This post was updated on April 12, 2025
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
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, there are a couple of effective options for achieving full removal.
Stripping a Solid Stain
My Pro Options for Removing a Solid Color Stain
- Stripping off a Solid Stain
- Skeptical on Stripping? See photos of success!
- Sanding off a Solid Stain
- Combination of Stripping and Sanding
- Consider a Two-toned Deck
- Ask me questions!
1. Stripping a Solid Color Deck Stain
RAD PaintStrip Test Board
In the past, there have been few, if any, decent options to strip a solid color deck stain or paint. Newer to the market is the RAD PaintStrip. RAD 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. Apply, and let the stripper work its magic. You can test the effectiveness by scraping paint off the surface down to the bare wood. Pressure wash it all off once it starts to lift easily with the scrapper.
Pro Tip: The longer you let the RAD PaintStrip work, the easier it will be to pressure wash it off.
See Full Review: RAD PaintStrip Solid Stain Stripping Gel
2. Stripping a Solid Color Stain Photos
Skeptical about stripping a solid-color deck stain? Check out these photos from customers who successfully used RAD PaintStrip to remove solid-color stains when applied properly.
3. Sanding a Solid Color Deck Stain
Power sanding is an effective way to remove solid deck stain or paint, but it can be a time-consuming and costly process.
Using the correct sanding grit is crucial for the best results. For deck surfaces, 60- to 80-grit sandpaper is recommended. Avoid using higher grits, as they can make the wood too smooth and close the pores, which can prevent proper stain absorption. Start with 60-grit to remove the coating and finish with 80-grit for a smoother, even surface.
For thorough removal, a floor drum sander works well for flat surfaces, while a hand or belt sander is ideal for vertical areas and hard-to-reach spots. Be sure to sand all wood surfaces evenly for the best outcome.
My Pro Tip: See this full article on how-to Sand a Deck Properly.
4. Combination of Stripping and Sanding: Best Option For Removing a Solid Color Deck Stain
While I prefer the stripping method with the RAD PaintStrip, it may be necessary to sand as well to remove 100% of the old solid stain from the deck. The RAD PaintStrip will remove most of the old solid stain from the wood, leaving spot sanding to remove the rest as needed. This is easier than only sanding off the solid stain.
5. Consider a Two-Toned Deck
A two-toned deck is typically a solid stain for the verticals and a penetrating semi-transparent stain for the floors. They look great, and removing a solid stain from horizontal flooring is substantially easier than vertical railings.
My Pro Tip: If you want more information on two-toned decks, see why choose a two-toned deck.
6. Questions on Removing a Solid Color Stain?
If you have any questions about removing a solid deck stain or paint, feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help and provide guidance every step of the way.
Can I use this RAD on cedar wood?
Yes, you can!
I stripped a deck with a solid stain on it today and there is still a lot of stain on it. Should I give it a day to dry, sand it then apply the neutralizer? Or should I just try stripping it again tomorrow?
Sanding may be your best option to get it all off or you will need a speciality paint stripper.
Hi, when using the pressure washer, what PSI is best?
Tips:
-Wash with a motion similar to sweeping of broom (pendulum motion). Wash with the grain of the wood. Exaggerate your sweeping motion, never stop and reverse your direction without sweeping up. Not doing this will result in a “stop” mark on your decking.
-Never use more than 1200 psi of pressure. This does not mean you cannot use a 3000 psi machine. It is only 3000 psi if you are washing from 1 inch away. If you are 8-12 inches away you will be using about half the amount of pressure.
-Always use extreme caution when using a power washer. Improper use could result in severe damage to wood. If you do not feel qualified, contact a professional in your area.
Hi Scott! This deck was neglected by the previous owner and It will be my big spring project. There are no clues as to the brand of stain used previously. I’m trying to figure out if I will need to use RAD PaintStrip or if another paint stripper will work. I plan to clean and brighten after stripping. I would also love to hear suggestions on specific stains to use. I included a picture of the railing that better represents the color of the previous stain.
It is a solid opaque stain. Your options would be to remove fully:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-a-solid-color-deck-stain-or-paint/
or remove the dirt and loose solid stain for another solid stain:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-reapply-a-solid-color-deck-stain/
The latter is easier.
If I opt for the first option, Is it possible to then go with a semi-transparent stain like RAD “Dark Walnut”?
If you fully remove it, then yes, you could switch to any semi-transparent stain. You might want to consider a two-toned deck as it will be easier to fully remove from the flooring: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/advantages-to-having-a-two-toned-deck/
Hi Scott,
Have a 25yo cedar porch deck that has had Austrailian Timber Oil applied several times over the years. Now I’m replacing some of the porch deck boards and want to use same Timber Oil product but color isn’t matching. Original boards are much darker (due to multiple applications?) than newly stained boards. Will your strip/brighten process get me back to original color on the old cedar boards so my new boards will match?
No. It is not possible to get new wood and older wood to match with a semi-transparent stain. The new wood will always stain lighter since it is less absorbent.
when using RAD paint stripper on deck do I have to use brightener afterwards?
We suggest it as it will turn out better.
Hi Scott,
I have a 600 sqft deck that’s greater than 35 years old, built before I bought the house. No rot. We hired someone to stain it a few years back and they used a solid stain. The solid did ok, but it’s fading and starting to peel. I like the look of the wood, so want to go to a semi-transparent.
I sanded with a drum sander, started with 20, then 40, then 60, then 80 grit. Most looks great, but there’s some cupping and some parts where there’s valleys in the grain and the stain remains.
I ordered Defy deck cleaner, and Defy brightener, along with TWP 102. I suspect I need to now use a stripper to get the last bits of solid stain up before I clean/brighten/stain? Do you think a citristrip (sold at Ace) will work ok for the relatively small areas? I ask because the RAD takes a week to ship and I’m running out of time before I travel and then the weather turns bad. Then again, I’m assuming after all of the sanding I can stain right away. Not sure if I need to let the deck season through the winter then clean/brighten/stain in the spring?
Unfortunately I don’t know the type of wood I have. It’s in 16 foot lengths, 3 5/8 inches wide which doesn’t seem like a common size.
Attached are some pictures of the deck and how much I’ve sanded, with a bit of the old stain at the edges so you can opine if it’s solid stain or not. I’m going to do the railings in solid stain for contrast, so I’m not concerned with getting the old finish totally off of them.
Appreciate the help.
Dave
Not sure if the CitriStrip will work but does not hurt to try. Clean and brighten after the sanding as the final prep. You can do this in the Fall or Spring. The old stain looks like a solid.
Hello! For the paint strip, is a pressure washer required or can we get all that paint off using something else? Thanks!
You will need a pressure washer.
AFTER RAD StrippeR, would you still need to sand? Because I don’t think the stripper would remove everything 100%…or would it? I know sanding is not recommended before staining due to raised fibers, so what would you do in a case where you want to remove old paint with the stripper and then use only semi-solids or transparents after that?
Hard to say but yes, you might need to sand a few areas that did not remove the old stain fully. If you sand, use 60-80 grit and lightly pressure wash all wood after.
Hi Scott! I really messed up. I had a brand new deck and fence built 3 years ago. I hired company to stain it and they suggested a solid dark stain. It’s peeling and lifting like you said and also incredibly sombre and ugly.
I have to start over. I am going to order the RAD paintstrip gel. Could you help me figure out how much I need? I have to strip the entire multi-level deck, the sides of the deck and 80 feet of fencing. :(((
We would need a total sq footage of all wood added up to help with this.