How to Keep Gray Redwood New

While redwood is a gorgeous wood in and of itself, you can stain it gray to better fit the appearance of your home. Most deck stains contain a stain and sealant in one. Available shades include light to dark gray. Choose between transparent, semi-transparent and semi-solid stain, depending on how much of the wood grain you want to see. It's important to apply more than one coat to keep gray redwood looking new.

60- to 80-grit sandpaper
Garden hose with spray nozzle
Gray stain
Low-pressure sprayer with fan-like tip
Large soft-bristled broom brush with long handle or stain brush
Soap

Instructions

- 1
  Sand new redwood with 60- to 80-grit paper to eliminate glaze put on at the mill. Untreated lumber and wood that's been exposed to the elements for three months or more should still be sanded with 60- to 80-grit paper for better stain penetration. Rinse deck with a garden hose and spray nozzle to remove sanding dust. Allow to dry completely.
- 2
  Add gray stain to a low-pressure deck sprayer with a fan-like tip. This type of tip allows you to spray in stripes.
- 3
  Start in a small section containing two to three boards. Depress the button and spray the entire length of the boards at one time. Back brush pooling areas with a large soft-bristled broom brush with long handle or stain brush to smooth the excess.
- 4
  Work your way over the entire deck. Alternate between spraying and back brushing. Let the first coat dry completely before applying a second coat. This should take about eight hours but check for tackiness before proceeding with another coat.
- 5
  Apply a second coat using the same spraying and back-brushing technique.
- 6
  Clean all tools with soap and water after the second coat.
- 7
  Check the deck every season to determine how the stain is holding up. It may be necessary to re-sand and re-stain the gray redwood every few years to keep it looking new.

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