Make Restoring Your Exterior Wood …Easy!
Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener system is a powerful “eco-friendly” two-part restoration system.
Step 1 Wood and Deck Cleaner that deeply cleans your wood to remove dirt, grime, mold, algae and general graying. The cleaner will help prep neglected wood and or prep for re-coating with a wood or deck stain.
Step 2 Wood Brightener is used after the wood cleaner to “brighten” the wood while neutralizing the cleaner to a natural pH balance. This step will improve the overall appearance of your wood while helping the wood deck stain longevity.
100% Biodegradable product- Concentrated powder formula – Cleans up to 1000 sq. feet!
- Prep wood surfaces for re-coating with a wood or deck stain
- Restores weathered gray wood to natural color
- Eco-friendly
? need brighter after using TWP cleaner on new, dried, PT wood. Looks bright before cleaning.
Yes. Neutralize with the brightener and it will help the stain absorb better.
How long do I have in between cleaner/brighter and staining?
Wait 48 hours after the prep and try to stain within 2 weeks.
I built a large, covered porch (650 sq ft) 2 years ago, and used TWP California Redwood 1511 on the cedar decking. I would like to restain the flooring and need some guidance on how best to proceed. Thanks!
Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit for this.
My wood fence is about 18 months old. Would the 2 step cleaner and brightner products be enough prep work? What is the process to use the 2 step cleaner? Must I use a pressure washer after I apply the cleaner? If so how much psi is recommended? Can I apply the wood stain with a Wagner paint sprayer?
You will need a pressure washer while using the Step 1 Cleaner. PSI is relative to how far away you are from the wood. a 3000 psi machine is fine because you will wash at 8-12 inches away. This reduces the psi to less than 1/2 of the machines rating. You can spray the TWP stain but you will need to back wipe for even application.
Thanks… so I can
Apply the cleaner with a pump sprayer, let it sit, and then pressure wash? Do I apply the brightener with a pump sprayer as well and let it stay/not rinse?
Lightly rinse the brightener. No pressure washing is needed on the brightener. Rest is correct.
And roller and brush would be good to apply stain?
Stain pad is best. Brush is second best.
Stained new deck last year with 1530 Natural last summer. I’d like to add another coat this summer. Can I just add another coat or is it necessary to use the “Cleaner” and “Brightener”. I don’t want to strip the old stain off. Just trying to add another coat. Thanks in advance.
Yes, you always have to prep by removing any dirt or grime.
What is the maximum time you can go between cleaning then pressure washing, and applying the brightener? I found it took me a long time to do the pressure washing on my smaller porch and stairs. My other is at least twice as large. Should I do it in sections (both cleaning and brightening) since it will probably take 2 hours for the pressure washing? It says to let cleaner sit 15 minutes, but it was actually on much longer as I worked my way down. Should I have at least hosed it all prior to pressure washing?
Thanks for your help so far!
Do the cleaner/pressure washing in sections. Brighten all when done on the same day.
How long can I go before I brighten? It may take 2 days to complete the stairs, alone. Weather is to heat up and I want to do it in the shade, so that limits the amount of time I can spend.
Try to brighten the same day for best results.
I am at the point of using Restore-A-Deck. I would like to know if I can apply it with a light rain predicted today before I finally get 3-4 days of sun? When I do apply it do I use a sprayer to put it down on the boards? Do I need to scrub the Restore-A-Deck product into the deck with a scrub brush? When applying the stripper and then the brightener do I need to wait between applications and do I need to wash off the first application before putting the 2nd (brightener) down? Thanks again for the help.
Light rain will not hurt the prep. Best to apply the products with a pump sprayer and then pressure wash off. You have to do all the Stripping first, rinse and then brightener.
All directions are on the containers and the product pages as well.
Thank you very much. You are very helpful.
Reusing some older p/t pine deck wood. Some of the old wood have ‘impressions’ or lines in them only when wet. This is because these boards were flipped and the lines are from where they rested on the support beams. Sanding and cleaning has not removed the line/impressions when they get wet. Will this go away once stained with TWP100? If not, any recommendations?
The TWP is a semi-transparent stain so any imperfections or line marks will show through when stained.
