Deck Stripping Facts and Tips: Helpful Advice

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. 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 …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior deck cleaning and stripping prep. My wood prepping help tips are based on my history as a wood and deck restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing. See here for more info about me. How to Prep a Deck 2026 This has become one of my most popular articles on how to prep your wood deck before applying a wood deck stain. In it, I will help consumers find the best way to prep their deck for an application or reapplication of a deck stain or deck coating. Not all scenarios are the same, and this article, with your input …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, an exterior wood restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience stripping and removing exterior wood and solid-color deck stains. See here for more info about me. Removing a Solid Color Deck Stain & Paint Solid (Opaque) deck stains are not transparent and will cover the wood fully, masking the wood grain. Once applied, a solid color deck stain or paint will film on top of the wood, and because of this, they can be prone to peeling over time. A common question I get at DeckStainHelp.com is how to remove a solid-color deck stain or paint to reveal the wood’s natural grain, making it possible to apply a penetrating semi-transparent stain. Fortunately, …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior deck staining and prep. 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 Apply and Reapply Solid Color Deck Stain the Right Way Solid color deck stains are a great choice when you want maximum UV protection, longer durability, and a uniform appearance that hides imperfections in the wood. Whether you’re applying solid stain for the first time or reapplying over an older coating, proper prep and technique will determine …

Hi, I am Scott Paul. I have been prepping decks for over 30 years. My sanding deck help tips on staining decking are based on my history as a wood deck restoration contractor. See here for more info about me. Why Sanding a Deck Can Be an Issue I appreciate your input at Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest deck restoration news and trending topics through 2026. See below for an article about Why Sanding a Deck Can be an Issue. Feel free to leave a comment or ask questions below. Sanding your deck can reduce stain penetration One of the most frustrating problems that can crop up when you stain or restain your …

Hi! I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior deck cleaning and stain stripping. My wood deck cleaning/stripping help tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing. See here for more info about me. Deck Stripper vs a Deck Cleaner I appreciate your input at Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest deck restoration news and trending topics through 2026. See below for an article about When to use a Deck Stripper vs a Deck Cleaner. Feel free to leave me a comment or ask questions below. Why use a Deck Stripper vs a Deck Cleaner …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, an exterior wood restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in stripping and removing exterior wood and deck stains. See here for more info about me. Remove Old Deck Stain for Reapplication Not all deck stain types and brands are compatible. Below are some tips when switching your brand or type of deck stain and how to prep for maximum results when reapplying a deck stain to your wood if you have used a different stain previously. Changing Brands of Deck Stain for Reapplication If you are switching brands of transparent, semi-transparent, or semi-solid deck stains, you will need to strip and/or sand to remove the prior deck stain coatings. It does …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, an exterior wood restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in stripping and recoating wood and deck stains. See here for more info about me. Question: How to lighten a deck stain that is too dark? My Pro Tip Answer To lighten a deck stain that is too dark, once dry, strip and/or sand to remove the deck stain. It is best to strip and remove the deck stain completely and start over with a more appropriate deck stain color. It is not possible to fix a deck stain that is too dark without stripping and sanding it and starting over, particularly when using a semi-transparent deck stain or deck sealer. More …

Why is deck stain too thick? When deck stain is too thick it will not dry properly. The most common reason deck stain is too thick on the wood is that it is overapplied. The best way to apply deck stain is with deck stain brushes and pads that allow you to work the stain into the wood effectively and evenly. DeckStainHelp.com has many available articles to teach you how to best apply deck stain to avoid deck stain too thick. Deck stain too thick in the can before applying is a sign that it has gone bad and new stain should be purchased. How to fix deck stain too thick? When deck stain is too thick on the wood …

How to fix a deck stain you don’t like? How to fix a deck stain you don’t like depends on the type of deck stain. Semi-transparent and semi-solid penetrating deck stains must be removed by stripping the deck, sanding the deck, or both. Failing to remove the disliked stain sufficiently prevents the new stain from penetrating into the wood properly. Solid deck stains do not have to be removed, instead you can just apply a new color over it. More information about fixing a deck stain you don’t like Remove Deck Stain When Reapplying? How To Sand Your Wood Deck Best Deck Prep? Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck? How to Reapply a Solid Color Deck Stain How To Remove …

How to fix deck stain that’s too orange? Choosing the right deck stain color can be difficult because the color of the stain blended with the color of the wood deck can cause odd colors to emerge. Often deck stain will be too orange after it dries. The only way to fix orange deck stain is to strip the stain and start over with a different stain color. DeckStainHelp.com offers many deck stain photos to help you choose the best color for the type of wood on your deck. More information on fixing orange deck stain  Deck Stain Color Photos Matching Different Wood Types with Deck Stains Most Popular Deck Stain Colors Best Deck Prep? Clean, Strip, or Sand the …

How to deck stain without sanding? Sanding is usually unnecessary to prep a wood deck for a new coat of deck stain. The best way to apply new deck stain without sanding is to clean the deck, strip the old deck stain, and apply a wood brightener. A final rinse should be done on the deck before applying the new stain. This is typically more effective, less time consuming, and requires less effort than sanding a deck. However, if there are stubborn areas spot sanding might be necessary. What product is best to deck stain without sanding? Deck stain experts recommend cleaning and brightening a deck over sanding it for best results in most cases. One of the best ways …