Has anyone used a product called "Restore"?

Tracy C
by Tracy C
I'm considering getting this for my front steps. This product is supposed to give a non-slip texture so I think it would be a good choice. My steps are pretty simple and I've just painted the sides and face of them with a medium gray. I think a lighter gray would give my steps a much need facelift.
  15 answers
  • Designs by BSB Designs by BSB on Sep 18, 2012
    We used it on our deck this summer. I do not like it for the whole deck at all... especially not on the benches and top railing -- does NOT feel good when you sit on it, or lean against it. For steps? It would be PERFECT !
  • While I have not used this product myself. I did some research on it and it has some pretty good reviews. The biggest issue people had was the amount needed to do the covering that they had in mind. This resulted in them spending a bit more then they thought. But if your only doing the steps, you should not have this issue Heck if the steps are bad enough to paint, why not? If it does not work it is simple enough to replace the treads later.
  • Z Z on Sep 18, 2012
    Oh I'm glad you brought this up. We bought it this spring to redo our front porch, but once I had the porch prepped (power washed free of old stain) it rained. Then the wedding and drought. I need to get this done. WE is right, the reviews are pretty good. I wish I had time to do it now, but it'll have to wait until this week end or next week. Becky Sue, our research said it was for flat deck surfaces and to not use it on anything vertical. When you say lean against it does that mean a vertical surface or do you mean you're leaning on the top railing with your arms?
  • Designs by BSB Designs by BSB on Sep 18, 2012
    Woodbridge - yes, you definitely have to buy the top end of the recommended yield, otherwise the "pebbles" in it are really sparse. @Becky My husband put it on the top of the railing. I go outside on the deck often to escape the noise and I lean on my elbows on the rail. Not no more! I think this is a fabulous solution for steps. I will never put it on a deck again .. just think it is TOO rough. Hurts bare feet. You can search here and see several posts about this product otherwise - I got a lot of good information before we did ours, but my ending opinion was still different :)
  • Z Z on Sep 18, 2012
    Thank you Becky Sue. I thought maybe that's what you meant after I started typing. Since I don't go barefoot I'll have no trouble. And the porch we are putting it on is the front porch rarely used since it's quite a distance from our driveway. Anyone close is let in through the garage door into the kitchen.
  • LandlightS LandlightS on Sep 18, 2012
    Great product. Finished an 800 sf deck. Just plan on about 20% more product that stated coverage. To get the good textured non slip finish, you will have touse their honeycomb roller. Gary
  • Z Z on Sep 18, 2012
    "you will have touse their honeycomb roller." Could you explain that comment Gary. I'm thinking you misspelled something.
  • Tracy C Tracy C on Sep 19, 2012
    Thanks everyone!
  • LandlightS LandlightS on Sep 19, 2012
    To use the honeycomb roller that Restore suggest you use for the textured effect. Sorry
  • Z Z on Sep 19, 2012
    LOL Thanks Landlights. I should have been able to figure that one out. Guess I'm hangin' with the Rosie's too long and my brain is a bit addled.
  • We've used this product to cover over decks with aged and splintered wood. The coverage isn't very good but gives a decent enough look for a resale at about hald the cost of replacing the decking. For your front steps, you're better off to use a good quality porch/deck paint with some sand added for those slippery winter days in your area. Sherwin Williams sells an additive for grip and the name escapes me!
  • Carole Bisby Carole Bisby on Oct 20, 2015
    Don't do it, we spent a lot of money using this junk at home and at our cottage decks. After 1 season it came of in chunks all over our deck, what a big mess. We actually had to have the deck taken down and redone and the deck was only 2 years old. I called the company and they would not do anything about it. That was my experience just to let you know, as I was very sorry I spent all that money on the product then on top of it had to replace the deck, it would have been impossible for us to remove what was stuck on so replacement was our only option. Good luck on your decision.
  • Kay Kay on Oct 20, 2015
    Don't use it. We bought some for our dock, but haven't used it. We used screws to put our boards down and wondered how we could find the screws under the Restore if we ever needed to replace a board so we called the company. They told us to use a pressure washer to find the screws! I don't want to use something that will come off if I need to pressure wash my deck..
  • Andrea Kane Andrea Kane on Oct 20, 2015
    My niece and her husband used this product and as mentioned, peeled BADLY after only one year. They stripped the deck this year and started over.
  • Marlene Haigh Marlene Haigh on Feb 07, 2016
    to get a non skid finish just add silica to your paint or stain. you can purchase a quart size container at the home & garden store for about $5.00. I have used in on all my outside stairs.