After using Restore-A-Deck on my T&G Douglas Fir porch, the cleaning/treatment process pulled some discoloration which bloomed out of the joints. Black stains, from old nails, even after sinking them 3/8″+ deep and plugging with glued wood plugs. Faint greenish stains, from Wood-Life Copper Coat, used to treat the underlying framing. And one curious orange stain from who-knows-what. I think another R-A-D wash would just repeat or worsen the problem. Can these be lightly spot treated to remove from the surface?
The black is rust from your nails. Try just the brightener over all. It should remove the black rust spots and should help with the green.
A couple questions. I replaced almost half of my deck boards, power washed the entire deck, re-hammered all the nails that were up, and sanded the entire deck with a rented sander in the Fall of 2017 and was told to let it weather over the winter. I’m ready to stain now and have these questions?
1. Do I need to power wash again before using your Restore-A-Deck product?
2. Do I need to hose down the deck BEFORE I apply the Restore-A-Deck product?
3. How long do I need to wait after using the Restore-A-Deck product before I can begin to stain?
Thanks.
1. Yes.
2. No need.
3. 48 hours.
I stained my deck yesterday and it looks great-thanks for all of your help. But I do need a bit more assistance on a few things. The boards I replaced are noticeably lighter than the others -is there something I can/should do to correct that? Should I go back and stain just those new boards with an extra coat and if so should it be done today before it fully dries or can it be done tomorrow? I also noticed a few of the last spots I finished are still shiny wet and not sure why-it could be they are not getting enough sun and there is very little wind here in NJ the last 2 days. It has also been getting increasingly hot (90+) and more and more humid-expecting 100 degrees tomorrow. Will that change in temps affect the drying process-I do not want to put anything back on the deck or even allow my dog across it until I’m sure it’s dry and doesn’t need a 2nd coat on the new boards. Thanks again for helping.
No. The new boards will be lighter as they are less absorbent. Adding more will not fix this and could create an issue where the TWP cannot soak in.
The shiny spots are areas where the stain was most likely over applied. You can back wipe off the excess now but it will cure and even out over time. If you have any oil rags, saturate them in water and lay flat to dry outdoors.
As always thanks for the great advice. I will send a couple of pics later.
Here are 2 pics-please let me know your thoughts on how it turned out and if I need to do anything further.
No way to even this out now. Strip and brighen in two years and it will all blend then.
Ok. What should I have done prior to staining that would have evened it out?? I said from the beginning that I had to replace a lot of boards so I don’t understand why you responded like that?
There is nothing you could have done to even out new wood and old wood. It is not the TWP stains fault, but the way the wood takes the stain based on porosity. It will not be an issue for future applications, only the first time staining the new boards.
Can you point me to any videos that show the best way to use the restore-a-deck products? I’ve checked Youtube and have not been able to locate anything that is very helpful. Do you have any videos on this website? If not that would be a great thing to add. Thanks.
I am sorry but we do not have any videos as of yet.
Will it harm composite decking?
No, it will not.
We just used Gemini restore deck cleaner and brightner on our new deck that we built in February in preparation to stain with twp 101. The wood looks like it got eaten away. There was shreds of wood coming off when rinsing. IS that normal?
That is oxidation of the wood fibers that you did not get removed completely during the prep, not a result of the cleaner. Either reclean, getting closer to the wood with the pressure washer or lightly buff off the wood fibers with a sanding pad.
Had same issue. Gotta sand it. Mine happened from getting too close with the pressure washer. gotta be careful depending on how much PSI your machine has.
I built my deck last year in July with pressure treated pine wood and want to stain it this spring. Is TWP 200 the right product? Do I have to prep with the Restore-a-Deck kit although the deck is pretty new and clean?
Yes, you will have to prep with the Gemini Restore Kit. As for the stain, use the TWP 100 or the 1500 Series.
I am here in Western Canada, so in my understanding the TWP 100 is not an option. Why the TWP 1500 over the TWP 200? I would like to stain in a semi-transparent, medium brown tone. Which would you recommend, rustic or dark oak respectively russet or butternut brown. How many coats will likely be required?
Only the TWP 200 is an option for Canada. It is a semi-transparent stain. Use Butternut. 1-2 coats depending on the age of the wood.
I bought the 1501 stain and the Restore-A-Deck (RAD) kit. However, the 1501 can only mentions a bleach solution wash. Should I use BOTH a bleach wash AND the RAD prep? If yes, which one should be done first? If no, which one is better for first-time prep of newly sanded old (Douglas Fir) wood?
