Defy Exterior Wood Brightener is an oxalic acid deck brightener for wood deck cleaning that removes dirt, grime, tannin, rust and fungi stains from wood surfaces. Find out how to clean your wood deck for the best results to restore the wood’s natural beauty. Defy Wood Brightener is a liquid concentrate that is mixed 5:1 with water to brighten and restore the natural beauty of exterior wood.
-
Restores the rich look of new wood
-
Won’t harm most plants or shrubbery
-
Removes tannin and rust stains
-
Biodegradable
-
Neutralizes strippers
-
Helps stains penetrate
Defy Wood Brightener removes tannin and rust stains and is recommended for use on all species of wood, including redwood. Defy Wood Brightener will not harm wood fibers, grass or most plants when used properly.
Defy Wood Brightener is recommended for surface preparation prior to initial application of clear finishes and stains. It is used as a neutralizer and brightener for all wood species that have been cleaned with Defy Wood Cleaner. For best results, use Defy water repellent wood finishes.
How to clean your wood deck with oxalic acid deck brightener
Even new wood needs cleaning to remove mill scale, making the surface more porous to easily absorb deck stains. Defy Wood Brightener is the 2nd step in a 3 step system to maintain your deck and keep it looking like new. The 3 steps are:
-
Clean or strip using Defy Wood Cleaner or Defy Exterior Stain Stripper
-
Brighten using Defy Wood Brightener
-
Apply Defy water repellent wood stains
Defy Wood Brightener is a liquid concentrate sold in 1 gallon containers. 1 gallon of Defy oxalic acid deck brightener makes 5 gallons of solution and will clean approximately 500-1,000 total square feet (or 100-200 square feet per gallon). Defy Wood Brightener is not formulated to remove intact paint, stain, or clear finishes and may dull painted and metal surfaces if not quickly rinsed.
WARNING: This product can expose you to Ethylene oxide, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm, and Cumene, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.
Hello. I just used the Defy Exterior Stain Stripper (letting it sit for 25 minutes and then scrubbing with a brush and rinsing) followed by two applications of the Defy Exterior Wood Brightener (first one diluted 1:4, applied, then rinsed after 5 minutes. Second one brushed full strength into the places that were still dark, then rinsed after 5 minutes). And it still looks like this. First image is a place that gets less sun and I’m happy enough with how it came out. Second image is a place that gets a bit more sun and I’m fine with it and imagine it’ll look ok once I put the redwood color stain on. Third image is the place that gets the most sun and was the most weathered, and I’m not sure how to get all those remaining weathered, dark places cleaned up. Should I sand? Should I use more stripper? Also, there are some places that are now “furring”. What’s the best way to fix that? Thanks for your help!
Show some pictures when the wood is dry.
This is the section, dry this time, that I’d like to get cleaned up better.
Strip that section again and then brighten.
And for the “furring”?
If you want you can sand that off with 60 grit. It typically doesn’t show when stained though.
eventually, the stain applied on the cedar will start fading, when the sun is over the fence 8 hours per day. Isn’t it the reason why we stain the cedar in the first place? I thought that it was to protect it from the damages caused by the UV rays and water. Therefore the excess of stain will also fade.
It will all fade over time but you cannot just have the excess stain fade and not the rest as well. What you’re asking is not possible. The excess stain only cannot fade and where you did not over apply stay the same so it evens out.
I meant the excess of stain. Would the excess of stain in certain areas fade after the fence is exposed to the UV rays after few weeks?
It is not possible for just the excess stain to fade.
will any excess stain dissolve after application. if so, how long for the excess of stain to dissolve and make the surface look more uniform. I used DEFY original synthetic stain.thanks
Stains do not just dissolve after application.
Thank you. Also, how long for the wood to dry completely after two coats. There were some areas where the stain that looked patchy. I was hoping it will go away after the wood is completely dry.
Takes about 2-6 hours to dry.
usually, how long it takes for the DEFY original synthetic to fade.
2-3 years.
I had the DEFY original synthetic. When will be good time to apply an extra coat?thanks
As needed when it starts to fade.
when will be a good time to apply an extra coat of stain?
hello:I have finally have 3 days of good weather, and applied the brightener waited 24 hrs., and applied the stain(2 coats). The cedar soaked a lot of stain, and there were some areas that looked lighter after 2 coats of stain application. Should I applied a 3rd coat?Thanks
No.
