The use of a wood deck brightener is needed for two main reasons. The first is that wood brighteners are designed to restore the wood's pH balance to neutral after using a deck cleaner or a stain stripper. The second is that the deck brightener will lighten the wood color making the stain look better and last longer when applied.

Applying a deck brightener is the easiest step in the restoration process and the most fulfilling. The results are almost immediate in that you will be able to see the wood lighten in color right in front of your eyes. Brighteners will improve the durability of the stain as well. Please see picture below:

how-to-brighten-deck

How to brighten a deck:

  1. The deck will need to be cleaned first with a wood cleaner or stain stripper. It is normal for the caustic in the cleaner or stripper to darken the wood's pH balance. Make sure that the wood is thoroughly wet and rinsed from dirt and debris. The wood brightener should be applied as soon as possible.
  2. Wear protective clothing, gloves, and eyewear.
  3. Mix deck brightener concentrates according to directions.
  4. Applying the wood brightener with a pump sprayer is the easiest way. Thoroughly saturate all wood. No scrubbing or pressure washing is needed. Take care to minimize over spray onto any plants and aluminum siding/trim.
  5. Wait 10-20 minutes. You will see the wood lighten in color noticeably. Rinse all wood when done.

If you have any deck brightening questions please ask below. All questions are typically answered within a day.

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  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Linda · 09/28/2021
    Is there a way to apply the brightener without a pump sprayer? I'd rather not have to buy one for a one-time use on my small deck. Thanks. 
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    Bruno · 10/03/2020
    I used the Restore-A-Deck Stripper about 3 weeks ago on my cedar deck. However, I was not able to use the Brightener. Can I still use it 3 weeks later?
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      The Sealer Store · 10/04/2020
      Since it has been 3 weeks you should reclean and then use the Brightener.
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    Sandy Gallo · 08/19/2020
    How long do you have to wait after cleaning and brightening to stain
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      The Sealer Store · 08/19/2020
      48 hours is normal.
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    Kathren · 07/26/2020
    Here's a photo...
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    Kathren · 07/25/2020
    I've used Restore products to clean my deck. Most of the old stain came off and the surface looks very clean, but the deck boards look grey instead of the original light cedar color. Do I need to pressure wash all the gray surface off before brightening and staining? Thank you :))
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      The Sealer Store · 07/26/2020
      Did you brighten as well yet? That needs to be done right away to neutralize the stripper or cleaner and restore the pH balance while lightening the wood. Post pictures.
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        Kathren · 07/26/2020
        Thanks for your quick reply. No, I did not brighten yet because I could see that where places started to dry, it was still gray... so I figured I would need to pressure wash all again. Here are pics where grey was removed and not.
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          The Sealer Store · 07/26/2020
          You should redo with the RAD Stripper (not the cleaner) and pressure washing and then brightener right after.
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            Kathren · 07/26/2020
            Will do! Thanks a lot :)
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    Debbie Devereaux · 06/10/2020
    could I use wood brightener on my deck just to brighten the stain. I don't want to restain. I just want to make it look brighter. Just stained it a month ago
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    Linda · 05/13/2020
    We installed a new deck last year. To remove the ink product stamps from the store, I used Brillo pads. Now those spots have a greenish tint. We want to seal the deck (for the first time) but I want to get rid of these greenish spots first. Any suggestions.
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      The Sealer Store · 05/13/2020
      Let the wood weather for 1-2 months and then clean and brighter for prep. This way it is even wood porosity for the stain.
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        Linda · 05/13/2020
        Let it weather 1-2 months after I used the Brillo pads?
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          The Sealer Store · 05/13/2020
          Yes, if you stain it now it will be uneven.
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    Frank · 05/05/2020
    I have cleaned my deck with a pressure washer and spot treated some mildew stains with a diluted bleach spray. The deck is clean and does not having any mold or mildew after this process. Do I still need to use a deck wash and wood brightener before restaining?
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    Rick · 05/05/2020
    Can I use Defy Wood Brightener if it froze while stored over the winter?
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    Anthony · 02/02/2020
    I'm getting a new deck installed shortly. I plan on letting it dry out until end of summer before doing anything to the wood. Is it a good idea to brighten the new wood before staining it?
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      The Sealer Store · 02/02/2020
      You have to both clean and brighten the new wood after weathering the wood for a few months.
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    Tony · 10/02/2019
    We have a Red Maranta deck that has grayed and lost its natural color of the wood. It turned grey. We rented a walk behind floor sander and sanded the entire deck with 120 grit sandpaper. Now, we want to stain it and bring the color back out. My landlord is a HUGE fan of Thompson's Water Sealer, but, we have told him time and time again, it's not the right product for this job especially since he invested almost $50,000 between 3 large decks. What would you recommend that will last a longer time and bring out the natural beauty of the wood? Thank You!
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    Bob · 06/07/2019
    Cedar deck was stained with Defy stain. Just cleaned deck using Scott's Oxi cleaner.I understand I need a deck brightner product to restore pH before touching up stain.
    Deck is approximately 500 sq ft
    What do you suggest in regard to how I should proceed? Also what would the cost be to ship product to Ottawa Canada?
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      The Sealer Store · 06/07/2019
      Since this is a maintenance coat, you do not need a wood brightener.
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    Tony · 05/24/2019
    The weather this Spring has been wet, so hard to find a number of non-rainy days to clean, brighten, then stain my deck. I'd like to break it up into two operations: Clean/Brighten one day; Stain on another. My question then is, how long can the period be between cleaning/brightening and staining? I see from other answers, the recommended period is 48-72 hours. But the next 14 days doesn't look promising... Can I let it go longer in between? If so, what is the max suggested.
    - Thanks!
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    Richard Soltesz · 05/06/2019
    I just finished using Restore A Deck stripper (purchased from your website) on my older (25+ years) cedar deck. After I applied the stripper, I power washed the whole deck and there are still areas where the previous product (Behr semi transparent water based stain) was not completely removed. I intend to try to sand these areas as your website recommends. My question is should I sand these areas prior to using the Restore A Deck brightener and would I need any further prep to the sanded areas prior to using the brightener? Also, do I need to let the wood dry prior to using the brightener? Before I found your website, I had purchased 5 gal of Ready Seal Natural Cedar Stain and Sealer from Home Depot which I intend to apply (but I can return it). Would you have any suggestions for a stain and sealer?
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      The Sealer Store · 05/06/2019
      Sand first than brightener to all after. That is all. We are not fans of RS. Fades fast. Try Armstrong Clark: https://www.opwdecks.com/armstrong-clark-stain.htm
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        Richard Soltesz · 05/06/2019
        Thanks for your quick response. If after I sand those areas where the old stain remains and if I can't remove all the old stain, will it matter much when i apply the new stain ...other than being another color in those areas? I looked at the Armstrong Clark stains you recommended and the Chestnut semi-transparent looks like it would blend in and those areas are not in real noticeable places.
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          The Sealer Store · 05/06/2019
          It will most likely show through as different in color. Shoot for 95% removal or better. Chestnut would probably blend it so it does not show that much.
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    Mark · 03/13/2019
    I would like to prep my new Cedar deck to stain. Can you recommend the best cleaner to remove the "mill glaze" and brightener that I can purchase locally from a hardware store? I am in a bit of a rush and need this weekend.
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      The Sealer Store · 03/13/2019
      Hello,

