Use and Care Manual

16
Finishes
No other wood takes and holds finishes better than redwood. California redwood’s performance and
finish-holding ability make it one of nature’s most maintenance-free building materials.
Description Application Maintenance
Natural appearance finishes
Clear Water Repellents with Mildewcide:
Clear finishes that modify weathering
characteristics and let color and grain
show through.
Apply with brush or roller. Use one or
two coats according to the manufacturer ’ s
directions. For best results, coat sawn ends,
backs and edges before nailing in place.
Reapplication may be required after old
finish has lost its effectiveness. In humid
or harsher climates, reapplication may be
required every 12-18 months. Before
applying, wood may be restored to its
natural color with trisodium phosphate and
oxalic acid treatment.
Bleaching or Weathering Stains: Low
maintenance, natural appearance with a
gray-toned finish.
Apply with brush or roller. Use one or two
coats according to manufacturer’s direc-
tions. Bleaching is aided by sunlight and
moisture, so it may speed the process to
periodically dampen surfaces with a fine
spray from a garden hose.
Bleaching oils and stains provide nearly
maintenance-free performance. Reapply
finish only if wood begins to darken or
bleaching is uneven. One refinish coat
should be enough.
Pigmented Stains
Semitransparent Stains: Penetrating
finishes available in a variety of semitrans-
parent colors including several redwood
hues. Oil-based stains are recommended.
Apply with brush for best results, next best
is a roller. Avoid drips and lap marks. Two
coats usually required for new wood—
follow manufacturer’s directions.
Refinishing may be necessary every 3 to 5
years. Color in pigmented stains may wear
away gradually after weathering. Light
brushing with a bristle brush will help
remove old finish in some spots. One
refinish coat is usually enough.
Solid Body Stains : Film forming finishes
available in a wide variety of colors. Oil-
based stains are recommended.
For best results use a brush. The next
best applicator is a roller. Avoid drips and
lap marks. Two coats usually required for
new wood—follow manufacturer’s
directions.
Refinishing may be necessary every 3 to 5
years. Color in pigmented stains may wear
away gradually after weathering. Light
brushing with a bristle brush will help
remove old finish in some spots. One
refinish coat is usually enough.
Paints
Paints : Durable, attractive finishes for
traditional exteriors. Quality paints are
generally worth the extra cost.
Apply with brush for best results, roller is
next best applicator. One prime coat and two
top coats are recommended for new wood.
Back-priming is highly recommended. Use
oil- or alkyd-based stain-blocking primer.
Acrylic latex top coat is recommended.
Refinishing may be necessary every 7 to
10 years. Paint films that are too thick
tend to peel and crack. Sand or scrub with
stiff bristle brush. Paint and varnish
removers may also be used. If sanding,
countersink galvanized nail heads to
protect their coating.
Finishes not recommended : varnishes and clear film finishes, oil treatments, “ shake and shingle ” type paints.