I have decided to apply to DEFY brightener again, before applying the DEFY stain, since it has been more than 20 days of rain, and some patchy brownish tones are starting to appear on the cedar fence. This time I am going to try to do the whole process as fast as I can. Could I apply the DEFY brightener right after I have applied the DEFY cleaner? I know, that I have to wait at least 24 hrs. for the wood to dry for the application of the DEFY stain.
Yes.
I have not been able to apply the stain, and it is going to be almost 20 days since i applied the brightener. This week the emperature outside are near 95 degrees, and it rains every other day. Should I re-apply the brightener again before the stain application when the weather improves?
Yes and give it a good pressure wash rinse.
i am using the DEFY water repellent wood stain. It is a water based wood stain that has synthetic resins which block water, but do not feed mold spores.
Th second coat is applied 20-60 minutes after the first coat has the chance to fully dry.
Thanks,
I would like to know, if it is ok to apply the stain after two weeks of applying the brightener. Also, I would like to apply two coats of stain, how long should I wait between coats. I am new at doing this.
Thanks
Stain within two weeks of prep is best. How to apply the stain varies based on the stain brand and type.
Hello:
I have Stripped and applied the brightener to my cedar fence. The problem is that it has been raining almost everyday for about 10 days, and I have not have the chance to apply the stain because the wood needs to be dry for about 48 hrs. after raining. I would like to know, if it is ok. to apply the stain after so many days of the brightener application.
Thanks
Yes.
Hello:I have stripped my western red cedar wood fence with WOLMAN Wood cleaner, and apply the Wolman deck and fence brightener afterwards. Now, I am planning to apply the DEFY Water repellent Wood Stain because it is a synthetic resin stain product that will protect the cedar from mold, and maintain it in good standing longer. Can I use the DEFY STAIN after using a cleaner and brightener of a different brand? Also, how long should I wait to apply the stain after the brightener application. I know that the wood needs to be dry for the application of the stain, I want to make sure that the weather is going to be rain free for two continuous days and with temperatures below 90 degrees. Thank you for your advice.
Post pictures of the prep here in the comments. 48 hours after rain or prep to stain.
Is this safe to use on docks? I was just planning on getting the Marine Seal Wood Dock Cleaner and Marine seal wood stain for my dock.
Yes, it is.
Can the same sprayer be used to apply Defy Cleaner and then Brightener?
Can the inside of the sprayer be cleaned out with just water and then used for other
things? In other words it’s safe to put other products into the sprayer after rinsing it out ?
Yes. Clean with water when done and use as needed for other items.
Best to spray on then rinse after 10-20 minutes. No need to scrub.
how do you apply defy deck brightener? Is there an oxalic acid brightener that you can spray on, wait, then rinse or do you have to spray, then scrub, then rinse?
Oxalic acid is a wood brightener not a wood cleaner.
The only way to get it lighter and even is to use a stain stripper to remove the buildup layers of old stain then use the wood brightener to neutralize.
I have protected my PT deck for several iterations (the last 6 yrs) with Defy Epoxy Stain (Natural). Each application has made the deck slightly darker. Prior to this year’s planned restaining, I was wondering if in addition to cleaning with an oxalic acid wood cleaner, that a wood brightener would do any good. I am concerned about the deck looking blotchy as the wood brightener would not brighten where the epoxy stain was still effectively sealing the surface. Any thoughts?
No. The Defy Wood brightener does not “brighten” stain or water marks. It brightens or neutralizes wood.
This product is also designed for outside wood, not interior furniture. We do not sell products for furniture.
I am attempting to refinish a solid birch wood bedroom set. This is my first attempt at doing this so please bear with my total lack of know-how. I have sanded my heart out but I cannot get an even color. I realize that birch is typical of this but I believe that it may have more to do with the previous stain penetrating deeper in some areas than others. There are also black water marks on the legs of the headboard and footboard. My question is, would Defy Exterior Wood Brightener be good for removing the last vestiges of stain and brighten it up? And if I used this product, would it then matter which new furniture stain I applied?