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Glossary

Deck Brightener

Definition

A deck brightener is a mild acid product, usually oxalic acid based, applied after cleaning wood to restore even color and neutralize the alkalinity left by the cleaner.

Cleaning a deck with a percarbonate or other alkaline product lifts the dirt but often leaves the wood looking dull, dark, or blotchy. A brightener drops the pH, evens out the tone, and opens the grain so stain or sealer takes uniformly.

It is the second step of a two-step wood process: clean, then brighten. Skipping it usually shows up later as patchy stain absorption. Keep brighteners well away from any sodium hypochlorite, since acid and SH together release chlorine gas.

Part of the WashRoute Pro pressure washing glossary - 43 terms and counting.

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