Most cleaners for painted decks come premixed and are sprayed or squirted onto the deck, lightly mopped to clean away dirt and grime, and then wiped dry with clean, soft rags. Some contain polymers that form a protective film on the surface, and these products should also not be rinsed off the deck. In general, a ready-to-use gallon of liquid deck cleaner will treat approximately 250 to 500 square feet of decking, but that can vary depending on the amount of soil, mold, and stains on the deck. )Or rinse Each section for 20 minutes? Karcher doesnt estimate per-square-foot coverage, but it does make 20 gallons of cleaning solution, so it should go a long way. They will all wear and most importantly fade from the UV exposure. Theyre well suited for use before staining because they help lighten darker areas, which makes the color of the finished deck more uniform. I'm thinking this is just aesthetics and doesn't affect the staining process, or can even close the pours more. This darkens the woods appearance and does not offer the perfect surface conditions for the new stain to penetrate properly. Right Away or Let Dry? Another method is to dilute concentrated deck cleaner in a large bucket of water and then apply it with a scrub brush. For those looking to clean and brighten a weathered wood deck before applying a fresh coat of deck stain, Defy Wood Brightener is a worthy option. I cleaned my deck with deck cleaner approximately a month ago. I tested Wet & Forget using a pump-type garden sprayer (a deck brush or a hose-end sprayer can also be employed). It will be easy though. Right away after cleaning is when to apply brightener. You will need 48 hours after prep to let the wood dry before staininig. The finish will blister and peel. To my surprise, some products that I expected to do well failed to earn a space in this lineup. This helps to open up the pores of the wood after sanding. Hi Folks, i have an 8 month old new & weathered cedar deck, installed last summer, weather over winter. In fact, many of these products have major issues and some even have had class action lawsuits against them.10. Nothing will look perfect after two to three years. We sanded railings so far and plan on sanding floor. I sprayed on the product as directed, waited 10 minutes, and then rinsed it off, but there was no improvement. Noticing a lot of wood fuzzies how should we proceed? Thanks. The better the wood stain absorbs, the better it will work. Oxygen bleach and peroxide are other common household ingredients found in environmentally friendly deck cleaners. After cleaning the test board, I tried out the cleaner on a sidewalk and a courtyard wall where a Boston ivy had left tannin stains. It was as if the sander was glued to the deck! For one the deck when stained will be slightly darker as the cleaner will raise the pH, darkening the appearance. We are lucky to have 3 days without moisture of some sort. Outdoor decks are favorite spots for entertaining and relaxing, but like all exterior surfaces, they eventually get dirty. You should clean and brighten new wood with our prep kits and stain with our Restore A Deck Stain. Thanks. This makes it extremely difficult to plan deck staining, painting, or any outside work. I accidentally got lots of brightener drips on my newly stained redwood siding. This will remove dirt, grime, and mill glaze. Apply with a pump sprayer and let it sit for several minutes. Right away or let dry? Or would only brightener be okay if I lightly power washed it first? We only use the place now in 7-10 day intervals, which really makes things much harder. Has anyone used these solutions or know of another one? In actuality over application can cause the stain to prematurely fail.3. With the prep, yes. It is also the easiest and least expensive step in the entire process.9. Concentrated deck cleaners come in both powdered granule and liquid form and must be diluted with water before application. We had not intended on cleaning it this May. In addition to cleaning decks, Karcher is suitable for other outdoor items, including concrete and siding. When working with a pressure washer, the general rule is to start with the pressure at the lowest setting and gradually increase it until the pressure is high enough to do the job successfully. I have red cedar rough sawn into 1x6 planks about 15 years ago. why not use a once combo cleaner/brightner instead of the two steps cleaner THEN brightner method. Quality wood cleaners or stain strippersare essential in prepping the wood correctly prior to staining. Like another mold cleaner Id tested, I had to visit a neighbors house to find mold to