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Discussion Forum

Redwood, restoring the color

JimMcGee | Posted in General Discussion on June 2, 2007 10:32am

Hey Folks,
About five years ago I picked up a load of redwood from a local lumber yard for next to nothing since they weren’t going to carry it any more. I racked it up on sleepers and covered it in the woods behind my house until I found a use for it.

Now the wife wants to add a deck and a small pool next to the patio and the redwood seems like the perfect choice. The problem is it’s turned black on the surface.

I hear this is common with redwood. What’s the best way to restore the color, and the best treatment for the finished deck to preserve the color of the wood.

Thanks,
Jim

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Sphere | Jun 03, 2007 12:42am | #1

    Scrub it w/ TSP and bleach, and rinse SOFTLY, with a hose, not a 1000 HP pressure washer.

    Parolee # 40835

  2. User avater
    BillHartmann | Jun 03, 2007 01:25am | #2

    Deck brightners should make it like new. At least it does for cedar.

    I think that there are several different active chemicals used, but oxcillic acid is one.

    .
    .
    A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
  3. WayneL5 | Jun 03, 2007 03:59am | #3

    If the chemical treatments don't work you could plane it.

  4. SBerruezo | Jun 03, 2007 08:20am | #4

    Generally it's just on the surface. Sanding or planing should do the trick.

     

  5. andybuildz | Jun 03, 2007 04:18pm | #5

    I agree with all the posts but deck cleaner really works fast and easy.
    Sanding is more "green building" but the most work not to mention it puts carcinogenic saw dust in the atmosphere...lol

     

    http://www.john-lennon.com/imagine-neilyoung.ra

    http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM                                 

     
  6. Dave45 | Jun 03, 2007 05:09pm | #6

    Since you say that the stack was covered, I would bet that you have some mold/mildew on it - particularly if the stack was close to the ground.  Scrubbing it down with a TSP solution followed by a light sanding should restore it to "near new" color.   Since redwood is pretty soft between the growth rings, I wouldn't use a power washer on it.  You can blast away the soft wood and leave some pretty hard ridges in a board.

    You should also check it closely for termites.  Subterranean termites feast on the sapwood (the white parts) but usually leave the heartwood (the red parts) alone. 

    You should also know that maintaining that red color will involve quite a bit of work.  If it's left alone, redwood will age to a grey (sometimes very dark grey) color.  Maintaining the red color will probably involve an annual cleaning and reapplication of a good sealer.

    When I built my deck in '02, SWMBO wanted it sealed to preserve the color.  Being a very experienced and dutiful husband, I totally agreed with her.  I said that I would seal it...............once............if she would take care of it after that.  Since she had a great deal of experience being my wife, she smelled a trap and asked what was involved.  The deck wasn't sealed and has aged to a beautiful grey like it's supposed to!! - lol

    1. JimMcGee | Jun 03, 2007 09:28pm | #7

      What % TSP to water?

      1. andybuildz | Jun 03, 2007 10:15pm | #8

        you can buy it at the box stores in the paint dept premixed in liquid form.

         

        http://www.john-lennon.com/imagine-neilyoung.ra

        http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM                                 

         

        1. User avater
          BillHartmann | Jun 03, 2007 10:20pm | #9

          Is that real TSP or fake TSP?.
          .
          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. andybuildz | Jun 03, 2007 10:53pm | #10

            I dunno...I have a cpl of gallons and it says TSP...
            doesn't say Fake TSP...lol...its more money but it IS convienent.

             

            http://www.john-lennon.com/imagine-neilyoung.ra

            http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM                                 

             

          2. User avater
            BillHartmann | Jun 03, 2007 11:02pm | #11

            "Liquid
            TSP Substitute"http://www.savogran.com/Retail_Products/Cleaning_Products/cleaning_products.html.
            .
            A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

      2. Dave45 | Jun 04, 2007 02:21am | #12

        I have no idea, Jim.  I've never bothered to actually measure it.  I just dump some of the powder into my bucket of water.  I would bet that the box would have some instructions. - lol

        1. JimMcGee | Jun 04, 2007 03:38am | #13

          Hmm, well there's the instructions and then there's what really works - not always the same thing - which is why I asked! LOLThanks to everyone for their inputJim

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