightener… or is it too late?
Yes you can and would be a good idea too as well.
I stripped my deck with a stripper that also had a brightener included in it. Is that sufficient for a brightener, or should I use an additional one? My deck is already stripped and dry.
It is not possible for a deck stripper to also contain a wood brightener. The active ingredients of each would cancel out the ability to properly work. Basically, the brightener neutralizes the stripper.
Hoping you can help preserve domestic tranquility in my household…Just bought a house located in the mountains in the south San Francisco Bay Area. Working on restaining my redwood deck. In areas of the deck that get lots of sun, the previous stain was mostly gone. In the areas that do not get sun, the stain is dark (probably the original color, which I am trying to match) and almost glossy. Don’t know what product was used before, but it had obviously been a while since any maintenance was done. I first pressure washed the whole deck and stairs, which easily removed most of the color, and then used the RAD stripper on a test section…the wood turned black. I waited about 30 minutes then started power washing. It was taking forever to get rid of the black and get down to the more natural wood color. Plus, there was this clumpy gooey stuff (was it an acrylic?) that came up during the power washing. Running out of daylight and starting to panic, I quickly completed the power washing on the test section, mostly just to get the stripper off, so I did not go to bare wood. I then applied the brightener and decided to see what it looked like the next day.
Well this morning I went out and was mildly surprised. The areas that I took down to bare wood looked great and absorbed water. Interestingly though, the areas where I did not take down to bare wood also absorbed water. Although these areas were lacking that true redwood look – they were a little brownish, but not bad…I think I could live with it.
I am using the Armstrong Clark semi transparent Sierra Redwood stain, so it is kind of on the dark side. If, using the RAD with a minimal power washing effort, and the deck still absorbs water when dry, I assume it will absorb the stain and I am good to go. Am I correct?
Thank you very much for your reply!
Depends. Post a picture please.
BTW, all stain strippers raise the pH balance of the wood and darken the wood. This is normal and why you need a wood brightener. It lightens the wood and lowers the pH back to neutral.
Thanks for your reply – so this is looking up the stairs. The lighter wood is what I did yesterday, the darker wood was RAD’d and brightened this afternoon and is still wet. I mentioned in my earlier post that there was some gooey stuff that came off…turns out it was wood fiber. Should that be happening? The other picture shows a partially completed post. Note that the post was just power washed and then stained…to me, this looks ok, but will it last?
I think you are good with the prep. No issues.
where to purchase Restore A Deck ?
Check with them at restore-a-deck.com
What to do Had my deck done recently by a handyman thinking he would ask me what I wanted him to use but he just came along and used used a stain which I have never used and he picked a color that I can’t stand dove right in when I wasn’t home I’ve always used ultra wood pretetent and that was what I wanted him to use How can that stain be removed ?
Depends on the brand and type of stain that he used?
mission brown cobalt stain from Menards
What type? Water based or oil based? Semi-trans, semi-solid, sold stain, etc?
Pictures would help.
Use the Restore A Deck Stripper Kits.
Hi I’ve stripped off my old stain, washed then brightened my deck with the restore a deck product I now have a lot of fuzz on the wood which i assume was from the pressure washer. I was going to lightly sand it down, what do you recommend for the grit I believe they say 60-80 grit on the deck boards and then go over it again in 120 grit to give it that smooth to the touch feeling? But wI’ll that 120grit be too smooth and close the pores ? Will I need to brighten again after sanding or can I wash / blow off all the dust and stain the next day? Ideally i want to sand on Monday and hopefully start stainning by Tuesday before thw rain comes back this week but your recommendation would be great. Thanks
Do not sand more than 80 grit. Too fine of a grit and the stain will not soak in. Lightly rinse and then brighten.
need to sand a large deck. what type of sander is best to use ? Thank you
Drum sanders and edgers.
I used superdeck stain and sealer remover from Sherwin Williams, and was very disappointed. It made my porch look like it had been through a fire. what should have been a weekend project just turned into a couple weeks project. This product is crap!!!! After seeing what the stripper did to my porch I returned all of the superdeck products back to Sherwin-Williams. I showed the lady who sold me everything a picture of what it did to my wood, she not only refunded me for the products I brought back, but also refunded me for the stripper. She was very apologetic. Great customer service for horrible product.
We used Superdeck deck stripper and got the exact same results. We even repeated the process with little improvement. I agree this product is junk and has caused us even more work. We generally like Sherwin Williams paint products. But the Superdeck products are money wasted..
I ended up sanding my whole porch, took 80 hours and 2 sanders. Then used a product called Timberflex. I’m very pleased with the results
I’m not sure if anyone here has ever used Wolman’s stripper on solid color deck stain, but I just tested it out and had fantastic results. Spray on, wait, pressure wash off – removed 95% of the stain. Just wanted to share.
