Makes 5 Liquid Gallons Covering 500-1000 sq. feet!
Note: The Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper needs to be neutralized with the Restore-a-Deck Wood Brightener.
DESCRIPTION
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Stripper is a biodegradable, powdered concentrate that quickly removes worn finishes to restore wood surfaces. Stains and deck coatings are removed along with collected dirt, mold, mildew and mill glaze.
This product is Step 1 Stripper of the Restore A Deck system.
WHERE TO USE
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Stripper removes most oil and latex based finishes including: clear sealers, transparent stains, and semi-transparent stains.
SURFACE PREPARATION:
Surfaces to be stripped must be above 50°F. Protect adjacent surfaces; cover with plastic sheets and/or tape off any adjacent areas not being stripped. Thoroughly wet and/or cover plants and shrubs. Rinsing residue will not harm plants or roots. Exposure to full strength product will burn foliage.
ADVANTAGES
- #1 Rated Wood Deck Stain Stripper
- Removes most clear, transparent, semi-transparent, and semi-solid coatings.
- Powdered formula makes 5 liquid gallons when mixed
- Extremely cost effective. When mixed, the cost is less than $7 a gallon.
- Eco-Safe formulas
- Preps previously stained wood and decks
- Safe to use on all exterior wood surfaces, not just decks
- Applied with pump sprayer for max results
- Can be mixed at a stronger ratio for difficult to remove finishes. Max would be 3 gallons of water to one container of Restore-A-Deck Stripper
Coverage: 500-1000 sq.feet per container
Important Note: Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper may not fully remove Solid Color Wood Stains, Paints, Varnishes, and Excessively Over-Applied Acrylic Semi-Transparent and Semi-Solid Coatings. To remove these deck and wood stain types, use the RAD Paint & Solid Stain Stripper
I have a 250 sq ft treated wood deck 15 years old but in good condition. Has cabots opaque stain on it. Some peeling going on. Am I correct to strip it, then brighten it, then stain with twp 100? Wood posts are redwood, railing is metal. I want to leave them alone.
If you want to use the TWP stain, you will have to power sand and/or use the RAD PaintStrip. The regular deck stain stripper will not remove an opaque stain.
Can the stipper be used in lieu of cleaner on the parts of the deck that have not been stained?
It may be too aggressive to use as a cleaner.
I have a composite deck that’s old and never been stained. The spindles on the rails have been stained with unknown semi solid. Should I strip the spindles or just use the cleaner. If I need to stip spindles, can I use restore-a-deck as a cleaner for the unstained composite, or do I need to use the separate cleaner for the never before stained deck?
You will need to remove the old stain. Post pics in the comments for help with this.
Can the stripper be used in lieu of cleaner on the parts of the deck that have not been stained. I’m trying to avoid using two different products.
Is there any reason to use the additive with the stripper for 1 year old TWP clear transparent stain? It is already flaking off
No need for additives.
I’m stripping 1200 sq ft of multi level decks, including a large section that’s 10 feet off the grojnd. It’s going to take me a few days. Can I strip everything over a few days, and then go back and apply the brightener, or do I have to do chunks of stripper and then brightener, then move on to the next area? One of the deck areas is 800 sq ft with railings, which will require a ladder to get the stripper applied, scrubbed, then power washed. Trying to get the brightener on each area while it’s still wet from stripper rinsing is daunting. But if waiting a few days between stripping and brightener will cause problems, I’ll figure it out. I sure don’t want to have to re-do this too often. Also, how long does the stripper and brightener last once mixed? Thanks!!
It is much better to brighten as soon as you are down stripping. Better results and neutralizes faster. We would suggest to break it up and do the larger 800 first and then move onto the next.
Hello can the Gemini Brightener be used instead of the RAD Brightener after RAD stripper is applied? I still have a still sealed full container of Gemini Brightener left over. Thank you.
Yes.
Hello – we used RAD stripper then brightener. Then sanded out scratches and furring yesterday. Cedar deck now has these black spots on it. I’m guessing sanding metal shavings from the deck screws are making these spots. They were not there before. Will a brightener remove them? Or what do I use to remove prior staining? Thanks again for answering our questions.
