This post was updated on April 6, 2026
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood cleaning. My Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper 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.
9.4 Overall Rating Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper
Restore-A-Deck Deck Stain Stripper is a concentrated, powdered wood stripper designed to be mixed with water and applied using a sprayer or injection system. It is formulated to remove old stains and coatings more effectively than many ready-to-use, consumer-grade products.
From my experience restoring decks since 1993, powdered strippers like this tend to perform better than pre-mixed options because they are stronger and more cost-effective for larger projects. When used correctly, they can remove a wide range of coatings and prepare the wood properly for new stain.
Overall, Restore-A-Deck Injectable Stripper is a solid option for homeowners and contractors who want a stronger, more reliable stripping solution.
🔹 Restore-A-Deck Deck Stain Stripper – Quick Verdict
- Best For: Removing old stains and prepping decks for refinishing
- Not Ideal For: Light cleaning or maintenance work
- Type: Powdered, mixable wood stripper
- My Overall Rating: 9.4/10
My Take:
Restore-A-Deck Stripper is a strong and effective option that performs better than most ready-to-use products. It requires proper mixing and application but delivers good results when used correctly.
Note: There are 2 new additives for the RAD Stain Stripper. The Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster and the Restore-A-Deck Thickening Gel. These products will increase the overall effectiveness of your stain stripping. These two additives greatly enhance the removal and ease of your stain-stripping project.
See here for more info:
Restore-A-Deck Stripper Booster and Thickening Gel Additives
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Stripper is a biodegradable, powdered concentrate that quickly removes worn finishes to restore wood surfaces. It removes stains, coatings, collected dirt, mold, mildew, and mill glaze.
The Restore A Deck system is a multistep deck cleaning system, and the best results are achieved when using all 3 products. This product is Step 1 Stripper of the Restore A Deck system and can be substituted for or used after Restore-A-Deck Wood Cleaner.
The Restore-A-Deck Deck Stain Stripper needs to be neutralized with a wood brightener.
How I Rated Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper
My Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper review contains a 5-step process and the final average score. Each step is on a scale of 1-10.
- Removal of Graying and Dirt
- Cost Per Square Foot
- Removal of Old Stain
- Ease of Application
- Final Appearance after Cleaning
- Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Final Score
5-Step Review of Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper
1. Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 9
The RAD stripper easily cuts through the dirt. All mold was removed from the deck.
2. Cost Per Square Foot: 10
Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper covers up to 1000 sq. feet for 2 pounds, $39.99 a bottle. The RAD stain stripper is a bargain to use for the cost! Less than $8 per gallon when mixed with water.
3. Removal of Old Stain: 9
The Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper was used to remove a buildup of TWP 100 Series stain. The stripper was very effective at removing over 95% of the TWP. There was a little difficulty in a spot where a doormat had sat there for years. We applied the RAD stripper to this spot with the pump sprayer and it came off easily.
4. Ease of Application: 10
The RAD Deck Stain Stripper in the 2-pound container mixes with 5 gallons of water. We tested the stripper by using a pump sprayer for application. We covered our 800 sq foot deck in less than 10 minutes. We needed most of the 5 gallons to do this.
5. Final Appearance of Stripping: 9
Great at removing our semi-transparent stain. We needed a wood brightener to neutralize as the RAD stripper is extremely strong.
Overall Score Restore-A-Deck Deck Stain Stripper: 9.4
It’s great at removing stains, easily applied, and costs pennies a square foot! This is our highest score to date. Other deck stain strippers are just as effective, but we like the option of injecting the stripper.
Product Information:
Manufacturer: Restore-A-Deck
Product Type: Powdered Concentrate Deck Stain Stripper
Available Sizes: 2 Pound Container Makes 5 Liquid Gallons
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coverage Per Container: 750-1000 sq. ft
Application Tools: Scrub Brush, Pressure Washer, Pump Sprayer.
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: Cedar
Deck Square Footage: 800
The condition of Deck: 2-year-old TWP Stain was removed
How Much Product Used: 2 Pounds. Retails for $39.99 with Free shipping.
*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.
