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:Â 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.
I’m wanting to remove the coating on the exterior of a 3 seasons room. The previous owners applied the coating so I do not know if it is solid stain or paint but I have included a picture. Is there a remove I should try our just scrape?
Scrape or sand to remove this paint.
Strippers will not remove a solid paint like this.
I used the Behr DeckOver approx. 2 years ago and before applying prepped my deck as instructed on the product container. Within less than 6 months, I started to experience partial peeling of the DeckOver stain which continues in multiple spots on each board to this day. Will Restore-a-Deck remove this stain? I considered sanding but I built my deck using galvanized nails. It would be difficult to countersink them without causing damage to the decking surface (and my hands) with a punch . So I have concerns about sanding off the galvanized finish on the nail heads resulting in future rusting.
The Deckover cannot be stripped. You will have to sand it off.
My husband and I faced the same problem as you last summer. Spent two (2) days on our hands and knees countersinking galvanized nails, I think my left hand took about 4 terrible blows from me missing or slipping the hammer off the nail setter. Ugh! Rented a big sander from the tool rental place and took off the first 3mm or so of the surface. Then stained with TWP. Took about a week of labor for us. Looks great!
Post a picture!
Someone who sees this pic might ask about the vertical wood…. well, I was too lazy to strip all 4 sides so I left it just like it was prior to stripping. I kinda liked the contrast. 😉
Looks good! 🙂
The coating on the floor looks light, probably due to all your hard work sanding the wood. Next year you may want to do a light cleaning to remove any dirt and apply another coat of the TWP.
Is that the twp honeytone? We’re restaining and my wife likes that natural look.
Yes, that’s TWP Honeytone
Deck currently is treated pine lumber with Sherwin Williams Deckscape water based stain. Will Stain stripper work well with this? Brightener?
It should but you may have to strip a few times to get it all off as the SW can be stubborn to remove.
I used the Restore a Deck Stripper to remove 3 year old TWP. Worked great. Wear protection as overspray will sting and burn your eyes. I used a deck brush to do 2 deck sides (hard work) and the floor and then switched to a pressure washer to do the rest of the deck. I still have to apply the brightener but overall very pleased with how this product worked.
We have used Sikkens on our cedar log railings in Upstate NY. It began peeling within a few months – worse in the sections that get the most sun. I have tried to sand the raw sections and re-apply. I just have a big mess on my hands. Not sure what the best stripping product is for round railings, or how best to apply it. Pressure washer? Wipe it on?
Which Sikkens did you use? Makes a big difference to if it can be stripped or not. Feel free to post a picture.
I applied Sikkens Cetol SRD on my cedar log railings here in NC mountains about 6 years ago. I was told cedar should not be sealed because the wood naturally develops checks which allows water to penetrate. This Sikkens product stains nicely but also allows the wood to dry out normally, so no pealing occurs. Just wish it lasted longer, as areas which receive full weather affects (tops of railings) have lost some color and are graying, whereas areas shaded or less exposed only appear a bit aged.
Will this stripper take off restore paint that I put on 2 yrs ago and is all coming off
Denise, the only way to remove the Rustoleum Deck Restore coating is to sand and scrape. This is a thick paint type coating that does not work well and is nearly imposible to remove where it has not peeled. No stain stripper will remove it.
DENISE I AM USEING BEHR STRIPPER IT IS COMING OFF BUT IT IS TAKING A LONG TIME
What effect will RAD stripper and brightener have upon flowers and shrubs near the deck if it gets on them?
It could burn the leaves or flowers if the plants are not covered or rinsed well before and after prep.
Can I use RAD on my log house to strip old oil stain?
Yes, but do you know the brand of stain you are trying to remove?
Penofin
One good thing about Penofin, it is easy to strip off. 😆
I have a 2 year old cedar deck that we put Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Semi Trans stain on (HUGE MISTAKE- but we are past that now).
I have heard sanding is almost required with the BM product but am curious as the winter has pulled a lot of the stain up would it be worth the effort to try this RAD Stripper first? OR with the BM stuff should I just go straight to the sanding/cleaner/brightener? I have a larger deck so trying to be efficient…
The BM is a filming coating that is nearly impossible to remove with a stain stripper. The RAD may remove some, but you will still need to sand it to remove all.
Will RAD stain stripper work to remove Australian Timber Oil from an Ipe deck? Do you need to use any other product after removing stain before applying stain?
Yes, it should. Need to neutralize with the RAD Wood Brightener.
Does RAD work on redwood decks too?
Works on all wood types.
