Each Container Makes 5 Liquid Gallons to cover 750-1000 sq. feet
Product Summary
- RAD Wood Brightener neutralizes stain strippers, restores pH balance, and brightens wood surfaces after cleaning or stripping.
- The formula is milder and safer to handle than straight oxalic acid blends sold in most hardware stores.
- It improves absorption of wood stains and is safe to use on all exterior wood surfaces, not just decks.
- Extremely cost-effective powdered formula makes 5 liquid gallons when mixed, costing less than $6 a gallon.
Restore-A-Deck step 2 brightener is also offered as a stand alone product. The RAD brightener is used for brightening and restoring pH levels after using a wood cleaner or stain stripper. We highly recommend using it as part 2 of our RAD wood restoration system. It will balance pH and brighten newer wood as well as remove some contaminants.
RAD wood brightener is a mild formula that is safer to handle than the straight oxalic acid blends sold in most hardware stores.
ADVANTAGES
- Neutralizes stain strippers
- Brightens and restores wood surfaces
- Restores pH balance of wood
- Powdered formula makes 5 liquid gallons when mixed
- Extremely cost-effective. When mixed, the cost is less than $6 a gallon.
- Eco-Safe formulas
- Improves absorption of wood stains
- Safe to use on all exterior wood surfaces, not just decks
Coverage: 750-1000 sq.feet per container.
I used a stripper on my 10 year old pressure treated pine deck but it did not work well. So I removed the previous paint, oil primer and multiple layers of sealant by hand using a surface conditioning tool @ 40 grit, belt sander @ 40 grit and palm sander for the seams @ 60 grit. Then I went over the entire deck with the surface conditioning tool @ 60 grit to get a more uniform surface. I plan on applying wet-on-wet two coats of your semi-transparent oil stain after cleaning and application of citrus acid brightener. After all that manual surface removal do I need to use a chemical cleaner – I’d prefer not to use chemicals to prevent harm the nearby greenery and lawn – or would a thorough cleaning from blower, water hose spray and gentle deck brushing suffice?
No, use the Cleaner and Brightener for final prep after sanding to open up the wood grain. Only one coat of stain since you power sanded.
Is this the Restore-A-Deck brightener oxalic acid-based?
Not straight oxalic acid. The Restore-A-Deck Brightener is a blend of citric and oxalic acids, which is safer to handle and less harsh on the wood than straight oxalic. It restores the pH after using a wood cleaner or stain stripper, brightens the wood, and removes some contaminants. Always use it as step 2 after cleaning or stripping.
Would a brightener that is citric acid based only still do a good job and not cause problems when using Armstrong-Clark semi-transparent oil stain?
Will the RAD Brightener harm windows? Some brightener products recommend wetting windows and/or covering them. I didn’t notice any cautionary statement on windows on the back of the product.
It should not but always prewet amd rinse over spray right away.
Our cedar siding has been untouched for at least 20 years. We do not know what was used to stain or protect it before that. We are in Canada. We started cleaning with “30 seconds” (a bleach solution). We would like to apply one of your semi solid stains. What prep product do you recomend? Do we need to strip it? It does not look like anything is left on it’s surface other than graying and water stains.
Use the Cleaner and Brightener Kit for prep while pressure washing.:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
The overnight temp is getting below 50° but will be getting warmer, above 60° next weekend. My deck is clean and I’m brightening it tomorrow. Can I still stain my deck next week when it gets warm?
Yes!
I am getting ready to restain an IPE deck that was stained with Armstrong Clark stain about two years ago. What should I do as prep to stain the deck?
Use this for prep: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Hello,I was thinking of just using RAD brightener on my deck as it is clean. Is this a bad idea? will it make the deck too acidic to accept stain?thanks
You should use both the cleaner and then the wood brightener for best results.
Hi, I have grey fading on one side of my fence. If I use the brightener on that side and some gets through to the unfaded side will it damage the Armstrong Clark stained side? Or will the stain remain unaffected?
The brightener should nor harm the stained side but rinse it will when done to be sure.
Hi, my deck contractor used brightener after sanding, then rinsed…afterward days after, the concrete pavers below 1 story have stain marks on them. What do you recommend to get staining marks of pavers from brightener rinse?
Brightener should not harm concrete or pavers. Can you post a picture?
I need just a little more of the brightener. I can purchase some locally that will save me money. Can I use a different brand for the small amount I need? I need such a little more that I hate to purchase your $30 packet again.
Hard to say if the local product will make the wood even in color.
[quote name=”Tom Sims”]Considering using Armstrong Clark Stain on older pressure treated pine deck and dock which has been treated previously with semi-transparent products(we do not want to strip due caustic properties around lake water and new stone on home). So the question would be can I just use stain product and expect a good outcome, or is there a suggested bare minimum procedure to consider? Thank you[/quote]
Hello, unfortunately when switching brands you will have no choice to remove the previous coating. Stripping is the easiest way. If you do not want to strip, then you can sand off the current stain.
