This post was updated on April 4, 2025
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Olympic RESCUE IT review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me.
Olympic Rescue It Review
Since our initial review of Olympic® RESCUE IT! Max Resurfacer®, we’ve received numerous comments from consumers sharing their disappointing experiences with the product. Many have reported issues with peeling, poor adhesion, and premature failure, which has led to a growing number of concerns surrounding its long-term durability.
If you have used Olympic® RESCUE IT! Max Resurfacer®, we encourage you to share your experience with us. Please feel free to upload pictures of your exterior wood or deck, along with a brief description of how the product performed. Your feedback will be invaluable to others considering this product for their own projects.
In addition to the widespread complaints, it’s worth noting that a class action lawsuit has been filed against the product. Furthermore, the product has undergone a rebranding and is now marketed as Olympic® RESCUE IT! Max Resurfacer. Despite the label change, many customers continue to report the same issues, making it a less reliable option for deck restoration.
We invite you to leave a star rating and share your own experience with the Olympic® RESCUE IT! Max Resurfacer below. Your input helps provide more transparency for those looking to make an informed decision.
https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/345686-olympic-rescue-it-class-action-says-sealant-defective/
Olympic RESCUE IT! MAX Deck Resurfacer + Primer + Sealant is ideal for worn or weathered wood and concrete. This 100% acrylic, high-performance deck resurfaced, and concrete sealer coating fills cracks up to ¼”, locks down splinters, and provides a safe, extremely durable surface that resists fading and creates a mildew and algae-resistant coating. Don’t replace it. RESCUE IT! Use this concrete sealer and deck resurfacer on your next project.
How I Rated Olympic RESCUE IT
My Olympic RESCUE IT review contains an 8-step process and the final average score. Each step is on a scale of 1-10.
- The appearance of Olympic RESCUE IT after Application
- Preventing UV Graying
- Peeling or Wearing
- Cost Per Square Foot Olympic RESCUE IT
- Preventing Mold and Mildew
- How Easy was the Application
- Color Shifting
- Ease of Reapplication
- Olympic RESCUE IT Final Score
8-Step Review of Olympic RESCUE IT
1. Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 6
The Olympic Rescue It version of “deck restore type” products is no different in that it still looks like a thick paint was applied. Overall though it did have a nice uniform appearance.
2. Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 10
No graying of the deck as this product does not allow the stain to change the appearance.
3. Wear/Tear and Peeling: 5
The Olympic Rescue-It performed better than the Behr Deckover and the Rust-Oleum versions but not nearly as good as the Gulf Synthetics brand that we tested. After the first Winter, about 1/2 of the deck had some issues.
4. Cost Per Square Foot: 3
The coverage was about the suggested 50 sq. per gallon for the two coats. We used 12 gallons for the deck, which cost about $400 for 600 sq. feet.
5. Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 8
There was some mold on the deck. Very little and could be related to a large tree nearby. Nothing to worry about, and the Olympic Rescue did a pretty good job with this category.
6. Ease of Application: 3
Applies like a thick paste. We had to dip into the tray with the roller every few sq. feet. It dries and sets fairly fast as well in direct sunlight
7. Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 9
The Olympic Rescue It did not darken in color in any way.
9. The Difficulty of Reapplication: 3
You must sand off the Olympic Rescue It for full removal before reapplying the same or a different brand of deck stain.
Overall Score Olympic Rescue It at 2 Year Period: 6
The Olympic® RESCUE IT! Max Resurfacer® performed better than other big-box “Deck Resurface” products in our testing, but it still had limitations. If you’re located in a warm-weather state, you may experience better results compared to our tests, as these products tend to perform better in consistently warm conditions. However, we’ve found that in areas with freeze/thaw cycles, these resurfacing products—Olympic® RESCUE IT! included—are prone to peeling and failure. The freeze/thaw cycle exacerbates the product’s tendency to break down over time, leading to poor adhesion and unsightly results.
Olympic Deck Rescue-It Peeling Photos
Product Information:
Where To Buy: Lowes, Home Depot, and Select Stores
Cost: $45 per Gallon
Stain Type: Acrylic Solid Stain Resurfacer Coating – Water-Based
Available Colors: 142 Custom colors
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 2 Coats.
Coverage Per Gallon: Covers up to 50 sq. ft. in 2 coats per gallon
Application Tools: Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 8-24 Hours
Cleanup: Water
VOC Compliant: 250 Compliant in all States
Manufacturer: Olympic
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: Cedar Deck
Deck Square Footage: 600 Square feet
UV Exposure: Full sun
How Many Years Tested: 1 Year
Stain Color Used: Russet
*All products tested and results are from our experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Consider that results may differ due to different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, and natural weathering.
Looking For a Better Deck Resurface Coating?
Please read our article on Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive Review. We believe this product has real value if you are looking for products that actually work.
I used Rescue about 3 years ago.. this spring I noticed some bubbling and much peeling. Some was coming off in sheets, and other I had to scrape off. Some of it is stuck on there like concrete. Because some boards had much mildew underneath I want to remove all of it. How do I remove the part that is on there like concrete ?? Sand blasting it will only destroy the wood. Any suggestions?
