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No one likes to look at the older, worn-out stained wooden deck. But you don’t have to change the whole floor just to get a new good-looking deck.
You can use the best deck stripper that helps you remove the old stains, dirt, and even paint scrubs from the wooden surface.
We have picked the top stripper products that you can use indoor and outdoor for all deck renovating needs.
Quick Picks
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Premium
Defy wood stain stripper
Defy wood stain stripper is effective in removing dirt, semi-transparent stains, and sealers from the deck woods. It comes in a one-gallon container that is good for 100-150 sq ft coverage.
Best Overall
Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper
Its fast-acting chemical compound removes tougher wooden stains and also eliminates most oil and latex-based older wood finishing. It’s safe to use on all types of exterior wood surfaces.
Best Value
Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
Citristrip paint and varnish stripping gel come with a citrus scent and do not produce any harsh fumes. This is effective in removing multiple layers of both latex and oil-based paint.
Top 5 Deck Stripper You Can Buy Today
Product
Name
Detail
Price
- Water Based Solution
- Heavy Duty Stripper
- Non-Toxic Cleaner
- Cost effective cleaner
- Citrus scent, no harm fumes
Our Top Pick
Restore a deck wood stain stripper is our top pick. It comes in a 5-gallon pack that is enough for up to 1,000 sq ft area.
Its fast-acting chemical compound removes tougher wooden stains and also eliminates most oil and latex-based older wood finishing. It’s safe to use on all types of exterior wood surfaces that provide you with more flexibility in use.
What is a Deck Stripper?
Deck stripper is a highly potent paint and dirt removing solution that is used to remove old stains, dirt, molds, and wood blemishes from the woods and makes the deck brighter.
It contains a very reactive chemical called sodium hydroxide or either sodium meta-silicate that when applied bonds with deck stain and breaks it down for easier removal.
To make it work effectively, you have to apply it on the wooden surface and then leave it for a couple of minutes for the chemical agents to react, and then clean it off with water. It’s handy as it does not require much effort.
Let’s find out some of the top wood strippers available in the market.
What to consider when buying Deck Stripper
Usage
You have to choose the right stripper type depending on what you are trying to remove from the deck. Incorrect type of deck stripper could cause damage to the surface.
Quantity
Pre-planning the right quantity gives you the best results when removing paint or cleaning deck. It also avoids the hassle of making multiple trips to the store to buy more.
Environment Friendly
When using a deck stripper around flower beds or pots, choose an environment friendly material to not harm surrounding or people in your home.
Have a question about buying deck stripper? Contact us
Deck Stripper Reviews
1. Defy Wood Stain Stripper
Best For Solid Deck Stain
Defy wood deck stain stripper is effective in removing dirt, semi-transparent stains, and sealers from the deck woods. It comes in a one-gallon container that is good for 100-150 sq. ft coverage.
Effective in Removing
- Semi-transparent deck stains
- Clear wood finishes
- Penetrating sealers
- Varnishes
Not Effective in Removing
- Paint
- Solid color stains
- Film-forming coatings
The application of stripper is quite straightforward, and you need a pump sprayer to apply it. Once sprayed, it takes 20 to 30 minutes to break down hard stains.
Keep the wood wet by applying an additional stripper layer if it starts to get dry. For the best result, use high-pressure water to wash the deck as the stripper loosen the deck stain.
The stripper is safe to use in all kinds of woods and is easy and straightforward to use. It does not contain any harsh chemicals and provides effective cleaning results.
See More Information about Defy Deck Stain Stripper
Pros
Cons
2. Woodrich Wood Stripper And Cleaner
Best Wood Strippers With Power Washer
The Woodrich wood stripper is useful in cleaning outdoor decks from any dirt, stains, mold, and sealants. It’s a powdered solution in which you have to add water, and it produces roughly 5 gallons of deck stripping solution.
You can apply the solution directly to the deck and leave it there for 30 minutes. If it starts getting dry, put another spray coat. You can pressure wash it or use a hose from your garden to clean the solution.
This should remove most of the stains from the deck, but for any leftover deck stain, use a scrubber and gently rub it till it gets removed.
