Protecting your exterior wood surfaces from harsh elements is the key to enhanced appearance and increased lifespan. Unprotected wood will rot, decay, and discolor quickly from moisture and harmful UV rays. To protect your wood surfaces from Mother Nature, the wood must first be cleaned and prepped prior to applying a wood preservative.
The Gemini Restore Kit is a powerful deck cleaner and brightener system. The 2-part restoration system is Eco-Friendly and 100% biodegradable. It is a concentrated powder formula that preps wood surfaces prior to staining or sealing. This easy to use system is perfect for the do-it-yourself homeowner looking to increase the appearance and protection of most any exterior wood surface.
To prep a wood surface using the Gemini Restore Kit use these easy to follow step-by-step instructions.
- Air temperatures should be between 45-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to move all furnishings, potted plants, and outdoor décor from the immediate work area.
- Cover and protect landscaping, plants, shrubbery, windows, doors, etc. or pre-wet with clean water.
- Follow the Gemini Restore Kit instructions for mixing the Wood Cleaner (step 1) in a clean 5-gallon bucket until all the solid crystals are dissolved thoroughly.
- Lightly moisten the wood with clean water. Use a pump sprayer or scrub brush to apply the Gemini Wood Cleaner. Allow the cleaner to soak on the surface for 5-15 minutes. Make sure the wood remains moist by misting it with clean water.
- Scrub with a brush or use a pressure washer to remove graying, dirt, and grime from the wood surface. Be cautious not to use extreme pressure.
- Once the wood surface has been washed, rinse the surface along with the surrounding landscaping, windows, house siding, etc.
- Mix the Gemini Restore Wood Brightener (step 2) according to the instructions. Apply to a still wet wood surface using a pump sprayer and let soak for 10 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly with fresh water.
The clean and prepped wood surface should be allowed to air dry for 1-2 days prior to deck stain or sealer application. Gemini Restore Kit is best for gray and weathered wood surfaces and may not be best for removing old deck stains or sealers.
Ask Questions in Comment Area Below
[quote name=”Kristin Wooten”]I have used a power washer to strip my deck, then sanded it. Since I have sanded it do I need to do both the cleaner step and the brightner step or just the brightner? I plan to apply TWP 100 Stain when done.[/quote]
Yes you should clean and brighten to remove sand dust and open the grain of the wood. Sanding is not really the best way to prep and if you over sand to smooth, the stain may not penetrate as deep.
I have used a power washer to strip my deck, then sanded it. Since I have sanded it do I need to do both the cleaner step and the brightner step or just the brightner? I plan to apply TWP 100 Stain when done.
[quote name=”Sean, m”]How much time can I let pass between cleaning the wood and brightening it? I am working in the hot Florida sun and the wood may dry before I finish cleaning and move to the Brightening step.[/quote]
You should do it as soon as you are able. Same day best.
How much time can I let pass between cleaning the wood and brightening it? I am working in the hot Florida sun and the wood may dry before I finish cleaning and move to the Brightening step.
[quote name=”Bill Walsh”]Can you use a filler such as custom patch to repair cracks on a deck when using TWP-1500?[/quote]
No crack fillers will not work for outside wood and the TWP will not stain the filler to blend.
Can you use a filler such as custom patch to repair cracks on a deck when using TWP-1500?
[quote name=”Buddy Adams”]Our treated yellow pine deck is about 10 yo and has never had a stain or anything. It is under a huge elm tree and is covered with tree sap, green mold in places, etc. Is the Restore-A-Deck product what I need to use? Thanks![/quote]
Yes that would be the correct product to prep with. Nothing though removes sap.
Our treated yellow pine deck is about 10 yo and has never had a stain or anything. It is under a huge elm tree and is covered with tree sap, green mold in places, etc. Is the Restore-A-Deck product what I need to use? Thanks!
[quote name=”Ron Berger”]Should I use the two part cleaner on new cedar wood? The cedar wood has been in place for 2-months in 80-90 degree weather. I plan on using a 100 or 1500 series clear on the cedar. Is it still to soon to apply? This is a mountain area and I need to apply before the snow flies.
Thanks, Ron[/quote]
Yes you need to use the Gemini Restore Kit for the prep. Please read this article: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Should I use the two part cleaner on new cedar wood? The cedar wood has been in place for 2-months in 80-90 degree weather. I plan on using a 100 or 1500 series clear on the cedar. Is it still to soon to apply? This is a mountain area and I need to apply before the snow flies.
Thanks, Ron
[quote name=”Joyce Barnes”]Is the Restore a Deck product recommended also for decks that are still “bare”, i.e., are simply through the recommended weathering period and waiting for their first application of stain? Or……should I just rinse the deck with water and go ahead with the stain?
