Product Brochure

Finishes
Redwood weathers more gracefully than
most woods. Exterior finishes such as
water repellents, semitransparent stains
and weathering stains enhance redwood’s
natural beauty and performance. Tests
conducted by the Forest Products Labo-
ratory of the U.S. Department of Agricul-
ture have shown that no other domestic
wood accepts and retains finishes better
than redwood.
Always follow finish manufacturer’s
recommendations regarding application
conditions, coverage and number of
coats required. Brushing is the best
method for applying finishes, followed by
roller applications and spray applications.
Finishes which contain water repellents
and mildewcides will provide the greatest
degree of protection. Linseed oil, if used
alone, tends to attract dirt and mildew,
resulting in discoloration.
Penetrating finishes should be applied to
clean dry surfaces as soon as possible
after construction is completed. Pre-
finishing is advantageous in that all
surfaces of the lumber can be treated.
Oil-based solid-color stains and paints
should be applied to unseasoned
redwood only after the wood has become
sufficiently dry. This may take from one to
six months. If coatings must be applied
to unseasoned wood before this time,
water-borne products should be used
over a stain-blocking latex primer formu-
lated for redwood.
Finally, don’t use clear film-forming var-
nishes, lacquers or “shake and shingle”
type paints on exterior redwood.
Redwood Finishes
Uses
Decks/Walkways ■■■■
——— ———
Fences ■ ■ ■ ■
——— ———
Planters/Retaining Walls ■ ■ ■ ■
——— ———
Seating ■■■■
——— ———
Tables ■■■■■
———
Garden Shelters ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
———
Effect
Color Natural Driftwood Selected Selected Selected
———
Grain Visibility High Medium Medium None None
———
Application
Recommended Coats* 2 1-2 2 2 2
———
Primer Required None None None None Oil/Alkyd
———
Refinish—Years 1-2
———
2-5 2-5 5-10
———
Non-toxic formulations Traffic bearing formulations Certified Kiln Dried lumber only
*Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Water
Repellents
w
/
Mildewcides
Bleaching and
Weathering
Stains
Semi-
Transparent
Stains
Solid-Color
Stains
Latex Paints
Lacquers/
Varnishes