Yes, that is rust from sanding off the coating of the screws. The Brightener will remove it but the rust will come back around the screws once it rains.
Thank you. We used up our RAD brightener and we are on a time crunch to get the deck done. Is there another brand of brightener you would recommend that we can pick up locally from a hardware store? Just to save time. Not ideal but we are fighting weather. Thanks again
Sorry, but no idea what they have and if it will work or not.
I’m restraining soon. I have the 1500 on now. Going to the semi transparent. I have the step 2 brighter left over. For step 1 do I use this stripper!
You can strip or clean when recoating with the same TWP stain and color.
hello, re-staining my deck with same TWP cedartone transparentstain used 4 years ago. Do I use the stripper and brightener or cleaner and brightener?
Cleaner and Brightener.
Does the RAD stripper work with the Gemini brightener? I still have some left from the Gemini cleaner and brightener.
Yes.
I am restraining my deck. I previously stained it with semi transparent TWP 1500. I will be restating with the same product. Do I need to strip all the older stain off, or will using restore a deck cleaner and then brightener be sufficient?
Restore a deck cleaner and then brightener will be sufficient.
I am working on two cedar projects, one a south facing porch deck and ceiling stained with TWP 101 Cedartone Natural about 12 years ago (see pics), the other a 2-year old cedar deck that has just been cleaned using oxy-clean and a pressure washer. (see pics). I would like to be able to strip and re-stain the porch and just those ceiling boards that have lost stain due to sun exposure. I also want to make certain I neutralize the oxy-cleaned new deck prior to staining. What products do you have that are best suited for these jobs? thanks.
Are you sure the porch roof and floor are TWP because it does not look like it? TWP Cedartone 101 is also not the color in your pictures. TWP is a penetrating stain with no shine and what you have on the ceiling and floor is a filming stain that dried on top of the wood with a shine. This means you cannot strip it and you will have to power sand to remove it.
Hmmm. I put it on myself and this is the can. I have no other stains, don’t remember using anything besides this. It is possible I didn’t apply it correctly, really loaded it on. What about the new deck, cleaned with oxyclean? Do I use your brightener to neutralize prior to staining?
this is what the porch looked like immediately after staining 12 years ago.
Does not look like TWP 101. See pics attached.
What you have is much redder. It is also over-applied severely so it probably cannot be stripped. Sanding will be needed.
ok. What about the new deck, cleaned with oxyclean (see OP)? Do I use your brightener to neutralize prior to staining?
I do not think you need a brightener at this point.
thank you. And my apologies on misidentifying the front porch & ceiling stain. TWP was purchased later for use on a fence. The product on the porch is Olympic Maximum cedartone. I am in the process of standing it off.
No issues.
3 years ago I stained my fence with a TWP waterborne stain. I am planning to strip this off the fence and apply TWP 101 instead. What is the best product to use for stripping the TWP waterborne semi transparent stain?
RAD Stripper with both additives and then the RAD Brightener: https://www.twpstain.com/wood-stain-strippers/rad-stripper-additives
I have a covered porch and looking to clean and protect with 100 series clear coat. I have attached pics but needed to know if I need to use deck stain stripper? The wood hasn’t been sealed in over 25years… Can I use the cleaner and brightener and sand some of the pealing areas or do I need to also use the deck stripper in conjunction with the cleaners?
Is this a ceiling? It has to come off and it looks like polyurethane and that cannot be stripped fully. You will have to sand to get it off.
Yes.. its on a ceiling under a cover porch area outside. So do I use just use a fine grit sand paper and rough in the entire area then use the clean and brightener kit before using 100 series?
Not fine grit. Use 80 grit to remove then clean and brighten.
I had a previous coat of TWP 1500 on my mahogany deck. I used the TWP cleaner/brightener to prep the deck for a fresh coat of TWP 1500. Sadly, I got surprise rain the night I applied the fresh coat of TWP 1500, now the deck has lots of “blotchy” spots where the rain puddled, etc. Can I use the TWP cleaner/brightener again, or do I need to use the TWP stripper to get the deck ready for another fresh coat of TWP 1500 – this time without rain 🙂
Post some pictures.
