Redwood Deck Stain
Redwood is a very durable, great looking ancient wood species that weathers well. Despite being from the magical Sequoia tree family, like all wood it turns grey and black when untreated outside. If you don’t mind the weathered look it can be left untreated until it needs to be replaced. If you want that deep red with occasional dark brown stunning wood grain then we have the Best Deck Stain for you. Rainforest and Mountain XT look absolutely amazing on Redwood!
Shrinkage Rate: Most Redwood decking is going to be kiln dried before it arrives but it still needs to dry on site and acclimate. A deck stained a dark color in harsh sun climates (AZ, HI, CA…) could reach temperature ranges up to 160F. These are temp. ranges that significantly affect this wood type, particularly when it is new. Redwood has a low shrinkage rate that is directly related to drying temperature. Redwood dried below 120F has less shrinkage. When it is dried above 120F Redwood tends to collapse [shrink] more. The first year acclimation temp and kiln drying temp. are both very important for Redwood.
This isn’t as simple as hot wood shrinks more. Studies indicate this is related to the extractive content in the wood and its behavior at varying temperatures at a cellular level. Therefore, in California a Redwood deck that is weathering in full summer sun is going to shrink more than a deck in full summer sun in Maine. The cool thing is that if allowed to weather below 120F the high extractive content of Redwood will bolster the cell wall, making for abnormally low shrinkage and a longer lasting wood.
Brown Cedar, Cinnamon Stick, Fawn would all be good strong mid range colors for a first year weathering in severe sun climates. Honey and Light Cedar are good light toned colors but will fade faster in harsh sun. Toffee and Raisin are going to be too dark for first year Redwood because the wood will get too hot and not acclimate as well as it would with a mid range or light toned color.
It’s important to understand how Redwood shrinks when finishing redwood because most redwood shrinks so little the first year that it can usually be coated right away with Rainforest Sealer AND Mountain XT Clear 00. The color is stunning when this is done. But if the wood is going to be exposed to intense Ultraviolet and Infra Red Radiation it should be given one coat of Brown Cedar or Cinnamon Stick stain only for the first year. In Asheville, NC at 2400 ft elevation in full sun Redwood that is prepped and coated with Rainforest Clear 00 and top coated with XT Clear 00 shows no sign of failure after 1 year. In high heat of Tucson, AZ it would be better to use on coat of Rainforest Sealer Brown Cedar the first year.
Absorption: Redwood is abnormally lacking in absorbency, porosity. Even weathered Redwood that is properly acclimated isn’t very thirsty. This means it can be difficult to get stain to soak into the wood deeply. To address this issue be sure to sand aggressively with 35-50 grit and scrub with Lime Clean. Redwood does darken somewhat when washed with Lime Clean which is a non issue if staining to the recommended Brown Cedar color but if you plan on using Clear 00 finishes you should plan on brightening the wood after washing.
Tannins: Redwood extractives are reported to contain up to 50% tannins, which is very high. The tannins play a role in low shrinkage rates and durability, bolstering the cell walls when dried at lower temperatures. Tannic acid contributes greatly to coating failure when not addressed properly. Unlike the sun and rain, there is something we can do about tannins. Lime Clean easily addresses this.
Brightening the wood: For those who are going Clear and Natural [applying Rainforest and Mountain XT Clear 00] it’s best to brighten the wood after washing with Lime Clean. Simply pour White Distilled Vinegar over the deck. Do this about 15 minutes after rinsing the Lime Clean off, before the wood dries completely. Just pour or spray it on and let it dry that way. Letting it dry in full sun brightens it further. Sometimes it’s hard to tell when the wood is wet but when dry you will see it has lightened up significantly. Also, most wood will brighten up further over the first 1-4 weeks.
How To Stain New Redwood Deck (unweathered):
How To Stain a Redwood Deck (acclimated 1yr or more):
Maintenance:Bi Annual wash with Earth Clean. Make sure you check the horizontal surfaces at this time and recoat the boards that need it. Simply sand to dull the surface and roll on another coat. Do this and you will have the best looking deck on the planet. (If you don’t plan on doing any yearly check up on your deck apply only one penetrating coat of Rainforest Sealer or Mountain XT and skip Mountain XT Clear 00. )
Redwood is a very durable, great looking ancient wood species that weathers well. Despite being from the magical Sequoia tree family, like all wood it turns grey and black when untreated outside. If you don’t mind the weathered look it can be left untreated until it needs to be replaced. If you want that deep red with occasional dark brown stunning wood grain then we have the Best Deck Stain for you. Rainforest and Mountain XT look absolutely amazing on Redwood!