Power sanding is the only way.
I applied Rescue it 4 years ago and many of my boards have rotted. It traps moisture and the ends of the boards rot. I don’t want to redo the entire deck. Is it possible to patch the peeled spots? I’ve replaced the rotted boards and they need to be painted. Could I use a different sealer?
No, you cannot patch the peeled areas or seal over the Rescue It.
I went to blow off my deck yesterday. It came off in sheets. I feel sick. Spent so much time and energy on this. What a joke.
how long to wait between coats
Best to ask Olympic as we do not use this product due to the high rate of failure.
I have a painted deck and wood rails that need to be redone. There is some peeling, but not as bad as many of the pictures that I see on your site. I looked at the Deck Revive product (Gulf Synthetics) that is recommended but to cover approximately 750 square feet (including rails) the materials cost alone is going to be about $1,500. That would include the Perma Bond they recommend, as well as the gallons of acrylic outdoor latex paint. I would power wash it first, of course. Is there any cheaper alternative that would do reasonably well, or is the Gulf Synthetics really the only way to go if I don’t want to have to redo this every 2 years?
The Gulf Deck Revive is the best option that we have seen for a deck resurfacer. You could make it less expensive and easier by only using the Deck Revive on the horizontals and then using a matching solid stain or deck paint for the verticals.
We used Olympic Rescue It 7 years ago on a CONCRETE DECK. We’re happy with its performance on CONCRETE. Would like to use it again but can’t find a way to get a few color samples to try first
I also have a concrete deck that I have this one and love it. I want to redo an area only to change color from shipmate to creamy dill. The only issue I have is living in NV the shipmate blue gets to hot to walk on and the creamy dill all on pool deck stays cooler. I would love to find it instead of having to redo it all.
Can you apply rescue it over deck with rescue it on it? How do you prep?
Not sure, best o check with Olympic.
What is the difference or comparison between both Olympic Rescue It and the Rescue It Max?
Both are poor products. Calling it “max” just means you are paying more for a bad product that has many many failures.
Fairly easy to apply. Looked great the first summer season. ( last year) this spring after snow melted looks like I didn’t resurface the deck . Much of the products is gone and did not adhere to the wood.
Note: did follow instructions and use their deck cleaner also and scrubbed the wood with hard bristle broom
I first used this about 5 years ago. I was very pleased with the appearance and the performance of the product and continued to repurchase it at Lowes. Yesterday, I went to Lowes to make another purchase for my “new” house as I recently relocated …. only to find they no longer carry it. I was sorely disappointed. I will attempt to find it elsewhere even though I have to drive about 60 miles to get it. It is good stuff !!
Terrible product. Didn’t last one year before it started to come up. Made my deck look horrible. I would never recommend this product.
What a mess! We wrongly assumed that Olympic would be a good quality product, but the Olympic Rescue It is horrible. It has not even been one year and the paint is peeling off. There is no way to remove this stuff to properly stain the deck. So disappointed in PPG and Lowe’s for selling this &*(#. Any ideas? I’ve written a letter to the company, but have no high hopes of a resolution…
You will need to sand this off fully to prep for a better stain.
I used the Olympic 10x 2 yrsrs ago yk change thr color and look diffetent
Now i was getting ready for maintence tjis year and my wood where the sun shines is broken open and rotted in places. It is to hot yo even walk in before noon. I will have yo replace my whole deck and i am unemployed and my husband on disability. I am disgusted yo say the least. Here are pictures if my once beautiful deck.
Horrible product, didn’t survive the first winter : ((
Olympic Rescue It was used on deck approx. 6 wks ago. Coverage appears to be great and fills some of the cracks in wood. However a tree (Red Maple) has lost it ‘s leaves and has turned the deck to multi-color instead of original color. My deck appears as if leaves were painted on surface and water does not remove the
images. Horrible looking and multi-colored was not the finish I was looking for when I purchased this product. What is the remedy and the cost. I live on a limited income and expect full reparation from Lowe’s or Olympic. I have used
Olympic products before and was satisfied with results but Rescue It has not been one of them. The stain left by the fallen leaves is very unattractive and must be remedied. I expect to receive an answer to this e-mail and complete satisfaction as soon as possible.
Thank you for your consideration and timely resolution.
Hattie, best to contact Olympic directly with your issues as this is a review site for all deck stain products and not related to Olympic in any way.
Used Olympic Rescue It on deck. Good surface where covered but peeling badly where open. Lasted one winter. Purchased at Lowe’s and they will not offer any refund or rebate. Put in car trailer and did not last one year. Completely gone. Spent almost $500 on 3 five gallon buckets.. for nothing.
Send pictures to the company with an email…Though they did send us a voucher of the full refund for buying more of the same product. We are hoping for it to lasr 3 years as the first application did…Then we are getting composite wood. NEVER to stain again
How can this product remain on the market with all of the complaints against it. Olympia CEO needs to put this on his deck for a first hand look at what garbage it is.
