This post was updated on April 4, 2025
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Deck Restore™ 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.
My Pro Tip: The Deck Restore™ is not the same product, manufacturer, or brand as Restore-A-Deck branded products.
Note: Rust-Oleum bought Synta Deck Restore in 2012. It is now called Rust-Oleum Deck Restore or Rust-Oleum Rock Solid.
Deck Restore™ is the smart alternative to deck replacement. It revives and protects wood surfaces such as wood and composite decking, stairs, docks, etc.
Deck Restore™ is water-based, low odor and fills up to 1/4” cracks.
Synta’s Deck Restore is designed to “mask” the wood, not show the grain. It is promoted as a product for wood that is beyond conventional restoration.
Note: Class Action Lawsuit has been filed against Rust-Oleum Restore 10x: See Here
How I Rated Deck Restore™
My 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 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
- Deck Restore™ Final Score
8-Step Review of Deck Restore™
1. Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 5
Synta Restore is basically a very thick paint designed to mask the wood and fill any large cracks and voids. To us, it looked very fake on the pressure-treated deck. We also noticed that the finish (after full drying) is very hot to the touch when exposed to direct sunlight, to the point that you would not be able to walk on the surface with bare feet.
2. Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 10
Being a solid, non-translucent product, the (Rust-Oleum) Restore shows no signs of UV fading. This is normal for solid stains and paints.
3. Wear/Tear and Peeling: 7
Synta (Rust-Oleum) Restore showed some wearing in the high-traffic areas and between the decking boards. The (Rust-Oleum) Restore did not seem to adhere to the boards as the finish curled up here.
4. Cost Per Square Foot: 1
Horrible. We needed 10 of the (Rust-Oleum) Restore 2 gallon kits. That is $600 for a 600 sq. foot deck or $1 per foot.
5. Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 10
Synta (Rust-Oleum) should have zero mold or algae on the deck.
6. Ease of Application: 2
It is very difficult to apply. We used the supplied roller and a heavy-duty brush for back wiping and to get between the floorboards. We followed all the supplied directions. The entire project for the two required coats took 12 hours to perform with 2 people. We had issues applying the stain evenly and between the deck boards. Full curing for the Synta Restore can take up to 3 weeks.
7. Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 10
It did not darken or attract dirt.
8. Difficulty of Reapplication: 5
Heavy scraping to remove the peeling stain would be required before applying another coat. Conversations with the manufacturer on product failure were difficult. They blamed the peeling on poor prepping of the wood, even though we followed their online instructions.
Overall Score Rust-Oleum Restore Solid Acrylic Stain at 2 Year Period: 6.25
We are not fans of this product. It is basically a “thick” paint that performs about the same as any other solid-color deck stain. Do some research online, and you will find there are more unhappy customers than satisfied customers. The appearance is poor, the application is difficult, and the cost per foot is horrible. To be fair, the Synta Restore did score extremely well in UV fading and mold prevention.
Rust-Oleum Rock Solid (Deck Restore) Customer Photo Issues
Product Information:
Where To Buy: Big Box Stores, Home Depot, Menards, Lowes, etc
Cost: $59.99 per 2 Gallon Kit
Stain Type: Acrylic Solid Stain – Water Based
Available Colors: 20 different colors
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 2 Coats.
Coverage Per Gallon: 100 sq. ft per 2-gallon kit for 1 coat. Need 2 coats for best performance.
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: Pressure Treated Pine Dock
Deck Square Footage: 600 Square feet
UV Exposure: Southern exposure. Full sun
How Many Years Tested: 2 Years
Stain Color Used: Cedar
Looking For a Better Deck Resurface Coating?
Please read our article on Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive Review. We believe this product has real value if you are looking for product types that work.
Rust-Oleum Rock Solid (Deck Restore)Video Review
*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.