treat. Secure Shopping Environment: VISA | Mastercard | Amex | Discover | PayPal. The brightener neutralizes a cleaner so it would be ineffective to combine them. The manufacturer claims that most green algae stains will be gone in 1 to 3 days and most black stains in 1 to 6 weeks. It is better to have a wood stain that "sheds" water and still allows the wood to be able to breathe.8. It dilutes at a 1:5 (cleaner to water) ratio, is safe for use on walkways and most types of siding, and the 1-gallon jug will treat up to 2,250 square feet. going to be hard to get clouds with no chance of rain in the midwest. Is it ok if we still see a little fuzz when we apply? Solid stains will lead to peeling at some point. Or the spots will disappear with the transparent stain ? I was impressed enough to purchase this Karcher product again, although I would recommend wearing protective clothing, as it left my skin red and itchy where it splashed. I used a stiff dry brush to remove the powder, and the concrete blocks beneath looked clean, with no dark or stained areas. This will make the wood more porous for the stain. Less chance for overlaps.5. A commercial deck cleaner is usually the best choice. Then I diluted Defy at the recommended 1:4 (cleaner to water) ratio and used a deck brush to apply an even coat. Can I strip the siding and redo it? Maybe I got a bad batch, but I had to eliminate the cleaner from this lineup. At best all you will get is product replacement.7. It now needs to be sanded to remove wood fuzz/loose fibers and smooth it out (10+year old wood but was well-preserved). Should I clean and brighten the floor again before applying stain? Several aspects were scored, including how easy it was to understand the application instructions and whether the cleaner lived up to the manufacturers claims. I selected the top-selling deck cleaners on the market and used each one to tackle actual decking boards that had been stained with dried-on mud and grease splatters from the grill. Try an oil based stain that is penetrating like the Armstrong Clark or the TWP Stains. Deep cleaning is also an essential step before sealing or staining a deck. I saturated two headstones with the cleaner and then went home to give Citra-Shield the required time to work. Thank you so much for your help. Note that its essential for these cleaners to remain on the surface rather than be rinsed off. I was reading it does a more intense job, I was thinking this would save some scrubbing, but now I'm thinking that it might be overkill for new boards. they are now fully dry. What does full sun do to staining? Typically a deck needs cleaned and retreated every year or two. Mold Armor and Citra-Shield were the two I eliminated because they didnt meet our high standards. When to Apply Wood Brightener? Thanks in Advance. But not only is Simple Green a powerful cleaner on wood decking, but its also great for removing dirt and stains from concrete and masonry. Theyre available premixed for easy application right out of the container or in concentrated crystal or liquid form to dilute with water before use. Subscribe here for all follow-up comments, Check here to receive reply notices to only your post/questions, {"set":null,"list":{"3":0,"4":0,"2":0,"5":0,"6":0,"7":0}}, {"set":null,"list":{"2":0,"3":0,"4":0,"5":0,"6":0,"7":0}}, {"set":null,"list":{"2":0,"3":0,"4":1,"5":0,"6":0,"7":0}}, {"set":null,"list":{"2":0,"3":0,"4":0,"5":0,"6":1,"7":0}}. Thanks again for all your help. Am I correct that it needs to dry for 24 hours before staining after brightener is used? Its formulated for use on decks and other wood surfaces, including fencing. Awesome, thanks! So while I cannot truly recommend the product as having a nonskid benefit, I was impressed by its ability to clean painted decking without harming the paint job. Yes, it preps it best for proper penetration and adhesion. Your prep looks good, you just have a little bit of fuzzies. Extended Warranties. I used the restore a deck cleaner and brightener yesterday but today y notice difference colors in my cedar deck, like darkened spots, its this normal ? Undiluted concentrated liquid deck cleaner can also be used in the attached dispenser of a pressure washer (follow manufacturer directions for dilution rate settings) or in a hose-end sprayer, both of which dilute the solution during application. Did not power wash. Do I need to use cleaner followed by brightener now? Composite decking is manufactured from wood byproducts and plastic to create an impermeable surface that resists rotting and decay. Can we do it the next day or even a few days after removing all the stain? These