How To Strip With Restore-A-Deck Stripper – DeckStainHelp.com
🔹 Restore-A-Deck Deck Stain Stripper – Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stronger than most consumer-grade, ready-to-use strippers
- Cost-effective for larger projects
- Works well on many types of deck stains
- Can be applied with sprayers or injection systems
- Good balance of strength and usability
Cons
- Requires mixing and proper dilution
- May require multiple applications depending on buildup
- Needs proper rinsing and follow-up brightening
🔹 Best Uses for Restore-A-Deck Stripper
- Removing semi-transparent and semi-solid stains
- Prepping decks for refinishing
- Medium to large deck restoration projects
- Situations where stronger performance is needed than ready-to-use products
Not Ideal For:
- Heavy paint or thick solid stain removal
- Light maintenance cleaning
- Quick, small touch-up jobs
🔹 Application Tips
- Mix according to instructions for proper strength
- Apply evenly using a sprayer or brush
- Allow proper dwell time
- Agitate if needed and rinse thoroughly
- Always follow with a brightener
👉 How to Prep a Deck
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-deck-prep-clean-strip-or-sand-the-deck/
🔹 Maintenance & Prep Importance
Using a quality stripper like this helps ensure better staining results.
- Removes old coatings for better stain penetration
- Reduces the chance of uneven color or blotching
- Always neutralize the wood after stripping
From my experience, a stronger, properly used stripper will save time and improve the final finish.
👉 Deck Cleaning and Brightening
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/cleaning-wood-deck/
🔹 Who Should Use Restore-A-Deck Stripper?
You should consider Restore-A-Deck Deck Stain Stripper if:
- You are preparing a deck for refinishing
- Your deck has moderate stain buildup
- You want a stronger alternative to ready-to-use products
- You are working on a medium or large project
You may want to consider other options if:
- You are removing heavy paint or solid coatings
- You need a more aggressive gel-based stripper
- You are only doing light cleaning
👉 Best Deck Stains
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
🔹 Restore-A-Deck Deck Stain Stripper – FAQs
Is Restore-A-Deck Stripper stronger than ready-to-use strippers?
Yes, it is generally stronger and more effective than most pre-mixed options.
Do you need to use a brightener after stripping?
Yes, brightening is required to neutralize the wood and prepare it for staining.
How many applications are needed?
It depends on the condition of the wood and the type of stain being removed.
Is it good for large deck projects?
Yes, it is cost-effective and performs well on larger areas.
Is it easy to use?
It requires mixing and proper application, but is straightforward once set up correctly.
🔹 Restore-A-Deck Deck Stain Stripper – Final Thoughts
Restore-A-Deck Deck Stain Stripper is a strong, effective option for removing old stains and preparing wood for refinishing. It performs better than most consumer-grade strippers and offers good value for larger projects.
From my hands-on experience, using a powdered stripper like this provides better results and efficiency compared to weaker, ready-to-use products.
If you are tackling a deck restoration project and need something more reliable than basic strippers, this is a solid choice. For heavier coatings or paint removal, a more aggressive product may still be needed.
This was an excellent product to remove the water based semi transparent stain that I used on a one year old cedar deck.
The application was easy; the removal was better than I thought it would be and clean up was easy.
Any stripping process is going to take some work but this product wasn’t that bad.
I didn’t take before pics but I will submit some after pics in the Brightener section.
Thanks for your feedback!
Now that I finished my deck project I thought I’d submit a review of the RAD products. My 500 sqft deck was stained with Pennofin back in 2010 then completely neglected since then. And I mean “completely” neglected. I didn’t have very high expectations coming into the project.
I couldn’t be happier with the results. I used RAD stripper and brightener kit for the project. This is industrial strength stuff so I took all the safety warnings seriously. I wore long sleeves, rubber gloves, painters mask and eye protection. I applied the stripper to 3/4 of the deck via sprayer before it clogged, then applied it via brush the last 1/4. After 30 minutes I rinsed it off with a 1600 PSI pressure washer using the green nozzel. It ended up removing 95+ % of the old stain.
After applying brightener to the whole deck I wasn’t completely satisfied how the brush application section turned out so I took another pass at it with the stripper. Then via a suggestion to a question I submitted earlier in this thread I applied another application of brightener to the whole deck and let it dry into the wood. Fantastic results. I ended up staining it with TWP Honeytone.
Before, stripping/brightening, and after photos tell the story.
Looks great!!