Pics attached, thanks.
You will need to strip and brighten to fix this.
I had my deck installed in Jan 2021. I used pressure treated. I waited until May 2021 and used TWP cleaner and brightener. My contractor used a water meter to be certain it dried out. He used TWP 205 stain. It looked great and in a few months’ tannins appeared. Now more have appeared. Also, it is currently repelling water. In Apri or May 2022 I would like to strip it, brighten it, and stain a darker color. How difficult will it be to strip it? Will the stain and tannins wash off easily? Will it require a lot of demanding work? Do we need to sand it? We really hope to keep it simple. Please advise. Thank you.
Use the Restore A Deck Stripper to remove and then the Brighener after to neutralize. It is easy to do. No need to sand.
How long after we strip it should we use the brightener? How long after applying the brightener do we need to stain? My contractor thought he would strip it and then let it season until April and then brighten it and stain it then. Please advise.
You brighten right away after stripping. Stain 48 hours after and within 2 weeks of the prep. Your contractor is incorrect.
I have some restore a deck stripper from a previous project that has been stored in the original container (never opened) but it doesn’t seem to strip. Can this product expire? The new product comes in a purple container and is exothermic when mixed with water but the product I have comes in a red container and has blue crystals that are hard to dissolve. I have 3 containers I wanted to use but am concerned they will not strip either. I purchased this stripper several years ago (2015/2016?) when I purchased TWP from your website.
That is a cleaner, not a stripper. It is still good for cleaning.
I have my deck rails painted with SherwinWilliams paint. Should I be covering them while applying the stripper. Will it strip away new coat of Sherwin Williams paint if in contact? I am planning to stain only the deck floor.
The stripper does not remove paint unless the paint is peeling. You can cover or just prewet and rinse any overspray right away.
I put restore 4x over stain on my railings on deck. Can I stain over it with regular stain?
No, you will have to fully remove it by power sanding it all off.
I have an old deck built with pressure treated wood. Majority of the decking has a red oil based stain. However, the skirting on the sides was painted with red paint. I would like to strip it and put a different color stain, semi-solid preferred. Will this stripper remove paint or should I get a separate type of stripper for the painted portions
No stripper will remove the paint, it will have to be sanded to remove.
I live in Oregon and have a 4 year old badly stained cedar deck with black mold that I want to strip and restain.
I’ve ordered the Restore a Deck product, and would like to save time on sanding by stripping the old stain off.
If I use the stripper, do I need to use the cleaner?
Does the cleaner, stripper or brightener kill mold spores?
I read in the comments that you can strip, sand, then brighten. If that’s correct, are there time periods between stripping, sanding, brightening and staining that must be adhered to?
Thank you!
No need for cleaner if stripping. It will remove the mildew. If you sand, do it after the stripping. Try to prep within a few days and stain with a week or so after.
Thank you. Does removing the mildew kill the black mold spores? Or do I need another product to kill them?
Yes, it will kill the mildew.
I have pressure washed and sanded the majority of my deck. However, I have built in wooden bench seating with previous stubborn stains I can’t seem to remove. The areas of concern are hard to reach with my sander or to close to other pieces of wood in which the sander won’t reach. Would using this RAD stripper work and sand the address by hand? Other suggestions?Thanks for any advice.
Either the RAD Stripper with both additives or sanding would help to remove this. Brightener last.
I have metal deck spindles that I believe are powder coated black. Does the stripper harm metal?
Ir should not but always test spot first.
I stained a 20 year old pine deck 7 years ago with TWP 1502, over an old prior unknown stain which had darkened to nearly black. I bleached the old stain before applying the TWP 1502, but did no other prep. It is time to restain with TWP 1502 and I’m not sure how to prep the deck. Will RAD stripper remove the old stain or do I need to sand it? Will try attaching photos.
Strip all with the Restore A Deck stripper and both additives: https://www.twpstain.com/wood-stain-strippers/rad-stripper-additives
RAD Brightener after.
Our deck was stained with an oil based translucent Behr stain. Does this need to be stripped?
Yes. Strip and brighten for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
How do I chose between RAD stripper vs Safe Strip. Are they essentially the same?
