How to Prep with Gemini Restore Kit

by TWP Stains

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
Angela
8 months ago

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?

stan
stan
10 months ago

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

stan
stan
10 months ago

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?

sergio
sergio
2 years ago

with this product would I need to protect others surfaces such as concrete, from drips or over spraying? 

LJ
LJ
2 years ago

12×26 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?

Roger
Roger
2 years ago

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.

compare TWP stains
2 years ago

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.

Mike
Mike
2 years ago

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.

Jim
Jim
2 years ago

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.

Jim
Jim
2 years ago
Reply to 

Thank you!!

compare TWP stains
2 years ago

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.

compare TWP stains
3 years ago

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!

compare TWP stains
3 years ago
Reply to 

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

compare TWP stains
3 years ago
Reply to 

Ok, just last question.

Apply the cleaner to a dry porch?

Curt
Curt
3 years ago

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?

Curt
Curt
3 years ago
Reply to 

Here it is.

Matt
Matt
3 years ago

Will the cleaner and brightener hurt the brick on the house?

Jim
Jim
3 years ago

can the gemini cleaner and brightener be applied on separate days, or do they need to follow one right after the other immediately?

Bill
Bill
3 years ago

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.

  Higgins
Higgins
3 years ago

After sanding of pressure treated deck with Arborcoat solid stain,can I use cleaner and brightening without damaging tempered glass balusters on the railing.

Carol
Carol
4 years ago

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?

compare TWP stains
4 years ago

photo

compare TWP stains
4 years ago

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.

compare TWP stains
4 years ago
Reply to 

Was stained by previous owner, so not sure what product was used.

NP
NP
4 years ago

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?

tdub
tdub
4 years ago

I started using this today. This stuff is amazing. I have a 320 ft. fence. I didn’t realize how time consuming this was going to be. I didn’t take into account that after cleaning one side of the fence a
a lot of the crap comes off ends up on the other side of the fence. Then vice versa. A lot of time going back and forth.
Fence is new and about 9 months old.

1. Is the brightener necessary? I used it and compared to a section that I didn’t apply and didn’t see any difference.

2.After spraying the cleaner and stripping off whatever that stuff is the wood is now clean. If I go back and spray I’m still getting white liquid coming off the fence. I sprayed a section for 30 min. after it was clean and still get this. Is this normal?

3. I’m thinking I may need to do clean/stain in sections. If I clean and stain a section and if any of the spray or a glop of whatever that stuff is lands on a stained part of the fence is it going to remove the stain?

tdub
tdub
4 years ago
Reply to 

There were a few sections I didn’t use the brightener. Does it pay to go back and spray it on now? Will not spraying the brightener affect the stain at all?
After you mix the powder how long is it good for?

Bill
Bill
4 years ago

I purchased the Gemini cleaner and brightener product for prepping my sanded down cedar floor. I have a t&g vertical cedar wall that was coated with the same clear finish that was removed from the floor. I applied the cleaner to this wall to see if it would improve its appearance and the old clear coating came off and was able to sand down what remained. My question is the Gemini deck cleaner a cleaner or is it also capable of stripping? The old clear sealer is/was in good shape, and this product removed it. Old oil Cabot. My other concern is two years from now when its time for a redo will it clean or strip?

Bill
Bill
4 years ago

I’m sanding a covered porch cedar deck and would like to apply TWP natural when done. Does the area need to be cleaned with the cleaner/brightened prior to restraining? Will the cleaner/brightened discoloration or darken the sanded down surface?

Bill
Bill
4 years ago
Reply to  Bill

Do I use the restore kit for this cleaning per instructions . Can the sealer be applied in high humidity conditions. Original deck floor is 20 years old over treated lumber subfloor with concrete below that. Wash water eventually drains down, but stays damp for a while.

Mike
Mike
4 years ago

I have a new dock 12 months weathered and nothing done to it yet… no electric no water at it as of now… is brushing with product just as effective as pressure washing (could use worx battery powered with river water) and if pressure washed it mentioned not too much pressure, what is too much pressure? Then using ur twp product…

Mike
Mike
4 years ago

Will the cleaner hurt vinyl siding

Wayne
Wayne
5 years ago

If the product is applied to a porch that is in great shape with TWP on it would it affect it at all? Most of my Ipe porch is in great shape with TWP 116 but the stairs are in bad shape. I don’t see that the porch needs cleaning only the stairs but when I apply and rinse it will end up on the porch just curious if the product has any affect on wood that has a very good condition coat of TWP on it?

Bob
Bob
5 years ago

I used TWP 1500 Redwood Stain 5 years ago and ready to re-stain again using the same stain. Do I need to use the cleaner and brightener again? Thanks!

Bob

Bobee
Bobee
6 years ago

Is it a problem if it were to rain after I cleaned & brighten my deck?

ZachM
ZachM
6 years ago

Hello,
I have a pergola made of thick, rough-sawn wood. Do I need to prep this type of wood or is it porous enough to begin staining?

DaveS
DaveS
6 years ago

Does the restore kit have to be applied when the deck is dry (and if so, how long does it have to dry for)? Or can it be applied, for example, right after a rain shower has occurred?

Jeff-J
Jeff-J
6 years ago

My fence is about a year old and I’ve already pressure washed it. There are still a few spots that are a little green or discolored. My neighbor used a liquid spray cleaner and just hosed it off. Do you think that would be adequate for using the TSP cleaner? I plan to follow up with TSP 100. I live in the Seattle area.

Jeffery Bird
Jeffery Bird
7 years ago

I have a new ceadar fence about 10 months old. what is the best prep method for twp 1500.

joec
joec
7 years ago

will the wood cleaner or brightener affect concrete pavers or stone? i.e do I need to cover the patio before using the products on a nearby deck?

Rob Zimmerman
Rob Zimmerman
7 years ago

Planning to use Gemini restore kit on cedar clapboards previously stained (5 years ago) with TWP101. Water supply to the house is via drilled well and is within 15′ of the house. Is Gemini system safe to use in this situation?

Thanks,
Rob

tom ambrey
tom ambrey
7 years ago

I refinished my decks last year with TWP about a year ago. The surface is mostly wearing evenly however in some areas the finish is completely gone. Can I apply a new coat over the entire deck or do I need to do something more? If I can reapply directly over the existing what steps do I need to take to prepare the old surface to receive the new coat>

Maryland Homeowner
Maryland Homeowner
7 years ago

My deck and vertical railing was stained with TWP 1500 series in 2015. I replaced the top railing board with pressure treated pine that same summer. Now (12 months later) I’d like to stain those unstained boards. Will the Restore Kit damage the stained wood? Any prep to the top railing board will make contact with the stained deck and vertical railing underneath. What are my options?

Jamie Putnam
Jamie Putnam
7 years ago

I am sanding my 30+ yr. old clear heart redwood deck down to bare wood and plan to use semi-solid TWP Stain. Is newly sanded old wood to be treated like new wood in terms of waiting times between cleaning, brightening, and staining? Does the brightening eliminate black tannin streaks that appear awhile after sanding?
Thanks!

phyllis miller
phyllis miller
7 years ago

I restored my 30 yr old cedar deck 5 yrs ago using your products. I am planning to clean one deck this yr. Vegetable oil spilled on it. What do I do?

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