This post was updated on October 21, 2024
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior deck brightening and prep. My wood brightening tips are based on my history as a wood and deck restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing. See here for more info about me.
Using a Wood Brightener for a Deck
I remain committed to being your number-one reference for deck restoration professional tips. Today, I’ll explore the second step of the deck staining process: using a deck brightener. We’ll also see why it is a key component of the deck stain project.
Feel free to leave me a comment or ask a question below.
Why Use a Deck Brightener?
Woodcare and maintenance are the keys to having a long-lasting deck. Every year or two, a deck should be cleaned and stained to protect the wood from the harsh elements. UV rays and unwanted moisture can wreak havoc on an unprotected deck. The number one reason a deck stain fails is the lack of proper wood preparation. Any exterior wood surface must be cleaned and prepped correctly for the stain to perform as expected. Failure to do so can lead to premature stain failure, jeopardizing the wood’s integrity.
Wood Deck Brightener Top Half
My Steps to Wood Deck Brightening
Below are my 4 easy steps to applying a wood brightener.
- Clean the Deck First
- Appy the Deck Brightener
- Rinse the Deck Brightener
- Questions on Deck Brightening? Ask me below!
Step 1: Clean or Strip the Deck
To properly prep a deck, you start with a wood deck cleaner or a deck stain stripper. A sodium percarbonate-based oxygenated cleaner is recommended when using a deck cleaner. This type of wood cleaner has been proven to work the best in removing dirt, mold, mildew, wood graying, and, in some cases, an old failing sealer. Removing these pollutants is important so the new stain can penetrate properly.
Most oxygenated cleaners have surfactants that help boost the overall effectiveness of the detergent. These caustic detergents do a great job of loosening pollutants, but they also raise the pH level of the wood. Why does this matter? The deck stain will penetrate better in acidic conditions, and when the wood pores are opened up, it is ready to receive a coat of new stain. A lower pH also darkens the wood, not allowing the true beauty of the wood to show. A simple fix to this is to use a deck brightener.
My Pro Tip: Use the same brand of wood deck brightener as the deck cleaner or stain stripper.
Step 2: Apply the Deck Brightener
Wood deck brightener, also called deck neutralizer, is an acid-based product that neutralizes caustic cleaners and helps lower the pH level, making the wood more acidic. This opens the wood pores and brightens the wood, bringing out the grain’s natural beauty. A simple application of deck brightener after cleaning is all needed to brighten and neutralize the cleaners and will complete the proper prep work needed for an outstanding stain finish that will last.
This two-step cleaning and deck brightening process is used by professional deck cleaners and can give you similar results. It enhances the beauty of your wood deck and ensures you get maximum protection and lasting results from your deck stain.
My Pro Tip: Apply the Deck Brightener using a pump sprayer when you finish cleaning or stripping while the wood is still wet.
Bonus Step: Rinse the Deck Brightener
One issue I have noticed recently is not rinsing the wood brightener well when done. Failure to rinse the wood well after using a wood brightener will leave the wood in a low pH balance and a highly acidic state. This will, in turn, create possible deck application issues with the overall appearance and the spottiness of the deck stain.
I did some test boards that showed the results of not rinsing the wood brightener well using the Restore A Deck Wood Stain in Dark Walnut. After the prep, both test boards were applied with the wood damp to the touch.
-On the left, you will see the RAD Stain after rinsing the Wood Brightener for 20-30 Minutes.
-On the right, you will see the RAD Stain applied to the wood without rinsing the Wood Brightener.
As you can see, there is a clear chemical reaction that shows poor adhesion and appearance.
To summarize, it is very important that when you are done applying a wood brightener, you rinse the wood well with water to achieve maximum results and appearance. We suggest rinsing with water from your hose or pressure washer for a minimum of 15-30 minutes, regardless of what brand of deck stain you use.
My Pro Tip: Rinsing for 20-30 minutes means the entire deck (average 400 square foot deck), not each board, for 20-30 minutes.
Watch My Deck Brightener Video
Need inspiration? Watch my video on deck brightening.
4. Have Deck Brightening Questions?
Do you still have questions on why you need to brighten the deck or how to do it? Please ask below. I am glad to assist you. I also suggest reading the comments below, as your question(s) may have already been answered.
I recently had to have the corner of my deck repaired due to a tree falling during a hurricane. My deck is just over a year old. The new wood is only 4weeks old. The deck builder told me to wait at least 1 year before sealing. I planned on sealing this next month. Do i need to cover the new wood? And if so, how? Single postal retiree with very little knowledge regarding wood. 😯
You can prep and stain it in the Spring. Do not cover the wood:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
We applied the Armstrong Cark to the IPE deck and the results are less than thrilling. Lots of variation in color and some boards aren’t taking the stain. I’m perplexed.
