This post was updated on January 15, 2025
Hi, I’m Scott Paul. I’m a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience specializing in exterior wood decking. My review of Rust-Oleum Deck Restore is grounded in decades of hands-on testing and practical experience as a wood restoration contractor.
My goal is to provide honest, expert insights to help you navigate the best deck stain and restoration options for your projects. Let me guide you toward making informed decisions to protect and enhance your wood surfaces. See here for more info about me.
Rust-Oleum (Rock Solid 20X) Deck Restore Review
Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we pride ourselves on providing honest and thorough deck stain reviews. Over the years, we have received numerous comments from customers who have used Rust-Oleum Deck Restore (now marketed as Rock Solid 20X). Unfortunately, the feedback has been overwhelmingly negative, with many consumers citing significant issues with peeling and poor longevity. Despite being marketed as a premium solution for deck restoration, Rock Solid 20X has failed to live up to expectations for many homeowners.
Issues with Rust-Oleum Deck Restore (Now Rock Solid 20X)
One of the most common complaints we receive about Rust-Oleum Deck Restore is the peeling problem, which often occurs shortly after application. Despite its promises of durability, customers have reported that the product does not adhere well to wood surfaces, leading to unsightly peeling and a general lack of long-term performance. This issue was serious enough to lead to a class action lawsuit against Rust-Oleum. While the lawsuit has been settled, the product continues to be available on store shelves, leaving some consumers unaware of the ongoing issues.
Even though Rust-Oleum has rebranded the product as Rock Solid 20X, reports from the field suggest that it performs similarly to the original Deck Restore, with continued problems of peeling and failure over time. Many customers have voiced disappointment that the relabeled version still does not meet the quality expectations for a deck restoration product.
Consumer Feedback:
We value the experiences of our readers and encourage anyone who has used Rust-Oleum Deck Restore or Rock Solid 20X to share their thoughts. If you’ve had success with this product, or if you’ve encountered issues, feel free to leave a comment and post pictures of your projects below. Your feedback is important and helps others make informed decisions before choosing a deck restoration product.
As always, we recommend considering other trusted deck restoration brands that have been proven to provide better, longer-lasting results.
Rust-Oleum® Deck Restore® Review
Rust-Oleum® Deck Restore is marketed as a liquid-armor resurfacer designed to revitalize and protect your deck surfaces. It promises to provide a tough, resilient coating that lasts for years with minimal maintenance, making it an appealing option for homeowners looking to improve the appearance of their deck.
Key Features:
- 10 Times Thicker Than Ordinary Coatings: This product is advertised as being 10 times thicker than typical deck stains, allowing it to fill cracks, lock down splinters, and hide imperfections in the wood or concrete surface. This could be a great solution for older decks or surfaces that have suffered wear and tear over the years.
- Non-Slip, Barefoot-Friendly Texture: The resurfacer provides a non-slip finish, making it safe to walk on with bare feet, which is particularly important for families with children or pets. It also adds an extra layer of safety, especially when wet.
- Water- and Weather-Resistant: The formula is designed to protect against water damage and harsh weather conditions, offering durable protection that can withstand the elements.
- Economical and Environmentally Safe: Rust-Oleum® Deck Restore® is marketed as an affordable option for deck restoration. Additionally, it is designed to be environmentally safe, making it a responsible choice for homeowners who want to reduce their environmental impact.
- Easy to Apply and Clean Up: The product is relatively simple to apply with minimal cleanup required, which makes it an attractive option for DIYers who want a hassle-free restoration experience.
Considerations:
While Rust-Oleum® Deck Restore offers many advantages, it’s important to consider whether it’s the right fit for your specific deck project. Some users have experienced issues with peeling or wearing, which can be common with coatings that create a thick surface layer.
Note: A class Action Lawsuit has been filed against Rust-Oleum Deck Restore 10x: See Here and Our Article
How I Rated Rust-Oleum Deck Restore
My Rust-Oleum Deck Restore review contains an 8-step process and the final average score. Each step is on a scale of 1-10.
- The appearance of Rust-Oleum Deck Restore after Application
- Preventing UV Graying
- Peeling or Wearing
- Cost Per Square Foot
- Preventing Mold and Mildew
- How Easy was the Application
- Color Shifting
- Ease of Reapplication
- Rust-Oleum Deck Restore Final Score
8-Step Review of Rust-Oleum Deck Restore
1. Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 3
The finished appearance of this product is poor. It looks “clumpy,” and dirt tends to stick to the surface as the product cures. The color does not match the color on the chart.
2. Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 10
It did not gray in the areas where it has not peeled.
3. Wear/Tear and Peeling: 2
Of all the “Deck Resurface” products, the Rust-Oleum version peels the worst. It started peeling within a few months of application.
