Deck Stain Help Forum - Recent Topics

Restaining with another brand

jpalidwar — Mon, 18 May 2026 20:15:18 +0000

Live in Canada . Recently stripped messmers UV plus from my PT deck and trainings.
Unable to remove 100% especially around knots.
What new semi trans can I apply. I want color retention and longevity.
Do any the recommended brands need 100% removal? Ie are they only for new wood only?
Her are some photos after stripping and whitening
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Stripping a deck, wood beams, and potential roof deck. Protecting siding and successful staining project

mhelner618 — Fri, 15 May 2026 23:12:01 +0000

Hello DeckStainHelp Community - I am looking to start stripping the existing wood stain to my deck and wood beams/columns. The deck is under a overhang roof. The under part of the roof is stained wood, which I wasn't planning to strip, but just protect while I strip the rest of the wood. Looking over the job, I am thinking that it would be best to strip everything and then restain. I have stripped the deck and restained 2x before, but never restained the wood columns/beams. They are looking worn and need to be redone for aesthetics and bug protection. What is the best approach to protect the vinyl siding and if I wanted to protect the wood roofing? I am not the original owner, but the deck was last stained with Defy waterbased wood stain. The beans are a rough wood with a oil based stain. Recommendations for stain strippers? Stripper for the wood deck ceiling if I strip it? I assume the wood ceiling is stained with an oil based stain, can I clean the wood and apply a light 2nd coat without stripping? I am planning to use Armstrong-Clark wood stain. We live in West Michigan.

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Staining a Deck with new and old wood

jwales — Mon, 11 May 2026 18:18:55 +0000

1866 1867 1868 Last year we replaced a large portion of our deck boards with pressure treated pine. We left the built in benches as they were still in decent shape. Now that the new wood has dried out, we used RAD stripper and brightener on the entire upper deck(doing the lower area next). We are going with TWP 1500 (pecan) for the stain. We tested 2 boards—one old and one new and the contrast between them is a lot more than we were anticipating. My question is—should we use a darker stain like dark oak on the new boards and use pecan on the old boards, do some sort of mix of the colors, or go with a different stain altogether? Thanks!

TWP NATURAL EFFECT

Terri — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:50:13 +0000

Has anyone used this yet? TWP Natural Effect ? I have used RAD but am considering this new one now. Is it that much different? Much different in price that's for sure and it doesn't come in more than 1 gallon containers, which is a bummer for me but not a deal breaker.

Stripper rinsing question

screaminjay — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:21:36 +0000

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I have a western red cedar fence that I stained once in 2017 (both sides) with Armstrong-Clark transparent oil-based stain. One side is full sun, one is nearly full shade. I’ve been cleaning the fence every year or two, and this year I’m finally getting around to restaining.

I was doing a new set of cedar porch steps in RAD Semitransparent Light Walnut, so I ordered enough to redo the fence as well. Got the stripper/brightener kit and the thickening additive. My plan was to strip, spot sand the posts and 2x supports, brighten, stain.

Yesterday I applied stripper to both sides of the fence. I used the Chapin sprayer and the 5 gallons of mixed stain just covered the 350-ish square feet. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinsed with a hose (pressure washers and me don’t get along). After a full rinse I scrubbed, then rinsed again.

The next day, I’m seeing quite a bit of wood pulp remaining, especially on the sunnier side (see photos), and I’m wondering if I’ve done enough to get the stripper out. Does it look like I need to rinse more, and can I still do that now that the wood has dried overnight? Or can I proceed to spot sanding and brightening?

Constant rain

oldrookie — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:47:05 +0000

I prepared my deck for sealing/staining with TWP 100 about 6 weeks ago. the deck had had little attention for 40 years, had some residual paint, and was very weathered-hence sanding was required. it has been raining 3-4x week since the initial prep. I am hoping for some drier weather in August. That will mean 2 months since initial prep. Given this time lag, are additional steps needed before applying the TWP 100?

TWP natural effects vs oil base

aaflowers — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 03:13:19 +0000

We’re staining/sealing a south facing IPE wood deck that is partially covered and partially not and also staining rough sawn, 10x10 pine posts and trusses of the deck in SE Idaho where we have a decent amount of snow for about 6-8mo of the year. We will use the Gemini restore and brighten products before application. I can’t find many reviews on the use of the Natural Effects series of TWP stain. I understand that the top coat would need to be reapplied as frequently as stain of the 100/1500/semi-solid lines if we do use the natural effects. I feel like applying a clear top coat every couple of years would be easier than a new stain coat. Am I wrong? Do you have experience about the absorption and durability of the natural effects products? If this was your home, what product line would you choose to use and why? (FYI - we will be using the ebony natural effects or the charcoal color in the other lines.) TIA.

sealing posts with TWP 100

oldrookie — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 17:40:05 +0000

My deck is elevated 5 feet above the ground. Do I seal/stain them with TWP 100? Down to the ground? These posts are 40 years old but are in good condition. The bad news is that they were set before sleeves were readily available. The good news is 1) the substate is primarily sand so it is very well drained and 2) the prevailing breezes from the lake blow under and through the deck platform. Additionally this space has had an open lattice screen around it. This has kept leaves and snow (this is in Minnesota) from accumulating under the raised platform and the deck supports

Clean and Restain with Restore a Deck 4 years later

tmgomes — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:39:32 +0000

Hello I stained this fence almost 4 years ago and it still looks pretty good aside from the green mold. I called the sealer store and asked what to wash with before re staining. They said to use just dawn dish soap and water but that’s not happening on this 500ft fence. I need something I can apply with my pressure washer downstream or with a pump sprayer. My reservation on the dawn is it probably won’t kill mold on contact like bleach would. Sealer store rep said not to use any bleach product. I was curious if maybe tsp would be a solution. All and all I’d like to be able to apply whatever effectively and have it kill organics.

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oil based sealer followed next year by Defy (acrylic based)

oldrookie — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 20:37:14 +0000

my deck is properly prepared for sealing. I would like to use an oil based sealer. Im having trouble with colors that work with my siding. Could I use TWP100 clear this year and then next year use an acrylic product like Defy with out having to sand? The Defy Driftwood color is the only color that works for me. All the oil based grey colors are too bluish. Im waffling