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
Is it a problem if it were to rain after I cleaned & brighten my deck?
[quote name=”ZachM”]Hello,
I have a pergola made of thick, rough-sawn wood. Do I need to prep this type of wood or is it porous enough to begin staining?[/quote]
You do not have to prep rough sawn wood as long as it is clean and dry.
Hello,
I have a pergola made of thick, rough-sawn wood. Do I need to prep this type of wood or is it porous enough to begin staining?
[quote name=”DaveS”]Does the restore kit have to be applied when the deck is dry (and if so, how long does it have to dry for)? Or can it be applied, for example, right after a rain shower has occurred?[/quote]
You can do the prep with the wood damp.
Does the restore kit have to be applied when the deck is dry (and if so, how long does it have to dry for)? Or can it be applied, for example, right after a rain shower has occurred?
[quote name=”Jeff-J”]My fence is about a year old and I’ve already pressure washed it. There are still a few spots that are a little green or discolored. My neighbor used a liquid spray cleaner and just hosed it off. Do you think that would be adequate for using the TSP cleaner? I plan to follow up with TSP 100. I live in the Seattle area.[/quote]
It would be best to prep with the Gemini Restore Kit for this. TSP is not the proper way.
My fence is about a year old and I’ve already pressure washed it. There are still a few spots that are a little green or discolored. My neighbor used a liquid spray cleaner and just hosed it off. Do you think that would be adequate for using the TSP cleaner? I plan to follow up with TSP 100. I live in the Seattle area.
[quote name=”Jeffery Bird”]I have a new ceadar fence about 10 months old. what is the best prep method for twp 1500.[/quote]
Using the Gemini Restore Kit and pressure washing.
I have a new ceadar fence about 10 months old. what is the best prep method for twp 1500.
[quote name=”joec”]will the wood cleaner or brightener affect concrete pavers or stone? i.e do I need to cover the patio before using the products on a nearby deck?[/quote]
No they do not harm/effect concrete or pavers. It may clean them some though.
will the wood cleaner or brightener affect concrete pavers or stone? i.e do I need to cover the patio before using the products on a nearby deck?
[quote name=”Rob Zimmerman”]Planning to use Gemini restore kit on cedar clapboards previously stained (5 years ago) with TWP101. Water supply to the house is via drilled well and is within 15′ of the house. Is Gemini system safe to use in this situation?
Thanks,
Rob[/quote]
Yes it is fine.
Planning to use Gemini restore kit on cedar clapboards previously stained (5 years ago) with TWP101. Water supply to the house is via drilled well and is within 15′ of the house. Is Gemini system safe to use in this situation?
Thanks,
Rob
[quote name=”tom ambrey”]I refinished my decks last year with TWP about a year ago. The surface is mostly wearing evenly however in some areas the finish is completely gone. Can I apply a new coat over the entire deck or do I need to do something more? If I can reapply directly over the existing what steps do I need to take to prepare the old surface to receive the new coat>[/quote]
Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit and apply another coat to all.
I refinished my decks last year with TWP about a year ago. The surface is mostly wearing evenly however in some areas the finish is completely gone. Can I apply a new coat over the entire deck or do I need to do something more? If I can reapply directly over the existing what steps do I need to take to prepare the old surface to receive the new coat>
[quote name=”Maryland Homeowner”]My deck and vertical railing was stained with TWP 1500 series in 2015. I replaced the top railing board with pressure treated pine that same summer. Now (12 months later) I’d like to stain those unstained boards. Will the Restore Kit damage the stained wood? Any prep to the top railing board will make contact with the stained deck and vertical railing underneath. What are my options?[/quote]
It would be best to prep all the wood. New and the perviously stained wood. Apply one light coat to all.
My deck and vertical railing was stained with TWP 1500 series in 2015. I replaced the top railing board with pressure treated pine that same summer. Now (12 months later) I’d like to stain those unstained boards. Will the Restore Kit damage the stained wood? Any prep to the top railing board will make contact with the stained deck and vertical railing underneath. What are my options?
[quote name=”Jamie Putnam”]I am sanding my 30+ yr. old clear heart redwood deck down to bare wood and plan to use semi-solid TWP Stain. Is newly sanded old wood to be treated like new wood in terms of waiting times between cleaning, brightening, and staining? Does the brightening eliminate black tannin streaks that appear awhile after sanding?
Thanks![/quote]
TWP does not come in a semi-solid. Wait a month after the sanding and clean and brighten the wood for the prep. It should help with any tannin stains.