I tried it on my deck to remove acrylic stain and I thought it was terrible. Power washed off in some spots, but took forever.
Were you using regular Wolman’s, or the ASR formula? One is made for acrylic, one is made for everything else.
Does the deck stripper need to rinse clean before using a deck brightner? I have been rinsing and rinsing, and I still see suds. Also, I still see small amounts of the previous stain in different places. Do I need to reapply the stain stripper?
Rinse as much as you can and then apply the brightener. It will neutralize the stripper. Shoot for 95% or more removal.
Thanks! Do you recommend one coat or two coats? Do you recommend a water sealer in addition to the stain? We have a sizeable deck and want to maximize the amount of time between maintenance.
1-2 coats depends on your stain brand that you choose. Did you pick one yet? You cannot add a sealer on top of a deck stain.
We are using Defy Extreme Stain in Redwood. We cleaned, power washed, and sanded. Then we realized there was still too much of the old oil based stain, especially on the vertical boards, so we stripped and then used brightener. Is there a hard and fast rule on the amount of time in between those steps and staining? Does it have to be 48 hours, or can it be less than that, like 36 hours? How many hours will it need to dry? Also, I’m now concerned that there will be rain again before I get to stain. How long will those preparation steps last? Can I wait another week or two? A month? (We have had a lot of rain this spring. I thought I was going to have a good week of dry weather, but now there is rain in the forecast again.)
48 hours is the norm but temps and weather play a role. 36 may be fine as long as it is fully dry. Stain within two weeks of the prep.
Excuse me for jumping in on this comment. But it pertains to timeliness of applying stain after prep. I’m so glad I found your helpful service. Your response to Vicki was to stain within two weeks. If I can’t complete staining due to wet wood, would you suggest repeating certain prep steps? So far, I’ve cleaned, power washed, stripped, power wash/rinsed, next I’ll brighten, power wash/rinse. Also, if a light sanding is done, should the wood be dry?
If longer than 2 weeks, lightly pressure clean and brighten the wood.
To sand, the wood needs to be dry.
Great site! Having a hard time getting a solid stain removed. (It’s an old deck, owners neglected it, I am trying to see if I can save it instead of replacing it.) I tried rustoleum’s deck stain stripper today, didn’t get very far. I soaked the stain with it for almost an hour. It started to come up but then the wood looked to be soft underneath. I think the pressure washer sprayed off some of the wood before the stain, on the areas the stain came up. It’s going to take forever at this rate, never mind the vertical railings. I also have a container of Beyr’s deck stain stripper to try tomorrow. I see most of your recommendations aren’t for solid stains, and that sanding will be required. I’m still hoping there’s something that can help! Any recommendations, appreciated!
Strippers will not remove solid stains effectively. Sanding is your best option.
Best rated deck stain remover
Rankings in right hand column.
How long after applying stripper can I pressure clean
Typically 10-20 minutes depending on how long it takes to soften the old coating.
I stained my deck with ZAR semitransparent stain yesterday and it is still tacky. Should I strip it and start all over. I just bought the house and the previous owners left a can of ZAR semitransparent stain so I bought the same one. I power washed the deck 2 weeks ago to prepare it and give it time to dry. I have no idea what I did wrong.
Let is dry and cure. It amy take a few days. If it does dry, then we would leave alone and strip it later on next year.
Give it time. It might be to humid out to dry effectively. the more humid out the longer the dry time. Also did you over apply. More product will slow dry times too.
We have Cabot silicone based waterproofing sealer on our deck? Want to replace with a Cabot semitransparent stain.
Will any of the strippers remove the prior cabot sealer effectively?
Thanks
It should as long as the Cabot is not a paint or filming coating.
I have a Redwood deck that we applied a Super Deck Semi- Solid stain to 2 years ago. The stain is now showing wear and mold mildew issues. We sanded the entire deck yesterday and most of the stain came off. We are planning on applying a TWP Semi Transparent, but the store that sells the TWP is aprox. 1.5 hours away…
Is it recommended/okay to use the Super Deck Stripper and Brightener prior to applying the TWP stain, since I can find that product locally?
Thank you!
As long as you remove the Super Deck and brighten the wood, you should be fine.
Four years ago my new pressure treated wood deck was stained with Behr's Semi Transparent Weather Proofing Wood Stain 1 month after construction. One year later there was a white exudate coming through the stain. These areas were scraped by the original painting contractor and then Sherwin Williams Deckscapes Solid Deck Stain was applied. Since that time the deck has been plagued with algae, black mildew stains and continued white exudates appearing on some boards. The deck was not stripped between the applications of the two different products.
Is there a deck stain remover/stripper that will remove all the product that has been applied? What would be the best product to use? Will it be likely that the wood will need to be sanded to remove the solid wood stain that had been applied? Given that the original new deck was stained so soon after the original construction, how much time should elapse prior to applying a new product? What would be the best product to use to stain the deck this time around?