It worked for me— but
I do not know if Rustoleum changed the formulation of this product. The original product did not have all the confusing 2x, 6x, 9x, etc. They simply had textured and matching untextured (for railings an such). We used the original Deck Restore product on our two decks. Both looked great. When we sold that house 10 years later, they still looked great. No cracking, no peeling. I don’t know if the formula has changed or if people aren’t doing the prep correctly or what. (from some of the pictures it appears that they didn’t clean the wood first). Maybe they are applying it to relatively new wood. Our deck was already over fifteen years old and very weathered (which is exactly what Deck Restore was designed for). All I can say is that is worked for me and I’d give it a 10-star review. I’d buy some more (of the old stuff) if it were available.
It was decent until Rust-Oleum bought the product then they screwed it up by changing formulas.
My deck is destroyed by this Restore product! I followed all instructions on how to apply and my deck started bubbling and peeling. It retained moisture and rotted the wood underneath. I need to replace my entire deck!!! this will be an expense beyond my means as I am on a fixed income.. Any help would be appreciated !
I seldom do this but here goes: I think you may have misjudged this product. I have rentals and several tenants who are older and can fall and slip–easily. We paid the big buck and bought DECK RESTORE (Synta) from home depo. Our maintenance guy did decks, stairs and paths/anywhere someone could get hurt. We live in N. Calif in the redwoods and get lots of rain, mold and mildew here. 7 years later the color has faded a bit. There has been very little pealing and the non-slip feature is still as good as when it finished drying. There has been NO mold or mildew that has EVER grown on this stuff. It may be expensive but you take a fall and break a hip at 75 years or fall head first onto a rock. THIS IS A NON SLIP PRODUCT and we have used and tested it for 7 years. As in any job it’s always about the preparation. We like this product and recommend it.
What you used is not the same product sold now. Rust-oleum bought it from Synta and then reformulated it. It is garbage now and peels horribly.
I installed the Synta branded Deck Restore in 2011. I am just now having to re-coat some chipping spots, etc. and one deck board has rotted but, my overall deck was in very bad shape before I applied the Deck Restore. The splinters from the rough surface were unbearable and it was either try the Deck Restore or replace all the deck boards. I chose this option and so far, I am in my 9th year and it is working as intended. Yes, it is a little difficult to apply and it takes some time to dry. Again, my review if for the SYNTA brand deck restore and not the Rustoleum branded version. I have heard that Rustoleum changed the formulation slightly and that may have lead to problems. One small negative, since it has sand embedded within the product, it is hot under foot in the summer, no matter how light of a color you choose. We picked Sandstone and it still burns our feet on 85+ degree, sunny days.
I applied around 8 years ago to 13 year old deck: I rented a belt floor sander to get a nice rough surface ( get screws or nails a bit below surface. Have done nothing since and only have a few board cracks that I need to hit with a brush. I do have dark spots that may be dirt that’s not easy to clean up. Any ideas on this?
Applied Restore in 2012 or 13, purchased it because of the warranty and marketing. . It is now flaking up and peeling leaving large areas of exposed wood. I made the purchase at Home Depot in 5 gallon buckets, (3) to cover the deck twice.
How do I collect my warranty, how do you recommend removing it
KEVIN ARMFIELD
Power sand it off. Check with them for warranty.
Before I sand it off? Who is them I thought this was them….
Check with the manufacturer. We are an independent review site.
I’ve taken pictures, can forward if you would like
Why is our Restore cedar a much lighter color than the product we used 6 years ago? Instead of patching and doing a light coat, now we have to completely recoat the whole thin
That is because they changed the formula.