Just the RAD kit, no need for bleach.
I recently used the 2 step restore a deck & TWP 101 stain on my deck. I just added a deck skirt using 1×6 kiln dried pt wood. When I apply the cleaner/brightner to the skirt do I need to make sure it doesn’t get on the recently stained deck?
Just be careful by rinsing any overspray right away and you should be okay.
New cedar deck put in August 2017 (Chicago area). It was not stained and now I’m getting ready to stain it. Do I use the cleaner and then the brightener? Or just the cleaner?
Cleaner and the brightener for the prep.
My red cedar deck was installed in the Fall of 2017. I live in Indiana, I waited until this Spring 2018 to stain. I decided to use the Gemini clean and brightener with the 1500 series stain. After I used the cleaner and brightener the wood had white splotchy areas. Will repeating the 2 step process remove the white areas? It looks good when it is “wet”. How long should I wait before I repeat the process?
Hello, the white is oxidized wood cells that did not come off fully when you were washing. They typically do not show when stained as the stain will darken the wood.
In the spring of 2015 (3 years ago) I installed my 6′ cedar privacy fence in Minnesota. I did not pressure wash and stain during that summer and have been dragging my feet ever since. I have started to pressure wash my fence and it is cleaning up very well, in preparation to start staining. I have purchased the TWP 100 Series (101 cedartone). My question is – since I’m applying the stain for the first time ever on this 3 year old fence after pressure washing, do I need to use any cleaners/wood brightener prior to staining? I have included a picture of my fence (right side has been pressure washed, left side has not)
The cleaning looks decent but it would be best to apply a brightener before staining.
i stained my deck with twp 1501 2 or 3 years ago. should i clean and brighten before re-staining?
Yes. Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit.
I stripped,cleaned and brightened and stained my deck last year it has faded somewhat I just want to freshen up color with water proof should I just use the brighter or just power wash lightly and restain
Use the Cleaner and pressure wash gently. A brightener will not work for prep of a maintenance coat.
The prep work is done on my cedar deck (via Restore-a-Deck Steps 1 and 2) and I’m ready to stain. My only remaining question is about timing. I plan to apply a single coat of 1500 Series stain this year (not two coats, wet-on-wet). I am assuming i need to let the deck dry for 48 hours after Step 2 OR 48 hours after a rain shower, whichever comes last. I’m also assuming I need to apply the stain when there is no risk of rain for the next 48 hours. That means I need a window of 96 hours without rain. Is this a good assumption? My deck is on the west side of the house. It’s in total shade until noon and total sunshine from noon to sunset. There are no trees, roof overhangs, pergolas or anything else. The deck is raised off the ground and air circulation is excellent. Are my assumptions of 48 hours before and 48 hours after staining good ones?
48 hours after prep before applying the stain. It should be rain free for 12-24 hours after applying.
What should i do with my under an oak deck that is getting too much sap from tne tree? I already cleaned it and ready to apply the twp, but wonder if it will last. Any additive to help the twp 502i?
Nothing you can do to help or prevent tree sap.
So if i apply a new coat of my 502i it will turn black after a short period? I dont want to take it down.
FYI, there is no such thing as 502i. Do you mean 1502? Not sure what you mean about turning black. TWP does not do this but the sap may. No way to prevent this.
I have 3 gallons of this TWP and i have been using it on my other deck
The TWP 502 was discontinued 8-10 years ago and replaced with the TWP 1502. The 502 may not be good anymore since it is sold old.
My deck attaches to the second story of my painted hardy backer sided home. Will this harm the paint? ie: leave streaks or cause it to lift? It will be running down the painted wall of the first story.
It should not harm the paint. Make sure to rinse the wall off when done to remove the cleaner and the dirt.
The picture is one piece of wood cleaned, power washed, then brightened. The other piece is cleaned and brightened with low wash. Was stained 2 years ago with TWP. Is my problem with the one piece just not power washed hard enough or do I need to strip wood?
Not enough pressure. Try to make it look li the board on the right.
my cedar deck is completely surrounded by brick pavers. Will the restore-a-deck harm the pavers or degrade the paver grout.
No, it will not harm it.