I have a 22 year old pressure treated deck in Buffalo, NY. Over the years I have applied both oil and water based clear sealers. The last stain sealer I used 4 years ago was Flood semi transparent. I just used Restore a Deck stripper and Brightener. It took a couple of coats of the stripper to remove the previous stain. Now there are a few specks here and there of the old stain that I can’t seem to get off. Biggest problem is that the deck was power washed too much and a lot of fussies appeared. The grain is severely raised on some boards. My next step is to rent a floor sander. I will brighten again after sanding.
Questions:
1. What grit should I use? Should I start with coarser and work down?
2. I want to put a semi transparent stain in a “grey”. I tested Defy driftwood but it gets soaked in and after two coats it doesn’t even look like there is a protective finish. I also tested Armstrong Clark grey. That went on more like a paint (thicker and more pigmented) however it did dry and the grain showed through but it is too blue for me. I als heard that Armstrong can wear off on clothes – is that true? I was thinking about getting a sample of TWP 100 in grey. They don’t make 1500 in grey.
Will I be able to get the 100 sent to me in New York?
3. I’m also looking for a product that in future years all I would need to do it clean, brighten, reapply. What product will allow me to do that?
4. Any suggestions short of tearing it out and replacing boards!!???
1. Use a floor buffer with a sanding pad. The white color buffing pad.
2. Stains are supposed to soak in 100% and not film on top with a “protective” coating or shine. The AC only rubs off if way over applied. We never have issues with it.
3. All three you mentioned will do that except TWP 100 Series is not allowed in NY.
4. Not really.
On the home depot site the white pads are polishing pads. Not sure if those are what you are talking about. Is there a grit number or are white color all standard.
They are sanding pads and are in the rental section. Typically 15″ in diameter.
My 4 years old cedar deck has been stained three times with semi-transparent Behr Cedar natural tone. What process do you recommend me to get the natural tone back? Thanks
You have to remove it and Behr unfortunately, is not an easy product to strip when you have 3 coats. Best to strip off as much as possible and sand the rest the does not come off with the stripper. Brighten the wood after the sanding.
Someone painted my deck that “barn” red stain/paint. Can I use RAD to strip this paint? I will replace the deck boards, but I’m keeping the posts that the railing is hung on and I want to strip them to match the new deck boards.
Since I will only need very little, is the a product that comes in a smaller package, so I don’t waste alot? I have 5 posts that need to be stripped.
thanks
Deck Stain Strippers and Restore a Deck Stripper will not remove solid paints. They are designed to remove deck stains that are transparent, semi-transparent, etc.
Thanks. What I can use to strip this solid stain.
No deck stripper will remove a solid stain effectively. Sanding is your best bet,
Will this take off Behr premium stain? I have 3 coats on it (re-applied every 2 years). I have scrapped the deck, then applied the Behr stain remover (only took off some of the stain). I need something that will work more efficiently. Any suggestions? Also any suggestions for new stain? I am only doing the floors and want something that will match the railings, if possible
Which type of Behr? Solid stain, semi-transparent, etc. Behr is a pain to remove since it is a filming acrylic coating. 3 coats will make it even harder. Once removed, try Armstrong Clark or TWP 1500.
Will this remove Cabot transparent natural stain ? 5 years worth of stain. Was done every other yr. two coats each year. I want to take it down to the natural wood or as close. Or what do you recommend? Thanks
Most likely but post a picture of the flooring if you can, to confirm, as the excessive coats of stain through the years could be an issue.
Will this strip SW premium oil base semi transparent brown tinted stain? I have massive decking, stained by a professional . Early problems , SW said the wrong stain was used! Contractor has dropped the ball. Appreciate any advice.
Post a picture of the deck with the SW stain please.
Deck is actually dark brown. These were taken about a year ago. It is nighttime here, if needed, I can take more tomorrow.
Is this how it looks corrently? If so, the RAD stripper and pressure washing will remove. Brightener will be needed as well.
I used CABOT Wood Toned Deck and Siding Stain, 3000 Natural, on a red cedar deck. The can says deep-penetrating oil, but this product started peeling after one winter. It seems to have adhered well to covered areas, but severe peeling in all exposed areas. Will RAD stripper dissolve this CABOT formula?
Yes, this should remove it. Apply and pressure wash off. Brigthen the wood after. If you have time, take a before and after picture and post your results.
Here are the before and after shots of my project. The RAD stripper kit did a great job removing the Cabot 3000, as noted in another post. I have additional pictures of the deck after it dried… in short, it will restore to its original beauty after completely drying out, and re-stained with Armstrong Clark Natural Tone penetrating oil. I think the wet, stripped and neutralized pictures are proof of that.