I purchased this crap ( not knowing it was crap) in 9/30/2012. Cost $143.71 which included everything I needed. After the first year I noticed peeling and it was not comfortable to walk on with your bare feet. The years went by and I was so happy I didn’t put this crap on my entire deck (675 sq ft). I had spent hours removing this junk with a sharpened flat shovel, a very expensive $165.00 angle grinder, approximately eight 7” wire wheels (which would ware down to nothing), ten plus 7” and 4” sanding disks, a 7”and 4” diamond grinding wheel (used for concrete and paint coating removal), plus hour after hour for weeks on my knees. Total cost in materials and including my time figure $1800.00 or more. If I had a contractor complete the same it would have cost $3000. The funny thing is the deck is very close to the house and trees or I would have used about five gallons of gasoline and it would taken less time and material. I will say only one more thing about this crap. DON’T USE IT EVER!!!! The people that came up with it should be forced to pay to have it removed from your deck.
I used this product (from Synta) in 2012 before they were purchased by Rustoleum. I have never used a better or longer lasting product ever. It wears like iron and looks great 6 years later. It makes me wonder if Rustoleum altered the original formula. Wish I could get another gallon of the Synta produce for touch ups.
I am currently in the process of completely stripping off the Restore product after having it on the deck for four years. Each year more and more of the product would peel off during power washing and I essentially had to patch and over paint more of the deck each year. This year sheets of the product peeled like a Post It note and I decided to remove it completely. Unfortunately, some of the product did adhere as it was supposed to and I am literally having to chip those areas off with a chisel. So far it has taken me four days and I am still not done. Unfortunately there is also some damage to the decking because of the chiseling and I will be forced to completely sand the entire deck down to try and recover it. Horrible product.
We bought Restore to do our large deck in 2012. It was supposed to protect our wood deck and last for years. It has been a nightmare! It looks terrible and is totally coming off. My husband spent hours preparing the deck before applying Restore. Added a second coat like recommended. We are just sick about how our deck looks. Now we are faced repairing it and spending money we don’t have. My husbands health has failed and he can not do all the work it is going to take to restore it. This is unacceptable. Is this company going to stand by their claim that it lasts for years?
Horrible!! Peeling off my deck! Should be pulled off the shelf! Refunds need plus time and lobos it’s going to take to get this off my deck
I am in the process of removing this crap from my deck. It lasted maybe a year and then started peeling and flaking off. Very disappointed.
I totally regret putting this on my deck. It is peeling in sections and has adversely impacted water drainage between the boards. The worst part is I can't find anyone who will remove the product. I've had several different contractors/deck companies come out and look at the deck, and all of them just shake their heads and tell me that they've seen so many other decks like mine and that the product is one of the worst things that you can put on a deck.
i am so disgusted with your product. it absolutely DID NOT do the job I was led to believe it would. applying it was difficult enough but to have to patch it up every year is absolutely ridiculous. right now it is peeling off in big chunks. absolutely worthless and paid probably $700.00 or more to do my decks. this may not seem like much to you but you are probably not on a limited income and as old as I am. I thought I was using something that would make things easier at my age but that certainly wasn't the case. I wouldn't recommend this product to anyone. shame on you for putting such a product on the market and misleading the customers and taking their money without a second glance.
I put on front deck 5 or 6 years ago and only did a coat and then touch up. Looked great. Held up 2 years looking like it did when I put on. After about 4 years started to look a little chipped on edges. But not bad. Recoated this year using deck start which is easy on then reapplied with lighter color. Looks great. Just finished back decks. First time was massive project for my 16 year old deck. Filling cracks and now 3 coats but solid and looks awesome.
The only reason I gave it one star is because that was the lowest it would go. They need to take this mess off the market!
This product looked good at first followed directions and applied after first year started to notice cracks in the product on the deck boards. Second year I now have the product peeling off the boards in strips. My deck is 52’x32″ spent a small fortune and a lot of hard work prepping the surface and applying the product. Like I stated above. It looked great the first year now starting to have problems. Not sure on what to do but not satisfied with what product had promised to do.
We used the 10x on our deck last summer. Prepped and followed all instructions to a t. This summer it is peeling off in thick strips right down to the bare wood. So disappointed and it's sickening to think of the money we spent. Did the slats and handrails in the 4x. Same results. Stay away from this product. Not worth the money or time.
This stuff ruined our whole deck ??????