Cleaning and Restoring a Dirty, Faded Terrace
Cleaning, restoring, and protecting a dirty, faded terrace are essential steps to ensure your terrace lasts for years and always looks its best.
It’s common to notice fading of the boards after a few months or years. Starbrite Composite Wood Protector is the best way to revive the color of your composite boards.
Cleaning
Regular cleaning is essential to keep your terrace in good condition and prevent it from becoming slippery over time. For very dirty terraces that haven’t been maintained for several months, or to remove stubborn, ingrained stains, use a powerful product that can be applied locally or across the entire surface.
How to Apply the Cleaner Depending on Your Terrace
1. For a regularly maintained or lightly soiled terrace
Use Starbrite Composite Wood Cleaner. This biodegradable, highly concentrated product should be mixed with hot water in a bucket. Spread the solution over the surface, let it work for 5–10 minutes (do not let it dry!), then scrub with a stiff-bristled broom or a pressure washer (maximum 15 bars) and rinse thoroughly. Allow to dry and repeat if needed, doubling the dosage if necessary for better results.
2. For a very dirty terrace and ingrained stains
Use Starbrite Composite Wood Cleaner in larger quantities. This biodegradable product should be diluted at a ratio of one part cleaner to about five parts water, depending on how dirty the surface is. Spread the solution, let it work for 5 to 7 minutes, then scrub with a stiff-bristled broom or a pressure washer (maximum 15 bars). Allow to dry and repeat if needed, increasing the dosage if necessary.
3. For removing tough local stains:
Apply Starbrite Composite Wood Cleaner directly to the stain. Let it work for a maximum of 5 to 10 minutes. Gently scrub with a hand brush and rinse thoroughly. Repeat as needed until the stain disappears, checking after each drying that there is no discoloration.
Recommended tools: Stiff-bristled broom, pressure washer, single-disc machine
Protecting the Terrace
After a deep clean, it’s time to protect your composite wood boards. For this, use Starbrite Composite Wood Protector. By following the product’s application instructions, your terrace will stand the test of time.
When you apply the Protector, the color of the composite board or tile will darken slightly, taking on a “wet wood” look, just like after rinsing or a rain shower.
Apply ONLY ONE VERY THIN COAT of Protector, preferably with a wide brush.
Let it dry completely for 1 to 2 hours, depending on the ambient temperature. Full curing occurs in 24 hours.
If you notice streaks with the first brush strokes or the protection appears uneven and doesn’t adhere well, it’s best to clean the surface again before applying.
Do not apply in high heat or direct sunlight. The Protector is touch-dry in about 30 minutes and fully cured in 24 hours.
Recommended tool: Wide brush
