Brighten right after done cleaning, while wood is wet. Wait 48 hours to dry and stain.

I plan to stain my deck this fall (Tennessee) using Restore a Deck kit and Defy stain.

What is the suggested minimum and maximum time to allow between cleaning and brightening and between brightening and staining?

Thanks very much.

You would have to re clean and brighten next Spring. If you cannot find the weather to cooperate this year, you will be fine to let it sit over the Winter.

I am trying to have a cedar deck sanded to remove previous failed stain, cleaned, brightened and stained again with ArmstrongClark stain purchased from you. Unfortunately, here in Alberta temperatures started to drop while at the same time there are still rainy days every few days or so, such that it is hard to find several days without rain and/or warm enough to sand the deck (the deck has to be dry) and then wait another two days before staining. What would happen if we manage to sand/clean/brighten the deck but we don't manage to stain it and we'll have to leave it like that over fall, winter and spring to stain next year? Should we postpone the entire job/project for next summer?

Two coats applied wet on wet.

I am refinishing a fir deck with Defy Extreme stain. Should I apply one or two coats for this wood?

No, they are both safe.

Would citric brightener like Extreme Solutions be safer for kids than RAD brightener?

Prep with out Restore A Deck kits for this. Once done, stain with Defy Extreme.

Best to remove as much as possible. Strip off what you can and brighten all wood when done.

The Defy Extreme has replaced the Defy Epoxy. You can clean and brighten and apply over it. We would suggest the Restore A Deck Kits for the prep. As for color, depends on what you are looking for. You should be able to go darker without stripping being needed.

I live in Tennessee and have a 20 year old pressure treated pine deck. I cleaned, stripped and stained with Defy epoxy natural pine several years and it needs restaining. I was fairly pleased with the Defy product.

Would you recommend using Defy again and is it OK to use Defy Extreme over the old Defy epoxy without stripping? Is there a darker semi-transparent that would be good to use over the natural pine?

If stripping is not required, should cleaning with oxygenated bleach be adequate before sealing? Is a brightener needed after cleaning with oxygenated bleach? Would you recommend Extreme Solutions citric brightener?

Thanks very much

My grandkids have a swing set that is either cedar or redwood. It is very gray and weathered and probably has never been stained or sealed. I would like to know the best way to restore this deck in place with something very safe since the kids will be using that area after the work is finished.

From doing some reading on your site, it sounds like an oxygenated bleach product would be safe, but an oxalic acid brightener would be somewhat hazardous.

Is oxygenated bleach the best way to do this and is there a safer brightener than oxalic acid? Also does it matter whether the wood is cedar or redwood as to the best way to treat it?

Thanks very much

I am cleaning a fir deck to prepare it for restaining using the same stain and color. The are are some spots where the old stain remains. Given that I am not changing the stain color, do I need to use a stripper to remove the remaining old stain, which is proving very difficult, or can I simply clean and brighten the wood prior to applying the new finish?

Is the wood smooth or rough sawn cut? If smooth you need to wait a few months and prep. If rough, you can stain now. Look at the TWP 1500 Series.

What is the best stain for a new wood fence which is suitable for the wet winters of Pacific Northwest?
Do I need to prep or season the new wood ?

About two weeks.

How long is the effect good for before it has to be re-cleaned and brightened? Or does it (if it rained for a week or something)

Wait 48 hours after prep. If it rains after the prep, you will need to wait 48 hours after the rain.

Plan on using restore-a-deck to clean and brighten my deck then re-stain with Armstrong-clark. It has been raining or showers almost everyday. How long can I wait after cleaning and brightening the deck before staining?
Do I need to wait til I get no rain to clean/brighten so I can stain when dry or what?