Strands of wood.
Hello,
The issue you are having is two-fold. When you applied two years ago the stain was over applied. You can tell this because the stain that is on there now did not soak in and dried on top of the surface. This is why you see the strands coming off the top. If the TWP had soaked correctly into the wood, you would have an even cleaning with not lifting. Because of the over-application you are using the wrong prep. You need to use the Stripper kit instead of the Cleaner:
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-detail
This is the same process as the cleaner, it just removes the TWP fully. Apply and pressure wash off. Brighten when done.
This will set you up for normal cleaning and brightening down the road as long as you do not over apply again.
Thank you. Just ordered the stripper. Will this help rid of the wood fibers? So once I strip, clean, and brighten, do I stain 1 coat or 2 wet on wet?
That is actually staining lifting in the picture, not wood. It will come off when you strip. Apply two light coats wet on wet:
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
Hi, I attached a before and after cleaning, brushing/power washing/brightening of the cedar deck floor. Is this how it should look before staining? Please note not done with railings yet.
Yes. Looks much better!
Hi! I stained new cedar deck 2 years ago with TWP 103 Dark Oak. I’m going to reapply stain so I purchased Gemini cleaner and brighter. I used a power wash after cleaner. Am I not using enough pressure or should the old stain stay on as much as it is? I’m afraid to etch the wood. If not enough pressure, can I repeat the cleaning/brightening steps right away? There is a lot of wood strands on the wood still.
Please post a picture.
I’m having issues posting pics to this site.
Used a the part one and two system. Waited the 48hr for drying. Question is it seemed to leave some water stains, will the stains show through after it is stained? Does it need to be clean again?
Hard to say. Please post a picture.
Here.
Is the new wood? You cannot stain new wood right away. The “green” bleed through is the pressure treated chemicals inside the wood leaching out after the prep.
See this about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Deck was built in August 2017. So 8- 9 months ago. So back to my question, will these “chemicals” show through the stain or do I need to use your product to clean again to remove the chemical stains?
It will show through. Let the wood dry out for another month or two and then redo the prep.
So I believe I have enough part 1 for the section that I had to wait on. But I do not have part 2. Is there a way for me to purchase part 2 w/o part 1?
You would have to call to do this.
I have applied Step 1 (the cleaner) to my cedar deck. The wood appears much cleaner while wet but the deck is covered in a light, blotchy white deposit when everything drys. Will Step 2 (the brightener) remove this deposit or must I repeat Step 1 before using the brightener?
That is most likely wood pulp from the cleaning that did not get rinsed off when you were done with the cleaning. Try a high-pressure rinse.
For Step 1, I used a garden hose with nozzle, which gives good velocity but not he same as I’d get using a pressure washer. Am I likely to have some success using the same hose/nozzle (along with a good-quality deck brush) doing the second rinse you suggest or this really a case for a pressure washer?
Pressure washer. You are not getting all of the oxidized (gray) wood fibers off the wood with the garden hose.
Got it. One final question. I’ll arrange for a pressure washer but it won’t happen for a week or so. I know the purpose of Step 2 is to brighten the wood and to counteract the acidity of the cleaner from Step 1. Is there any harm to my cedar from leaving the residue of the cleaner on the deck for another week? Or should I do Step 2 now and clean up the fiber with the pressure washer in a week when it’s available? Many thanks for your helpful suggestions.
At this point, you can just brighten after you are down cleaning.
Iam cleaning a dock that has aluminium around the wood and steel frame and wheels underneath. Do i need to tape up or protect either the aluminum or steel from this product. will it harm either one if it comes in contact with them?
It will not harm it.
i have a lenova yoga laptop , model two years old
I already have 5 gal of TWP 100 and will buy more. Please let me know how much total stain and Gemini I need for this project.
Fence: 160 ft long x 8 ft high. The photo shows fence has slats too, not just wide boards. Deck: 13 x14, no railings or steps, and has not been stained since installing two summers ago.
Fence: I only need 110 ft both sides and 70 feet one side ( the opposite side of this was stained prior to installation and is covered by metal roofing due to a uncooperative neighbor who would not let me stain or maintain after the fence installation).
Fence and deck are smooth AYC decking. Each board is 5 5/8″ by 7/8″. I am not sure the photos uploaded, I tried twice.