Not deck stain stripper will remove a solid stain that is applied on top of the Behr. It may remove some, but sanding will be required to remove all. Once removed by sanding, clean and brighten the wood for final prep and try the TWP stains.
Can the stripping be done in any weather (i.e. rainy, cold)?
Stripping works better in warmer temps. Above 50 degrees. Heavy rain can dilute as well.
i am having a very hard time locating where to buy the recommended stripper products- restore-a-deck, defy and HD80. Are they sold at any bigger name stores?
You will not find any of these products in a big box store. Buy online or check the manufacturers for help with locating.
I just stained my deck with a semi trans stain and it looks awful. My dad told me I should have waited a year but the builder told me it was okay. It's extremely uneven and I don't know what to do. I think the wood isn't absorbing the stain. I tried sanding it but it didn't really change much. I bought a new Behr Stain Remover and applied it only to watch it so NOTHING! I am lost and am looking for advice. I am thinking of covering it with a solid deck stain… Is that angood move ?
What stain brand did you use?
Behr
The issue is you stained to quick and used a poor applying stain. This is why is it looks uneven. Behr is very hard to strip and even more so after just applied. You can strip some off but to fix you will need to sand it all off.
We had contractors come out to stain our new deck after 2 1/2 months. The wood still had mill glaze on it and we asked them to prep it before hand. No prep was done to the deck and they sprayed 12 gallons of Sherwin Williams Deckscapes semi-transparent in Yankee Barn on the deck (about 400 sq feet top and bottom) in 4 hours. It has been 3 days and the deck is not dry, the color is opaque, and it is uneven and missing gaps in some places. We had the contractor come out and he said he could strip it in a week and re stain. We are afraid of using him again and have contacted some other people as well.
I am worried about having him "redo" the job. Does the stain need to completely dry before trying to remove and can you get 12 gallons off the deck successfully to re-stain. We sickened over the whole thing and hope to salvage the looks and protect our new deck.
This will not strip off easily. They applied way to much stain. You can try and see if they can get it off but if they do not remove all of it, I would strongly suggest you do not proceed. Strip what you can now, let weather for the Winter, strip again in Spring until all is removed. Switch brands as well.
We have a 17 y/0 deck that gets full sun. Used Thompson's water seal for 10 yrs reapplying yearly. Last 7 yrs used Behr semi transparent stain. We power washed ONLY as a prep 3yrs ago before reapplying. Stain is faded, very little left and blotchy, wood looks old and cracked. We live in Arkansas. What steps do we take to prep this time and what product would you recommend? Not crazy about solid paint look.
You will need to remove the layers of Behr first. We would strip off as much as we can with either HD80 or the Restore A deck stripper, sand the stubborn areas, and brighten all when done. Stain with TWP 100 Series.
While staining the cedar shakes on the second story of our home, a bucketful of stain (it is mixed with linseed oil) fell and splattered the deck below. We immediately cleaned the area with a diluted solution of bleach and scrub brush. The oils have dissipated, but the stain remains. The decking is pressure treated lumber… Not new, but it's been cared for over the years with annual cleaning and sealing with transparent deck sealant. Suggestion as to how to remove the stain? Thanks!
You cannot spot fix the deck. You need to strip down the entire deck to bare wood and brighten.
We need help! The previous owner applied a semi-transparent stain. We had hoped to remove that (ugly) stain color and reapply with a transparent stain. We first power washed it to get the loose stain off, then we tried a stripper called ABR Fast stripper. It just muddied the color and made the wood fuzzy and damaged looking. My husband and has now sanded off the stain which has taken a million man hours! We have a 500 sq ft deck and he has removed about 70% of the stain, but there are still areas we can't get the stain off. Deep crevices in the wood and hard to reach corners, etc. Any suggestions? Do we need to give in and out on another semi-transparent stain? Will it need to be darker than the original (brick red) color in order to cover it? Some local places have said to use a solid stain, but I'm worried we'll be in the same situation 3 years from now. Help!!!
Do not use a solid. Try to get off close to 95% of the current stain so the new stain will work correctly. Best to strip as much as possible first and sand after to remove rest and smooth the fuzzies as well. Semi-transparents will not cover the existing but possibly will blend.
Major problem. Just used "one time," wood stain on my newly built outdoor bench and the color is not as advertised. It ruined the project. How do you recommend I remove this product. Instead of a honey color it is a neon orange.
Any help appreciated
Did the OneTime dry or is it still tacky? This will not be easy to get off. May need to strip and sand to get it all off. Try the Restore A Deck Stain Stripper and pressure washing.