RAD Stripper is more effective or stronger.
I had striped and then brightened… but found some areas that still need more stripping after- which I just power sanded. Do these areas need to be cleaned and brightened again? Thanks
It would help.
How long should I wait to stain pressure treated wood? And when it’s time, can I just sand, clean and apply twp stain? Thanks!
See here: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
If I sand my deck do I still need to use the stripper and brightener?
Cleaner and brightener.
I’ve sanded a lot of my deck already to remove the stain on the flat deck surfaces, but some is real difficult to remove, like between the deck boards. I would like to use the stripper for between the deck boards, but before I do I’m wondering if the stripper will harm the already sanded flat surface of the boards? Thanks
Post a picture of what you are trying to strip.
As you can see I’ve started sanding, but the spaces between the deck boards as well as the knots are difficult remove the stain. I just want to make sure I won’t ruin the already sanded areas by applying the stripper. Thanks
It will not harm the sanded areas and actually help to open up the pores. Make sure to brighten the wood after.
Am I able to sand if need be between the stripper and brightener applications? If I recall, I am not able while the brightener needs to be applied immediately after the stripper.
Yes. sand if needed between.
Okay, i thought I read that I was supposed to apply the brightener immediately after the stripper application. It is okay to let the the wood dry upon washing off the stripper application in order to sand and then apply the brightener? Thanks and last question!
Normally you would brighten right away but if sanding do it after. It can dry.
Please advise according to the pictured deck above. What precess should I follow:
sand, strip, brighten;
strip, sand, brighten; or
strip, brighten, sand
Thanks
strip, sand, brighten
I recently moved into a home with a pressure treated deck that is about 400 sq ft. It’s eight years old and appears little maintenance has been done. I know it’s a Cabot stain and I would guess semi solid or semi transparent (grayish color) Recently I used an Olympic Deck Wash and was surprised how much stain so easily washed away (please see the pictures). I am wondering what your recommendations would be to restore my deck? I appreciate your help!
Use the RAD Stripper and Brightener for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Will all the stain have to come off completely before putting down new TWP stain? I’m hoping that I may be able to use a different color than the original grayish stain. Thank you!
Yes, it has to come off fully.
I understand the brightened must be applied immediately following the stripper. Is it okay to sand difficult to remove spots of stain after the brightened application or when is the best time to sand if need be?
If you have to sand then do it prior to the brightener.
How long should I wait to put down brightener after stripper? Thanks
Is RAD stripper and brightened only available online?
Yes.
I have 5 10×10 rough Cedar post that I put Behr clear oil based stain on 3 years ago do I need to strip them or just clean them before staining?
Strip it off.
I currently have a solid water based exterior wood stain on our old deck. Can you confirm which product I need to use to strip the old stain and get it ready for re-staining? Also, do you have any retailers in Calgary, Canada?
You cannot strip a solid stain. You will have to sand it off. Once fully removed, use the TWP 200 Series.
Do you know if Restore a Deck Stripper will penetrate Rustoleum Restore 4X stain? I know Rustoleum Restore 4X has been taken off the market and now I need a product that will penetrate the current Rustoleum Restore 4X stain I presently have on my deck. I tried Wolman Deck Stripper and it didn’t penetrate the Restore 4X. I tried sanding but chewed up several sanding belts and the sanding didn’t remove sufficient Rustoleum Restore 4X. Thinking about flipping the deck boards and then sanding them and restain the deck.
Sorry but no stripper will remove that product. You have to sand it off or flip/replace the wood.
Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like I have several days of hard labor in my future. Live and learn.
Will this remove a Cabot semi-transparent deck stain? What about a Cabot semi-solid deck stain?
Need pictures.
Here are some pics.
That looks opaque or a solid stain. You cannot strip that off completely.
Yeah it is darker than what we thought we were getting but it was a semi transparent stain.
I have a similar question, started with a semi-solid and not what I was looking for so coming back to TWP. If the semi-solid won’t strip off should it be sanded off instead?
Yes, correct.
I have exterior post and trim that was stained with twp 3 years ago. It is beginning to turn black with mold. Should I use restore a deck to clean? Is a pressure washer necessary on smaller areas like post and trim?
