How to Restore Cedar Benches That Turned Gray

Cedar is a natural choice for outdoor furniture, as it has intrinsic rot and decay resistance. While cedar benches can happily live outdoors untreated, they will tend to gray over time. This generally won’t affect the durability of the bench, but some prefer the golden tones of fresh cedar to the weathered look of grayed cedar. Restoring a grayed cedar bench is simple, but you may want to consider a clear wood finish if you want to prevent the bench from turning gray again.

Household detergent
Bucket scrubbing brush
Household bleach (optional)
Gloves
Cloth
Hose
Sander or sandpaper
Clear wood finish (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the bench with a warm water and detergent solution, using a scrubbing brush. If there are mildew signs on the bench, wipe on a mild bleach and water solution with a cloth then rinse the bench with a hose. Leave to fully dry.
- 2
  Sand the bench with a sander or hand-sand it. Sanding removes the gray surface of the bench and reveals the true color of the cedar under the surface. Once sanded, the bench can be left as is or finished to prevent further graying.
- 3
  Apply a clear wood finish to the bench if you want to protect it from the elements and keep it looking fresh. Follow the finish manufacturer’s recommended application method.

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