You did a great job with the stripping!! Looks really good. 🙂
This gives me hope to try and strip, clean and stain my 13 year old deck that has never been treated instead of paying $3500. oo to replace the deck boards as quoted. 🙂 🙂
I used Jo Mac deck stripper on my treated deck that hat olympic maximum cedar tone several coats I wasn’t pleased with the results. Can you recommend a better stripper and better light cedar tone sealer
Try the RAD Stripper and TWP 1500 Series.
Glenn, I have the same Cabot stain and was just looking on here for answers in removing it to re stain. Gonna give this a whirl and hope it turns out as well as yours. 800 sq ft cedar. Thanks for the pics and info.
Devin Green
Cedar Hill MO
Seems as if the Cabot formulation does not work well with cedar. At any rate, RAD is a remarkable product that saved me from paying $2500 to have a professional contractor strip and stain. As a tip, I mixed the stripper 1/2 pound per gallon (2 lb bag) and used a pump sprayer; four gallons in all. Set time was 30 minutes, then removed with a fan tip pressure washer. When done, I applied the neutralizer as directed. I don’t normally ‘pitch’ products, but this worked so well, on such a mess, I simply couldn’t help myself from sharing with others.
Hi Glenn, thanks for sharing your experience. Do you mind if we showcase your pics in the review so others can see the results? If you have any other pictures, please send. Did you stain the deck yet?
Will stain remover hurt shrubs?
If you do not prewet and rinse well after, you could “burn” the shrubs leaves. You could always tarp them to be safe.
Will this product hurt patio pavers under the deck or siding? I have a 36×16 patio under my deck that I’m just wondering if I need to tarp over before stripping?
Can I use this product on a Thompson waterproof and deck stain?
Yes you can.
I live near Billings, MT and a contractor recently installed a cedar deck at my home and did not treat or clean the wood prior, but painted a semi-transparent Sherwin Williams deck stain on the surface. Do I need to strip the stain off and again apply a quality transparent stain for long lasting use?
Not easy to remove a product/stain that was just applied. Yes it will need to be removed if switching. Strip off what you can but you may need to do some sanding as well to get it all off.
Can this stripper hurt vinyl siding?
We use it all the time and never seen it harm vinyl siding.
Where can i buy this stan remover
Check with the manufacturer at:
https://www.restore-a-deck.com
Hello, I have an old stain that turned black and I need it removed. The stain that was used was the penofin in cedar color. Will this stripper remove it? Will I need to use a pressure washer with the stripper?
One of the good things about Penofin is that it can be removed with a good quality deck stain stripper like this. Using a pressure washer makes it even easier. Apply the RAD stain stripper, wait 15 minutes and pressure wash off. Rinse when done and apply the brightener to neutralize.
Does anyone know if this will work on Behr acrylic semi-transparent deck stain. I've tried all kinds of stain strippers and none work well
The Behr Acrylics are one of the most difficult to remove deck stains. It films on top of the wood like a paint, making removal much harder. How effective the stripper will be, depends on how many coats of the Behr you are removing. In most cases, the RAD Stripper and pressure washing will remove most of the Behr. Some sanding may be needed to remove all. The RAD stripper comes in a powder so you can mix it stronger for difficult jobs like this. Normally one container of the stripper will make 5 liquid gallons for an average strip. For the acrylics, we mix all the powder into about 3-4 gallons. This will make the strength about 50% stronger. Make sure to wear protective clothes and eyewear.
Will this product remove a Sherwin Williams Super Deck semi-transparent water based stain? Sherwin Williams stain lasted just over a year and now has to be removed.
I was thinking of using this stripper and then a deck brightner to prep the wood before using a good quality stain.
The deck/dock is over water so I also want to be sure these are environmentally safe products?
Carl
South Florida
Carl, it should but the SW water based is a filming stain so it can be stubborn to remove. It may need to be stripped a couple of times to remove.
Does this product still exist? Can you tell me where I might be able to find it online (or locally in N or central NJ)? I am trying to find it without success. I have at least 2 coats (gray on top, beige below, could be 2 coats each) of solid stain to remove from the deck floor. The gray layer is arborcoat water based (can was in garage when I bought the house, mixed July 2015). The stain hasn't failed, but I don't like the solid stain. I like the look of grayed/ weathered cedar, and I like to see the wood grain. I'm trying to remove the stain from the deck floor and looking for a clear(ish) stain to treat the wood once it's clean.
Stain strippers will not remove solid stains, especially when you have multiple coats. You will have to sand it off.