Yes, use the RAD Cleaner Kit for prep. You will need to pressure wash off. Apply another coat of stain when done.
Thanks!
Will this harm stamped concrete below the raised deck ?
No, it will not.
Is Restore A deck stains made by Rust-Oleum
No. Nothing we sell is made by Rust-oleum.
I am re-staining an outdoor patio/pergola that I think used TWP 100 Dark oak ~5 yrs ago. Do I need to use the stripper or just R-A-D? Can I just power wash with water and apply TWP 100?
Use the Gemini Restore-A-Deck Kit while pressure washing for proper prep when reapplying the same stain and color: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Why is the brightener required?
It is needed to neutralize the stripper or cleaner and restore the wood to a proper pH balance.
Once the stripper has been applied how is it removed? Pressure washer?
Apply and then pressure wash off.
I have a deck that it wouldn’t be possible for me to power wash after using the deck stripper. Is there an alternative solution that you could suggest?
No, you need th pressure washer and water for proper removal.
I just stained one side of my log home with 1500 series in dark oak. it came out black. its way too dark. I cleaned and prepped the logs. I still have 2 more sides to go and 7 gallons of stain left. can this be removed? or can I mix my remaining stain to make it lighter? the logs were pretty old and absorbant.
It is not possible to lighten it but this product will strip it. Brighten after.
Will This product remove restore a deck product ?
That is not Restore-A-Deck Stain on there now. You have Rustoleum Deck Restore and no, no stain stripper will remove this product. You will have to sand this off.
Will this stripper remove Thompson’s water seal solid red deck stain? The deck is very old and has uneven planks, power washing will shred it…. any suggestions?
No. A deck stain stripper will not remove a solid color deck stain fully. You will need to sand.
We are hoping to go a little lighter on our deck (atleast on horizontal decking). Attached pictures of results after spraying with 0.1% sodium hypochlorite solution, then powerwashing. Results are not great. The close-up is of the dark boards under the gazebo. I don’t know what stain was used. I can only assume it was a SW product based on the number of SW paints/etc that are in the basement from when we bought the house.
Is RAD gonna help and would it make sense to use the additive?
Yes, use the RAD Stripper with both additives. It will turn out much better. Brightener after.
Thanks. Given that I’m using the thickener, what dwell time should we allow? Also, Our deck is about 750sqft, right in the middle of the 500-1000sqft coverage this product specs. Any idea which factors would cause it to lean one way or the other? Not sure if I need two sets.
You should be okay with 1 set. Let dwell for 30-60 minutes. If it starts to dry out, mist it with water to keep it active.
For old wood that was previously stained with Sikkens do I strip then stain with TWP or do I strip then clean then stain with TWP? Thank you.
Strip and brighten for prep.
I used RAD Stripper over the weekend with booster and thickening. Worked pretty good but have about 1000 sq ft of deck so only made it a little over half way today. I will finish on Wednesday but might need to sand a few areas. At what point do I apply the brightener? I assume after the pressure wash and sanding. How long can I wait to brighten from the original pressure washing? Thank you!
Brighten when all is removed. Try to do it as soon as you can.
I don’t know what is on the garage door. It looks like a semi-transparent stain that is fading in the sun. Do you think Restore-a-Deck will work? This is a photo of the door and a close up.
Yes, it should work. Use the Thickening Gel Additive as well. Make sure to use the Step 2 Brightener when done to neutralize.
If I add your thickener to your stripper, can the mixture still be sprayed with a pump sprayer?
Yes.
How critical is it to wait 48 hours after using the stripper and brightener? Rain is in the forecast for the next two weeks? If I have to wait three weeks for 48 hours of sun will I need to reapplly brightener, or should I just stain within three weeks? I have a cedar deck and am re-applying twp 100.
You have to wait at least 48 hours after prep, there is no way around this. If you cannot stain within two weeks, you will need to lightly wash and brighten again.
After I use the RAD stripper, rinse and let dry, can I simply re-stain with TWP or are other steps required?
You need the brightener after the stripper. Wait 48 hours to dry and then stain.