SharkSkin Deck Prep - Cleaning, Stripping and Preparing Your Deck for SharkSkin Stains

Sep 27, 2026

SharkSkin Deck Prep provides practical instructions and product descriptions for cleaning, stripping, and preparing exterior deck and siding surfaces before applying SharkSkin solid hide and translucent wood stains. It introduces SharkSkin Wood Cleaner & Brightener for fast, concentrated cleaning, brightening, mildew/algae removal, and tannin neutralization, plus SharkSkin Deck & Siding Stripper to remove oil-based stains and water sealers. It also explains Mill Glaze, how to test for it, and general directions for dilution, agitation, brushing, rinsing, and drying.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

SharkSkin Deck Prep

Wood Cleaner & Brightener 80317

Using SharkSkin Wood Cleaner & Brightener

Deck & Siding Stripper 80318

General directions for stripping

SharkSkin® Deck Prep A guide to cleaning, stripping and preparing your deck for the application of SharkSkin® Solid Hide and Translucent Deck & Siding Wood Stains. Wood Cleaner & Brightener 80317 DESCRIPTION : SharkSkin® Wood Cleaner & Brightener is a highly concentrated, oxalic acid based formulation manufactured to quickly clean and brighten wood, plastic/wood composite surfaces, decks, wood fences and siding. Ideal for maintenance cleaning of wooden decks that have sound surface coatings. SharkSkin® Wood Cleaner & Brightener can also be used to return Cedar and Redwood back to their original colour if their tannins have come to the surface after using a caustic/alkaline cleaner. • Professional strength, concentrated, fast-acting • Cleans & brightens weathered wood • Prepares new wood surfaces for finishing • Removes mildew stains and algae stains, greyed wood fibers, ground-in dirt/rust stains • Clings to vertical surfaces • Neutralizes tannins brought to surface after contact with high pH cleaners/strippers Using SharkSkin® Wood Cleaner & Brightener SharkSkin Deck & Siding Stripper 80318 SharkSkin Mill Glaze Remover 80319 DESCRIPTION: SharkSkin® Mill Glaze remover is a sodium borate based formula designed to open the pores of wood and leave wood in the proper condition for waterborne coatings. SharkSkin® Mill Glaze Remover e ectively prepares wood surfaces for coating by opening the wood pores while removing dirt and acid build-up. Use on wood decks, fences, railings, siding, log homes, cedar shakes and gazebos. Ideal for use on new or old wood prior to staining or painting your surface. GENERAL DIRECTIONS: Dissolve contents of entire bottle into 2.5 gallons of warm water (above 27°C or 81°F). Mix thoroughly then apply to wood surface with mop, sponge, brush, roller or garden sprayer. Wait 5 to 15 minutes then agitate with a brush. Finally rinse well with water. Allow wood to be dry-to-touch before applying new coating. Rinse wood in direction of grain using a garden hose or a 500 to 1200 psi pressure washer. What is Mill Glaze? Mill Glaze or planer’s glaze is the smooth glossy-like surface that develops on freshly milled lumber during the production process. The glaze is generated by heat from the high speed lumber planers. The high temperature and pressure from the milling or planing process causes the water soluble extractives or wood sugars to rise to the surface. This forms a glaze that hardens on the surface of the lumber. This glaze can also form when the surface of the lumber is exposed to the kiln drying process. As these sugars age, and become exposed to UV light, they harden and become much more di􀀞cult to remove. Wood surfaces can be tested for mill glaze by applying a small amount of water to the surface. If the water beads on the surface of the new lumber, the surface most likely has a mill glaze. A light sanding of the entire surface can remove the mill glaze or an easier method of washing the surface with SharkSkin® Mill Glaze Remover will remove the glaze from the surface and prepare the wood to accept the stain. Failure to remove the mill glaze from the surface prior to staining may result in coating failure or premature peeling as the coating is unable to adhere to the wood. SharkSkin DESCRIPTION: SharkSkin® Deck & Siding Stripper is a viscous, concentrated, alkaline cleaner, stripper and degreaser formulated to easily remove solid colour or semi-transparent oil-based stains and water sealers. SharkSkin® Deck & Siding Stripper will also remove damaged and discolouredwood 􀀝ber from all exterior wood surfaces, decks, wood siding and log homes. Not recommended for use on metals. GENERAL DIRECTIONS: Wear chemical resistant gloves, boots, goggles and protective clothing. Pre-wet plants and shrubs. Product may damage metal components of spray equipment. Cover any areas you want to protect. Sweep surface clean. For vertical surfaces, work from

FAQs

What does SharkSkin Wood Cleaner & Brightener do before staining?

It quickly cleans and brightens deck and siding surfaces, removes mildew and algae stains, and helps neutralize tannins that rise after using high pH cleaners or strippers.

How do you prepare wood for waterborne coatings with Mill Glaze Remover?

Mill Glaze Remover opens wood pores and removes dirt and acid build-up so the surface is properly conditioned for waterborne coatings.

What is mill glaze and why must it be removed before staining?

Mill glaze is a smooth, glossy-like surface formed during lumber processing; it hardens with age and UV exposure. Staining over it can lead to coating failure or premature peeling because the coating cannot adhere.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Genevieve