Use and Care Manual

ManualsBrandsMendocino Forest Products ManualsFence Hardware3/4 in. x 8 in. x 5 ft. Tongue & Groove Redwood Fence Picket

USE & CARE

Mendocino Redwood

Mendocino Redwood is one of nature’s

lowest maintenance building materials.

It has a natural resistance to decay and

insects. The natural stability of redwood

means it shrinks, warps, and splits less

than most other woods. In addition, no

other wood takes and holds ﬁnishes better

than Mendocino Redwood.

General Finishing Tips

• Apply ﬁnishes on windless days. Temperature

should be between 50 and 70 degrees

Fahrenheit.

• Surfaces should be clean and dry.

• New structures built with unseasoned wood

should air-dry one month before ﬁnishing.

• Back-priming is recommended for all exterior

ﬁnishes, particularly paints.

• Do not use wire brushes or steel wool as metal

particles may become embedded in the wood and

can cause stains. Use stiff bristle brushes.

• Use ﬁnishes recommended for wood exteriors.

• Follow manufacturer’s directions and read

warnings on toxicity.

• Don’t mix incompatible materials or apply them

over one another. Finish failures may result.

• Moisture is the most common cause of ﬁnish

failures, so use proper vapor barriers, air vents and

ﬂashing in new construction.

• To avoid nail stains, use stainless steel, aluminum

or top quality hot-dipped galvanized nails.

• Periodic rinsing with a garden hose will remove

dirt and grime. Stubborn build-up can be removed

by scrubbing with a bristle brush with a solution of

warm water and a mild detergent. Rinse afterward.

You’ve built a long-lasting

Mendocino® Redwood

fence — how do you keep

it looking great?

Finish Restoration

Mildew

Mildew may appear as dark or gray spots on the

wood surface. To remove a mild case of mildew,

scrub with a mild cleanser or detergent. Next rinse

with a household bleach to kill surviving spores.

Lastly rinse with water.

For severe mildew infestations, scrub with a stiff

bristle brush using a solution of one cup trisodium

phosphate (TSP), one cup liquid bleach and one

gallon warm water. Rinse thoroughly. If necessary,

follow with an application of 4 ounces oxalic acid

crystals dissolved in one gallon warm water in a

non-metallic container. Apply evenly with a soft

brush. When wood dries, rinse with water.

Restoring Mendocino Redwood’s Color

Discoloration may occur when extractives are

dissolved in water and leach from the wood. To

remove extractive stains and to restore a new

appearance to weathered wood, scrub wood

with a bristle brush and a solution of one cup TSP,

one cup bleach to a gallon of water. Next apply a

solution of 4 ounces oxalic acid crystals dissolved

in one gallon warm water. When wood dries, rinse

with water.

Summary of content (2 pages)

PAGE 1
USE & CARE You’ve built a long-lasting Mendocino® Redwood fence — how do you keep it looking great? Mendocino Redwood Mendocino Redwood is one of nature’s lowest maintenance building materials. It has a natural resistance to decay and insects. The natural stability of redwood means it shrinks, warps, and splits less than most other woods. In addition, no other wood takes and holds finishes better than Mendocino Redwood.
PAGE 2
USE & CARE www.MFP.com Finish Description Effect Application Maintenance Clear Water Repellent with Mildewcide Clear finishes that modify weathering characteristics and let color and grain show through. Minimize weather and mildew attack. Helps eliminate redwood’s natural darkening. Areas exposed to direct sun and rain may eventually bleach to gray. Apply with brush or roller. Two coats recommended for new wood. For best results, coat cut ends, backs and edges before nailing in place.