This post was updated on April 10, 2023
Update for 2023 Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster & Thickening Gel
We would love to hear from you if you have used the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper with the Booster and/or Thickening Gel additives on 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 with the name of the stain brand and type being removed. Please add a couple of pictures as well.
Note: These are 2 additives for the RAD Stain Stripper. They only work as additives for the Restore-A-Deck Stain stripper and will not work by themselves. This article is reviewing both of the additives when used together in the RAD Stripper. We tested this on two extremely hard-to-remove finishes. Behr Acrylic Based Semi-Transparent Wood Stain and a White Solid Color Deck Stain. Both of these coatings were applied 3 weeks before removal. Pictures of test boards are below.
Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster – Up to 300% More Effective
Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster Additive is a special blend of solvents that is added to premixed 5-Gallons of the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper. The Restore-A-Deck Stripper Booster will raise the effectiveness of the stain stripping up to 300% by helping to break down the surface tension of difficult-to-remove wood stain finishes.
Restore-A-Deck Booster should be used to increase the effectiveness of stripping difficult to remove wood and deck stain coatings. Stripper Booster improves effectiveness on removal for most exterior wood and deck finishes including:
- Acrylic-based (water-based) wood and deck coatings such as Behr, Olympic, Sherwin Williams, etc
- Oil-based wood and deck coatings
- Clear wood and deck sealer
- Transparent wood and deck stains
- Semi-transparent wood and deck stains
- Most semi-solid exterior wood and deck stains
Behr Stain Before Stripping with Booster and Bare Wood After Stripping with RAD Stripper + Booster
Restore-A-Deck Stripper Thickening Gel Additive – Clings up to 1 Hour
Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Thickening Gel is a special blend that is added to premixed 5-Gallons of the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper. With a longer dwell time, Restore-A-Deck Stripper Thickening Gel will raise the effectiveness of the stain stripping by adding the ability to cling to vertical and horizontal surfaces for up to 1 hour. Works especially well on improving the performance of the stripping on vertical wood such as wood railings, wood fences, and wood-sided homes.
Restore-A-Deck Thickening Gel should be used to increase the effectiveness in stripping difficult to remove wood and deck stain coatings. RAD Stripper Thickening Gel improves effectiveness on removal for most exterior wood and deck finishes including:
- Increased effectiveness for vertical surfaces such as railings, wood siding, log homes, and wood fences
- A longer dwell time for horizontal and decking surfaces
- Clings to wood for up to 1 hour
The pictures below show the RAD Stain Stripper with Thickening Gel with the Booster Additive combined. The before picture is Behr Acrylic Stain. The middle is after 30 minutes leaning against a wall. Notice how the stripper did not run off the wood with the Thickening Gel Additive. The after picture shows the stripping results.
RAD Stain Stripper with Thickening Gel – Before – During Leaning Against a Wall – After Stripping
Restore-A-Deck Deck Stain Stripper with Booster and Gel Additives Scores (1-10)
Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 10
– The RAD stripper will easily remove all oxidized graying, dirt, mildew, mold, and algae.
Cost Per Square Foot: 9
-Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper covers 500- 1000 sq. feet for the 2 pound, $39.99. The RAD Booster and Thickening Gel Additives retail for $29.99 each. All mixed together this will make 5 liquid gallons for a total cost of $90. That equates to $18 per gallon. Very good price for an extremely effective product.
Removal of Old Stain: 10
– The Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper with the Booster Additive was tested on Behr Premium Acrylic Semi-Transparent and a White Solid Stain. The stripper was very effective at removing over 100% of the Behr on our test boards (see pictures above). With the Solid White Stain, it removed 98% of the stain. Note on Solid Stain removal, while it worked very well for us on these test boards, Restore-A-Deck is not guaranteeing a solid stain removal with the 2 additives in their product description. If removing a solid stain, the RAD Stripper and Additives will definitely help, but you may still need to do some sanding to remove all. Best option to remove a solid stain or deck paint is the RAD PaintStrip Solid Stain Stripping Gel.
Solid Stain Before and After Stripping Booster
Ease of Application: 10
– The RAD Deck Stain Stripper with the Booster and Thickening Gel Additives mix with 5 gallons of water. We tested the stripper by using a pump sprayer for application.
Final Appearance of Stripping: 10
– Great at removing both our Behr Acrylic and White Solid Stain. It was very important that you used a wood brightener to neutralize after use.
