This post was updated on August 28, 2025
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.
What Is a Deck Brightener and Why Use One? (Updated for 2025)
As someone who has been restoring decks for over 30 years and tested hundreds of products, I can say this: applying a deck brightener after cleaning or stripping is one of the most overlooked steps in deck preparation. Yet it’s also one of the most important if you want your deck staining to look great and last.
If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below!
What Does a Deck Brightener Do?
A deck brightener (also called a wood brightener or neutralizer) is a liquid solution applied after you clean or strip your deck. Its main purposes are:
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Neutralizes the cleaner or stripper – Most deck cleaners and strippers are high in pH (alkaline). Brightener balances the pH so the wood is restored to a natural, acidic state.
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Opens wood pores – Brightener allows the deck stain to soak in more evenly, improving penetration and longevity.
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Restores natural color – It brings weathered or darkened wood back to a lighter, more natural tone, especially after stripping.
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Removes tannin and rust stains – Helps minimize discoloration caused by leaves, nails, or tannins in the wood.
Why Skipping Brightener Is a Mistake
Over the years, I’ve seen countless homeowners apply a stain after cleaning but skip the brightener step. The result?
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Blotchy or uneven stain absorption
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Premature stain failure from poor penetration
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A darker, sometimes dull look instead of the wood’s natural beauty
Simply put, if you want your stain to last, brightener isn’t optional—it’s required.
How to Apply a Deck Brightener
Here’s how I recommend applying it based on decades of job-site experience:
Step 1: Clean or Strip the Deck
Before using a deck brightener, you need to clean or strip the wood surface.
- If your deck has dirt, mold, or mildew, use a sodium percarbonate-based oxygenated deck cleaner.
- If you have an old or failing stain, a deck stain stripper is recommended.
These cleaners effectively remove contaminants but also raise the wood’s pH, making it more alkaline. This is why a deck brightener is needed—to neutralize the pH and prepare the wood for staining.
💡 Pro Tip: Always use the same brand of deck brightener as the cleaner or stripper for the best results.
Step 2: Apply the Deck Brightener
A deck brightener (or deck neutralizer) is an acid-based solution that:
- Neutralizes the cleaner or stripper
- Lowers the wood’s pH
- Opens the wood pores for better stain absorption
- Restores the natural beauty of the wood grain
Using a deck brightener is a standard professional practice. By incorporating it into your prep routine, you’ll enhance the final appearance and longevity of your deck stain.
💡 Pro Tip: Use a pump sprayer for an even application while the wood is still wet after cleaning.
Bonus Step: Rinse the Deck Brightener Thoroughly
One of the biggest mistakes I see is not rinsing the brightener properly. If the brightener isn’t fully rinsed, the wood remains highly acidic, which can cause:
- Uneven stain penetration
- Blotchy or streaky appearance
- Poor adhesion and premature stain failure
My Test Results:
I conducted a test using Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain in Dark Walnut on two boards:
- Left board – Stain applied after rinsing the brightener for 20-30 minutes
- Right board – Stain applied without rinsing the brightener properly
The result? The right board showed poor adhesion and an uneven finish due to the leftover acidity.
💡 Pro Tip: Rinse your entire deck (not each board) for at least 15-30 minutes using a garden hose or pressure washer.
Pro Tips From the Field
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Always brighten cedar and redwood—these species especially benefit from pH balancing.
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Don’t worry if you see some “fuzzies” after cleaning; brightener helps reduce this and evens the grain.
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On hardwoods like ipe or mahogany, brightener is critical for color restoration.
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If you strip a solid or semi-solid stain, brightener helps prep the raw wood you’ve uncovered.
Final Word
Using a deck brightener is a quick, inexpensive step that pays off with better stain penetration, richer color, and longer protection. After restoring thousands of decks, I can tell you: brightener is just as important as cleaning. Skip it, and you’ll be re-doing your deck sooner than you’d like.
Recommended Deck Brighteners
Over the years, I’ve tested just about every deck prep product on the market. These are the brighteners I recommend because they consistently perform well and give homeowners the results they want:
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Restore-A-Deck Brightener
My go-to for most projects. Eco-friendly, easy to mix, and restores the wood to a natural color after cleaning or stripping. Works on all exterior wood types. -
Gemini Restore Kit (Cleaner + Brightener)
A powerful two-step system. The brightener in this kit does an excellent job of neutralizing cleaners and prepping the surface for stain, especially after stripping old coatings. -
Defy Wood Brightener
Simple, effective, and reliable. It works especially well for neutralizing after heavy-duty stripping jobs and for bringing cedar and redwood back to life.
Best Wood Deck Brightener
If you’re unsure which brightener to choose, Restore-A-Deck Brightener is the safest bet. It’s highly versatile and the product I personally use on hundreds of jobs each year.
Watch My Deck Brightener Video
Need a visual guide? Watch my video on deck brightening:
📺 Watch the Video: How to Brighten a Deck
Deck Brightener FAQ
Do I really need to use a deck brightener?
Yes. Brightener isn’t just about making the wood look lighter—it restores the pH balance after cleaning or stripping, opens the wood grain for better stain absorption, and helps ensure the stain lasts longer. Skipping it often leads to uneven color and premature failure.
What’s the difference between a deck cleaner and a brightener?
A deck cleaner removes dirt, mold, algae, and gray wood fibers, while a brightener neutralizes the cleaner’s high pH and restores the natural wood tone. Think of cleaner as the “scrub” step and brightener as the “conditioning” step that prepares wood for stain.
Can I apply brightener to dry wood?
No, it works best when applied to damp wood immediately after cleaning or stripping. The moisture helps the brightener penetrate and do its job effectively.
How soon after using brightener can I stain my deck?