Thanks[/quote]
No you need to the Restore Kit for prep as well.
Is the Restore a Deck product recommended also for decks that are still “bare”, i.e., are simply through the recommended weathering period and waiting for their first application of stain? Or……should I just rinse the deck with water and go ahead with the stain?
Thanks
[quote name=”Mike Hawkins”]I have already pressure washed (water only) the deck and railings. 80% of the old stain was removed from the wood. Trust me, the wood is CLEAN! I have my 1500 Dark Walnut stain on its way as well as the Gemini Restore Kit. Is it a MUST to redo the pressure wash with the Cleaner — and 1) just go the Brightener step — OR 2) would you recommend going through the Cleaner/Pressure wash AGAIN — OR — 3) use the Cleaner with an ordinary hose to wash off? Thanks[/quote]
You would want the RAD stripper (not cleaner) and the brightener to remove the rest of the old stain before applying the TWP.
I have already pressure washed (water only) the deck and railings. 80% of the old stain was removed from the wood. Trust me, the wood is CLEAN! I have my 1500 Dark Walnut stain on its way as well as the Gemini Restore Kit. Is it a MUST to redo the pressure wash with the Cleaner — and 1) just go the Brightener step — OR 2) would you recommend going through the Cleaner/Pressure wash AGAIN — OR — 3) use the Cleaner with an ordinary hose to wash off? Thanks
[quote name=”Carl Mauney”]I have a dock being built with a relatively new twice pressure treated wood. The manufacturer recommends immediate staining as this new wood has reportedly been dried out as part of the process. Do you have any experience with this type of wood and what do you recommend regarding immediate staining versus the waiting period ?[/quote]
Best to wait and prep correctly first with Gemini Restore Kit. Maybe not the full 4 months but at least a 2 months.
I have a dock being built with a relatively new twice pressure treated wood. The manufacturer recommends immediate staining as this new wood has reportedly been dried out as part of the process. Do you have any experience with this type of wood and what do you recommend regarding immediate staining versus the waiting period ?
[quote name=”Michele Bahl”]I’m redoing a deck that has TWP on it. It was done 4 yrs ago. I’m going over with the same color. Do I have to get all the old stain off? Can I just use the Gemini Restore cleaner and powerwash it? And do I have to do the same process on the railings? I’m doing this for a friend and want it to look primo!!!![/quote]
Since it is 4 years old it would be best to get off about 90% or more of the old stain. The Gemini Kit will remove much but the Restore A Deck Stripper will remove all. Brighten when done and yes do the same to the rails.
I’m redoing a deck that has TWP on it. It was done 4 yrs ago. I’m going over with the same color. Do I have to get all the old stain off? Can I just use the Gemini Restore cleaner and powerwash it? And do I have to do the same process on the railings? I’m doing this for a friend and want it to look primo!!!!
[quote name=”thoganco”]Is there any adverse effect if I use the Restore kit today, and it rains tomorrow, but I stain after two dry days?[/quote]
No issues if it rains, just let it dry after.
Is there any adverse effect if I use the Restore kit today, and it rains tomorrow, but I stain after two dry days?
[quote name=”Michael Burke”]Can this product, cleaner & brightener, be used just to freshen the appearance if not intended to stain/seal?[/quote]
It is more for reapplication prepping.
Can this product, cleaner & brightener, be used just to freshen the appearance if not intended to stain/seal?
[quote name=”Deckinger”]Should I apply the Gemini restore kit to vertical posts and railings in addition to the decking? The PT deck was completed 1 year ago and left untreated since in an open area and now has a bleached wood look to it. How will I know if mill glaze is there or not? I received my twp stain and Gemini restore kit and am just waiting for favorable dry weather.[/quote]
Yes you want to apply to all wood. Apply the cleaner and lightly pressure wash. Apply brightener when done.
Should I apply the Gemini restore kit to vertical posts and railings in addition to the decking? The PT deck was completed 1 year ago and left untreated since in an open area and now has a bleached wood look to it. How will I know if mill glaze is there or not? I received my twp stain and Gemini restore kit and am just waiting for favorable dry weather.
[quote name=”Lia”]I have a 3 yr old deck that was stained in the Dark Walnut (series 500) 2 yrs ago. I want to re-stain it this year with the 1500 series but wondered-do I need to use the stain stripper or the restore kit to prep?[/quote]
Use the Gemini Restore Kit.
I have a 3 yr old deck that was stained in the Dark Walnut (series 500) 2 yrs ago. I want to re-stain it this year with the 1500 series but wondered-do I need to use the stain stripper or the restore kit to prep?