This wood stripper works well on oil stains and removes even tougher greasy stains. To make sure, it does not adversely affect the wood, use a small sample area to test the kit efficiency. You can use it to cover up to 750 sq. feet of deck area.
See More Information about Woodrich Wood Stripper And Cleaner
Pros
Cons
3. Max Strip Paint And Varnish Stripper
Best For Stripping Paint And Varnish
Max Strip paint and varnish stripper is a professional-grade stripper for residential and commercial use. It’s eco-friendly and doesn’t contain any toxic paint or varnish removing ingredients.
The solvent-free chemical ingredients make it safe to use both indoor and outdoor use and don’t need any special ventilation. This is because it contains a low composition of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) that makes it safe for indoor use.
It’s gentle on the skin that means you won’t have any burning sensation after use, and it can strip paints that are up to 8 layers thick.
This paint and varnish stripper is effective in removing multiple layers of latex and oil-based paints, varnish, lacquer from wood, metal, tile, glass, stone, and masonry surfaces.
Have you got your bathroom painted and have paint spots on the bathtubs?
Max Strip paint and varnish stripper can remove that too. You are not limited to removing paint from the wooden surfaces only. It’s useful in removing paint from fiberglass doors, kitchen cabinets, and drawers.
See More Information about Max Strip Paint And Varnish Stripper
Pros
Cons
4. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Stripper
Best Wood Stripper And Cleaner
Restore-A-Deck Wood stain stripper is an environmentally friendly biodegradable stripper. It comes in a pack of 5 gallons that is enough for a 500 to 1000 sq. ft area. It’s useful in cleaning and removing tougher stains from the deck woods.
The specially formulated compound removes the worn finish from the wood with ease, including any dirt, mold, mildew, and mill glaze. It’s effective in removing most oil and latex-based wood finishing, including clear sealers, transparent stains, and semi-transparent stains.
The powdered formula is needed to be mixed with water, and it makes 5 gallons of deck stain stripping solution. If you need a stronger stripping concentration, then you can reduce the water ratio that helps remove the tougher stains.
Let the solution sit on the stain for 30 to 60 minutes before you clean it off. Although this is effective in removing most stains, it won’t remove solid color stains, paints, polyurethanes, or excessively over-applied acrylics. It’s safe to use on all types of exterior wood surfaces.
See More Information about Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper
Pros
Cons
5. Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
Citristrip paint and varnish stripping gel come with a citrus scent and do not produce any harsh fumes. This is effective in removing multiple layers of both latex and oil-based paint.
You can also use it to remove varnish, shellac, and epoxy with ease. The pleasing citrus scent makes it smell nice once applied and is biodegradable, which means safer on the environment.
It’s safe to use indoor so you can use it on the kitchen and bathroom counters. You are not restricted to removing paint from the wooden surface as it’s equally effective on metal and masonry surfaces.
Once applied, the gel stays wet and remains active for up to 24 hours. It’s non-toxic and non-corrosive and works in as little as 30 minutes once used.
For optimum results, apply the gel in a bit of warm weather when the temperature is between 65 F to 85 F and away from the stiff breeze and hot sun. Don’t use it on fiberglass materials as it’s not very effective and leaves sticky marks.
See More Information about Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
Pros
Cons
Why do you need a deck stripper?
Many people have decks and patios made from wood that is usually exposed to elements such as rain, snow, and heat. These woods are generally painted or coated with protective layers.
These protective layers often do a good job, but after a while, it starts getting old and either start peeling off or get fade. Before you put a new layer, you have to remove the older layer for better results.
Here are some of the benefits of using it:
Removes Wood Stains
Not all stains can be removed from general-purpose cleaning solutions. To remove tougher stains, mold, algae, and dirt, you need a solution that is specially formulated for wood cleaning.
Deck strippers perform both cleaning and stripping functions. As you can clean and remove the paint from the wood to put a new coat on it.
Strips Paint, Varnishes, Sealers And Stains
It removes existing paint and varnish from the wood and brings it back to its natural state. This helps if you want to change the current color and texture of the deck. It may not produce a good result if you simply attempt to paint on top of it or without cleaning it properly.
More Receptive To Paint
Wood, with pre-existing paint, has its pores sealed off. So, when you apply the new color, you may get the black spots or reflection of the older paint job that may not look good.
