This post was updated on March 1, 2024
New Redwood Deck Staining Tips
DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to site for exotic wood deck staining tips. As with all different types of wood surfaces, we recommend you properly prep your redwood before staining in 2024. This involves allowing your redwood to weather for a few months prior to cleaning and brightening. Feel free to leave us a comment with pictures of your Redwood projects if you have them.
Best New Wood Deck Stain Water-Based | Best Applying New Wood Deck Stain | Best New Wood Deck Stain Oil-Based |
Months to Weather New Wood: 3 months for both semi-transparent and solid stain colors. | Months to Weather New Wood: 2-3 months for transparent and semi-transparent colors. 12 months for semi-solid. | Months to Weather New Wood: 4 - 12 months for all TWP Series and Colors. |
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New Redwood Deck
New Redwood Deck Staining Help and Tips
The natural beauty of redwood can make for a gorgeous deck that any homeowner would be proud of. Redwood is not as readily available as other types of wood, which makes it more expensive. But the cost can be justified by the beauty and longevity of the wood. A redwood deck can last for many years.
Although redwood is naturally resistant to decay, it can still be damaged by wet and dry conditions, constant moisture, and freezing/thawing in colder climates. A redwood deck should be cleaned and protected with a weather-resistant stain every year or so.
For help with a new redwood deck, allow the wood to weather for a few months to let the oils dry out (rough sawn wood can be finished right after installation). Prepare the surface with a quality wood cleaner and wood brightener. A two-part cleaning system like Restore-A-Deck works well. Use the wood cleaner and a brush or pressure washer to remove any dirt and mill glaze from the surface. Use the wood brightener to further prepare the wood for new stain.
If necessary, you can sand the wood once it dries to remove any remaining mill glaze that may hinder stain penetration. On new smooth redwood, sanding will also help soften the surface for better stain absorption although this step is not necessary.
Use a deck stain recommended for redwood. A semi-transparent penetrating deck stain is ideal. This type of stain will enhance the redwood’s natural beauty and eliminate weathering. When staining redwood, it is important to only apply as much stain as the wood can handle. If the stain is not absorbed within 10-15 minutes, wipe the excess off the surface.
Apply stain to the entire length of each board before moving to the next to eliminate lap marks. Start with the deck railings, then the deck floor, and any steps lastly. Always follow the staining instructions on the label, as most stain brands will apply differently from each other.
These tips will help with a new redwood deck. Keep in mind that regular maintenance is the key to a long-lasting deck that your family can enjoy for many years.
Staining a New Deck Tips Video – DeckStainHelp.com
Ask Questions Below on Staining New Redwood Decking
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Hi Scott, I have a brand new deck installed around a pool and hot tub, and we made a custom redwood seating area. We used Con Common Redwood 2×6 deck boards for the deck (from Home Depot). The wood initially had a light pinkish color, with some lighter streaks, but overall a very nice fresh look. After the wood was installed and has sat for the last 2 weeks in the sun, average temps of 95 degrees everyday, it’s all turned a bit darker, almost an acorn look. I live in the desert in Southern California, so plenty of sun beating down on it and UV.
I really want to get that lighter, fresh natural look back to the wood. If I sand and clean, will that bring the redwood back to that natural pink, light look?
My plan, and please tell me if this is correct (I watched your video above). Even though the new wood is smooth to touch, I’d like to sand it all down with a big Hiretech orbital sander (the big standup deck/floor sanders) to sand out all that dark color, but also smooth out joints, black blemishes from the store, any raised areas, splintering edges, and divets. Then the plan is to hose it down, apply a wood cleaner (oxalic acid). Is wood cleaner and wood brightener the same thing? And then seal it.
Will that get me the smooth, light, vibrant look back that I want?
Love this site, so much great info. Thanks for what you do.
You can restore the color but you cannot maintain the color after. Stains must be tinted for UV protection and that means the color of your wood will be enhanced based on the color you choose.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/will-a-clear-sealer-prevent-graying-on-deck/
You also cannot stain this yet:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
When time, you will need to clean and brighten for prep and then stain. Look at the Restore A Deck Prep products. For the stain, try Restore A Deck or Armstrong Clark Stains.
Do not sand for prep, it closes the pores of the wood, reducing stain penetration. Wood cleaner and brightener are not the same things.
I’m confused, the article above says to sand it. Mine is soft 2×6 redwood boards. “If necessary, you can sand the wood once it dries to remove any remaining mill glaze that may hinder stain penetration. On new smooth redwood, sanding will also help soften the surface for better stain absorption although this step is not necessary.”
No, you do not need sand. Follow the advice in the article link we sent about new wood.
Great article! I have just had a new redwood deck built and it is weathering well. I live in SW Colorado at altitude and get a lot of snow and a lot of intense sun.
The redwood was beautiful initially but is now fading and looks a bit more tan. Should I use a semitransparent stain like TWP 1500 redwood or the Armstrong-Clark stain (not sure if they have redwood)? Or should I use a different tone? I really want it too look like redwood but not red like the fence in the review of TWP 1500.