This the worst product I have ever used. Applied in spring 2015 and by the next summer 2016, it peeled off in sheets. Here we are June 2017 and we can’t get the reminance off. We could bomb it and it wouldn’t come off in spots. Yes we did prime it and it was sanded. Never again.
Contact the company there was a class action suit on the Olympic Rescue It wood and Concrete resurfacer. Not sure if you can still get in on it.
Overall the product has performed as expected. BUT, THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING ON THE CONTAINER THAT IT GETS VERY, VERY HOT IN DIRECT SUNSHINE!!!!!! The container says it is :BAREFOOT FRIENDLY”. IT IS NOT!! IT WILL ABSOLUTELY BURN THE BOTTOM OF YOUR BARE FEET. I have to put rug runners on my deck and you can feel the heat coming thru them. I would not have bought this product except it said it was barefoot friendly. I want to know if there is something I can paint over it to stop the heat, PLEASE, ANYBODY, email me if there is. I will not buy another product like this from lowes or anywhere else. I think I’ll join the lawsuit.
Has anybody had problems with Olympic Restore It rotting your deck boards?
My entire deck peeled , when I contacted the company about the problem, they just me paper work to get more of the stain and to follow the instructions just as I did beore. The one thing going I was not told was how to get the old off, had to power wash deck then use a surface cleaner let dry for 48 hours then restain, in less then 6 months same problem has occurred wood is splitting and warping now due to stain not sticking to surface. Worse product I have ever used.
Same problem paint bubbled up and peeled after one season…. more work to remove it , its almost worth it to replace the deck boards.
What a consumer fraud. Followed directions and even bought the Olympic brand deck cleaner to prep. Just replaced all the decking and rails to the tune of $18k just to get rid.if the unsightly appearance. Do not waste your money
Further, I was in Lowe’s the other day and they still have this crap on the shelf. Why there is not class action grievances filed against the manufacturer and distributer is beyond me
This product is no better than the others. It peels off within a year.
As a chemical process engineer for years, I have prepared surfaces for aerospace hardware. I know what it takes to coat substrates. I can certainly appreciate following instructions, but this was to no avail. To repair my deck, this time I am going to prime the surfaces and hope that it sticks. Oh the joy of peeing the rest off just to try and get it to stick. I have pictures of the piles of sheets of the coating – it crosslinks to itself just fine but has no adhesive. properties.
Don't waste your time and money
Looked good the first year. Second year it is bubbling and peeling off in sheets!!! Followed directions to the T!! Went through 3 gallons and purchased another gallon to do the rails this year. if anyone wants to purchase it, it's unopened in my garage. I can't find my receipt so I guess I'm screwed. Wasted alot of my time and having fibromyalgia didn't help. Now I have to figure out how to remove this crap and start over with some stain!!!!!
I agree with most complaints here. After 2 years my deck looks like crap. Tried to pressure wash to remove, good luck with that. now I'm stuck between what to do next. Putting my house up for sale soon, I guess I have to repaint and let the next owner deal with the problem.
We used restore it 1 year ago. It looked great going down. But now it has become a eye sore. I've not had the peeling issue but it looks awful. There's nothing I have found that cleans it. No matter how much you scrub or power wash it just looks dirty. Mind you I have a complete wrap around porch. So angry with this product and with company's for selling this to people.
it is awful. Put down by a professional and he can't believe how awful it is. And it doesn't come off consistently. SO we have some that is staying especially on the railings and some parts of the floor.. It is JUST simply the worst thing we could have done to our deck. What can we use to get the stuff off the deck? Our deck is HUGE and to sand it would be crazy…
Sand and scrape is the only way.
it is awful. Put down by a professional and he can't believe how awful it is. And it doesn't come off consistently. SO we have some that is staying especially on the railings and some parts of the floor.. It is JUST simply the worst thing we could have done to our deck. What can we use to get the stuff off the deck? Our deck is HUGE and to sand it would be crazy…
This stuff should be taken off the market.
After major prep, put this product on last summer after a hot, dry summer. Totally peeling now. Bad news for a big deck. A waste of time, money, and hard work.
After one year, with careful attention to prep and application directions, the product is peeling off of about half of the deck boards which are pressure treated fir. It seems to be sensitive to the various grain surfaces. I am in a wet climate region and the peeling began in the beginning of the summer season in the year following application. I have used many Olympic products in the past with success, but I would not recommend the use of Rescue It in the Pacific NW.
I am not pleased with this products performance. I am a contractor with over 30 years of experience and this product was recommended by one of my vendors, I followed all the manufactures instructions and the used the products the vendor told me to use for cleaning and prepping the surface. We used a surface cleaner and cleaned the deck and let it dry for two weeks before applying the product. Now two years later the product is starting to peel. We applied two coats as recommended. My customer is not pleased! I would suggest using a Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore product as opposed to Olympic, Rustoleum, or Behr!