Protecting your exterior wood surfaces from harsh elements is the key to enhanced appearance and increased lifespan. Unprotected wood will rot, decay, and discolor quickly from moisture and harmful UV rays. To protect your wood surfaces from Mother Nature, the wood must first be cleaned and prepped prior to applying a wood preservative.

The Gemini Restore Kit is a powerful deck cleaner and brightener system. The 2-part restoration system is Eco-Friendly and 100% biodegradable. It is a concentrated powder formula that preps wood surfaces prior to staining or sealing. This easy to use system is perfect for the do-it-yourself homeowner looking to increase the appearance and protection of most any exterior wood surface.

 To prep a wood surface using the Gemini Restore Kit use these easy to follow step-by-step instructions.

  1. Air temperatures should be between 45-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to move all furnishings, potted plants, and outdoor décor from the immediate work area.
  2. Cover and protect landscaping, plants, shrubbery, windows, doors, etc. or pre-wet with clean water.
  3. Follow the Gemini Restore Kit instructions for mixing the Wood Cleaner (step 1) in a clean 5-gallon bucket until all the solid crystals are dissolved thoroughly.
  4. Lightly moisten the wood with clean water. Use a pump sprayer or scrub brush to apply the Gemini Wood Cleaner. Allow the cleaner to soak on the surface for 5-15 minutes. Make sure the wood remains moist by misting it with clean water.
  5. Scrub with a brush or use a pressure washer to remove graying, dirt, and grime from the wood surface. Be cautious not to use extreme pressure.
  6. Once the wood surface has been washed, rinse the surface along with the surrounding landscaping, windows, house siding, etc.
  7. Mix the Gemini Restore Wood Brightener (step 2) according to the instructions. Apply to a still wet wood surface using a pump sprayer and let soak for 10 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly with fresh water.

The clean and prepped wood surface should be allowed to air dry for 1-2 days prior to deck stain or sealer application. Gemini Restore Kit is best for gray and weathered wood surfaces and may not be best for removing old deck stains or sealers. 

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    Angela · 07/10/2023
    If I don't have a pump sprayer, can I use a brush for both step 1 and step 2? If it rains after I prep, do I need to prep again?
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      TWP Stains · 07/10/2023
      Best to purchase a pump sprayer for ease of use and best results. It will not work very well with a brush to apply the prep products. Rain does not harm prep.
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    stan · 05/08/2023
    yes everything was power washed..it now appears that many of the blotches are clearing up as the wood dries
    hope it's ok that the workers had to take their lunch break and the wood is drying out?
    They will wet it before applying brightener soon
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    stan · 05/08/2023
    we just used restore a kit step one...the cleaner..on kiln died clear redwood deck that was installed 6 months ago...kept it moist the entire time following all directions..it appear that some slats are cleaned and back to their original color and others have a greyish spots and sections...will the brightener clear that up or do we have to re-clean?
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      TWP Stains · 05/08/2023
      Did you pressure wash it off? Pics? You can upload them here.
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    sergio · 03/01/2022
    with this product would I need to protect others surfaces such as concrete, from drips or over spraying? 
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      TWP Stains · 03/01/2022
      No but rinse well when done to remove soap and dirt. 
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    LJ · 10/11/2021
    12x26 Cedar deck was new in 05/2020. Picture is after RAD.
    1. Wet on wet or one coat using TWP 100 Cedartone? Using stain pads on deck, brush on railing.2. After RAD (took 3 cleanings using cleaner and pressure washer, used all of the cleaner) and waiting 48hrs I had to cover deck with multiple tarps due to rain forecast and rain. Now forecast is maybe a week out before I can stain. What do I need to do?3. 6 steps not shown were not tarped. Can I do brightener only.4. Why is cleaner instructions given in ounces and brightener given in cups?
    • Reply
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      TWP Stains · 10/11/2021
      1. Yes.2. Nothing, just let dry 48 hours after rain.3. No need to brighten again.
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    Roger · 10/05/2021
    I have cleaned and brightened deck twice now.  Due to weather and family matters, it has been more than 2 weeks since last prep - 4-5 weeks.  What will happen if I stain now as I want to get done prior to change in weather. I am in Wisconsin.
    • Reply
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      TWP Stains · 10/06/2021
      You need to redo prep. Light cleaning will suffice.
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    Michael Messina · 10/01/2021
    2 years ago we stained our old pressure treated pine deck with TWP 1500 series stain. We now (2 years later) would like to apply a maintenance coat of the same stain, same color, as there has been significant fading in the area exposed to the elements (not those under roof). We live in Ohio, so it was subjected to heat & sun, rain, cold, snow & ice.
    It is not entirely clear to me the best prepping cleaner. Sometimes cleaning with detergent & water seems to be sufficient/recommended. Most of the time the Gemini Restore a deck cleaner+brightener kit is recommended. The Gemini Cleaner directions recommend 6oz/gal for light cleaning, 8 oz/gal for medium, and 10 oz/gal for heavy cleaning. 
    Is soap & water enough in this case, or do you recommend the Gemini light cleaning level since we are using the same color 1500 series stain? Or heavier cleaning solution?
    Thanks.
    • Reply
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      TWP Stains · 10/01/2021
      Use the Gemini Kit at normal ratios of 8oz per gallon.
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    Mike · 08/23/2021
    Hi, building a Doug fir pergola above a new concrete deck.  Will the cleaner/brighter stain or discolor the concrete?  What precautions to take? Thanks in advance.
    • Reply
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      TWP Stains · 08/24/2021
      No, but rinse well when done.
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    Jim · 05/29/2021
    Is there a minimum air temperature that you can do the cleaner/brightener? Is there a maximum amount of days you can wait before staining? (If you wait too long, should you prep again?). Just trying to judge what we should do with the upcoming weather that we have. Thanks.
    • Reply
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      TWP Stains · 05/30/2021
      50 degrees. Stain withing 14 days of prep.
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        Jim · 05/31/2021
        Thank you!!
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    JAMES C HILTON · 05/01/2021
    Are there any directions for the restor a deck kit? This page tells me to "Follow the Gemini Restore Kit instructions for mixing the Wood Cleaner". That doesn't help. I visited this site because I can't read the two point lettering on the actual kit.
    • Reply
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    Kevin Roach · 09/13/2020
    Here are my plans for this week to stain our porch. Let me know if I should change anything.