I am sanding my 30+ yr. old clear heart redwood deck down to bare wood and plan to use semi-solid TWP Stain. Is newly sanded old wood to be treated like new wood in terms of waiting times between cleaning, brightening, and staining? Does the brightening eliminate black tannin streaks that appear awhile after sanding?
Thanks!
[quote name=”phyllis miller”]I restored my 30 yr old cedar deck 5 yrs ago using your products. I am planning to clean one deck this yr. Vegetable oil spilled on it. What do I do?[/quote]
You cannot remove just the vegetable oil without removing the TWP. You will need to use the Restore A Deck Stripper/Brightener kit to remove all and restain.
I restored my 30 yr old cedar deck 5 yrs ago using your products. I am planning to clean one deck this yr. Vegetable oil spilled on it. What do I do?
[quote name=”art bowles”]I just had a new dock built.before staining is it recomended to use the restore kit?[/quote]
Please see this article that explains new wood: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I just had a new dock built.before staining is it recomended to use the restore kit?
[quote name=”Frank Wohlau”]I intend to re-deck with freshly milled cedar
boards within the coming months.Will the
Gemini Restore Kit be sufficient next spring?[/quote]
Yes that will prep for the TWP next year.
I intend to re-deck with freshly milled cedar
boards within the coming months.Will the
Gemini Restore Kit be sufficient next spring?
[quote name=”bc”]Assuming I do both parts of the Gemini kit in the same day, how long can I wait before putting on TWP 1500? I know I want it to dry thoroughly, but if I wait a week or two for dry weather do I risk it going back to grey?
Thanks![/quote]
Stain within two weeks.
Assuming I do both parts of the Gemini kit in the same day, how long can I wait before putting on TWP 1500? I know I want it to dry thoroughly, but if I wait a week or two for dry weather do I risk it going back to grey?
Thanks!
[quote name=”jpd”]How does the Gemini work on hardwoods, like mengaris?[/quote]
It will prep exotic hardwoods.
How does the Gemini work on hardwoods, like mengaris?
[quote name=”Wade Stoughton”]My deck is 20 year old pressure treated pine that has been treated four or five times with unknown but non TWP stains and sealers over the years. How and what products should I use to prep this deck? What is the end point of the prep…bare wood? Would I just be better off to paint the deck? Thanks for your help.[/quote]
Without knowing the stain brands and types of stains that you used before, it is impossible to say the best way to prep. You will need to remove all of the previous coatings if you want to use the TWP. If you do not want to do this, then you can use our Gulf Permabond and Deck Revive products:
http://www.twpstain.com/gulf-synthetics
My deck is 20 year old pressure treated pine that has been treated four or five times with unknown but non TWP stains and sealers over the years. How and what products should I use to prep this deck? What is the end point of the prep…bare wood? Would I just be better off to paint the deck? Thanks for your help.
[quote name=”GREG PHill”]Hello,
Looking to remove 3 year water based stain. It has faded. Want to use TWP 100 series which is oil based. Can I use cleaner and brightener or do I have to use the Stripper product. Have about a 750 sq foot deck.
Thank you -[/quote]
You will need the Stripper and pressure washing to remove. Brighten after when done.
Hello,
Looking to remove 3 year water based stain. It has faded. Want to use TWP 100 series which is oil based. Can I use cleaner and brightener or do I have to use the Stripper product. Have about a 750 sq foot deck.
Thank you –
[quote name=”Ken Baker”]I have just built a saw cut/hand hewn cabin with 6X12 eastern white pine logs. The cabin is located in Pennsylvania. Next Spring can I apply TWP 1500 directly to the log surface. Plan to use the clear, because I want the cabin to grey naturally.[/quote]
Yes you can but you will need to prep with the Gemini Restore Kit first as the wood will oxidize over the Winter.
I have just built a saw cut/hand hewn cabin with 6X12 eastern white pine logs. The cabin is located in Pennsylvania. Next Spring can I apply TWP 1500 directly to the log surface. Plan to use the clear, because I want the cabin to grey naturally.
[quote name=”jake1199″]Hello – Are the chemicals used in the Gemini Restore Kit safe for grass if the run-off from rinsing ends up in/on my lawn?
Will this kill my grass or discolor it?
Thanks[/quote]
Yes it is safe for grass.
Hello – Are the chemicals used in the Gemini Restore Kit safe for grass if the run-off from rinsing ends up in/on my lawn?
Will this kill my grass or discolor it?