We sanded down second second story stairs and stained with semi-transparent stain. We had a brutal winter, and now the railing and steps are peeling like crazy. I am wondering if, in the process of using using Deck Stain Stripper, will it it be a problem for the ground-level renter below (her entrance is directly below our porch and stairs). In other words, will power-washing this product off damage grass/shrubs/garden which will most certainly be subject to the effects of the rinsing process. Additionally, does the product have any toxic effects that should be considered as to where the "grey water" of the power wash drains/soaks into the ground? Thanks.
No the stripper should be okay as long as you pre wet and rinse all vegetation. Most stain strippers are biodegradable.
used behr semi transparent deck stain, lasted 2 yrs. now need to start over. live in alberta, canada. what stripper should we use and will it effect vinyl siding if splashed on it.
Try the HD80 and pressure washing to remove. You might need to repeat a few times to get it all off. Does not harm vinyl.
Will the Deck Stain Stripper damage painted aluminum siding?
Probably not but best to test first.
We live in Chicago and have flat roof decks that were placed over rubber membranes. If we used Deck Stain Stripper will it damage the rubber membrane below the decking?
No it will not harm rubber.
Is it ok for the deck stain stripper to get on the vinyl siding of the house. Will it cause any damage? thank you!
It will not damage the siding but if the siding has oxidized, then it might \”clean\” the siding from the oxidation dust.
Ok, I have been reading over your posts and still need a little bit more clarity. We have a small fence restoration business (www.FenceMakeover.com). We pressure wash and stain fences in Colorado. We ONLY use Behr Premium Plus solid stains because the color lasts/holds 5+ years (from our experience) in the harsh sunlight climate we have here. We have 2 jobs that were done in the past where the Behr solid color stain has pealed or flaked off. We're doing to apply a new solid stain over the top of this. But before we do it, we want to apply some type of stripper that will loosen the old stain so we can scrape it, wire brush it, or power wash off the old stuff. I read many reviews and still feel I need your advice on WHICH stripper to use in this situation AND any advice you have on the best way to apply and remove it.
Thank you.
Brian, strippers will not remove the solid stain but will help remove the loose stain. Try Restore A Deck stain Stripper.
Are you saying that there is no stripper on the market that can remove solid stain from a deck? None?
None that will 100% effectively remove a solid stain every time.
We had contractors stain our deck with the translucent Australia timber oil 3 summers ago and now we need to prepare the deck for a restain with a different translucent stain. My husband just used deck cleaner because we had some green mold. Then use the brightener afterwards. Now we are thinking we should have used a stripper instead in order to get rid of the areas where the stain has oxidized and turned a darker color. What to do next?
Yes use the deck stain stripper and pressure wash off. Brighten again when done.
Unfortunately, we were talked into using a latex deck paint which started chipping in one year. What would be the best way to get the deck in condition to stain. We live in Alaska and have heavy snow and ice. Thank you!
Jan, sanding off the solid stain is really your only option for complete removal.
Thank you for the advice – we will definitely go with the Armstong Clark semi-solid mountain cedar color for the UV protection.
First, thank you for all the great information on this site – it is amazing! I have a two month old PTP boat dock in Tampa, Florida that gets nearly 24/7 sun exposure. The dock contractor sealed everything with clear Thompson's water seal – which I now know from reading this site is the worst possible choice. The dock also has a number of rough edges that I wanted to sand down so it is smooth to the touch. Based upon my review of the various articles and comments on the site, I just wanted to confirm that the following would be the best choice of action: (1) sand with a random orbital sander using 60 grit paper to smooth out rough sections, (2) apply Restore-A-Deck Stripper to remove Thompson's, (3) apply Restore-A-Deck Brightener, and (4) apply any color of Armstrong-Clark Semi-Transparent Stain. My main concern is that the Restore-A-Deck Stripper will remove the Thompson's water seal, and that you would recommend the Armstrong-Clark product over the Defy Extreme product given the newness of the dock and the fact that it likely will get applied in direct sunlight. Thank you!!
SJK, sounds like a good plan. I would suggest looking at the Armstrong Clark and possibly in a semi-solid color. You have very brutal UV when in FL and on water.
I have a mahogany deck and I am not sure if this initially had a solid stain or a semi-transparent one. The deck is over 10 years old and the wood is in good condition. I am looking for a good wood stripper for mahogany and dont want to pressure wash it yet, Was wondering if you could give me some suggestions.
JVS, all strippers typically need to be pressure washed off. Nothing removes a solid stain effectively. Sorry but there is not a good answer for you without knowing if it is a semi-trans or not.
I have a 2 story deck. that has failed in 6 mos. Sikkens. it was a new deck. If I use a stripper won't it drip down and make a mess of the verticles, which are ok.We need to do the deck floors only. Can I sand and power wash the top deck?HELP!
Cia, You can sand with 60 grit then wash the deck with a deck cleaner when done. It would be best though to remove all of the Sikkens with the stripper and start over from scratch.