This post was updated on April 10, 2023
RAD PaintStrip Paint & Solid Stain Stripping Gel
We would love to hear from you if you have used the RAD PaintStrip Paint & Solid Stain Stripping Gel to remove a deck paint or solid stain from your wood or deck. Please post a rating in the Consumer Star Ratings below.
If you have any questions as to the effectiveness of your deck or wood stripping project, please ask below in the comments with the name of the stain brand and type being removed. Please add a couple of pictures as well.
RAD™ PaintStrip Stripping Gel Product Info
RAD™ PaintStrip Stripping Gel Product InfoR-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.
R-A-D™ PaintStrip stays wet for 24+ hours, allowing you to strip larger areas without having to reapply.
When & Where to use RAD™ PaintStrip
R-A-D™ PaintStrip does not contain any hazardous methylene chloride or NMP. R-A-D™ PaintStrip is non-flammable, non-combustible, and practically odor free. R-A-D™ PaintStrip can be used on interior and exterior surfaces including wood, brick, concrete, plaster, stone, metal, fiberglass, and more. Additionally, R-A-D™ PaintStrip clings well to vertical surfaces.
R-A-D™ PaintStrip Removes from Wood
- Solid Color Wood Stains, Paints, Varnishes
- Excessively Over-Applied Semi-Transparent and Semi-Solid Coatings
- Filming Acrylic Wood Stain Coatings such as Behr Wood Stains, Thompsons, Olympic, SuperDeck, Benjamin Moore ArborCoat, Valspar, PPG/Pittsburgh, and any other exterior wood and deck stains
RAD™ PaintStrip Stripping Gel Review Scores (1-10)
Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 10
– The RAD PaintStrip will easily remove all oxidized graying, dirt, mildew, mold, and algae when also using it to remove a solid stain or paint
Cost Per Square Foot: 8
-RAD PaintStrip covers 100 sq. feet for $70 per gallon. While this may seem expensive, it is much cheaper than replacing your wood and much easier than power sanding your wood or deck. Overall it is a very fair price for an extremely effective product.
Removal of Old Solid Stain: 10
– The RAD PaintStrip was tested on a deck that had a dark gray Olympic Solid Stain on the outside vertical skirting. We applied the stripper over the solid stain and let the coating sit overnight. When we came back the next day, we pressure-washed it off the wood. It removed almost all of the solid stain that was on there. Where it did not remove all was where we missed the initial application of the RAD PaintStrip. A spot repeat application removed the rest of the solid stain.
Note: Only the outside vertical skirting of the deck had the solid stain and that is where we used the RAD PaintStrip. The rest of the deck was cleaned and brightened with Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kits.
Ease of Application: 8
– The RAD PaintStrip Gel was applied with a roller and brush. We saturated all wood that had the solid stain with the stripper. It would have been easier to use an airless prayer but we did not have one on hand.
Final Appearance of Stripping: 10
– The RAD PaintStrip was very effective at removing the gray Olympic Solid Stain.
Note: You do not need to use a wood brightener to neutralize after the RAD PaintStrip.
Overall Score RAD PaintStrip Paint & Solid Stain Stripping Gel: 9.2
– For years we have tested many different strippers on solid (opaque) colored deck stains with little or no success. Finally, there is a decent option out there to remove these coating types when they start to peel off your exterior wood or deck.
Product Information:
Manufacturer: Restore-A-Deck
Product Type: Solid Stain and Paint Stripper
Available Sizes: 1-Gallon and 5-Gallons
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coverage Per Container: 100 sq. ft per Gallon or 500 sq. ft per 5-Gallon
Application Tools: Brush, Roller, Airless Sprayer.
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: Treated Pine
Deck Square Footage: 400 sq feet
The Condition of Deck: Solid Olympic Wood Stain.
*All products tested and results are from our experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Take into consideration that results may differ due to different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, and natural weathering.
If you have any questions as to the effectiveness of your deck or wood stripping project, please ask below with the name of the stain brand and type being removed. Please add a couple of pictures as well.
How to remove wood or deck stain
- How To Sand Your Wood Deck
- Why Sanding a Deck Can Be an Issue
- Do I Prep after Sanding Deck?
- Best Deck Prep? Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck?
- Choosing the Best Deck Stain Stripper: Tips and Reviews
- When to Use a Deck Stain Stripper vs Deck Cleaner
As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. In 1993 he started his first company called Oakland Pressure Wash specializing in exterior pressure washing and deck staining. That company evolved into OPW L.L.C. shortly thereafter concentrating more on exterior wood and deck restoration. Scott and his Deck Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 decks in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. He has become an authority in the deck restoration industry and has contributed to numerous wood restoration forums and informative sites.
All the products he suggests through this site are sold through online sites and in retail stores, allowing the consumer to choose their own means of purchase. Scott’s eCommerce sites do sell many top brands he endorses and if you appreciate any of the help he has offered then feel free to purchase from one of them.
I have Haden Orange Behr Solid Stain on my deck. It is peeling and looks terrible. I bought 5 gallon bucket of RAD PaintStrip. It is a very thick gel that I applied with a roller and brush. I let it sit over night (total about 20 hours) and the used my Power Washer (1700 PSI) to remove the gel/stain. It only remove 60% – 70% of the stain. I had to reapply a lot of gel and I have let it sit over night again. I am hoping for a better result this round. Do you have any suggestions?
Did you test spot it as instructed to see how thick to apply and how long the dwell time is needed? It may have been that you applied it too thin the first time.
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Thanks
I’ve been at this for over a week. I’ve applied the stripper VERY thick and let it work for 24 hours+. I’ve had to apply and the power wash the desk 3 times so far and I still have about 20% of the stain still on the deck. As for applying this with a airless sprayer, I do not see how that is possible, it is way to thick to go through any airless sprayer I have used. Can I thin it out? If so, with what, water? What would would the ratios be?
Thanks,
Steve
Did it dry out at all over the 24 hours or stay wet? Covering it with a tarp would help keep it wet. We would not suggest thinning it. Do you have some pics?
Here are the RAD airless spraying tips:
It can be sprayed with an airless sprayer. Use a minimum 0.75 GPM pump at 2500 PSI. Use 1/4″ to 3/8″ hose.
Remove all filters from both the sprayer and airless gun and use a 521 tip.