That is not a stain issue but a wood issue. IPE can contain what is called Lapachol. This can rise to the surface of the wood after prep and cause this “yellow” discoloration. Does not matter what stain brand you use, if the lapachol is present, it can cause discoloration.
Thanks Scott. We’re hearing ‘lapachol” from others as well. Is there any rhyme or reason to when lapachol presents? Does it come and go? We didn’t experience this with the initial finishing 5 years ago and didn’t notice anything during the cleaning and brightening process. Is there anything we can do now to lessen the effects? We expect that we will have to reapply stain in 6-12 months due to the extreme UV exposure, is there anything we can do at that time to lessen the effects? We’re thinking a darker tint may help.
It is a very strange thing with lapachol as it can randomly rise to the surface years after the wood has been installed. I believe it is based on the wood itself and the region where it comes from, but I am not sure. We have seen this happen in about 10 different scenarios over the past 5 years. I am guessing here, but I believe when you clean (you always have to prep) and remove oxidized wood cells you are essentially removing a “band-aid”. This causes the lapachol to rise to the surface. We see similar issues with pine decks and sap. The sap can leach out many years later after prep.
Here are a few tips we have learned about possibly removing it:
-One customer said he pressure-washed it, and it came off. I’m not sure if they reapplied the stain or not after.
-Another stated they heavily scrubbed the spots and recoated.
-A third said they used a solvent like mineral spirits to remove and then recoated.
I’ve completely sanded my cedar deck and replaced over 75% with new boards.
My question is do I need to use a deck brightener?
You still need to let the new wood weather and then prep. Did you do this?
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
The new wood has been installed over this past summer. I had put a semi solid stain on some but hated the look. I have since sanded all of the deck, avoiding chemicals.
Now that this is done, I want to stain with a semi transparent stain.
How long do I really need to wait before using the brightener?
Thanks
Mark
Brighten now and pressure wash rinse for prep. Look at TWP 1500 Series or Armstrong Clark stains. Just one coat.
Is there any eco-friendly brightener?
And thanks for your help it has been great!
Mark
Most wood brighteners are eco-friendly.
I used rustoleum/wolman to clean deck. Can I use restore deck or defy deck brightner
Yes.
I am using Oxalic Acid to clean my cedar deck. As such, do I still need to use a wood brightener as the main ingredient in wood brighteners is Oxalic Acid? Or should I use something else to clean/revitalize the cedar deck?
Oxalic acid is not a cleaner but an ingredient in some wood brighteners. It does not “clean” anything but neutralizes after using a stain stripper or a deck cleaner. You should use a proper deck cleaner first and then a wood brightener after.
Could you recommend a proper deck cleaner for a cedar deck? I am seeing recommendations for something as simple as Oxyclean but not sure if will work.
See top reviews here: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-deck-cleaners/
I have an ipe deck that gets a lot of Caribbean sun. It was originally finished with Cabots Australian Timber Oil and it has not performed well. There is a lot of uneven weathering and some of the deck is going gray. Nothing has been done to the deck since the original finish abiut 3 years ago. We’re stripping the deck with Penofin’s stripper and then using deck brightener. The deck looks pretty good in some areas but other areas have a lot of variation and also some dark stains that aren’t coming up. Looking for suggestions on things to try before we finish with Penofin.
Steps thus far
1. Penofin stripper
2. Penofin cleaner with agitation and low pressure power wash
3. Penofin brighter
Avoid Penofin. It has issues of darkening or turning black from the sun. There are better stains:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
As for prep. add pics for advice.
Here’s a Pic after multiple stripping/cleanings. The dark areas are where we applied stripper on some stubborn spots.
The prep looks good. 😀
I’m a little worried that there’s still a.lot of uneven color and some blotches compared to the beautiful grain of the original wood. Will the color variations be exacerbated or mitigated by the Oil finsh. I’ll be using Armstrong Clark amber. Also would like to get an idea of the recommended ongoing maintenance. The deck is in the Caribbean in full sun so there’s serious UV exposure. I expect we will have to reapply every 6-8 months. Will that be just a cleaning and reapply? Some areas in the sun will be faded whereas other areas will not. If we just hit the entire deck again will it even up.? The alternative is to not oil it and let it go gray but I love the rich color when it’s oiled
The AC Amber should highlight the grain as if wet with water. You can test the appearance by wetting it all down with water.