ingredients leave a thin protective layer on the surface to help repel staining. Thanks! Its been weathered for 4 months. I read the whole article and dont see the answer to my question about whether I can sand and brighten the same day. Defy did lighten the coffee color to the point that the board looked nearly new again. It is not possible to have a cleaner and brightener in one. I cleaned my deck 4 weeks ago using "hit the deck" a pure oxygen cleaner to get rid of the grayness of my unstained deck caused by the sun. It will need to be prepped again. In some cases, additional scrubbing with a deck brush may be required to remove stubborn stains. I rinsed again, and the board was immaculateno trace of a stain. (Not staining after). Several of todays deck cleaners are eco-friendly and contain ingredients that wont damage surrounding grass and plants. I was wondering if a wood stripper is better than a wood cleaner? Long-lasting and resistant to weather damage, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) decks, commonly referred to as vinyl decks, feature nonporous surfaces that withstand most exterior all-purpose cleaners. Is my deck wood okay at this point?? Is this going to ruin the current stain. In many cases, it is easier and more beneficial to use a wood stripper instead of a wood cleaner.4. In our opinion, it is just as easy or easier to apply an oil-based wood stain. Get the Karcher deck cleaner at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., or The Home Depot. Clean and brighten the wood after sanding. Not brightening right away could cause wood furring. You did complicate it somewhat with the sanding but since you used only 40 grit then washed to "swell" the wood pores, I think you are still fine to stain now without any other prep. You should redo the prep using both the RAD Cleaner and then the RAD Brightener. For those new to deck cleaning, a few questions are to be expected. Use the RAD Cleaner first with pressure washing and then the Brightener. It can be beneficial to have a stain that does not dry too fast. After the brightener has done its job simply rinse the deck again for 20 minutes untilall soap suds are removed. Cleaning a deck doesnt just improve its appearance; if the surface has mold or mildew growth, treating it with an appropriate cleaner can actually prolong its useful life. This is step number two in the RAD kit. I've applied a stripper to my deck and power washed it off. Finally! TIA, Should i use a brightener after doing a mid-summer deck wash? As soon as possible after stripping for best results. Doing both steps will give better penetration for the wood stain. Do not use a stripper on a new deck. A 1-gallon jug cleans and treats a deck up to 1,000 square feet. While testing each cleaner, I used a rubric to score its performance. Krud Kutter contains SPOREX, which is a proprietary blend of ingredients that break down stains and grime. I didn't use the brightener because I had to wait 3 weeks to receive the stripper after I had already cleaned wit RAD cleaner. Ok,the wood need to be wet before the brightener or not ? I didnt apply it to a new test board as in my other tests because it contains mildewcide, and the new decking boards didnt have any mold. Let the wood continue to weather and attempt to do another time? A gentle ammonia-free deck cleaner is usually the best choice for a painted wood deck. Would old oil stains be vanquished as easily? Be aware of any contractor who says they can do this for a "cheap" price. Left that way, they can become dingy and drab before their time. What began as a simple test on wood decking expanded to cleaning concrete, masonry, siding, and other outdoor surfaces. I was impressed and will keep a bottle of Oil Eater in the garage for cleaning oil and grease stains wherever I find them. Thank you very much!!! Although Star brite claims to be suitable for painted surfaces, I was concerned that it might strip the paint from a painted deck. Its also important to wear protective eyewear to prevent the solution from splashing into the eyes. This is just plain wrong. Do I need to apply a wood brightener after sanding? cleaned, then brightened then RO sanded with 60 grit for fuzzy removal. thank you! The TWP 500 is no longer available so I assume you meant the 1500 Series. Even if theres no mildew or graying of the boards? Using a pressure washer entails a few additional safety issues, as the intense pressure of the water leaving the nozzle can be strong enough to cut the skin on bare feet and legs and even remove chunks of soft deck wood. For testing, I employed a pressure washer, but the solution can also be applied by diluting at a ratio of 1:20 (cleaner to water) in a bucket and then brushing it on the surface. Or I should use again the brightener ? Do I still need to neutralize it first before using Arborcoat classic oil finish? Thats a lot of cleaning power for the price. I am realistic that the wood will not look amazing, as parts of the deck are perhaps more than 30 years old. some of it, I have long-board power sanded, one side, with 40 grit to remove the saw marks. You will always have to prep when reapplying. If I use cleaner, scrub it will that compromise sanding? If I use cleaner, and it started to rain. Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner, 11 Ways to Make the Most of Your Towns Curbside Cleanup Day, The Best Pressure Washer Surface Cleaners of 2022, The Most Affordable Ways to Fence in a Yard, 7 Awesome Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Your Backyard, Dissolves dirt without harming painted surfaces, Can be applied via pressure washer or diluted and applied manually, Didnt lighten test board but might lighten aged wood, Lightens (bleaches) wood to remove stains, Raises the wood grain and leaves a slightly rough surface, Left my skin slightly red and itchy where it splashed, May harm foliage; spray nearby grass and shrubs with water, Can be used in power washer or applied directly with a brush, Required a second application (and scrubbing) to remove old stain, Earned a Safer Choice award from the EPA. I know I should have done this sooner. The only downside? While these one-and-done combo products save time, they are not a replacement for an actual deck sealer, since the water-repellent benefit will wear off fairly quickly. I am replacing some sections of my cedar deck (green cedar) then stripping old finish off remaining boards. Last year we used the RAD stripper, brightener, and stain. Some deck cleaners contain ingredients that may negatively affect nearby plants and lawns. However, some contain ingredients that bond with the wood grain and leave behind a temporary film that discourages dust and dirt for a few weeks or months. So I applied the solution a second time, scrubbed it with a nylon-bristle brush, and gave it another 5 minutes. You still need to brighten after the stripping. I mixed 1 cup of Krud Kutter with 10 cups of water and then poured the diluted solution over a decking board that Id slathered with mud and grill grease. I am sanding the wood to remove all trace of Sikkens prior to staining with A-C semi-transparent stain. Stain strippers will not damage new wood. All-purpose wood deck cleaners contain detergents to dissolve surface dirt, spills, and grime. Using Armstrong Clark semi trans in rustic brown to stain. If you want to sand, then sand either prior to cleaning or after cleaning but before the brightening. I let the board dry to ensure the cleaner got all the grease offand it had; there wasnt a trace left. Separating superior products from just so-so stuff is why we do hands-on testing. However, even though the sander would vibrate it wouldn't sand nor move an inch. What should I do now? How can I correct this? It will be fine to wait until spring but if you want, you can do now if temps are okay. After stripping my 43-year-old deck (it had only one coat of Sherwin Williams Deckscapes Semi-Transparent Stain 17 years ago) with Restore-A-Deck Stripper and a power washer, I rented a random orbital floor sander to sand the deck before adding the brightener. Our job is a very very large one and want to get it right. Stain within two weeks of the prep. I would definitely power wash firstIm applying the exact same stain (Armstrong Clark semi transparent natural oak). You should notice the wood brightening up right away. The dilution instructions are flexible. A backyard deck is an extension of a homes living area, but a dirty surface can ruin the atmosphere. Its not heavy or overbearing; I just didnt care for it. Combining them would cancel each either out and the products would be useless. While the mud came right off, the grease left a light glaze on the board, so I poured on a bit more of the solution and scrubbed lightly with a nylon bristle brush. Or is the sole purpose of the brightener to restore proper ph after using other chemicals? Get the Wet & Forget deck cleaner at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Walmart. I waited 5 minutes as instructed and rinsed off the solution before letting the board dry. Those wanting a smooth deck surface may opt to sand the wood after lightening it with Defy and before staining and sealing. In addition, it will be extremely difficult or impossible to fix.