Overall Score Restore-A-Deck Deck Stain Stripper with Booster and Gel Additives: 9.8
– Great at removing difficult to strip coatings and helps with vertical (railings and siding) stripping as well. We will be using both of these additives as needed for our deck restoration projects
Product Information:
Manufacturer: Restore-A-Deck
Product Type: Deck Stain Stripper Additives to boost overall effectiveness.
Available Sizes: 16oz. Add these into 5 Liquid Gallons of RAD Stain Stripper.
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coverage Per Container: 500-750 sq. ft per 5-Gallons mixed.
Application Tools: Scrub Brush, Pressure Washer, Pump Sprayer.
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: Cedar
Deck Square Footage: Test Boards
The condition of Deck: Behr Semi-Transparent Acrylic was removed. Solid White Stain.
Cost: Retails for $29.99 per Additive.
*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.
How To Strip With Restore-A-Deck Stripper Additives
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.
Deck Stain Help & Questions
Stain Reviews & Comparisons
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.
Used RAD’s cleaner and brightener on a small, old deck. When it still looked ‘blotchy’ (photo on left), I contacted the company who recommended the stripper and brightener. Turned out very nice and am currently stripping another overly-stained deck.
Looks nice and thanks for your feedback. We have had some good results with the RAD Stain Additives. While they do not create miracles (removing thick solid paints), they definitely help with these hard to remove coatings.
Forgot to mention that I did use the additive during this stripping process and the deck I just finished. Both came out quite well. The deck I just finished was only 1.5 years old; however, it almost looked burned from being over-saturated with another brand of semi-transparent stain. You can see what RAD did for it. I am also working on a gate and have ordered the thickening gel. Will post results.
That looks like Restore A Deck in Semi-transparent Cedar.
Actually, it the clear semi-transparent stain over redwood boards.
Do you mean Natural? It does not come in a clear.
Ooops, yes. I used the Natural on everything except the Cedar gate … that’s the Cedar semi-transparent.
What brand and color/type stain did you use? Love the color.
Video of Stripping Behr Premium Solid Acrylic Stain with Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper with Booster And Thickening Gel Additives.
The pictures show a Behr stain–thick, sticky and feeding mildew, which is a constant concern in Western Washington. Can RAD stripper with the additives be an effective AND cost-effective solution? Or is this siding shot?
It looks very thick, almost like a shiny varnish. In the faded areas the RAD Deck Stripper with additives will work well. In the very thick/shiny areas, you would need the RAD PaintStrip to it get it off.
Hi , Which product should I use to remove actual Olympic summit stain and seal. Woodland oil transparent? Do I need to use a sandblasting machine? Or you recommend something else? Thanks
Use the Restore A Deck Stripper with both addtives:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-booster-thickening-gel-review/
You pressure wash while doing this.
My 20+ year old deck was most recently sealed with Thompson’s water seal all in one transparent stain/sealer in Honey Gold. It was done 2 years ago and looks horrible. I would like to use the RAD products and a semi transparent RAD stain. For step 1 stripper, do I need to add any of the additives or just use stripper and brightener? Thanks.
Best to use both stripper additives here.
Hi Scott, need help. Over three weeks ago, I stained my deck with BEHR a transparent oil based stain (see attached) It has been 2 weeks after it dried (see attached of the partial stain photo) it’s still giving the toxic smell particularly under a hot sunny day. I’m afraid now, the smell will last for months. I want to remove the stain and hopefully the smell completely from the deck.
Can I use one of the Restore-a-deck products to remove the stain and the smell ? If yes, which specific product would you recommend is best to do this job ?
Wow, cannot believe they charge that much for their “poor” stain. The good thing it is easy to strip. Use the Restore A Deck Stripper and Brightener kit. As for a better stain without the smell, use the Restore A Deck Stains as well.
I will be stripping an old deck in which Cabot Semi-solid oil stain was used. Is this the same as semi-transparent? Much of it is worn off, but there are patches of the old stain throughout the deck. I’m planning on using RAD stripper and brightener, but should I include the booster?
Post some pics in the comments so we can help with prep info.
Sorry if this is duplicate.. I’m having trouble uploading photos. Hopefully here are photos of Cabot semi-solid stain. Should I use RAD stripper, add the booster, or do I have to sand. The photos are after a power wash
That looks like a solid stain on your wood so your best option is to power sand or use a paint stripper to get it off. We prefer the later. See for tips:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-a-solid-color-deck-stain-or-paint/
Thanks. I purchased the RAD paint stripper you referenced. Do I need to be concerned about getting it on the vinyl siding or shrubs when power washing it off?