Thank you
Deb
Hello, could you please give us a total sq, footage of all wood added up?
I am getting 2476 Sf and his includes both sides of the fence on two sides, one side of fence on 70 ft side and 12 x 13 deck.
For two coats applied to this, you will need about 20-25 total gallons.
Hello Deborah,
Could you please elaborate on the issues with the photo uploading? Did it give you an error message? What browser and type of computer are you using?
Thanks
no error message. I am using MS edge. I sent them to the email
reading your website over and over for a year before and since building this fence in order to pick the best stain and understand the best application I saw that new wood, particularly smooth planed wood only needs one coat of stain the first time. Why are you suggesting two coats for the first application?
How old is the wood? I thought you said two years?
the deck is two years old, never stained and the fence installation ended last Nov, not stained except behind vertical fascia as the photo in email shows
Two coats for the deck and only one on the fence. About 15-20 gallons for all wood.
Thanks. and for the Gemini 2 part package, two of them?
No. 3-4 total for 2500 sq feet.
I stripped my cedar deck last spring with RAD Stain Stripper, then applied RAD Brightener and applied TWP 1501 Cedartone stain. I have a lot of blackening on he deck this year, as indicated in the attached picture. Do I need to strip it again this year or should I use the Gemini Restore-A-Deck products to clean it and then restrain? Thanks in advance
Hello, please post a picture.
I have attempted to post/upload a picture several times, but it won’t allow me to do so. Do you have an email address I can send it to you?
Are the images files smaller than 3mb? What browser are you using?
You can also reply to the email notification that is sent.
Picture of deck
You can clean off this dirt with the Gemini Restore Kit. No need for the stripper.
Part two of Alaskan Yellow Cedar Seattle fence and deck: wood is kiln dried and very smooth. I need to stain as soon as we have a few days of dry weather so I can begin landscaping project. The deck looks weathered and gray but the fence boards have not turned gray or weathered yet. The Gemini cleaner will help remove the sappy wax from the boards being planed?
The Gemini Cleaner will not remove tree sap.
Thank you for your speedy reply. I think I miswrote what I was thinking.
Because I have smooth decking for fence and deck, it is the mill glaze, not tree sap I was trying to ask about. The fence was exposed to lots of rain but not much sun since its completion late Nov 2017. We have more sunny days in a row coming up that will help with weathering until I can clean in a next two weeks. There is light to moderate scattered areas of black mildew on them.
Will the Gemini cleaner remove whatever amount of glaze that is left so the stain will be better absorbed?
The kit does remove mill glaze.
A new 160 ft long, 8 ft tall fence using Alaskan Yellow cedar was completed end of Nov 2017. I also have a two year old 10×10 ft deck I never got around to staining. I used AYC smooth decking for the main body of the fence and deck. I knew I needed to wait a few months before staining the fence and have purchased the 5 gal TWP dark oak 100 series to use once the Seattle weather improves. I will soon be buying your stain and cleaner special. Two of the three sides of this fence gets a full day of sun in the summer. It’s the end of April now and we have yet to have more than a few days in a row of sun here.
I do want to know if using a pressure washer with the cleaner to clean away the black mildew already on the new fence boards will be wasting it versus hand applying it, letting it sit and hand scrubbing with a brush. I see other recommendations are to use the pressure washer with the Gemini cleaner but a fence is larger and harder to control the waste.
Thanks in advance for your reply.
The Gemini Cleaner is best applied with a pump sprayer and then pressure washed off. It cannot be applied with the pressure washer. Scrubbing would work but would take forever with this large fence.
Thank you. I finally figured it out and bought a pump sprayer last night at HD.
Can I buy restore a deck without having to buy the brightener?
We only sell them in kits on our website.
Is the active ingredient in the stripper or brighter chlorine or oxygen based?
The Gemini Restore Kit is a cleaner and a brightener. The cleaner is “oxygen” based. No chlorine pr bleach.
I have sprinkler water stains on 2 year old cedar fence. I will stain shortly for first time. Any advice on removing these water stains before applying TWP? Thank you.
Could you post a picture?
Thank you.
Those stains look deep into the wood grain. Use the kit following the directions but when it comes to the brightener, leave it on and do not rinse. Really saturate those water spots with the brightener.