I just posted a question as to how to remove Pennofin from a teak deck and restore it. Yours looks amazing. I know it has been 7 years since you wrote this review, but would you still recommend the RAD stripper and brightener kit?
Yes, that will work well to remove the Penofin.
I stripped an 850 sq ft cedar deck with the RAD stripping kit with excellent results. I mixed the stripper at 1/2 pound per gallon in a pump sprayer. The four gallons (two pound bag) turned the Cabot 3000 stain into goo within 30 minutes, and with the aid of a pressure washer, removed 99% of the failed and peeling stain. After stripping, I neutralized with part 2 of the kit with equally impressive results. As an aside, I had a local quotation of $2550 to strip and re-stain my deck. Do the math; RAD stripper is a bargain and does a fantastic job.
We built a deck around our pool and put Thompsons waterproofing color on it and in a lot of spots it is coming up. Will this work to take it all off the deck to redo with a different type of stain?
Which version of the Thompsons did you use? They are not all the same.
I am removing SUNSHEILD CLEAR from a rough sawn western red cedar siding, will this product do the job.
Never heard of this product so not sure.
Does this product work on both oil- and water-based stains?
Depends on the stain brand and type of stain being removed. Do you know this?
Hi! I have a 1970 board-and-batten ROUGH cedar sided house, recently purchased with an unknown stain on it. This stuff just cannot be sanded. Will the RAD stripper remove this unknown stain, even from the narrow inset boards?
Without knowing the stain brand or type of stain that it is, it is impossible to say. You can post a picture in our forum area if you would like.
Hi- and thank you in advance…we will be prepping our cedar deck with RAD stripper and brightener….we have wrought iron railings with 4×4 cedar posts every several feet…will the stripper and brightener damage the iron railings or do we need to cover them? Terri in CO
Not sure on this as there are many different types of the spindles. Best to test first to see if there is a reaction or not.
Thank you for all the information on this site, I had talked to you last year about stripping Benji-No-Moore from my deck (3 years and peeling/grey/mold, etc. You've see the results. So I finally got around to to stopping and brightening it, the stripping with RAD was amazing, I could not believe how much crud was coming (peeling) off with the pressure washer. I know I'll probably have to redo some sections and maybe sand others.
Questions;
1. If I have some dark/blacker areas, will that only be corrected through sanding?
2. Where could I post some pictures (I have one while using a pressure washer, you can see the distinctive line)?
Again, thank-you for this website – it is a real asset. Once I finish with the deck cleaning (perhaps sanding), I'll be applied the Armstrong Clarke as suggested (in you Canadian stain article). Regards from northern Canada…
1. Depends on how deep the black areas are. Did you brighten those areas?
2. Pictures can be posted in our forum area.
Thanks!
Thanks for the reply, the areas are not as dark as I originally thought (it was getting late and dark). I did use a brightener right away (as I read the instructions) and then let it sit for 10 minutes or so before hosing it off (no pressure washer). It did rain a bit overnight; wood looks much better – but it looks like their is some white lines, but the wood hasn't fully dried yet.
I'll post pictures in the forum; and again thanks for all your information and expertise…
From reading comments here I gather that the correct procedure is to 1) strip and rinse, 2) sand, 3) brighten and rinse. I am presuming that the time to sand the deck is after the stripped/rinsed deck dries. So my questions are these.
1. How safe is the wood to sand and handle once the RAD stripper has been rinsed and the wood is dry?
2. I'll be wearing gloves, goggles, etc while working with the wet stripper. What, if any, safety precautions are recommended while sanding the dry, stripped deck?
3. Once the stripped and rinsed deck is dry (but not yet brightened) is there any concern for tracking residual stripper into the house? (It may take a few days to sand the deck.)
Thanks for you advice!
Strip and pressure wash. Cannot just rinse.
1. It is safe when dry.
2. Dust mask.
3. No.
Pressure wash! Yes, of course. That will completely rinse it out of the wood. Thank you. I really appreciate all the advice on your site.
Can I use the stripper on verticals?
Yes you can.
Will this product remove Restore Solid Acrylic Stain manufactured by Synta,Inc. Clarkston,Georgia? What does injectable entail?
No this product will not remove a solid stain especially the Synta product. No stripper will remove it. Your only recourse is to sand or replace the wood.