Just clean and reapply as needed. 😀
More pics. Let me know whether sanding will help or if this will disappear when the finish is applied.
You need to remove all of the stain in the last picture. Strip and or sand.
Here are the latest photos. There are still have some areas with color variation including some black spots, some that look like residual stain and dome areas that look bleeched. Should we continue to try to strip and/or sand or is there another approach for these areas?
The last picture shows a stain overlap from prior coatings. That will probably show when stained so try to sand that out. The dark internal spots may not come out. Best to try a wood brighener on all wood hen done to see if that helps.
Thanks. We’re continuing to strip and will also try spot sanding the blemishes …The handrails are very noticeably golden and much more dried out compared to the rest of the deck. I’m not sure why that is as it’s the same material with the same original finish. Could be just a difference in sun exposure? We’re concerned about how they will look when stained. Do you have any experience with this?
It looks to be the same wood type.
Yes it’s the same wood, wondering why the handrails now appear so much more golden and much drier compared to the rest and whether we should do anything different when applying the finish
Just the way it has weathered. I would not worry about it.
Yes it’s the same wood but it’s much more golden color and more dried out. Is there anything we can do in the process so it looks the same color as the deck after finishing? Right now it looks quite different. Prior to stripping the color looked similar although the handrails looked more dried out and weathered
One more. I’m a little worried that there’s still a.lot of uneven color and some blotches compared to the beautiful grain of the original wood. Will the color variations be exacerbated or mitigated by the Oil finsh. I’ll be using Armstrong Clark amber. Also would like to get an idea of the recommended ongoing maintenance. The deck is in the Caribbean in full sun so there’s serious UV exposure. I expect we will have to reapply every 6-8 months. Will that be just a cleaning and reapply? Some areas in the sun will be faded whereas other areas will not. If we just hit the entire deck again will it even up.? The alternative is to not oil it and let it go gray but I love the rich color when it’s oiled
Here is a photo of the weathered Cabots Australian Timber oil
Thanks for the tip on stains. We will use Armstrong Clark instead
You are welcome!
dried pine sap on my trex
Sorry but no idea what will remove it.
When using Restore a deck to stain an older deck , what is best used to apply the stain ?
Which Restore A Deck Stain? The semi-transparent or the solid stain.
Semi transparent stain
Flooring brushes or stain pads. See this for tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-applicators-for-deck-stains/
If I pressure wash the deck and sand, do I still need to use restore deck cleaner before I use the brightener?
You use the RAD Cleaner at the same times as pressure washing.
I have completely sanded my deck and am going to apply a Pittsburgh solid stain. Should I still use deck brighter? Also, if I do need to use brighter, I have plants directly under my deck how do I prep for that??
Thank you!!!
Yes, brighten to open the grain of the wood. Cover plants while applying.
I am unclear as to rinsing time of 20-30 minutes (that’s a long time). How is that quantified? By a certain size area or the whole deck? Certainly I can’t rinse 2 or 3 at a at once for that full time.(?)
Can you better describe rinsing the brighter.
I have sanded and cleaned and purchased Defy Extreme semi transparent stain.
Whole deck. Rinse until suds are gone.
hey i accidently did not wash the brightener until 4 days later is that okay or what should i do? did not know i was supposed to wash it off until i reread the instructions. and how long can you wait till you cant wash it off and what would you do if that happened?
You should be fine but it would not hurt to rinse the wood down now.
I used Restore a Deck semi transparent stain a little over 2 years ago and need to reapply as have worn areas on stairs and top rails. I have an unopened 2.5 gallon container. Do I need to follow the complete process of stripping, cleaner and whitener again?
Clean and brighten for prep. No need to strip. When using the stain, shake it vigorously for a few minutes to mix as the pigment can settle.
My redwood porch post is 2 months old and one side has a darker shade due to sun exposure. Should I still clean and brighten before applying finish? Or should I just apply the finish since it’s only 2 months old?
You need to prep all new wood before staining. See here for tips:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Thank you for your time! Our deck was built June 2023. It is now Nov. 2, 2023. Pressure treated pine wood. Seems to me the uncovered area is ready. But covered and inside look not as weathered. We live in Middle Tennessee. I was hoping to seal and stain the uncovered before winter. Question we need a deck cleaner and brightener right? And I am leaning towards Ready Seal Light Oak Semi transparent, or Cabot new cedar semi transparent. We are hoping to seal and stain uncovered before a family event on Dec 1. 2023. Main question, should we seal and stain ONLY uncovered / exposed deck now before winter? And wait until spring to seal stain the interior? Your thoughts are appreciated! This is slightly overwhelming thank you so much for your time.
