failed_deck_stainUsing an exterior stain stripper is typically needed if the old stain or sealer has failed by peeling, wearing unevenly or when changing brands of stain. A stripper will aid in removing the old stain by softening the bond between the stain and the wood cells. This allows easier removal with a light pressure washing or stiff scrub brush.

The process of using a wood stain stripper is incorrectly considered difficult. In fact, it will save a substantial amount of time while reducing any chance of damage to the deck with a pressure washer.

How to strip an exterior stain:

  1. As previously mentioned, a stain stripper should be used if the old coatings has failed unevenly or if changing brands of stain. If not then using a deck cleaner may be sufficient. If unsure please feel free to ask a question here: Deck Stripping Questions
  2. Remove all furniture from the area. Wear protective clothing, gloves, and eyewear.
  3. Mix the Deck Stain Stripper using the manufactures directions. In many cases, it is best to test effectiveness first by applying to a small section. The reason is that all not deck stains are created equal. Many are more difficult than others to remove. Testing first will determine if it will remove the finish or if you may need to use a stronger stain stripper.
  4. Apply the stain stripper with a pump up sprayer. Best to do sections of 200-400 square feet at a time. Saturate all wood then wait 10-20 minutes. Test wood to see if slippery. This means that stripper has loosened the stain from the wood. If not reapply the stain stripper one more time.
  5. Lightly pressure wash or hand scrub all stain from the wood. Take care to wash with the grain of the wood whenever possible.
  6. Repeat if needed until all stain has been stripped from the wood. Spot strip any difficult areas that did not come clean the first time.
  7. Very important to thoroughly rinse all wood and surrounding areas to remove the wood fibers, dirt, and grime.
  8. Apply a wood brightener to neutralize the deck stain stripper and restore the pH balance of the wood. Failure to apply a brightener will leave the wood in a high "caustic" state that will deteriorate the new deck stain faster than normal.

Important Note: Most Deck Stain Strippers will not fully remove Solid Color Wood Stains, Paints, Varnishes, and Excessively Over-Applied Acrylic Semi-Transparent and Semi-Solid Coatings. To remove these deck and wood stain types, use the RAD Paint & Solid Stain Stripper

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

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  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Sheila · 04/25/2023
    I applied RAD stripper and both additives to remove over applied Behr Semi transparent dark stain. It is a very large deck and while it works, I'm going to run out of stripper. Would I better off to just use the RAD paint stripper for next order? This is huge tedious project and weather is not cooperating, unexpected rain. Is it ok to wait until I can get entire deck stripped to apply RAD Brightener or does brightener have to be applied immediately after stripping. Meaning the 2 week clock is starting to apply the stain if I apply brightener already for the section I was able to complete . Also, once stripper is rinsed thoroughly, is it safe for dogs and children to walk over. 
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      The Sealer Store · 04/25/2023
      Either stripper would work for this. Finish the stripping and take your time until done. Brighten all wood after. You can walk on deck after stripping and rinsing and it has a chance to dry.
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    Brent Presber · 06/22/2021
    I have the old school cetol dek (high VOC) and I can't buy it anymore to reapply. I need to strip it but I have tried a couple of brands and no luck. Suggestions? 
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      The Sealer Store · 06/22/2021
      Post some pictures or the Sikkens on the deck here in comment area.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Rob · 03/24/2021
    Fabulous content at this site.

    I would like to take great care of my mahogany deck with regular treatments. But will I have to apply a stain stripper, then a wood brightener, then the penetrating oil each time? Is there no treatment that can be applied annually (maybe after a light pressure washing) just to "refresh" the wood?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Bob · 09/04/2020
    After applying and rinsing deck stain stripper, do I need wait for it to dry before applying Wood Brightener?
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    Kim · 07/24/2020
    Redwood is the wood used for our deck
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Kim · 07/24/2020
    Also what stripper product do you recommend if stripping is required?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Kim · 07/24/2020
    Hi. We used Thompson oil based mahogany for our deck, and it rained so now there are blotches everywhere. Should we sand off and restain or stip, brighten, then restain?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Ruth Fitzsimmons. · 10/25/2019
    I have a brand new redwood deck. Workers have applied a sealer immediately after installing. It is not penetrating. Should it be removed? If so, how do I do that?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    laveta bonney · 09/30/2019
    my husband did the floor of our decK and left brush marks and too much stain. I was told we will have to strip it.we used TWP SERIES 100. IS THIS TRUE?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Chatch · 05/06/2019
    Hello,


    Im looking to use Restore a Deck stripper/brightner on a pergola. Will the stripper/brightner cause damage to the pavers/interlocking below if it comes in contact with it? How about grass, and flowers/shrubs.


