If you have an older fence or deck that has turned gray you may think it is too late to have beautifully stained wood in your backyard. The truth is that fences and decks can be restored to their original condition and transformed with quality outdoor stain.
You can just use straight bleach to whiten the heck out of it and then LIGHTLY powerwash it, don't get to over zealous with the powerwasher or you will raise the grain of the wood. Do that and then let it dry for a few days and then you can stain it, i used readyseal on my deck and it looks awesome, very easy to use!
Weathered wood must be cleaned and bleached prior to staining to address any mildew spores. No matter the type of wood, we always recommend waiting 24-48 hours after rainfall or cleaning to make sure the structure is dry prior to staining.
Often when people restain timber, the old Stain is either sanded away, is already flaking off, or can be restained over. While you can restain a deck over an existing stain without sanding or removing the existing peeling product, this isn't always recommended and can leave your deck looking a little worse for wear.
To make wood look weathered gray, apply a mixture of white vinegar and steel wool to the wood surface. Let it sit for a few hours to develop the gray patina.
If you have an older fence or deck that has turned gray you may think it is too late to have beautifully stained wood in your backyard. The truth is that fences and decks can be restored to their original condition and transformed with quality outdoor stain.
The natural beauty of Weathered Wood will always be in style. A base of deep brown is accented with hints of earthy clay, and lighter brown to create a look that is strong, rustic and cozy. Color and product availability varies by region and manufacturing location.
Minwax® PolyShades® is an easy way to change the color of your currently stained or polyurethane finished wood. There's no stripping or heavy sanding necessary to remove the old finish!
Generally speaking, it's a good idea to completely remove all traces of the previous coat of deck stain before applying a new one. The reasons for this may be fairly obvious — a previous coat of stain might be peeling away from the surface in several areas.
Should I Pressure Wash My Deck Before Staining? Yes, pressure washing your deck before applying a new stain is a good idea. This will provide a much cleaner surface to work with, which should prolong the life of the stain.
Paint generally lasts longer as it forms a protective layer against weathering. However, stains won't peel like paints might over time.
When exterior wood begins to age, it can often take on a grayish appearance. This is especially true for wood that is constantly exposed to the elements. If your exterior wood has begun to oxidize leaving it gray in color, it might be time to restore it via a manual restoration process.
Before you resort to sanding your wood siding to remove gray oxidation, cleaning with oxygen bleach and oxalic acid should remove the gray and restore the wood's natural color. Each year you want to give your cedar siding a general cleaning to remove dirt and grime, and brighten your siding.
Refresh with Wood Reviver Power Gel
Through subsequent re-oiling, the fresh warm wood colour is restored. To use, first wet the surface then apply the Wood Reviver Power Gel with a brush in the direction of the grain on to the greyed areas. Wait for about 20 minutes for the gel to penetrate the surface.
Wood ageing processes
One of the main degradation factors is sunlight and, in particular, ultraviolet (UV) rays, which trigger a photochemical oxidation process that leads to a rapid change in the colour of the wood.
If you're going from a light stain to a dark stain, there's no need to strip away the existing stain first. However, keep in mind that the existing stain may alter the color of the finished product. Sand the surface of your project lightly with fine-grit sandpaper.
Wood stain remover should remove most, if not all, of that wood stain on its own. While sanding can be a great final step, especially if you're planning to paint or restrain the wood, it isn't always required.
Always prepare the wood with a light sanding.
Apply Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to ensure an even stain color (see Wood Preparation for other tips).
Removing old stain isn't always necessary, but it depends on the condition and type of the previous stain. Water-Based vs. Oil-Based: Water-based stains sit on the surface and may need to be removed if peeling. Oil-based stains penetrate the wood and can be reapplied without full removal.
You generally don't need to sand new wood that has been stained before painting, but it depends on the results you're after. If you want a super-smooth painted finish, scuff-sand, which is lightly sanding (scuffing), the surface by hand (not with a machine), to smooth out bumps using 150- or 220-grit sandpaper.
The primary function of staining is to provide color to a wood piece. If you sand in between coats of stain, you risk breaking the color and damaging the stain. Instead, you should sand the raw wood before applying a stain.
Oil-Based Deck Paints: Oil-based paints penetrate deeply into the wood, providing a durable finish that's less likely to chip or peel. They're particularly effective for decks that have seen a lot of wear and tear.
Weathered Gray is a lighter shade of misty cool gray color and part of our New Neutrals Collection. With a touch of stormy blue and a hint of cloudy skies, Weathered Gray is a cooler neutral that invites a relaxed atmosphere. Pair with navy, crisp white and sage green for a classic beachside color palette.
As a result of their natural durability, two of the most popular species for grey cladding are Western Red Cedar and Siberian Larch, although any qualities species can work: Douglas Fir, Alaskan Yellow Cedar but also modified woods like ThermoWood®, Thermo-Ayous and Thermo-Tulipwood CAMBIA®.