Hi, Interested in using this stripper & brightener as prep to refinish our cedar garage door. Used it on the deck with great success. Could we use this product on the door as well? Thanks!
Yes but depends on what stain brand and type you are removing from the door.
Where can I purchase Restore-a-deck?
Best to contact them for help with this.
We painted our deck with Pittsburgh Paint Revitalizer. After 1st winter it started coming off in strips and now we're trying to remove all of it from deck. We have tried 3 different strippers, a lot of scraping, sanding and still areas we cannot get the paint off of our deck. Has anyone else tried to remove this paint? And is there a product will strip it completely?
No you cannot strip off a paint with a deck stain stripper. You will have to sand it all off.
I am going to be stripping a pergola and some 6×6 post. The pergola sits over tree decking and up against a painted shed will it strip the paint on the shed or doing anything to the trex? Also the post I will be doing is on a playground with fake astro turf grass will it bleach or affect the astro turf?
Should not strip paint unless the paint is already peeling off. No idea on the turf so test first. Doubt it will do anything. Tree will be fine.
I have a strange situation on my hands, last fall I hired a painter to clean and stain a cedar deck/pergola. The painter was convinced he needed an oil-based stain and couldn't (obviously) find any here in Chicago, so he used Minwax Wood Finish in english chestnut color. Yes, not a typo, he used a Minwax indoor stain. Any recommendation for stripper to clear the Minwax out? It is already EXTREMELY faded after a rough Chicago winter and seems to be actually leaching out of the cedar into an outdoor rug laying on the deck so I feel like it may be easy to remove, but is there any specific product or process I should use for this sort of situation? Thanks for any help.
Not sure as we have never stripped a minwax indoor stain. try this stripper. If it does not come out then you will need to sand it out. Oil based stains are still allowed in IL. Try Armstrong Clark or TWP 1500 Series.
I used this at my last house and it worked very well. It did take paint off aluminum trim. My current deck is on my roof over a silver roof. I am wondering if I can use this or if it will deteriorate my roofing. Are there safer options?
I tried just using a power washer. That will take forever. The deck is already peeling.
It should not harm the roof but test first to make sure and see if there is any reaction or not.
I would like to use this product, but my vinyl siding runs along one entire side of the deck. Do I need to take extra care covering the siding while applying the stripper?
It should not harm vinyl but we always pre wet and rinse right away any over spray.
Ordered Restore A Deck stripper and brightener for my 700+ foot natural redwood deck. Have been reading about power washers and the damage they can cause natural (soft) redwood decks. And the local rental place does not have power washers less than 2500 psi. And most say don't use any over 1500 psi or you are sure to cause damage. Your thoughts? I'm thinking I may just put my hose on focused setting and let that suffice or brush heavily or both. (What sort of brush?)
Hose will not well enough. A pressure washer at 2500 psi is fine and it is only at 2500 psi right at the tip. If you are 6-12 inches away, the pressure will drop in half.
I noticed that Woodrich has HD-80 marked as injectable now too. Are they the same product but relabeled? Planning on using one or the other on a Semi-Transparent stain not sure of brand since we just bought the house.
HD80 is not the same product as the RAD stripper. Both are good though.
My deck is a combination of new wood (by new I mean has been on for a year drying out, no stain) and old wood with traces of old stain. Is it ok to use the stripper on the newer wood while stripping the old in prep for stain.
You should minimize the stripper on the new wood if possible to avoid any \”furring\” of the wood.
We have several plants around our raised deck. It is only a few feet off the ground. Can we use this without killing our plants?
Yes but take precautions to cover and rinse well when done.
2 years ago we used the Pittsburgh Ultra Advanced Semi Transparent Deck Stain and it is failing, we have already sanded the deck floor and now we have to do all of the railings on a 12 x 10 cedar deck. Should we sand them or what stripper would you recommend? Also, we do not have access to a pressure washer, would scrubbing with a brush with stripper and then rinsing remove most of the stain? How well will the stripper work? We will probably be using TWP 100 on it when we are done.
Hard to scrub off stain on railings. Not sure if it will remove the Pittsburgh or not. It should but it will take a lot of work to scrub it off. Best to get a pressure washer if at all possible.