      We are in business to sell products from our website, not refer to local hardware stores. In addition, the products we offer are rated much higher than anything you can find at a local store.

      The best option is the Restore A Deck Kits: https://www.opwdecks.com/rad-300.htm
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    Steve · 09/27/2018
    Where can I purchase wood deck cleaner, wood brightener and the proper final clear stain to retain the light color of the wood? I want to keep the wood as natural looking as possible. Thanks much!!!
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      The Sealer Store · 09/27/2018
      You can buy all those products directly from our website.
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    Steve · 09/26/2018
    After I clean and brighten my deck as you advised, what are good finishes to apply that would keep the treated wood as natural looking as possible? I don't want the wood to be a dark color. Thanks again, Steve
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      The Sealer Store · 09/27/2018
      Try TWP stains in the Honeytone or Defy Extreme in Natural Pine.
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    Steve · 09/26/2018
    Can I just wash my deck with soap and water and then apply wood brightener to lighten the color and then apply a natural wood finish?

    Thanks loads, Stevd
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      The Sealer Store · 09/26/2018
      No. You need a deck cleaner and then a wood brightener for prep.
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    james lynch · 10/13/2016
    I have some stains from metal and mold from vegetation on my PT deck a year and half old, never treated. It is mid October here in Durham NC several weeks from leaf falling, should I clean and brighten now and wait till spring to stain, try to do it all now, other words what do you suggest. Deck is about 1k sq ft. Thanks so much.
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    The Sealer Store · 05/08/2016
    You cannot lighten a deck stain without removing it fully first. Try a stain stripper or sanding to remove. Once removed you can use a lighter colored stain.