Cover all areas when stripping and rinse with water when done.
Want to remove Sherwin Williams deck paint/stain to restain or repaint deck again, Please help !.
Post some pics.
Will RAD plus the two additives (booster and gel) work on several coats of Benjamin Moore’s Oxford Brown solid stain?
No. You will have to sand off a solid stain.
I’m restoring a Cedar/Doug Fir deck of unknown age, I do not know what brand of stain was previously applied. Last September I replaced several of the boards, then I used RAD stripper but it did not get all the stain off, especially in low foot traffic areas that are also protected by large eaves (see picture).
2 days after using the stripper massive forest fires burned 10 miles away. The deck got covered in ash and the project got put on hold.
Yesterday, April 24 we started back at it.
Im trying to figure out how to remove the remaining stain and address the issue of the color difference between new boards installed last September, new boards installed yesterday and the old original boards that still have stain on them? Any help is greatly appreciate. I will be using RAD woodbrightner and Cabot semitransparent stain.
Thank You
Glen from Eugene Oregon
In the pictures it looks like you stripped all of the old stain off. The discoloration under the eaves is not old stain but darkening of the pH of the wood from the stripper and is why you have to brighten the wood right after stripping. Using the brightener should still even out the color. Might want to consider a better stain option. Cabot changed their formulas, not as good as they used to be:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
Hi,
I have an IPE deck which is around 8 years old. I have been able to treat it every other year due to work travel – but will now have more time. We have full, hot sun so the floor turns grey 10 – 12 months after prep and oil.
I am replacing 8 or so 16 foot boards with new IPE (I have not installed them yet). Should I install them then treat them as the rest of the deck – or keep separate for a different process and what would that be?
Thanks
Bob
Install them and then let them weather over the winter. Prep and stain all the same in the Spring prior to staining.
1) 26 yr old deck
2) Has current coating of solid color stain—several layers
3) Unsure what stain will be. May change to semi transparent vs solid color. Will stay with Sherwin Williams however.
4) Sherwin Williams
5) Water based solid stain
6) Green algae issues (north facing deck)
7) No stain failure. Just many years/layers. Need a fresh start again.
A stripper will not remove a solid stain fully so you will have to use a solid stain again unless you want to sand it all off. The RAD Stripper with additives will help with removing the loose and peeling stain.
If we choose to sand it, should we clean it first (algae) with deck cleaner?
Strip it first as mentioned while pressure washing and then sand it.
what is the best stripper to remove flood pro series 100 acrylic stain solid color. thanks
You cannot strip off solid stain fully. You will have to sand to get it off.
Greetings, we are in the process of restraining our deck. Unfortunately I did not run across your awesome website before we started.
We applied Olympic stain and sealer on a new cedar in deck after the wood weathered about 6-7 years ago.
We power washed deck and got most of the stain off. Then proceeded to try and sand off the rest.
Need advice on how to get this thing properly prepped as I have seen here that sounds like the most important part of the process. Based on what I have read I will want to use cedar tone Twp 100.
We live in western central Missouri.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Use the RAD stripper and additives to remove the rest with pressure washing. Brightener after.
Thanks so much for the quick response.
I have a 16 x 20 ceader deck i have just used a diama brush to to remove solid color
sherman williams super deck and dock. i want to apply Restore a Deck semi trans parent
stain is there a stripper to use between the boards that will work? Any help with this!
thank you vince
diamabrush16x20 cedar deck the deck was covered with sold colored sherman williams super deck. the deck is now down to bare wood.but there is some solid stain between boards.
what stripper will work ? i want to apply resoter a deck semi transparent stain
thank you for your time vince
You can try but use both additives.
Is there a sprayer you recommend for using the gel additive and the strip booster? The Chapin International 25020 gets very mixed reviews and I’m afraid it wouldn’t work with the gel. Ideally we’d be able to use the sprayer we get to spray the stripper and also a new sealant (haven’t picked new sealant yet…just want something basic and not tinted). Thank you.
We have personally used that sprayer with the stripper and the gel in the sprayer using the yellow tip and works.
Here is my deck. Looking for suggestions. Deck was built in 2015. See pics. Last pic is stain I used.
Thanks for your suggestions.