I just bought the restore-a-deck stripper. I plan to use it on 12 year old deck that has been stained every 2 years with Behr premium semi-transparent stain (natural 500). It is an upper deck, ~1000 sq ft, Since it adjacent to and above aluminum framed doors, windows, brick and stone with black mortar, do I need to take special precautions?
Will it remove the badly peeling Behr stain?
What stain do you recommend? This deck located in the NC foothills gets sun all day long.
You will have to strip it a few times and sand the stubborn areas to remove all of the Behr acrylic stain. It is hard to remove a buildup of this product. Protect aluminum as well from the stripper but more so from the brightener.
I have Sherwin Williams Deckscape Cedar Bark water based on my deck. Will Restore a deck stripper remove the old stain
What type of stain is it? Solid, semi-solid, semi-transparent?
Semi transparent
Works on most semi-transparent but can have difficulty for over applied acrylics. You may need to strip a few times to get it all off.
Thank you for your time. I will give it a try.
Where can I buy???
Online or select store? Might want to contact them.
i used RAD today. Applied with a sprayer and stripped with a pressure washer. Once the deck dried I noticed some spots I want to go back over. Can I just mix RAD in a bucket and apply with a scrub brush?
Yes that is fine. Brighten all when done.
Will this do any damage to my stained stamped concrete patio adjacent to my deck?
No ti does not harm concrete or concrete coatings.
Will RAD work on a Thompsons Waterseal waterproofing – semi translucent product? I've already used a stripper "Klean Strip Strip X Stripper" (and lots of it) with only fair to moderate success. Ready to rip out deck and pour concrete : (
It should but you may need to mix it stronger for success. You will also need to pressure wash it off. Normally each container makes about 5 gallons. Try to mix it at 3 gallons. Where protective clothing and eyewear! Let us know how it works.
Hi, I appreciate all the info on this site. We bought a house three years ago with a relatively new cedar deck. Unfortunately, previous owner applied Cabot SPF Cocoa Shell. It now looks awful…lots of peeling, although the rails and vertical surfaces are still in decent shape. Is sanding my only option, or will RAD or HD-80 strip it? Thanks!
Not the SPF. You are stuck sanding it off. That SPF is a terrible stain to remove. Sorry 🙁
Rustoleum/Wolman claim they can remove Solid stain! Any thoughts? (DeckStrip- ASR)
Doubt it. Let us know if it works.
I've got a cedar pergola stained with a semitransparent oil based stain 3yrs ago. Will RAD stripper damage to the Trex decking underneath?
It will not harm Trex.
Your 9.4 score of RAD stripper is based on using on an oil based stain (TWP). What about when used on the more commonly used acrlic based stains offered today because of VOC content.
VOC laws do not make an acrylic common. That is manufacturers cheapening products for profit in our opinion. Oil based stains are still allowed in all states. Acrylics will always be harder to remove as they do not penetrate as well as an oil, creating a film on the wood. The RAD will still work and will work better then anything else as it is a powder and can be mixed stronger for difficult strips.
I installed SYP treated wood in the late spring/ summer and then applied Wolman Clear Coat oil based stain. The wood already looks bad and is turning gray. I would like to strip it and apply TWP1500 Cedertone. Is it possible to strip the stain already or do I need to wait till spring?
You could do it now but if it were my deck, I would just wait until Spring.
trying to remove cabot oil based transparent natural stain. Do I need to clean the deck first then strip it then brighten it?
No need to use a cleaner if you are using a stripper. It replaces the cleaner. You will need to brighten to neutralize.
my deck has Sherwin Williams Deckscape stain on it. I have sanded it down to bare wood but some stain remains in low areas. Will Restore remove the stain that still left?
That and pressure washing should help. Brighten when done.
will this work on a cabot solid stain deck
No, deck stain strippers will not remove solid color stains.
what should i use then
You will need to sand to remove a solid color stain or paint.
I have removed a lot of oil based or water based solid stains with a stain stripper and pressure washer. It usually needs to have stripper applied, pressure washed, then do it again. Then apply the brightener. I have lots of pictures to prove it. I own a paint company BTW
I am trying to remove TWP stain from a deck made with Ipe railings and trim, and Tigerwood decking surface. The deck surface has almost no stain remaining but the posts and balusters do not get the intensity of our summer sun or winter snow (Chicago area). There are a couple of coats of the stain on the railings and trim, but faded to varying degrees. Will this product reliable remove the remaining stain, and how about surrounding vegetation?