Shrinkage Rate: Most Redwood decking is going to be kiln dried before it arrives but it still needs to dry on site and acclimate. A deck stained a dark color in harsh sun climates (AZ, HI, CA…) could reach temperature ranges up to 160F. These are temp. ranges that significantly affect this wood type, particularly when it is new. Redwood has a low shrinkage rate that is directly related to drying temperature. Redwood dried below 120F has less shrinkage. When it is dried above 120F Redwood tends to collapse [shrink] more. The first year acclimation temp and kiln drying temp. are both very important for Redwood.
This isn’t as simple as hot wood shrinks more. Studies indicate this is related to the extractive content in the wood and its behavior at varying temperatures at a cellular level. Therefore, in California a Redwood deck that is weathering in full summer sun is going to shrink more than a deck in full summer sun in Maine. The cool thing is that if allowed to weather below 120F the high extractive content of Redwood will bolster the cell wall, making for abnormally low shrinkage and a longer lasting wood.
Brown Cedar, Cinnamon Stick, Fawn would all be good strong mid range colors for a first year weathering in severe sun climates. Honey and Light Cedar are good light toned colors but will fade faster in harsh sun. Toffee and Raisin are going to be too dark for first year Redwood because the wood will get too hot and not acclimate as well as it would with a mid range or light toned color.
It’s important to understand how Redwood shrinks when finishing redwood because most redwood shrinks so little the first year that it can usually be coated right away with Rainforest Sealer AND Mountain XT Clear 00. The color is stunning when this is done. But if the wood is going to be exposed to intense Ultraviolet and Infra Red Radiation it should be given one coat of Brown Cedar or Cinnamon Stick stain only for the first year. In Asheville, NC at 2400 ft elevation in full sun Redwood that is prepped and coated with Rainforest Clear 00 and top coated with XT Clear 00 shows no sign of failure after 1 year. In high heat of Tucson, AZ it would be better to use on coat of Rainforest Sealer Brown Cedar the first year.
Absorption: Redwood is abnormally lacking in absorbency, porosity. Even weathered Redwood that is properly acclimated isn’t very thirsty. This means it can be difficult to get stain to soak into the wood deeply. To address this issue be sure to sand aggressively with 35-50 grit and scrub with Lime Clean. Redwood does darken somewhat when washed with Lime Clean which is a non issue if staining to the recommended Brown Cedar color but if you plan on using Clear 00 finishes you should plan on brightening the wood after washing.
Tannins: Redwood extractives are reported to contain up to 50% tannins, which is very high. The tannins play a role in low shrinkage rates and durability, bolstering the cell walls when dried at lower temperatures. Tannic acid contributes greatly to coating failure when not addressed properly. Unlike the sun and rain, there is something we can do about tannins. Lime Clean easily addresses this.
Brightening the wood: For those who are going Clear and Natural [applying Rainforest and Mountain XT Clear 00] it’s best to brighten the wood after washing with Lime Clean. Simply pour White Distilled Vinegar over the deck. Do this about 15 minutes after rinsing the Lime Clean off, before the wood dries completely. Just pour or spray it on and let it dry that way. Letting it dry in full sun brightens it further. Sometimes it’s hard to tell when the wood is wet but when dry you will see it has lightened up significantly. Also, most wood will brighten up further over the first 1-4 weeks.
How To Stain New Redwood Deck (unweathered):
- Scrub with Lime Clean.
- Brightening (Optional for appearance only): See instructions above.
- Dry well then sand aggressively with 35-50 grit. (info on orbital sanding)
- Apply one coat of Rainforest or Mountain XT in Clear 00, Brown Cedar, Cinnamon Stick, (Raisin and Toffee not recommended the first year in harsh sun areas).
How To Stain a Redwood Deck (acclimated 1yr or more):
- Scrub with Lime Clean.
- Brightening (Optional for appearance only): See instructions above. Dry well, sand aggressively with 35-50 grit.
- Apply Rainforest Sealer in Clear 00, Brown Cedar, Cinnamon Stick, Raisin or Toffee.
- Optional. Mountain XT Clear 00, one or two coats until the wood fiber is thoroughly protected.
Maintenance:Bi Annual wash with Earth Clean. Make sure you check the horizontal surfaces at this time and recoat the boards that need it. Simply sand to dull the surface and roll on another coat. Do this and you will have the best looking deck on the planet. (If you don’t plan on doing any yearly check up on your deck apply only one penetrating coat of Rainforest Sealer or Mountain XT and skip Mountain XT Clear 00. )