Can I stain on top of brightener without rinsing at all, or are you saying leave it on an extended time before rinsing? Thank you for your help. I am sending 2 more pictures of similar stains. same advice on these?
After the brightener dries you can stain about 48 hours late. Just apply and let it dry into the wood. Do same for all wood.
Ok, our cedar deck has had 4 months to cure from mill glaze. I have a window of 7 days of 70 degree weather to prep with the cleaner, dry and apply the twp cedartone 101.
Will the stainless cable or nuts/washers react to the cleaner if oversprayed or dripped on? Will two or three days of dry time be enough before applying stain? Thanks for your help or idea’s as we want to do it right the first time!!
The cables should be okay but always test spot first to be certain. 2-3 days of drying after prep will work.
I have to divide my deck staining project into two portions. I don’t have questions about the TWP100, but do about the Gemini kit. If I clean/brighten one portion and then stain; what happens if i get the Gemini products on the newly stained deck while cleaning the other portion?
It will not harm newly applied stain.
Do we need to cover our house with plastic so that house paint is not stripped on our front porch before using Restore A Deck? What about plants around porch? Thanks
The Gemini Restore Kit is not a stripper and will not remove paint.
have a pier on Chesapeake Bay that needs to be redone – sanding off a bad stain job and replace with semi transparent stain. Im told oil based is best. Im in Maryland and dont want to redo every year. I get lots of wind, water and sun all year. I guess no TWP 100 for me? Whats the difference between and which would you choose.
Hello, only the TWP 1500 is allowed in MD. After the sanding, make sure to clean and brighten the wood with the Gemini Restore Kit. Wait 48 hours after that for staining.
So it would appear that there’s a difference in the chemicals between the 100 to 200 and the 1500 series. Is the 1500 oil based sorry I can’t look it up the moment but I’m told that oil based is the best for longevity and the heavy weather areas
The 200, 100, and 1500 Series are all oil-based stains.
Last summer I meticulously sanded my deck, cleaned and brightened it, and applied TWP 1516 Rustic stain. Now that the snow has melted, I want to be sure that I don’t inadvertently ruin last year’s work. Do I need to apply a new coat of TWP each year? Do I need to clean and brighten it each year? What is the ideal maintenance routine to follow without overdoing it or under-doing it?
Every 2-3 years for reapplying is normal. See this for more info: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/applying-a-maintenance-coat-of-twp/
Do i need this product for a new bamboo fence?
The TWP 100, 1500, and 200 Series that we sell cannot be applied to bamboo. Just an FYI.
But TPW 300 series can be applied to bamboo, correct?
That is correct.
I have a pressure treated deck that was stained with TWP 5 years ago. I’ll be reapplying with the same product this spring. Can I use a pressure washer to clean the deck?
I was looking at the application procedures and noticed 1-2 coats needed. How can I tell if a second coat is required? how long between applying first and second coat
Yes, you can pressure wash but you will need to use the Gemini Kit as well.
TWP is applied 2 coats wet on wet. The first coat is applied lightly and another light second coat is applied within 20-60 minutes of the first coat. Apply only as much as the wood can absorb.
I need to restain a 12 year old pine log home in North Carolina, always stained with Wolmans F&P oil based semi transparent. Last stained 5 years ago at which time the home was chemically stripped using a Wolman product which included heavy brushing. Could I use TWP 1500 semi transparent and how would I properly prep the logs. The house is in pretty good shape, but the Wolmans has faded. Thank you.
You would need to remove the Wolmans. Use the Restore A Deck Stripper and Brightener kit for this. Apply and pressure wash off. Once removed, you can use the TWP 1500 Series.
how long do you need to wait after cleaning to stain? Alternatively is there a period of time you would not want to exceed before applying stain?
Stain about 48 hours after prep. Stain within 2 weeks of prep. Window is 2-14 days.
I need to clean mildew off my cedar deck that was stained with 100 Series in the Spring. What’s the best cleaning solution to use without having to apply another coat of stain again?
Try dish soap and warm water. Lightly agitate with a soft bristle car wash brush.
I have a two month old deck that the cedar hand rails are already starting to show tiny mildew/mold spots. How should a prep? Can I just sand and then use a 1:5 bleach solution?
Use the Gemini Restore Kit for the prep. See this about new wood:
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/