Mark, we use this on TWP with good results. Apply and pressure wash off. Rinse plants before and after to prevent damage. Use a wood brightener when done.
I am unable to find the Restore A Deck website. Have they gone out of business or have they been sold/renamed?
Rhonda, I think their site is just down. I would check later today.
Hello,
I have a cedar deck partially unfinished and weathered and partially finished with Penofin (2 years ago) which is now black and looks terrible. Do I need 2 separate products to prepare the deck for TWP 100 (cleaner for the unfinished and stripper for the Penofin), or can either a cleaner OR stripper be used for both jobs, followed by a brightener in both cases?
Thanks.
Jess, Penofin has been turning black a lot lately. We have seen this happen to numerous decks that we fix. That is why we would never use it. The RAD Stripper will remove the Penofin. You can use the stripper to clean but you might want to water it down some for the unfinished area. Might need to sand a little as well when done. Brighten when finished.
Thank you for the very quick reply!
Sand which? The Penofin part of the deck or the unfinished? If the unfinished, wouldn't the stronger stripper formula obviate the need to sand (especially since sanding is not even indicated for the cleaner)?
Also, at what pressure should I apply these products–stripper, cleaner, brightener, TWP 100–so I do not damage the cedar?
Thanks again.
Jess, sand both but the unfinished area will most likely get some raised grain since it does not have a stain for the stripper to remove. You apply the prepping products with a pump sprayer than pressure wash at 1500 PSI. The TWP can be applied with a brush or stain pad.
Ii would like to remove Benjamin Moore Arborcoat from my cedar fence. I ca n see from previous comments that it may not be the best on acrylics. This is their transparent stain. Will this be the stripper for me, or is there some thing better? I'm reluctant to use the Benjamin Moore Remove product associated with the Arborcoat.
Jim, the BM Arborcoat is a filming acrylic stain and we have never found a stripper that will get it off easily. You can use the RAD stripper to remove as much as possible but you will most likely need to sand as well to get it all off. What you are removing is about as difficult as removing a paint.
I have a 900 sq ft deck that get's sun all day long. Have power washed and put new product down every three years. I put down Cabot semi transparent Mission Brown and now the deck is peeling. What do you recommend for a stripper and brightener before I put down the new product Deck Over
Kim, more then likely you will need to sand off the Cabot before switching brands. I would not believe the reviews on the Deck Overs and Synta Deck Restores. There are basically just thick paints and peel in a couple of years. At least that is what we have seen.
I need to strip a rooftop deck. Would this do any harm/damage to the roof under the deck?
Rich, it will not harm the roofing material.
Hello, we have two 24 year old pressure treated pine decks. One has been repeatedly stained with Behr semi-transparent stain and the other with Behr solid stain. both are chipping. We just bought the house and need to re-coat with something. We have no idea how often stain has been applied. If we start over and strip, I have two questions: 1) What is the environmental impact of chemical strippers? 2) I've read that sanding treated wood is highly caustic and in many places illegal. We live in Colorado. Any suggestions?
Karen, strippers will not remove this. You will need to sand or replace the wood. I highly doubt it is illegal to sand wood.
Soft pine siding was sealed this summer with Flood CWF-UV5 in error. This siding is to be painted. Carpenter is worried power washing soft-pine may cause it to buckle. Would you recommend Restore-A-Deck to strip finish on this siding? Wood was sealed one month ago.
Marc, it is not easy to remove newly applied CWF. It may require a few stripings to get it off and maybe some sanding. Restore A Deck or HD80.
I have a 7 year old deck that I completely sanded last summer. I then finished with Behr semi (big mistake) and subsequently many of the surfaces vertical and horizontal are peeling. I am now going to strip and reapply. I live in southwest Michigan do any of products tested work better in the Michigan climate? Thanks
Bill, TWP 100 most likely for Michigan
Hello,
Are there step-by-step stripping and brightening instructions anywhere? I'm about to attempt it and want to make sure I'm not missing anything
I believe the instructions are on the containers.