Thanks
[quote name=”amscruggs”]Is this product safe to use on deck railings with aluminum black spindles? Concerned that I might damage or discolor my spindles when cleaning my deck and railings before staining.[/quote]
It depends as not all spindles are made the same way. In most scenarios they are coated with a clear coating and there is no issues. Some are powdered coated and these “may” have an issues but hard to say yes or no for sure. Best to test first.
Is this product safe to use on deck railings with aluminum black spindles? Concerned that I might damage or discolor my spindles when cleaning my deck and railings before staining.
[quote name=”Dianne Martin”]We live in Murray, KY. Replaced all the horizontal boards on our 12 yr old pressure treated lumber deck in late summer 2014. Stripped old stain off surfaces of all other support beams, etc. In April 2015 cleaned and brightened all surfaces. Once dry, applied 2 coats of TWP 1503 to all old wood and 1 coat to the new boards. New boards look like they will need another coat of TWP this fall. Should we use Gemini kit before recoating hortizontal boards or just clean with soap and rinse thoroughly?[/quote]
Just soap and water will work.
We live in Murray, KY. Replaced all the horizontal boards on our 12 yr old pressure treated lumber deck in late summer 2014. Stripped old stain off surfaces of all other support beams, etc. In April 2015 cleaned and brightened all surfaces. Once dry, applied 2 coats of TWP 1503 to all old wood and 1 coat to the new boards. New boards look like they will need another coat of TWP this fall. Should we use Gemini kit before recoating horizontal boards or just clean with soap and rinse thoroughly?
We live in Murray, KY. Replaced all the horizontal boards on our 12 yr old pressure treated lumber deck in late summer 2014. Stripped old stain off surfaces of all other support beams, etc. In April 2015 cleaned and brightened all surfaces. Once dry, applied 2 coats of TWP 1503 to all old wood and 1 coat to the new boards. New boards look like they will need another coat of TWP this fall. Should we use Gemini kit before recoating hortizontal boards or just clean with soap and rinse thoroughly?
[quote name=”Mark Holland”]I am building a floating dock with redwood decking. It is at 9300′ in the rockies with intense sun in the summer and very cold in winter. I intend to let it season ~10 months and then apply twp1500 next spring.
Prior to the twp1500 application, I understand I should do a Gemini restore and brightening. It says 100% biodegradeable, but I’m concerned about the rinsed product going into my lake. Is it perfectly safe? It is very difficult to bring the dock ashore.
Thanks![/quote]
Yes you will be fine for this.
I am building a floating dock with redwood decking. It is at 9300′ in the rockies with intense sun in the summer and very cold in winter. I intend to let it season ~10 months and then apply twp1500 next spring.
Prior to the twp1500 application, I understand I should do a Gemini restore and brightening. It says 100% biodegradeable, but I’m concerned about the rinsed product going into my lake. Is it perfectly safe? It is very difficult to bring the dock ashore.
Thanks!
[quote name=”Janet R LaGrange”]My deck currently has Cabot stain on it that is about 3 years old. Is the Gemini Restore kit the only prep I need to do the deck with the TWP 1500 product this time?[/quote]
No you need the Restore A Deck stripper to remove the Cabot then the RAD brightener.
My deck currently has Cabot stain on it that is about 3 years old. Is the Gemini Restore kit the only prep I need to do the deck with the TWP 1500 product this time?
[quote name=”Keith R”]IN 2009 I STAINED DECK USING TWP200 SERIES RUSSET BROWN, Should i use gemini product ot clean if putting down same TWP 200 series product? or will a good preesure washing only, let deck dry be ok?[/quote]
Use the Gemini Kit for this prep while pressure washing.
IN 2009 I STAINED DECK USING TWP200 SERIES RUSSET BROWN, Should i use gemini product ot clean if putting down same TWP 200 series product? or will a good preesure washing only, let deck dry be ok?
[quote name=”Judy Meilink”]We have a new cedar deck that has weathered, per instructions, for almost 12 months. We will be applying Gemini Restore two step process kit. This is stated as being “ECO friendly” yet states to cover or wet down any plants. Will this cause damaged to plants and grass? Also we have composite railings. Could Gemini Restore damaged the finish of the composite? What precautions should we take?
Thank you![/quote]
It will not harm the composite rails. Pre wet and rinse vegetation to avoid any issues. it is friendly but you do not want soapy residue on your plants.
We have a new cedar deck that has weathered, per instructions, for almost 12 months. We will be applying Gemini Restore two step process kit. This is stated as being “ECO friendly” yet states to cover or wet down any plants. Will this cause damaged to plants and grass? Also we have composite railings. Could Gemini Restore damaged the finish of the composite? What precautions should we take?
Thank you!