    The house and porch are two years old and has never been stained before.



    Tuesday- have a guy coming to power wash the porch

    Thursday- I will be doing the Gemini cleaner/brightener kit

    Sunday- I will be staining the deck with a brush, I assume it will only need one coat since its a fairly new porch?

    Anything you would recommend changing? Thanks!
    • Reply
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      TWP Stains · 09/14/2020
      You use the Gemini Kit while pressure washing. Just one coat for newer wood is correct.
      • We will reply to your comment shortly
        Kevin Roach · 09/14/2020
        Ok, so I haven't received the kit in the mail yet, it comes tomorrow. So this might be self explanatory once I receive the product, but what instructions should I give the guy.

        Is this correct?

        Spray cleaner on porch
        Let sit for 10 minutes
        Powerwash the porch.

        Apply brightener
        Rinse the porch
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Curt · 06/15/2020
    I used the Restore-A-Deck kit a couple of days ago and it did a fantastic job! However, I have the black plastic connectors for the balusters and they have left a white residue that I can't get off. I've tried multi-purpose cleaner, Mineral Spirits, Goo Gone, CLR, to name a few. Do you have a recommendation?
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      TWP Stains · 06/15/2020
      Not sure, post a picture.
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        Curt · 06/15/2020
        Here it is.
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          TWP Stains · 06/15/2020
          Hmm, never seen that before. Maybe try buffing it over with a green scotch brite pad?
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    Matt · 06/12/2020
    Will the cleaner and brightener hurt the brick on the house?
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    Jim · 06/10/2020
    can the gemini cleaner and brightener be applied on separate days, or do they need to follow one right after the other immediately?
    • Reply
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      TWP Stains · 06/10/2020
      Best to do the brightener right after the cleaner.
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    Bill · 05/27/2020
    How do I need to prep a deck for TWP if in past years I have used Flood Solid Color Stain? I have pressure washed and quite a bit flakes off.
    • Reply
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      TWP Stains · 05/27/2020
      You will have to power sand to remove a solid stain.
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    Higgins · 05/06/2020
    After sanding of pressure treated deck with Arborcoat solid stain,can I use cleaner and brightening without damaging tempered glass balusters on the railing.
    • Reply
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    Carol · 03/22/2020
    Last spring I applied TWP 100 to our pool deck. This year it appears to have faded. I’d like to freshen it this year. Do I need to clean and brighten with the Gemini restore-a-kit before I reapply a new coat of TWP or just clean with Gemini?
    • Reply
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      TWP Stains · 03/22/2020
      Clean and brighten for the prep when applying a maintenance coat.
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    mrossi19 · 10/26/2019
    photo
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    mrossi19 · 10/26/2019
    Can I use this on my garage door as well? Door hasn't been stained in at least 12 years and is a bit weathered. Was hoping to use this kit instead of sanding the entire thing.
    • Reply
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    NP · 09/02/2019
    NP

    It looks like a week will have passed since I cleaned my deck with Gemini cleaner and brightener before the weather cooperates to stain with TWP 100. Do I need to clean it again?
    • Reply
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      TWP Stains · 09/02/2019
      No need unless longer than 2 weeks between prep and stain.