How much TWP 1500 stain will be needed for approximately 1000 feet of cedar fencing? The fence is a year old in the Sacramento, CA region with 100+ degree summers. Application tips? The natural (1530) color seems somewhat dark on sample boards but I do want it to cover unsightly sprinkler water marks. Would the Honeytone be too light for this purpose? Thank you!!
Molly, any color will work but TWP does not cover stains or water marks but rather highlights the wood grain. You would need about 10 gallons for two coats. Spray on and back wipe second coat.
I am refinishing a tongue & groove porch treated that has Sikkens Cetol SRD put on 4 + years . I'd like to go with an TWP 100 for easier maintenance and treatment. What would you recommend to remove the sikkens- weathered and faded and does not repel water. Northern Michigan partial sun shade, extreme weather temp changes snow, rain etc.
Thank you in advance!
Ken, try a stripper like HD80 and neutralize with the Citralic when done.
Will RAD stripper work on Behr solid color stains?
Susan, no it will not. Nothing we have ever found will remove a solid stain except sanding.
Am wrestling a ginormous deck in Virginia Beach covered in Behr's semi-trans stain. Have the stain stripped from the horizontals but the Behr's stripper did nada for the verticals on the enclosed steps. I see from other comments that RAD stripper will be challenged by the Behr's: should I use the pressure washer or sprayer to apply? Any other suggestions? Does it matter what brightener I use to neutralize the RAD? Thanks much!
Jeff, when we strip behr we will mix the RAD Stripper at twice the concentration and apply with a pump sprayer, wait 15 minutes, then pressure wash off. Repeat as needed. Any brightener should work. We also use HD80 for Behr removal. Strange but it seems in some cases one will work better then the other but not always the same stripper will be more effective every time.
Super, thanks for the quick reply.
What semi-transparent do you recommend? Deck is 6 yrs, PTP, full sun, near a pool, dogs, kids, furniture=traffic. Includes 400 screened in porch. Thinking one of the TWPs or TimberOil but lots of choice (especially since I am going to stay away from Behr).
Jeff, try the TWP.
Thanks; sorry for my belated response. Now trying to choose between TWP 1500 and Armstrong-Clark: any favorites between these two or does one have the edge over the other given the deck described in original post?
Jeff, Armstrong Clark in a semi-solid would give the best UV protection and coverage if you cannot remove 100% of the behr.
Okay, thanks for the recommendation!
Regarding the semi-solid vs semi-transparent: when it comes time to spruce up AC in a semi-solid, will the original finish need to be stripped or can it be cleaned and restained with a new coat of AC semi-solid in same or darker color?
Thanks.
meant to add another follow-on question: are semi-solids prone to peeling and getting "wear paths" relative to semi-transparents?
Jeff, depends on the brand of the semi-solid.
Jeff, AC semi-solids can be cleaned and reapplied without stripping as long as you do the maintenance before it goes to full failure.
Finally able to finish stripping the remaining Behr's off the vertical surfaces of my deck — applied the RAD Stripper at about twice the strength per your recommendation and the pressure washer took 99% of the old stain off. A few passes with 60 grit sandpaper finished the job. Brightened everything and now the rains have started so am waiting for a couple of dry days and will be staining soon thereafter.
Thanks much for your assistance and recommendations!
Jeff, great! Post a picture in the forum when done!
I had to remove two coats of Australian Timber Oil from my Ipe deck and Restore A Deck Stripper exceeded all expectations. I pre-mixed the stripper into 5 gallons of water, applied it with a pump sprayer and blasted it off with a power washer. This stripper is far better than anything you'll find in a big box store. Highly recommended!
I have an Ipe deck I have stained three times with the "real" Australian Timber Oil – Mahogany Flame. Now that I can't get the stain any more I'm thinking about stripping. Glad to hear the Restore A Deck product worked for you. What did you stain your deck with after you stripped it? I'm thinking about letting it go natural. Did you use the Brightener as suggested? Thanks.
Steve, the Armstrong Clark in the Mahogany color is the closest you will ever come to the original ATO in the Mahogany Flame.
You might try True value for Cabot Australian Timber Oil-Mahogany Flame….I have been able to get it at my Lowes store.
We have tried to strip our Behr semitransparent stain without success. Is it ok to sand if there is still 75% of the old stain there?
Michelle, you can sand. When done do a light cleaning with a deck cleaner.