Hi, would any of your top rated products work on removing semi-solid Olympic stain? If not, what product would you recommend?
Possibly but depends on how many coats and if it is acrylic water based or oil based stain that you are removing.
We replaced the floor of our pressure treated deck in 2014. I used Shermin Williams Deckscapes (2-3 coats) in 2014 and had to reapply in areas that were already peeling in 2015. Now it needs it again!! How do I get this horrible stuff off of our floor and apply another brand of stain? Is it easier to use something transparent and reapply it every year instead of dealing with this horrible peeling?
You want a penetrating semi-trans oil based stain after you remove. How to remove depends on the type of stain you used. Some stain types like a solid stain cannot be stripped off. It could be that you may need to sand or strip or combination of both. Stripping off what you can and then sand the rest.
Applied Olympic / Maximum stain and sealant in one (semi transparent) yesterday and 1/4 of the way thru the job do not like the results or color. Was applied to a 1 year old vertical slated fence that had been cleaned only.
How do I remove this stain so I can bring the natural wood back?
It can be very difficult to remove a newly applied stain and even more so if the Olympic was a water based version. Does it say clean up with soap and water?
Yes clean up with soap and water . On can it says acrylic- oil formula
That will be extremely hard to strip off. Not sure if any deck stain stripper will work well to remove a freshly applied acrylic off of a vertical fence. It will be like removing a paint.
Need to remove Chevron Shingle Oil (w/linseed oil) last applied approx 8 years ago on rough sided cedar siding that is 34 years old. have tried a number of new stains, including Timber Pro, but like Ready Seal paraffin-based product best, esp due to easy application and upkeep. i understand cedar needs to be stripped, neutralized and power washed (not sure of order) to prepare for new stain. want to avoid working with bleach and hope Restore-A-Deck can do the job? is this an acid-based product or alkaline product? and what additional products do i need to neutralize wood?
This is a caustic stripper that will need to be neutralized with the Restore A Deck Brightener (acidic) after completing the stripper application and pressure washing.
I have three coats of Sikens semi transparent on my deck which I wish to remove. What is the best product to use and what should I replace it with?
Thank
Which type of Sikkens? The penetrating SRD that does not create a shine or the filming DEK that looks shiny? Makes a big difference as to if it can be stripped or not.
Yesterday, I stained my new (built in Nov 2015) treated pine deck with a sherwin Williams transparent, oil based product with a light color called Natural. It's very orange and I dont' like it. Will this product work to bring my deck back to it's original look, so I can start over?
Yes but stripping a newly applied stain can be difficult. You will need a pressure washer to remove after applying the stripper and you may need to strip more than once to remove all.
I bought rustoleum restore 10x in June of 2015. By the time spring of 2016 rolled around it had pealed, bubbled and all around looks terrible. How do I remove this horrible stuff?
You will need to scrape and sand to remove.
My partner and I reviewed a product that we loved. It was redwood but wasn't what we tried in a sample. The color was candy apple red I think the lady messed up the color mixing.. We used the Olympic Semi-transparent and applied one coat on new cedar wood that was cleaned prior to applying. This product is oil based. What product would you recommend to remove it? It's only been 24hours since we applied it.
Please help
Not easy to remove a newly applied stain. You may need to strip a few times to get off all the way. The RAD Stripper and pressure washing is what you would need. Make sure to brighten after.
My son used an air sprayer on my deck the last time it was he also sprayed it to thick,my wife was encouraging because it was looking good.I said it was to thick and would turn black.It looked good for about 3 years then started turning black.
I had some health some health problems so it was five year's before I started on re staining and it was in bad shape.I used restore a deck stain remover with a pump sprayer and it took off most of the stain.I had to go back over it a second time to get it all I used a brush on the hard to get to spots.
It is important to let the remover stand for at least thirty minutes and keep it damp with your sprayer.I did it in July when the temp. was high a cooler month would be better. All said and done I was satisfied and will use it about every three year's from now on.
Will restore a deck stain stripper remove sherwin williams deckscapes solid stain?
No. Stain strippers do not remove solid stains very well. Most likely you will need to sand to remove.
I have a 30 year old cedar siding home that has layers of Flood clear oil coats and dirt mixed in. The siding almost looks black. At one time it was a beautiful golden tone. I would like to get that golden color back. I just recently tried a gallon of Behr stripper. After 2 applications and allot of scrubbing it worked well. The Behr and other stripper products are a thick syrup type consistency and applied by a brush. I cannot see myself getting up on a 60' ladder to complete the same process.