It goes deep inside the wooden pores and removes any paint or stains beyond the top layer. When you apply a new color, it spread more uniformly across the wooden board, and you get a much smoother and brighter deck.
Improves Home Appearance
A beautiful home must have a clean and bright appearance. A dirty or stained-looking deck brings down the appearance of the house. After all, a stained-ridden and faded color deck looks like a sore thumb.
Using it, you can properly clean and maintain the deck, so you can have a beautiful-looking home.
What is the difference between deck stripper vs. deck cleaner?
If you go to the home hardware store, it often gets confusing to know the difference between a wide variety of cleaning products. In some way, stripper and cleaner do the same job but have different chemical compositions.
The deck stripper performs the cleaning, as well as removing the hard-to-remove stains or sealers that may not be easily removed by the cleaner.
It may not be very effective in removing the complete paint layer on the wooden deck. If that’s what you need, then a paint remover will be the better choice.
The deck cleaners perform the general-purpose cleaning, although a bit better than what you may use to clean your kitchen countertop. It contains household bleach (sodium per-carbonate) for cleaning purposes.
So be careful when using it and don’t apply it on carpet or color fabrics; otherwise, it will result in discoloration.
How to choose the right deck stripper
Finding the right deck stripper is essential to have your desired results. Consider these following factors when choosing one:
Removal Type
You should first identify what you actually want to remove from the deck wood. Depending on the solid stains, varnishes, or dirt you want to remove, you may want to choose a deck stripper that is more active than the other.
It comes with various cleaning ranges and knowing the item you want to remove will help you find the right deck stripper.
Environment-Friendly
If you have other plants and pots surrounding the deck, then you want strippers to be environment-friendly and not kill the plants and vegetation in your garden.
Environment-friendly and biodegradable deck strippers clean up the deck without impacting the safety of the environment or the safety of family members or pets in your home.
Usage
Before using a deck stripper, it’s usually advisable to clean the area with water properly. Some people recommend using a pressure washer on the decks. But not everyone has a pressure washer in their home.
Look for the application instruction provided by the manufacturer. Some deck strippers may require specific application methods such as pressure washing or using other tools for it to be effective.
Knowing beforehand what kind of tools or equipment you need to use helps you prepare better.
Removing Paint or Deck Stripping
If your primary purpose is to remove the old paint from the deck, then you will be better off using a paint remover than a deck stripper.
Deck stripper also removes the paint but is not as good as a paint remover. Deck stripper works by emulsifying and dispersing the stains inside the wood. It results in a cleaner-looking wooden deck.
But it won’t be as effective to remove the paint which paint remover is specially manufactured.
Get The Right Quantity
You should have some estimate of the deck size you are planning to clean. This helps in buying the right quantity of material.
It may become frustrating to buy less amount than what you need, and then you have to make multiple trips to the home hardware store to get more supplies.
On the other hand, buying more than what you need will be a wastage of money as you will have excessive deck strippers left after use.
How to use a deck stripper
Using a deck stripper is a straightforward process. Since you will be handling active chemicals, I recommend that you put on proper safety gear such as eyeglasses and gloves. Don’t use any colorful clothes as the deck stripper may soil it.
- Before you open the can, read the mixing instruction provided by the manufacturer. You may have to clean the area first before you apply it.
- Remove any pots or other objects which may become obstructive when applying the deck stripper.
- Test the smaller hidden deck area before you start applying deck stripper everywhere. This will give you some idea of how effective it is toward the stains and overall deck appearance
- Give it 30 to 60 minutes to penetrate appropriately in the wood and do its cleaning action. Most of the stains should be gone in that time frame, but sometimes some stains may take longer than usual. Don’t rush it and give it a proper time to clean
- Usually, you don’t need to scrub the stains, but some tougher stains can be easily removed by light scrubbing. For a more significant size deck, you can pressure wash it that forcefully removes the stains
- When you are done stripping, let the deck dry off completely before you start putting a new paint coat wood finish
Final Conclusion
Getting a beautiful and shiny-looking deck is not a hard job. What you need is to have a deck stripper clean the floor from all the dirt and debris, and if you need a new layer of paint job after then go for it.
Just follow the proper manufacturer instruction when using the deck stripper for the best possible result.
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