Do you have to remove old stain before restaining?
Well, it depends.
If your deck or other stained surface has some rough or coarse areas, then youโll need to sand it first before trying to restain.
Also, if there are areas where the old stain seems to be peeling off, these need to be stripped as well.
Why Do You Need to Strip Off Old Stain Before Restaining?
You see, if you apply a new stain on top of the old stain that is peeling away, the new stain will end up stripping off with the old one.
Furthermore, applying a new stain over an older coating will prevent the new stain from penetrating properly.
Additionally, your newly stained deck or fence wonโt look as smooth and uniform due to the rough areas.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Product Do you Recommend for Stripping Off Old Stain Before Restaining?
- 1.1 Why Do I Recommend the Defy Exterior Wood Stain Stripper?
- 1.2 How To Use the Defy Exterior Wood Stain Stripper?
- 1.3
- 1.4 How Much Does the Defy Exterior Wood Stain Stripper Cost?
- 1.5 How to Clean the Old Wood Stain Debris After Using the Defy Stain Stripper?
- 1.6 Why Do I Recommend the Sun Joe XPX3000-BLK Pressure Washer?
- 1.7 Should you Use a Wood Brightener After Stripping Old Wood Stain?
- 1.8 Which Wood Brightener Do I Recommend?
- 2 Do You Have to Remove Old Stain Before Restaining?- Bottom Line
What Product Do you Recommend for Stripping Off Old Stain Before Restaining?
The only wood stain stripper I would recommend is the DEFY Exterior Wood Stain Stripper.
Why Do I Recommend the Defy Exterior Wood Stain Stripper?
- The Defy Exterior Wood Stain Stripper quickly removes worn and peeling semi-transparent stains and sealers
- It removes wood finishes and sealers as well
- It comes ready-to-use- simply pour the stripper into a pump-up sprayer and apply to the surfaces that need to be stripped
- Restores the natural beauty of your wood surfaces
- Works well on both oil and water-based stains
- Wonโt damage painted surfaces or your colored siding
- Suitable for all types of exterior wood
- A single Gallon will cover a large surface- up to 100sq.ft-150sq.ft
NB: The DEFY Wood Stain Stripper does not remove solid color stains though. It also wonโt strip paint or film-forming coatings either. Only use it to strip semi-transparent stains, vanishes, clear wood finishes as well as penetrating sealers.
How To Use the Defy Exterior Wood Stain Stripper?
The Defy Exterior Wood Stain Stripper is actually very easy to use.
Since its comes ready to use, simply pour the formula into a Pump-Up Sprayer and spray at full strength on the wood surface that needs to be stripped.
I recommend the Chapin 20000 Garden Sprayer 1 Gallon. This is the same sprayer you use to kill pesticides and weeds in the garden.
This sprayer is lightweight with an ergonomic handle that makes pumping and carrying extremely easy.
Click Here to View the Chapin Garden Sprayer Price on Amazon.
How Much Does the Defy Exterior Wood Stain Stripper Cost?
This stain stripper is actually very cheap.
Click Here to Check Its Current Price on Amazon
Itโs actually one of the best wood stain strippers in the market right now- it has great reviews from happy customers and quite a good rating.
How to Clean the Old Wood Stain Debris After Using the Defy Stain Stripper?
For best results, the manufacturer recommends rinsing the stripped surface with a good pressure washer.
When you use a wood stain stripper, it breaks down and loosens any peeling or worn out stains from your wood.
The best way to bring it back to its original look is by rinsing off the stain stripper together with the stain debris with a pressure washer.
I recommend the Sun Joe SPX3000-BLK Pressure Joe Pressure Washer.
Why Do I Recommend the Sun Joe XPX3000-BLK Pressure Washer?
- Its currently one of the best-selling and most popular pressure washers on Amazon right now
- The pressure washer generates up to 2030 psi/1.76 GPM thanks to its powerful motor. This gives it maximum cleaning power with a water inlet temperature of up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. For these reasons, this pressure washer is an excellent choice for rinsing off the stripped wood stain to reveal a new, fresh look on your wood
- Has dual detergent tanks that carry different types of detergents- this allows you to tackle different cleaning projects simultaneously
- Great multipurpose pressure washer- you can use it for all types of cleaning projects- from cleaning decks, truck, driveways, patios, and so many more
- Features a safety lock switch that automatically shuts off the pump whenever the trigger is not engaged. This prolongs the pumps life while saving energy at the same time.
Should you Use a Wood Brightener After Stripping Old Wood Stain?
Well, you can use a wood brightener after stripping old wood stain but itโs actually optional.
You donโt have to use it if you donโt want to.
As long as all the debris from the old stain have been cleared after rinsing with a pressure washer, you should be good to go.
However, using a wood brightener is a great way to restore the natural beauty of your wood.
A wood brightener basically neutralizes wood stain strippers and cleaners which brings the wood surface back to a neutral Ph.
It helps open up pores of the wood, thus allowing for maximum penetration of the new wood stain while extending its life.
Basically, a wood brightener creates an ideal surface that is ready to be stained.
Which Wood Brightener Do I Recommend?
I recommend the DEFY 1 Gallon Wood Brightener.
The DEFY Wood Brightener is a concentrated formula that can be mixed with up to 4 Gallons of water that will cover up to 500-1000 sq.ft.
The brightener is quite affordable. You can Check its Current Price Here on Amazon.
Do You Have to Remove Old Stain Before Restaining?- Bottom Line
If the stained surface does not show any signs of peeling, fraying, or roughness in some areas, you can simply apply a new coat of stain over the old weathered wood.
However, if part or the entire surface is old and worn out, then you should consider stripping it off completely before applying a new coat of stain.
The DEFY Wood Stain Stripper is an excellent choice if youโre looking to remove old stain before restaining.
This stripper works well on any exterior wood furniture including decks, fences, wood sidings, outdoor patio furniture, and others.
I hope youโve enjoyed reading this article. I am certain that youโll enjoy the new look of your wood deck, fence, or any other area that youโre planning to restain after stripping the old stain.