Once the wood is fully dry—usually 24–48 hours depending on weather—you can apply your deck stain. Always check that the surface is completely dry before staining.
Does hardwood like IPE or mahogany need a brightener?
Absolutely. Exotic hardwoods especially benefit from brightener because it restores their rich color and allows penetrating stains to soak in more evenly.
Can brightener remove all stains and discoloration?
Brightener will remove tannin and rust stains and lighten darkened wood. However, deep discoloration from mold or an old solid stain may still need sanding or stripping in addition.
Related Deck Restoration Prep Guides
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Best Deck Cleaners (2025): Pro Cleaning Tips & Picks – when a cleaner is enough before brightening and staining.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-deck-cleaners/ -
Strip or Clean? When to Use a Deck Stripper vs. a Cleaner – decide the right prep path for your deck.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/when-to-use-a-deck-stripper-vs-a-deck-cleaner/ -
How to Remove Deck Stain (Stripping Guide) – step-by-step method before brightening.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stripping-removing-an-old-deck-stain/ -
Removing a Solid Deck Stain – special approach for solid/painted coatings.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/removing-a-solid-deck-stain/ -
How to Prep a Deck for Staining – my full decision tree (clean, strip, or sand).
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-deck-prep-clean-strip-or-sand-the-deck/ -
How to Remove Mold & Algae From Decks – cleaning sequence that ends with brightener.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-mold-and-algae-from-decks/ -
Deck Brightener Reviews (Category) – product-specific reviews and tips.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/category/deck-product-reviews/deck-brightener-reviews/
Have Deck Brightening Questions?
Still unsure about deck brightening or the process? Drop your questions in the comments below—I’m happy to help! Also, check the existing comments—you may find your question has already been answered.
If a brightener undoes the effects of a cleaner, how is Thompson’s “Deck Cleaner and Brightener” supposed to work? Would one use it as a cleaner or as a Brightener?
Because it is not a true cleaner and brightener system. Theirs is basically just bleach, which is bad for wood.
Thank-you. This site has been enlightening to say the least. So prior to seeing it, already had cleaned 7 year old, weathered, previously untreated in any manner by me, PT deck with Thompson’s wood cleaner. End result will be Defy semi-transparent cedar stain. Suggested intermediate steps? Thanks, Stephen
You are most likely okay to stain, but if you’d like to send some pictures of the prep, we can take a look. You can add them here in the comments.
Thank-you
Go ahead and stain.
How long can I wait to stain deck after cleaning and applying brightener (RAD). I cleaned and applied brightener 2 weeks ago, then it rained for 3 days, now its been 6 days since it stopped raining. Is it OK to now apply the stain?
Thanks, L Friel
Yes, make sure to sweep or blow off any debris.
How can I tell if the brighterner has been washed off well?
I rinsed each board twice/three times using power washer.
Some board that have dried since the brightening and washing, still have a slight white powdery layer on them.
Thank you
P.S. how does one include photo attachments to the messages?
No more suds when rinsing. You can use the attachment symbol in bottom right to upload pics.
Apparently, the attachment symbol does not appear while being logged as a registered user. It appears only when logged out
The white is oxidation of the wood cells that was not fully removed during cleaning or stripping. It typically does not show when stained.
So, do you think that it’s ready for staining?
I did not see any suds when I washed it for the second time after brightening
Yes, it should be good to go.
Not sure if my previous reply went through
Here is a photo of the white powdery looking stain left after multiple rinsing with a power washer. Is this still not sufficiently washed?
Do you sand before or after brightner?
Before.
In the process of refinishing my mildewed/darkened and dirty deck, I applied Dep cleaner and then lightly powewashed it. The mess has been removed but there is still a good amount of the original semitransparent stain on the boards. Do you recommend proceeding to application of brightener before applying the same gray-colored semitransparent stain?
Add some pics in the comments.
Hi Scott! I have used the Restore-A Deck cleaner before power washing my deck, followed by the brightener application (and rinsing). I now have a few spots that I need to sand because of staining caused by flower planters (water leakage). After I complete the spot sanding, should I apply the brightener to the entire deck (again) or only those areas that were spot sanded? Thanks!
All wood, but be warned, spot sanding can lead to uneven stain application. The brightener cannot “fix” this.
We had a new deck installed a few years ago and chose to use cedar as the top and stair rails. I have been using Penofin products for cleaning and staining every year but have only just purchased the brightener to use this year, as I think the blackening of the wood stain each yr may be due to my not using it after cleaning and before staining.
I always, wipe down the wood well about 15-20 minutes after staining but by the following year it is practically black! Do you think using the brightener will help prevent this from happening?
What I’m also wondering is, is it normal to have to sand the wood after cleaning it? The wood always feels so rough after I’ve cleaned it.
The blackening is due to the Penofin Brand. It has known issues with this and why we and many people refuse ot use it:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/penofin-ultra-red-label-stain-review/
Brightener alone will not help this. You need to strip it all off and then brighten to neutralize.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stripping-removing-an-old-deck-stain/
We would highly suggest switching stain brands after:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
The only good thing about Penofin it is easy to strip off 🙂
We are going to re-stain a pergola soon. I used a semi-transparent Armstrong Clark stain and plan to continue using it. The stain has held up really well. We have a lot of sun, low humidity, high altitude and very little water. I’m not worried about mold and mildew here. Do I still use a wood cleaner and brightener on top of the current stain prior to re-staining?
Yes, that is correct.
I have new pine wood on a new deck installed March 2024. I purchased Defy cleaner & brightener, however I saw your review that Restore-A-Deck stain takes much better. Can I use Defy to prep and Restore-A-Deck stain?
Yes, that will work as well.
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.