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Keeping redwood “puurty”

xxPaulCPxx | Posted in General Discussion on July 8, 2008 07:46am

puurty = pretty

I’ve got a project coming up that will use a bunch of redwood to create an outdoor structure that will be put up for about two weeks of the year, the rest of the time it will be in storage behind a building.

I will be making a specialized storage system for it – it will not be sitting on the ground!

My question is this:  How do I keep that wonderful color of redwood looking new so it doesn’t bleach out over time?  My other concern is with bugs, the finish can’t be tasty to them as we have airborn termites here.

Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

Also a CRX fanatic!

Save the Whales! and Guns!

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Replies

  1. wane | Jul 08, 2008 07:50pm | #1

    the only solution you need is Sikins, Cetol 1 & 2,3 plus

    1. User avater
      xxPaulCPxx | Jul 08, 2008 10:29pm | #3

      Use both products together, or one or the other?Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

      Also a CRX fanatic!

      Save the Whales! and Guns!

      1. wane | Jul 09, 2008 03:02pm | #5

        it's a 2 step process Cetol 1 is the first coat, Cetol 2,3 plus 2nd, 3rd and maintenance coats.  They are replacing it with a 1 coat product, shame, I've got a small stock pile of Cetol ..

  2. Quickstep | Jul 08, 2008 09:49pm | #2

    If you REALLY, REALLY want it to stay absolutely puurty, make a cover for it. Keeping the sun off of it is the key.

  3. Dave45 | Jul 09, 2008 12:00am | #4

    Redwood won't bleach out, but it will turn grey when exposed to the sun.  The longer it sits in the sun the darker it gets - often pretty black.

    Since your project wll only be exposed a couple of weeks each year, pretty much any "clear" finish should be fine - particularly if you can touch it up every couple of years.  Make a few samples from some scrap and try polyurethane, linseed oil, lacquer, and whatever else you like.  They all look great.

    Termites shouldn't be a problem as long as you use only heartwood (the red part).  The white sapwood just provides a free meal for the little buggers.  I've pulled redwood posts where the sapwood was completely gone and the heartwood looked like it had been cut yesterday. - lol

    If you have the time, you can save a few bucks by buying conheart lumber and let it dry for a few months.  Otherwise, be ready to spend some serious money for clear, KD, lumber.

    1. Piffin | Jul 09, 2008 04:27pm | #6

      "Redwood won't bleach out, but it will turn grey when exposed to the sun. "When wood greys off from the UV rays, it is CALLED solar bleaching 

       

      Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

      1. User avater
        BillHartmann | Jul 09, 2008 05:54pm | #7

        If this is going to be protected from the weather for 50 weeks of the year I would vote for using NOTHING.Then after, maybe 10 years it might start showing some weather then use a deck brightner..
        .
        A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

        1. Piffin | Jul 09, 2008 07:35pm | #8

          I thought of that. I'd want to see more of what the structure is and how used to know for sure. horizontal surfaces will let water grow mildew. Intricate details would make it harder to sand it off again.... 

           

          Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

  4. Piffin | Jul 09, 2008 07:36pm | #9

    Something for the Festival of Tents?

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
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    1. User avater
      xxPaulCPxx | Jul 09, 2008 10:56pm | #10

      It's for Sukkot, Where the structures are supposed to have holes in the roof.

      Apparently Jewish building codes were pretty lax.

      I'm working up the design at the moment, might be a good time to learn Scetchup!

      When up, it will be be on a 22'x22' footprint, and be 12' to 14' tall at it's peak.  I'm modeling it on elements of the temple itself.  The whole thing will break down, some elements folding together for storage.

      My design challenge is that it should be relatively easy to piece together from instructions, and ideally be assembled without hand tools.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

      Also a CRX fanatic!

      Save the Whales! and Guns!

      1. Piffin | Jul 10, 2008 12:19am | #11

        tents ~ tabernacles apologize for misremeber the right terminologySince the temple was modeled on the tabernacle and it liberally used cedar, would not red cedar be a better choice?Is this a family hut or is a larger congregational kind of thing 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        1. User avater
          xxPaulCPxx | Jul 10, 2008 05:47am | #12

          Cedar might work , if I could find it in conventional lumber sizes.

          This is something for the whole congregation - mine is only 12'x12'Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

          Also a CRX fanatic!

          Save the Whales! and Guns!

          1. Piffin | Jul 10, 2008 06:01am | #13

            I am a lot further from the source than you are and I can get any size red cedar I want as long as I pay 6-10/BF for it.I find it lighter, stronger, and easier to work than redwood. And probably less sappy.
            Plus I like the smell. 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          2. User avater
            xxPaulCPxx | Jul 10, 2008 09:02am | #14

            I'll look into it, thanks!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

            Also a CRX fanatic!

            Save the Whales! and Guns!

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