    Thank you.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      The Sealer Store · 05/06/2019
      It will not harm pavers. Plants should be covered and rinsed well with water when done.
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    Sonia · 03/10/2019
    I had Olympic Semi-Transparent stain put on my brand new cedar deck (installed 6 months ago, stained 1 week ago). I don’t think the contractor prepped the wood well enough before staining and now it is blotchy. I was to remove it and redo it. Do you know the best way? Would I need to strip, sand and clean then stain? Thanks for your help!
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      The Sealer Store · 03/11/2019
      Strip off what you can. Sand the rest. Brighten all when done.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Lynnette · 07/11/2018
    We applied Sherman Williams water based semi transparent stain along the top rail's along the deck and down the stairs on a never before stained deck. It was built last year. We do not like the color and want to remove it and switch to a different brand oil based product. What do we needo to do for this to turn out. Thanks
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Gus · 05/29/2018
    Stripped most of the Behr stain off an 8-year-old cedar deck. It took two applications of the RAD Stripper and manually scraping the boards twice. Now onto sanding to get those last remnants.

    I had to replace three boards and read that you recommend leaving new boards for four months (or more) before staining.

    My questions: When I'm done sanding, do I use the RAD brightener right away and postpone staining for four months? Or sand, wait four months, then brighten and stain? Or is there something in-between (stain all but the new right away and stain the whole deck again next year)?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      The Sealer Store · 05/29/2018
      Since it is only three boards, just go ahead and do the deck now. You will need to apply another coat to the new boards next year.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Rod · 05/14/2018
    This is the best Iv'e seen regarding this issue. what product(s) do you recommend to strip the old stai. In my case it's a Behr solid, paint like stain. Thank you.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      The Sealer Store · 05/14/2018
      Rod, deck stain strippers will not remove solid color (opaque) stains. You will need to sand this to remove.
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    John · 10/26/2017
    2 years ago I applied a water based semitransparent stain on a cedar deck. The appearance deteriorated so I cleaned the wood and then spot cleaned other areas where the stain lingered. See photo. After the second cleaning I noticed some raised grain. Is the only solution sanding?

    Also, dies a wood brightener do some cleaning in addition to neutralizing?

    My end goal is letting the cedar age and turn grey.

    Thanks for your reply
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      The Sealer Store · 10/27/2017
      A wood brightener does not clean. It lightens the wood and neutralizes. The raised grain does not look that bad. You could just leave it alone. If you do want to remove, you will need to sand.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    The Sealer Store · 07/17/2017
    VC Randell:
    Have an ipe wood deck that has been neglected for 5 years. Old stain needs to be taken off and then restrained. Not sure how to proceed and if this wood is treated differently.
    Thank you.

    Yes, any old coatings should be removed first. Once prepped, use a stain that is designed for this: https://www.opwdecks.com/exoticwoodstains.htm

    Here are some IPE tips as well:
    https://www.opwdecks.com/how-to-stain-ipe.htm
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    VC Randell · 07/16/2017
    Have an ipe wood deck that has been neglected for 5 years. Old stain needs to be taken off and then restrained. Not sure how to proceed and if this wood is treated differently.
    Thank you.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    The Sealer Store · 06/30/2017
    Joy L.:
    I used Olympic maximum solid stain/ sealent. To remove most of it I used jomax. I need something stronger to get the rest removed. What can I use?

    Deck strippers will not remove solid stains. You will need to sand it off.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Joy L. · 06/29/2017
    I used Olympic maximum solid stain/ sealent. To remove most of it I used jomax. I need something stronger to get the rest removed. What can I use?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    The Sealer Store · 05/15/2017
    Ed Glysson:
    Under our deck is a Biuthene 3000 membrane which directs any water to some scuppers. Are there any safe stripper products to use with this membrane? Thanks, Ed

    I am sorry but we are not familiar with this membrane and if a stain stripper will harm it or not.