4. Cost Per Square Foot: 1
Coverage is terrible. We did not get the 30 sq. feet per gallon for the 2 coats. Closer to 20 sq. feet for two coats. We spent over $350 on our 200 sq. foot deck.
5. Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 6
About 40% of the deck had mold.
6. Ease of Application: 1
This product is not easy to apply. It splatters, and we had to constantly backwipe to ensure an even appearance. The roller that comes with the kit is useless and does not last. It feels like you are applying a coat of tar with sand in it.
7. Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 10
The Rust-Oleum Deck Restore does not darken in color.
8. The Difficulty of Reapplication: 1
Be prepared to sand this off when switching to a different brand. It might be easier to fill deck boards or replace the floor.
Overall Score Rust-Oleum Deck Restore It at 2-Year Period: 4.25
The Synta Deck Restore product, which initially sparked the “Deck Resurface” trend, was widely praised in its earlier years for its ability to transform old, weathered decks. After being acquired by Rust-Oleum, it was rebranded and marketed as Rust-Oleum Rock Solid 20X. However, since the acquisition, there have been noticeable changes to the formula, and unfortunately, the product’s performance seems to have declined.
Based on our hands-on testing, as well as the large number of negative online reviews, it’s clear that the product no longer lives up to its original reputation. The widespread reports of peeling, cracking, and poor adhesion have led to customer dissatisfaction, and there are numerous complaints on platforms like Amazon. In fact, these issues have resulted in a class-action lawsuit against the product, further undermining its credibility.
Given the consistent negative feedback and our own testing experiences, we cannot recommend Rust-Oleum Deck Restore (formerly Synta Deck Restore) for deck resurfacing. While the product may have shown promise initially, the lack of reliability and the ongoing issues with performance make it a less-than-ideal choice for homeowners looking to restore their decks.
Rust-Oleum Rock Solid (Deck Restore) Customer Photo Issues
Product Information:
Where To Buy: Home Depot, Walmart, Select Stores
Cost: $45 for a 2 Gallon Kit
Stain Type: Acrylic Solid Stain – Water Based
Available Colors: 60+colors
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 2 Coats.
Coverage Per Gallon: 25-30 sq ft per gallon with 2 coats
Application Tools: Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 8-24 Hours
Cleanup: Water
VOC Compliant: 250 Compliant in all States
Manufacturer: Rust-Oleum
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: Pine Treated Deck
Deck Square Footage: 200 Square feet
UV Exposure: Full sun
How Many Years Tested: 1+ Years
Stain Color Used: Cedar
*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.
Update Spring of 2025
Please read our article on Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive Review We believe this product has real value if looking for these product types that actually work.
Rust-Oleum Rock Solid (Deck Restore)Video Review
Pretty much the same story as everyone else. After sending these photos to customer service I was told, “Based on the photos, it appears there was a moisture issue present prior to coating the surface.” Oh, ok.
I painted two decks (front and back) with the original Deck Restore. I have herniated discs in my back, so this was a to really big project for me. It didn’t cover nearly as much as they claimed, so I had to go back to purchase more. It looked beautiful the first year! Now, two years later, it looks absolutely awful! It’s peeled up in several places places, but I can’t seem to remove it. Some deck boards are rotted now and will need to be replaced. I wasted my money on 7 gallons of this. I’ve used many different kinds of paint in my lifetime. This was by far the worst. I can’t say enough about how bad my experience with this paint was.
I did a huge deck in 2010. The only places I experienced any peeling was where my dogs had urinated in certain spots and the peeling didn’t happen till 5 yrs later. It’s now 2024. That’s 14 yrs later and just now having to redo whole thing. Only down side I could see was yrs when the pine pollen hits heavily some years. Hard to wash off is all in those instances.I used the original Deck Restore. Worked at Ace Hardware then. Had 2 German Shepherds whose nails would scrape any other regular stain off. I didn’t want to have to stain every year at my age.
I can’t say enough how unhappy we are with the 10x. While it looks great when it first applied after 2yrs it has destroyed our deck boards to the point that, we will have to replace all the floor boards, It peeled off like wallpaper and then rotted the boards. There should be some compensation for this mess.
DO NOT USE ANY of the restore products for wood decks.
Does rust oleum restore 10X go bad in the can after 2 years? Thank You Kim
We would not use it.
I’m VERY well satisfied in the original restore 10x. I wish I could find somemore. I’ve had it down on a porch over 5 years now & have been 100% happy with it. The only reason I would like to have somemore of the original is because I had to replace some of the boards. I’ve tried the newer version & it isn’t near as good as the older version. Yes it’s hard to put down but if you do like your told on the instructions it works great. Maybe all the people that whine about it didn’t do it right & cut corners.
I also have this on my front porch and have had for over ten years. I love it so much I want to do the back patio the same way but unable to find the product.
The original Synta product was sold to Rust-Oleum and then they reformulated it… for the worse.