Deck Stain Help Forum - Recent Posts

RE: Cutek Stain, anyone?

Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993 — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 11:51:57 +0000

Hello,

Please see my CUTEK Extreme Review. It has strong potential, as it checks all the boxes for a high-quality exterior wood coating. For more info or purchase, please see here:

https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product/cutek-extreme-penetrating-wood-oil-stabilizer/

RE: Grey Wood Deck Cleaning & Restoration

joewachs — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 15:12:15 +0000

ADDENDUM. Looks like I got my products backwards. After review, I liked the Armstrong Clark Amber better than the TWP 1500 in Cedar tone.

This year, I am returning to the Armstrong Clark in Amber. Stand by…JW

RE: Grey Wood Deck Cleaning & Restoration

joewachs — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 15:01:55 +0000

Forgive me, SP, for I have stained. In has been just under four years since my last confession.

i recently had our deck spot repaired. First, i pressure washed. Then, i scrubbed with dawn. Then, spot repaired. I plan to clean those boards with oaxic which I use on my teak and let dry for one week.

I’m going to return to the TWP 1500 CedarTone as I remember I prefer the performance, look, and spread over the Armstrong Clark Amber I used the second round. I will also soon have two gates installed to stain with the same.

Contractor told me to use TSP on those new PT boards. Oaxic is on hand, though.

congrats on the evolution of this site. I couldn’t log into the app with these credentials but all good.

1850 1851

RE: Stripper rinsing question

Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993 — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:55:55 +0000

You overstripped and furred the wood. See this for tips:

https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-fuzzies-furring-on-deck/

Stripper rinsing question

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

1849 1848

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?

RE: Deck Staining Help

lkn8 — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 13:13:28 +0000

It was stained initially with transparent Behr Waterproofing Wood Finish (Cedar Natural tone), and that is what I restained with 5 years ago. It started peeling after a couple years, but then I got pregnant and had a baby so this summer is the first time I have been able to get around to it again. I was thinking to do the Behr Waterproofing Wood Finish again (mostly because then I don’t need to redo the side rails as those still look good) but use TracSafe anti-slip sealer as a top coat on the floor boards. The pictures above are the only recent pics I have unless you want pics of the can of stain.

RE: Deck Staining Help

Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993 — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:55:55 +0000

1. I live in MA

2. Full Sun

3. Not sure, looks like the boards at Home Depot, Premium GC weathersheild

4. A bit of mold and/or mildew at certain joints

5. Just didn't last long

Was it stained prior? If so, we need to know the brand and type of stain and pics for proper prep advice.