My questions are as follows; Is the RAD product better product than Behr? Will I get better results with less effort? Is the RAD safe to use on cedar siding?
Thank you,
It should work on the siding and the Flood. It will apply easier and you will need to pressure wash off. Brighten when finished.
We used Thompsons Water Proofing Stain on our decks last fall. After one winter the stain is coming off water proofing is non-existent. A lot of work and what a disappointing product.
Will RAD be effective in removing this finish?
It may take most of it off. Some minor sanding may be needed after.
We are trying to remove are old deck stain it was done awhile back and now peeling. It's a Olympic solid color deck stain and is acrylic latex. It was coming up with the first stripper we used but can no longer get it was just something we still had in the garage. I have been applying it then using a pressure washer. I recently tried rock solid industrial grade wood stripper and it barely touched it. We are in Wisconsin with some strange weather. Was just curious on if this product would work for us
No deck stain stripper will remove a solid color stain effectively. You will have to sand it off.
We have Behr semi-transparent acrylic stain in dark brown color on my deck and it's showing some peeling. It was sprayed on instead of brushed on, so it looked pretty thick. Will this stripper work for removing this old stain in my case? Thanks in advance!
Maybe but if excessively thick, it will last more like a deck paint or solid stain and the RAD Stripper will not remove these stain types. It will remove some and then you will have to sand the rest.
Would this be effective on cedar shingle siding? & would it damage the landscaping around our home?
It removes semi-transparent stains from siding as well. Cover landscaping to be safe.
when you say neutralize the stripper with a cleaner…would you apply the Restore cleaner and brightener kit after stripping with the Restore stripper?
Neutralize with a brightener, not a cleaner.
I have a 2 year old IPE deck that I have stained annually with Penofin Marine oil. I plan on switching to Armstrong Clark Amber color. Do I need to strip and brighten the deck to remove the old stain? If so, what product do you recommend? Lastly, do I need to use a cleaner each year to remove the dirt before reapplying AC stain or would a good power washing suffice?
Thanks!
Yes you will need to remove the Penofin. Use the Restore A Deck products. always use a deck cleaner for prep if reapplying the same stain down the road.
Thanks! How powerful is the stripper? Do I need to be concerned about the paint on the house or the painted post columns on the deck?
It is not a paint stripper and typically does not harm paint, unless the paint is already failing/peeling.
We used a Behr latex stain that started to wear off after the first year. We are trying to strip it with Behr stripper but that's not working. Will this product remove this latex stain?
Was the Behr a solid color or a semi-trans? How many coats were applied?
Do you recommend stripping the verticals (rails, spindles) first and then the horizontals? Does it matter? When applying the stain, do you recommend covering the horizontals with a tarp while staining the verticals, to prevent drips or spray, or does it not matter since the horizontals will be stained also?
Thanks!
We strip all at once and stain all at once.
How necessary is a pressure washer in removing old stain? I plan on using RAD stripper to remove a combination of very old (7 years) Penofin oil-based stain and 2 year old TWP 100. I will be using a pump sprayer to apply and plan on letting it sit on the surface for awhile for best action. Will a garden hose with a focused stream work OK? Thanks!
No that will not be enough pressure or water. A pressure washer will make a huge difference in being able to effectively remove the \”softened\” stain from the deck after using the stripper.
I used the RAD stripper today. Mixed, applied with pump sprayer to a 6 year old cedar deck. waited the 30 minutes and power washed off. The old stain was Storm system stain. Made by california stains. The RAD stripper took about 80% of the semi-trams acrylic/oil stain off. Is it ok than I didn't brighten the deck right after stripping? I plan on sanding down the whole deck surface to get the remaining stain off. Should I brighten after I sand? TYIA
Sand first. Brighten all the wood after and rinse the deck well to remove any sand dust. Do not sand over 80 grit. We use 60-80 grit.
I have a 3-year old cedar deck with Defy stain on it. We want to completely strip off the stain and switch to TWP. Will this product be able to remove Defy stain?
It should be able to. Pump spray on and pressure wash off. Repeat if needed. Neutralize with wood brightener when done.
Thank you for all the information on this site! Will Restore-A-Deck work to remove 10+yr old penofin? We have some darker stained areas and hope to get it all an even color on our cedar siding before applying TWP 100 or 1500 Series to our Colorado home. Also would you recommend the 1500 since there is more pigment in the product that might hide some of this darker stained issue or does it not really matter. We are considering Pecan or Rustic. Thanks kindly.
Lisa, Yes the RAD Stain Stripper and pressure washing will remove the Penofin. Use RAD Brightener after. Either the 100 or 150 will work.