Considering using Armstrong Clark Stain on older pressure treated pine deck and dock which has been treated previously with semi-transparent products(we do not want to strip due caustic properties around lake water and new stone on home). So the question would be can I just use stain product and expect a good outcome, or is there a suggested bare minimum procedure to consider? Thank you
[quote name=”chief114″]I want to stain a 4 month old Pressure treated pergola. Can I just use a brightener after washing or do I have to use your Restor a deck cleaner first[/quote]
Use the Kit as you need both a cleaner and a brightener for the prep.
I want to stain a 4 month old Pressure treated pergola. Can I just use a brightener after washing or do I have to use your Restor a deck cleaner first
[quote name=”David Watrous”]We have used Armstrong for several years on IPE wood deck. Just stripped deck and after using brightener and applied strain, result was much darker than previous experience. What are suggestions? Redo deck by applying brightener again? Then restain?[/quote]
You would have to strip and brighten to start over and most likely the color would not change much or at all. Color is most likely darker this time since the wood is more porous. The more porous the wood, the higher amount of stain can soak in, resulting in a richer color.
We have used Armstrong for several years on IPE wood deck. Just stripped deck and after using brightener and applied strain, result was much darker than previous experience. What are suggestions? Redo deck by applying brightener again? Then restain?
[quote name=”Candice Kiesow”]We plan to order stain for our cedar deck and need the other cleaning and pre -staining products in one gallon size. I don’t see that on the web site?? Please let me know, Thanks, I ordered samples and know what product I need[/quote]
The Prep products are powdered and only come in a 2lb container. You mix about 8oz of powder to 1 gallon of water. Each container an make up to 5 liquid gallons when mixed.
We plan to order stain for our cedar deck and need the other cleaning and pre -staining products in one gallon size. I don’t see that on the web site?? Please let me know, Thanks, I ordered samples and know what product I need
[quote name=”jamie”]Will deck brightener get rid of black tannin streaks on aged redwood that appear shortly after I have finished sanding?[/quote]
If it is tannin then yes it will help. If it is burn marks from the sanding, then no.
Will deck brightener get rid of black tannin streaks on aged redwood that appear shortly after I have finished sanding?
[quote name=”Rose”]Hi there, We’ve had a big surprise with black stains due to iron filings on our new, unstained cedar deck. Had no idea that it would react with the tannins in the wood. Is the wood brightener sufficient to remove these stains or do we need to go to the oxalic acid to do so? Thanks for any info you have to share about this issue![/quote]
The wood brightener does help to remove rust spots which is most likely what this is.
Hi there, We’ve had a big surprise with black stains due to iron filings on our new, unstained cedar deck. Had no idea that it would react with the tannins in the wood. Is the wood brightener sufficient to remove these stains or do we need to go to the oxalic acid to do so? Thanks for any info you have to share about this issue!
[quote name=”dgwilli”]I just used some RAD on my deck. I then followed through with wood brightener and was very satified with the results. However, I ran out of only brightener before I could finish exterior of deck. Is it possible that I could purchase just more brighter and apply it several days after having used stripper?[/quote]
Yes you can still brighten.
I just used some RAD on my deck. I then followed through with wood brightener and was very satified with the results. However, I ran out of only brightener before I could finish exterior of deck. Is it possible that I could purchase just more brighter and apply it several days after having used stripper?
[quote name=”jvarnum512@gmail.com”]Deck made with very dense wood (iron wood?), 8 years old, never stained, recently power washed, deck grayed out in several areas that get sun. Can the natural brown wood tone be restored before applying AC stain?[/quote]
For prep you would need the Restore A Deck Kit and pressure washing to remove the gray and restore natural color. You would would then stain the wood the enhance the natural grain of the wood. Look at IPE Oil for this and a rich brown wood tone.
Deck made with very dense wood (iron wood?), 8 years old, never stained, recently power washed, deck grayed out in several areas that get sun. Can the natural brown wood tone be restored before applying AC stain?
[quote name=”Ruth”]I want to use a product that won’t have to be removed in the future. If I buy the natural color will that be the case. Will I be able to apply more coats in the future over this product?[/quote]
Yes you can reapply after a general deck cleaning. You do not need to strip.
I want to use a product that won’t have to be removed in the future. If I buy the natural color will that be the case. Will I be able to apply more coats in the future over this product?
[quote name=”Phyllis”]Do I still need to pressure wash cedar deck one year old with nothing on it?[/quote]
Yes you need to clean and prep with the Restore A Deck Kit and pressure washing.
Do I still need to pressure wash cedar deck one year old with nothing on it?
I would use the RAD Stripper followed by the RAD wood brightener for the prepping.
Thanks!
I put up a new pretreated (Cabots ATO) mahogany deck last spring and it needs to be re-stained due to excessive fading and loss of finish over more than half the deck. The deck is south facing and is up against a weathered shingle wall which adds even more sun. I live on Cape Cod. Your stain was recommended but also said that I should remove as much of the ATO as possible. Should I use a stripper (which one) or sand it? Do I need a brightener?