Do it all at once, do not break it up. You can do it now or Spring:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
We would not suggest Ready Seal or Cabot. You can read their reviews on this site.
I was told by the rep at the Sealer Store that a brightener is not necessary to use on cumaru, just use RAD cleaner and go straight to staining, for my new (but weathered 4+ months) cumaru deck. What do you say?
We always brighten after using a cleaner or a stripper. Turns out better.
I cleaned my deck today, but didn’t have brightener on hand to apply while still wet from cleaning. If I order some brightener and apply 3-4 days after cleaning, will it still work to balance the ph and help stain soak in? Just curious if the gap in time between cleaning and brightening make the latter ineffective?
Yes. Better late than never.
Is a brightener necessary after cleaning previously stained pt wood? Last stained 2 years ago with Armstrong Clarke semi-transparent grey. (Will use for next finish) Great product. Do not think I brightened. Thank you!
We always brighten after cleaning as some of the old stain may come off when cleaning.
I stained my deck last summer and just recently cleaned it off with some Dawn soap in water. The boards still look very dull. What can I do to fix this?
You would have to recoat it.
I cleaned & brightened my deck on Friday, then the chance of rain came and now it looks like it will rain for the next 10 days! Do I cover the freshly cleaned deck with a tarp for 10+ days, (the dogs bring mud all over it) or just live on it and re do the cleaning and brightening when weather gets better? Can you clean & brighten TOO soon?
We would not cover it. Just give it a good pressure wash rinse to remove any dirt a couple of days before staining.
Thank you, but just to be sure I understand, DO NOT clean or brighten again, just power wash? I was afraid it might hurt the wood to use chemicals again so soon. 🙁
Do not cover the deck. Just wash it with water to remove any mud. You cannot hurt wood with prep products.
I have a deck with composite decking for the surface and redwood for the railing. I have a cleaner that’s designed for composite decking and natural wood decking. My question is if I use a brightener on the redwood will it have a negative affect on the composite decking?
No, it will not.
Have defy deck stain on my deck. It needs a maintenance coat. Will just a washing with dawn dish detergent be enough or should I use a wood cleaner and brightner. Thanks!!
You need a deck cleaner and then a wood brighener for prep.
Do you mind if I add this article to the FAQ section of my website? I have a deck and fence staining company out of Georgia. Will post a link to this article and credit you of course.
Sure.
This is my first deck. I was told by my contractor to use Behr penetrating oil. I’ve cleaned and treated it every other year. After only 6 years some of the wood is twisting or splitting. An associate at the lumber store said that the newer pressure treated lumber is not as good as the old green stuff, and that what I’m seeing is to be expected. Really?
I don’t see any comments about this oil. Should I switch to another product? Im not lazy, but I’m not young any more, and on my own. So looking for low maintenance.
If anyone has a suggestion I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
Yes, switch. Strip and brighten with Restore A Deck Stripper/Brightener Kits. Stain with Restore A Deck Stains or TWP Stains.
Hi,
My wife and I moved into a new house. The previous homeowners used Cabot solid stain and appeared to have put a fresh coat in the last few months prior to the sale. Everything seemed fine until the last snow of the Spring melted off and we found that the solid stain was coming up in strips.
I wasn’t planning on having to redo the entire deck but I felt I had little choice at that point. I decided that despite the fact that the deck is older, I didn’t want to have to deal with the solid stain anymore, so I started sanding with an orbital. I didn’t realize how long it would take doing it by myself. What felt like a project that would take a month has turned into a two and a half month sanding job due to the larger than normal amount of rainfall our area has had this Summer.
I’m nearly done but much of what i already sanded has turned grey due to sun exposure and there is some dark mold/mildew. Do I have to turn around and re-sand the deck again to expose fresh wood or will using the Defy cleaner and then brightener be fine? I’m using the Defy semi-transparent stain once the prep work is fully done.
Thank you for any help you can give me.
Clean and then brighten for final prep is correct and then stain.
Hi,
I have a cedar fence that I’m stripping in stages over several days with – is it ok to use your brightener product prior to staining but after all the stripping is done?
Thanks
Best to brighen as soon as possible.
Thank you
Advised to use a deck brightener with oxalic acid on my Trex deck. Which deck brightener would you recommend?
A brightener will not do anything to clean a Trex deck. You will need a deck cleaner like the Restore A Deck.
