Manual Stripping to Remove the Gray from Wood
With this method, you sand off the old finish and the gray by hand or with an electric sander. Start with a coarse grit, and once complete, go over the wood again with a more medium grit. This will help to smooth out the surface and prepare it for staining and re-sealing.
Light surface graying can usually be removed with a high quality/high concentration oxalic/citric acid product, but on severely neglected decks the graying is a lot thicker than most acid brighteners can handle. At that point it is the best bet to sand the wood until it is a natural wood tone again.
Use fine-grit sandpaper (120--150 grit) to sand the surface lightly. This will remove the remaining gray patina, smooth out rough areas, and restore some of the original color. Always sand in the direction of the wood grain to avoid scratches or damage to the surface. Wipe away any sanding dust with a damp cloth.
For decking with significant discoloration or stubborn stains, sanding may be necessary. Sanding helps remove layers of discoloured wood, exposing fresh layers beneath. Once sanded down evenly, you can apply a new coat of stain or finish to restore colour and protect the wood.
The process is simple and just by cleaning and applying two coats of UltraDeck Timber Oil you can bring a tired looking deck back to life.
If you're happy with how your deck looks and just want to keep it from getting grey and weathered, try a decking protector. It'll protect your decking from sunlight and rain, as well as resisting damage from foot-traffic, and being translucent it won't change the appearance of the wood.
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.
Essentially, graying is the result of the moisture, foreign objects, and sunlight your deck is constantly being exposed to. These all work against the wood, both physically and chemically, resulting in discoloration, as well as cracking and other common forms of age and wear.
You might wonder how to restore your cedar deck to its natural color once it starts to fade. The best way to do this is by applying a new stain or sealant. If you want to keep your deck looking natural, then you should use a clear sealant. This will protect the wood from weathering without changing its color.
Darker decks are easier to clean since they show less wear and tear than lighter-colored decks. Brown, black and gray are the best choices for easy-cleaning colors.
Composite Decking: Trex suggests using a pressure washer at 3100 PSI or less on its composite decking. Other manufacturers may recommend lower pressure or discourage pressure washing altogether. Always consult the care instructions from your decking manufacturer.
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.
First a quality cleaner is applied (usually a sodium hydroxide or sodium percarbonate) then gently pressure washed off. The second step is the brightener (usually an oxalic or citric acid) which neutralizes the cleaner, restores a proper pH and gives you a bright better than new wood color.
If your decking is untreated and is looking grey and weathered, we recommend using the Osmo Wood Reviver Gel which comes with a free brush on all 2.5L tubs making it even easier to apply and clean off.
Grey decking paint offers a modern and sophisticated alternative to traditional decking paint colours and is designed to colour and protect against harsh weather conditions. Look out for anti-slip options which ensure steady footing in wet and slippery conditions – ideal for homes with young children.
You can use a wood cleaner or a mix of warm water and mild soap. Apply it with a brush or sponge to reach the wood's grooves and textures. After cleaning, let the wood dry completely. Then, use a wood reviver according to the instructions on the label.
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.
This is a natural weathering process that turns the wood grey, which is mainly caused by sunlight. The ultra violet rays start to break down the cellulose that then causes chemical degradation in the wood. This process makes the colour of the wood change from its newly installed rich colour, to a silver/grey.
Use a stiff brush to give the decking a good scrub. This will get rid of any dirt or loose bits of wood. Hose it down with water or a jet wash to clean it up. For really dirty deckings, our Decking Cleaner and Reviver does all the hard work for you, so all you need to do is hose it down.
Decking paint will not show the natural grain and colour of wood in the same way as oil or stain. Unlike decking oil, or oil/stain combinations, paint will not be absorbed into the wood to give it the same nourishment and protection.