[quote name=”DG”]I built a cedar deck last April, 2013. I used the cleaner/brightener and 1 light coat of TWP in September. The wood still looks clean and lightly stained (slightly dried and faded but good). I’m getting ready to apply another coat. It doesn’t “appear” to need cleaned or brightened. Do you recommend using just the cleaner, the cleaner and brightener, or simply cleaned with water?[/quote]
Just a very mild concentration of cleaner and a light water rinse for the prep. You just want to remove the dirt.
I built a cedar deck last April, 2013. I used the cleaner/brightener and 1 light coat of TWP in September. The wood still looks clean and lightly stained (slightly dried and faded but good). I’m getting ready to apply another coat. It doesn’t “appear” to need cleaned or brightened. Do you recommend using just the cleaner, the cleaner and brightener, or simply cleaned with water?
[quote name=”geoffstafford”]Should I use the cleaner and brightener on the fence that is less than a year old, or is the cleaner good enough?[/quote]
It is a redwood fence (forgot to mention)
Should I use the cleaner and brightener on the fence that is less than a year old, or is the cleaner good enough?
[quote name=”John316″]Is the Gemini Restore kit good for cedar decks?[/quote]
Yes you can use this on Cedar wood.
Is the Gemini Restore kit good for cedar decks?
[quote name=”John Esposito”]Should I use this on a 1 year old pressure treated pine deck?[/quote]
Yes this is correct to prep.
Should I use this on a 1 year old pressure treated pine deck?
[quote name=”Ed Dehmer”]Do I have to use the Brightener on a previously stained deck with not too much graying (newly stained in 2012)?[/quote]
You can just use the cleaner if reapplying TWP. You should not apply TWP on top of a different stain brand.
Do I have to use the Brightener on a previously stained deck with not too much graying (newly stained in 2012)?
John, sorry but the Gemini Restore Kit is a cleaner, not a stripper. In addition, stain strippers are not effective at removing solid stains. Best to sand it off.
Hello,
We have an exterior deck located over our garage. We need to remove the old solid stain that has extensively peeled, then re-stain. Is your Gemini Restore system a good choice? Will any chemicals in it damage our garage roof? [Note: our roof has poor drainage under the deck, so water tends to pond until it evaporates.]
Thanks, JW
Jerry, yes all new wood needs to be properly prepped and that includes using a cleaner and wood brightener.
Barry, it would be best at this point to use the kit and re-coat the floor.
I built approx. 600 sf. of new redwood deck last year. Per your advice I waited until now to stain (I plan to use TWP 100). Now I see that you recommend the Gemini Restore Kit even for new decks. Do I need it? Do I use both the cleaner and brightener? Thank you
Hello. We applied TWP to our North facing 400 SF deck in Seattle two years ago. It is a great product. The deck looks a little dirty from the long winter, from pollen and you can see the a noticeable difference between the wood finish where fully exposed and where protected by the roof overhang. There are also some noticeable scratches where our dog has played.
What do you recommend for cleaning the deck? Do we have to use “Restore a Deck Kit” and then need to re-stain or, is there a simpler way just to get through another year? Maybe a light pressure washing?
Thank you,
Barry
tara, you would need to remove the paint if you want to use TWP and the Restore A Deck products will not remove paints. You would need to sand it all off.
I have a deck that I had painted sage green three years ago. I can plainly see mold growing on parts of the surface. Is Restore A Deck meant just for stained wood as opposed to painted surfaces? If I used step one and two, would it remove the paint color at either phase?
Thanks,
tara
Craigb, yes it would be best to prep with the Gemini Kit then stain with the TWP.
I want to use your stain on a new deck. When I had the deck installed the cedar was stained before it was put Dow. It failed miserably and I sanded the stain w 50 grit lady summer. I have let the deck age over the winter. It does not bead water, can I use the Gemini restore kit and the TWP? Probably would use redwood color to match other wood. Last spring replaced decking and joist and band boards on elevated deck. There is an under deck ceiling system that is Aluminum to carry water and act as ceiling to room added under the deck. Railings and spindles are composite, expensive but maintenance free. Look forward to hearing from you.
Soapy water and a light push broom should help remove the dirt.
Had 2 coats of TWP 1515 put on relatively new pressure treated wood deck late last summer .
deck looks very dirty now. Is there a way to clean it and not have to restain it so soon ?
Thanks
Walt, yes it would be best to prep with the Gemini Restore Kit for this. Not sure what you mean by streaking issues?
I have new decks with pressure treated wood put up in late Fall, 2013. I am planning on applying TWP 1500 as soon as the weather permits this Spring. Should I still apply the Gemini product?
Also, we had streaking issues using Thompson Water Sealer stains. Do any of your stain color choices have less streaking issues than other ones?
Thank you. Walt Dawson