Restore weathered wood to its original beauty in minutes with EXPERT's professional-grade Wood Brightener - the same formula trusted by restoration contractors nationwide.
EXPERT's Wood Brightener is a professional-grade 100% oxalic acid formula designed as STEP 2 in our proven 3-STEP restoration system. This powerful brightener and neutralizer restores weathered wood to its natural color while preparing surfaces for optimal stain adhesion and penetration.
Ideal for all types of weathered wood including decks, fences, siding, log homes, patio furniture and other exterior wood surfaces. Can be used as a standalone brightener/cleaner or as a neutralizer after cleaning or stripping for enhanced brightening results.
3-Step System Position:
- Step 1: Cleaner of your choice (removes dirt, grime, old stain)
- Step 2: Wood Brightener/Neutralizer (restores natural wood color, neutralizes cleaning chemicals)
- Step 3: EXPERT Stain & Seal application
Why Powder Formula Matters:
EXPERT Wood Brightener comes in concentrated powder form - not pre-mixed liquid like other brands. This gives you significant advantages:
✓ 100% Pure Formula - No fillers, no dilutants, no unnecessary additives. Just pure 100% oxalic acid for maximum effectiveness.
✓ Complete Strength Control - Mix light (4oz/gallon) for maintenance brightening or strong (8oz/gallon) for heavy restoration. You control the power based on your specific job requirements.
✓ Massive Shipping Savings - No paying to ship water weight like liquid competitors. One container of EXPERT powder creates multiple gallons of working solution.
✓ Extended Shelf Life - Powder form stays stable for 36 months unopened. Liquid products degrade faster and have shorter shelf lives.
✓ Professional Efficiency - Mix exactly what you need for each job. No waste from leftover pre-mixed solutions that loses potency over time.
✓ Storage Convenience - Compact powder takes minimal storage space compared to bulky liquid containers.
The bottom line: While other brands ship you expensive water and fillers in heavy containers, EXPERT delivers pure, concentrated 100% oxalic acid with no additives - mix to professional specifications for maximum results and value.
Mixing & Application Instructions:
Always wear heavy-duty rubber gloves, NIOSH approved respirator and PPE when working with EXPERT Clean & Bright Wood Brightener.
- Mix 4-8oz of Wood Brightener with each gallon of warm water
- Stir thoroughly until powder is mostly dissolved
- Mix in separate 5-gallon pail before transferring to pump sprayer (prevents clogging)
- Use mixed solution within 48 hours
- Mixed solution is colorless for easy identification
PREPARATION:
- Test in small, inconspicuous area first to ensure desired results
- Thoroughly wet treatment surface and surrounding areas (plants, shrubs) with water before application
APPLICATION:
- Apply using sprayer, brush, car wash brush, or mop
- No scrubbing needed after using EXPERT Cleaner or Stripper
- Let solution sit 5-15 minutes, keeping wet with additional solution
- Continue until obvious color change occurs
- For vertical surfaces: start at bottom, work upward
- Repeat application if needed
RINSE:
- Rinse surfaces and surrounding areas thoroughly for 10-15 minutes
- Use hose or pressure washer on lowest pressure setting
- Never let solution dry on glass windows, siding, metal, or other surfaces
- Allow wood to dry 48-72 hours before staining
- Wood must be dried to 13% moisture content or less before stain application
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS:
- Always wet plants, shrubs, and other vegetation before and after use
- Test on a small, inconspicuous area of the wood to ensure proper wood care
- Read and understand SDS for this product prior to use
WARNING:
- Keep out of reach of children. Exposure to oxalic acid could cause irritation to the eyes, skin, or lungs
- If contact occurs, rinse immediately with water for 15 minutes. If irritation continues, seek immediate medical attention
- Do not ingest. Always wear personal protective equipment when using this product
- DO NOT MIX WITH OTHER CHEMICALS
Limitations & Storage:
- Cannot remove intact paint, stain, or clear finishes
- May dull painted or metal surfaces if not rinsed immediately
- Store in temperature-controlled room, protect from mixed solution from freezing
- 36-month shelf life when unopened
- Raised grain may occur as wood pores open during cleaning process
SDS
Download our Safety Data Sheet
EXPERT Professional Wood Care products do not and cannot guarantee to kill or eliminate organic growth, mold, mildew, algae, and other microorganisms from the use of our EXPERT 3-Step System. The EXPERT Professional Wood Care products have not been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency
Questions & Answers
Have a Question?
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Is it recommended to apply this to a newly installed cedar fence, or should it only be used on weathered wood
It isn't necessary to chemically clean a brand new (less than 3 months old) fence. We recommend waiting until the wood has a 13% moisture content - this is usually around six weeks after installation in most climates with normal weather conditions. If there is dirt, grass clippings, etc that have stuck to the fence, you can use a stiff bristled broom to dust that off before staining.
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How much area will it cover?
Please see presented volume denominations below for clarification on cleaner/brightener usage:
An 8oz. pouch will cover 200sqft. (mixed w/ 1 gallon of water in its complete usage)
A 32oz. pouch will cover 800sqft. (mixed w/ 4 gallons of water in its complete usage)
A 1 gallon pail will cover 3200sqft. (mixed w/ 16 gallons of water in its complete usage)
A 5 gallon pail will cover 16,000sqft. (mixed w/ 80 gallons of water in its complete usage)
***Ensure that the structure is saturated with water to aid in allowing the cleaner/brightener to penetrate as deep as possible for maximum efficacy*** -
Is EXPERT Clean & Bright | Wood Brightener: 100% Oxalic Acid toxic for plants and grass?
It is not recommended to spray Wood Brightener or any restoration product directly on plants, grass, or landscaping. There are a few ways we have found to make sure vegetation stays protected such as covering with a breathable drop cloth during application or keeping the area misted/watered during chemical application. It is always a good practice to rinse the vegetation after the final rinse of your project as well.
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Hi. I need to stain my large deck. It has been three or four years since it has been done. Planning to again do a darker semi transparent. It is approximately 20 years old and in great shape. I can send pictures if needed. I have a friend in Texas who owns a successful deck refinishing business, and he suggested Sodium Percarbonate to first clean the deck, then power wash. If I do that , woukd I also need to do oxalid acid? If so, how apply? (Application method on page says ‘Coming soon’.) Tk you
Hello Shelly,
Glad to hear you are staining your deck and considering Expert Wood Care Stain & Sealant. Great job taking such good care of your deck.
If there is heavy organic growth, spray Eco-Cleaner (sodium percarbonate) on the fence and allow it to dwell and activate for 15 minutes. Pressure wash clean then apply your Wood Brightener in the same manner. Allow 15 minutes again and rinse clean.
The Cleaners will remove organic growth, dirt, and bleached tannins, while the Brightener will remove oxides like rust causing a darker hue to the wood.
Good luck and call us if you have any questions! (615) 785-1861
We would love to see your project when it's done :)
Eco-cleaner can be substituted for Wood Cleaner if the wood is significantly dirty.