Hello, I had new cedar decks put in about a year ago and am just now having them stained. My contractor used a cleaner with a pressure washer then a brightener. After a couple days if drying he applied the stain. Bow there are light areas around the knots in the wood where it looks like the stain didn’t penatrate. What should I do?
Lighter areas around knots are normal and have to do with the density of the wood there. Not an issue.
Oh good. Thanks!
Our front porch railing was built last September, 2020 of new pressure-treated pine lumber. On July 1, 2021 we used the Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener, which highlighted some unsightly printing. So we sanded that out lightly with 60-grit sandpaper. Can we just rinse off the area thoroughly, then proceed with staining (TWP 101 Cedartone) after two dry days? Some comments seem to indicate this, while others seem to suggest that the Brightener should be used again over the whole project, to improve stain penetration. (Am I right in assuming I wouldn’t need to use the Cleaner again after my spot-sanding?) Thank you so much!
If you spot sand then the stain will take lighter in those areas. Cleaning will help even it out a little. Brightener after.
We are about to stain our brand new barn that was completed early October 2020. The exterior siding is rough cut pine board and batten.
It has started to gray slightly. We are using Armstrong Clark semi transparent Natural Oak stain. We are going to lightly pressure wash it. Should we use restore a deck wash or maybe brightner to properly prep the rough cut pine prior to applying the stain?
Thank You for your Assistance,
Greg
Use both the Cleaner and then the Brightener.
Thank you for your response.
Can the wash and brightner be applied through a pressure washer?
No.
Would deck brightener damage the paint on the side of the house if it were to splatter?
No, it should not.
Hello – We plan to sand the deck before staining it. I will be cleaning the deck a week prior to sanding and staining.
1) Should I use a chemical cleaner? If so, should I use the brightener right away?
2) When I sand next week, should I use a brightener right after? How long do I need to wait after brightener before I can stain?
Thank you for your help!
Great, thank you for your quick reply!
My husband rebuilt our deck last August. We used pressure treated pine boards. Now we want to finish the project. We will use Defy exterior deck products.My questions are as follows: 1. Can the wood cleaner and brightener be applied on the same day? Does the wood need to dry after the cleaner before the brightener? 2. Do you recommend pressure washer or broom /brush for cleaning ? 3.is it better to use stain pad or paint brush for applying the stain? 4. How many coats will it need as it is less than a year since built? Thank you your help. Your site has been very helpful Sue
What kind of safety gear is required to use deckwise brightener (and cleaner). Is it harmful if it touches the skin and eyes, inhaled?
Depends on the brand but just wear protective clothing, eyewear and gloves.
Thank you! It’s Deckwise Brightner (and also Cleaner)
Is it necessary to wear a VOC mask? Thanks in advance!
No.
Hello,
How long can I wait to apply the brightener after stripping?
Thank you in advance….
Right away while wood is wet.
How long can I wait to apply stain after stripping and applying the brightener?
1-2 weeks before prep will need to be redone.
Im repairing a pressure treated deck on a house i recently bought. Two or three boards need replacing and a few were already replaced recently but those that are solid are quite weathered. I plan to apply a semi-transparent stain in the end. Would a brightener help even out the color between the new and old wood before staining? How long should i wait to stain after replacing the boards?
A brightener will not even out the difference between new and and old. There is not a way to do that. See here about new wood. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
I have an older pressure-treated deck. Last summer, I did the following:
-applied a chemical deck stripper to remove a solid stain
-sanded entire deck to remove patches/residue of stain that remained after using stripper
-replaced several rotted boards with new boards (also pressure-treated)
-allowed the newly installed boards to “weather”, at the advice of a lumber-store employee
It is now spring, the following year. The deck has weathered rain, snow, sun, foot traffic, etc. What needs to be done before I apply new stain (preferably semi-transparent) to the bare wood? Use deck cleaner? Brightener? Both? Sand again? (If you suggest sanding again, I might have to jump off a cliff;)
An image of the deck in its current condition is attached.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Use a deck cleaner and then a wood brightener for prep on this one.
I have a raised deck with stained concrete patio below the deck. When I use the Defy Cleaner and Brighter on the deck must I cover the stained concrete to avoid damage to the stained concrete?
It should not harm the concrete. Make sure to rinse off any soap and dirt residue when done.
We connected 2 older decks with a new deck. Ive heard to not sand new deck but sand old decks. Do I need to sand before I use a cleaner?
You do not need to sand but you also cannot stain new wood right away: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Is a brightener necessary if applying a simi-solid oil base stain?
Yes.