That is an opaque solid stain on the deck. You cannot strip this off fully.
So what should I do to get the best result.
Pressure wash and then apply another solid stain over the top. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
You would just be able to pressure wash and add another stain (any color solid) over the top? I would have thought he would need to sand/strip to get as much stain off as possible. Can you apply another solid stain on top of a cracked/peeling solid stain as long as the wood is clean?
Yes but you have to make sure th current stain is not peeling and is fully intact to the wood.
Have new garage deck and porch railings which are pine. (Vertical posts pressure treated and some older wood which will be sanded prior). Prior deck had terrible peeling problem due to type of strain and full sun all day. Contractor says can be stained right away because pine and suggested arbor coat. Need a better stain that will be taupe/light brown in color not cedarhoney or red. Other times I have used Rymar brand. You seem to have a few favorites – in high sun setting mostly pine what do you suggest?
Your contractor is incorrect, it cannot be stained right away: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Look at Armstrong Clark or TWP.
I posted a question about a deck still being tacky however I gave you incorrect information. The deck has only 2 coats of stain. The stain was completed in 80+ degree weather 17 hours ago. The deck remains tacky. What can I do to remedy the excess. Please see my first posting for further details. Thank you.
Try wiping the excess stain with mineral spirits and rags. Saturate all oil rags in water and lay flat to dry outside of the house when you are done.
Thank you. Will do. I’m very pleased with the product so far and hope to enjoy the finish for a prolonged time.
I used RAD STRIPPER/BRIGHTENER kit on my 830 sq. ft. deck in NE OHIO. Then followed it by 2 coats of TWP 1500 series Cedartone 1501 stain. The result is beautiful. My concern now is my helper sprayed on a third coat that remains shiny even after wiping with a rag. Now what do I do to remedy the excess stain?
Hi there, I have this deck and I believe the stain on it is the Pittsburgh Ulta advanced stain & sealant in one solid color stain. It was stained when we bought the house and I found a mostly used can of it in the shed. It’s peeling badly now, so I’m looking for advice on how to get it stripped so I can restain. Thank you!
You will need to power sand this to remove it fully.
Last one (I think I may have gotten carried away with using RAD). This is our new-ish garden gate before and after. While the gate was only installed a year ago, I realized when I applied the cleaner that it actually had a stain on it. Thus, I used the stripper and gel additive in order to enhance the staying power of the stripper. As you can see, it turned out pretty nice. I’m so impressed with RAD that I’m going to tackle an old redwood structure that surrounds our spa — now that will be a challenge. BTW, I used semi-transparent cedar on the gate.
Me again. This time, I wanted to show you a ‘redo’ of a very large deck that was installed probably 20 years ago. We just had new railings put on last year so I wanted to clean the rails and strip the deck so that the boards would match (everything is redwood). I used the stripper plus the additive and it certainly made a difference. I was amazed at how well the old deck turned out!! The stain I used was the clear semi-transparent — two coats on the deck and one on the railings.
Looks great!
Jan,
Perhaps you did get carried away but I have really enjoyed seeing all your pics. I am about to apply this formula to remove a stain I hated once applied and your posts give me hope that I my deck will turn out just as beautiful. Thanks!
Thanks Silvia. I did end up redoing our spa enclosure and, while I didn’t have much hope for it, it turned out great. A year later and everything still looks good. I’m planning on cleaning and restaining everything next Spring but it should be much easier this time around. Good luck with your project and be sure to post before and after photos!
I have an old ottoman & the legs are a cherry wood color. Can they be stripped? I’m trying to get a more natural wood color. What do u suggest? Thank you!
Post a picture.
Does power washing alone (well I used a crappy cleaner too) strip old stain?
Sometimes but that depends on the coating.
Our original deck was 7 yrs. old when we bought our house. It had never been stained or painted. After we extended the deck, I stained the entire thing with an Oil based semi translucent stain. The two sections came out different colors. Can I use a solid oil based stain over the translucent stain without stripping the old stain? I live in the piedmont region of NC. Mixed sun and shade on deck and mold and algae are a problem.
Yes, you can do that.
Hello, I have the Behr Deckover coating. It is that really thick paint like coating and it is peeling. Will this remove that? I hope I do not have to sand.
Sorry but no. No stripper will remove the Deck Resurface type coatings like Behr Deckover and Rustoleum Deck Restore. They are too thick for any stripper to be effective. Sanding is your only option. Picture of Behr Deckover attached.