Thoughts?
You can use any color you would like, it does not have to be “redwood”. Both the AC stain and the TWP 1500 are excellent. Best to test some samples to see what color you like. Make sure to weather and prep.
Hello! We have a new redwood deck that we’ve let age 3 months and are ready to stain now. Do we still need to clean and brighten before staining? Do you recommend sanding prior as well? Our deck gets strong morning sun but no afternoon sun. Which stain do you think is best? Thanks so much — Jay
Yes you must clean and brighten. No need to sand. Try Armstrong Clark or Restore A Deck stains.
Decided to restore our deck. Purchased home back in 2021 and the deck was in rough shape. Sanded off the peeling old stain to reveal what I think is Redwood?
Now that the deck has been completely sanded do I need to use a cleaner and a brightener on it before staining? Would like to use something transparent since the wood looks so good.
1. Looks like it.
2. Yes, clean and brighten for prep.
Try Restore A Deck Stains or Armstrong Clark Stains.
Hi! Great article. We have a new timbertech composite deck ( harvest collection; slate gray) with redwood railings. Im wondering if you have a product suggestion for preserving the redwood to match the timbertech deck?
thanks!
Where are you located?
Bay Area; california
bay area- california
Look at Armstrong Clark stain in Driftwood Gray.
Hi Scott – Greetings from San Jose, CA!
We recently had a new redwood fence last week and reading your article sounds like I can use a stain & seal. Going through the comments, I may still need to wait a bit before this can be done. The edges are not smooth, and sap is leaking through the boards. I also don’t want to wait too long as I already see watermarks from my neighbor’s sprinkling system. What do you suggest?
Thank you,
Liz
That is rough-sawn wood so you can stain it now. Look at TWP 1500 Series or Armstrong Clark Stains. Tip: Have the neighbor adjust the sprinklers as best he can to avoid the fence as constant water will “discolor” the wood and stain over time.
Hi! I read through the comments, but I’m a little confused. We just installed a redwood fence today. We also have pressure-treated posts and rails pine… I think? I think the pickets are rough hewn, because they are DEFINITELY not smooth. However, when installing it, moisture was bleeding out of every screw-hole, so it is definitely wet. I also want to preserve the life of my fence, and I love deep red redwoods… but this wood is surprisingly light. :( Can you recommend a drying time, product, and color? (It must be a stain. We aren’t allowed to paint in our HOA.) Also, easy application is important to me as my last staining project (a chair) was not uniform AT ALL and it really disappointed me. (So obviously I’m not great at this.) Please see attached picture. I live in the San Joaquin Valley, and spring is pretty much here!
Please send a closeup pic of the wood planks.
Oops
We have a new redwood deck, less than 300sf. My friend had recommended Penofin but I’ve seen your comments steering people away. Our deck is in southern California, but gets very little direct sunlight, being underneath a big tree and the north side of the house. Product recommendation that is VOC compliant in California?
TWP 1500 Series or Armstrong Clark Stains are much better than Penofin.
Is it okay to wait a week after sanding to stain redwood? Or is it best to stain very shortly after sanding?
Does not matter but you should clean and brighten the wood after sanding to open up the wood pores.
Hi Scott, I’m in Pacifica 1 mile from the ocean. Redwood deck installed 3 weeks ago, pergola being done now. Rain season starts in 4-6 weeks probably around end of October, and ends in April.
Can you advise, should I stain now, or wait until May? Thank you!
Wait. More info here as well: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
thank you!
few more questions:
1. Yes.
2. Try the AC website for additional photos: http://www.armstrongclarkstain.com
3. It has to be a tinted stain to protect it from UV graying. Best to test samples on your wood.
4. No, you cannot get redwood to look like IPE.
I would like to even out the colors of a. Redwood sided wall. The 2 or 3 lower planks were hit with water. Will just staining the lower portion only work?
You cannot spot-fix the bottom boards and have it all match. You would have to do the entire wall. Strip it all down and stain it all. This would be the only way to get it to match evenly.
What stain was used in the photo above in the article? I tested out Valspar Redwood semi-transparent and I’m losing all of the variations between the natural colors and want the more natural look shown. Thank you!
Valspar is a very poor stain, we would never use it: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/valspar-one-coat-stain-sealer-review/
The picture of the redwood above has no stain on it.
Can I achieve a glossy look on my redwood deck? I just finished cleaning and staining this week.
No, never do this. It will peel, blister, attract mildew, and will be a pain to fix.
My redwood deck is about 1 year old. We are in San Francisco, California and it gets full sun in mild temperatures most of the time, although we get fog in summer months. It was coated with Preserva clear penetrating oil and sealer and has turned gray. (See photos). I believe the sealer has worn off because water does not bead. The plan is to use a cleaner and power wash (hoping not to have to strip or sand), use a brightener and then reseal with a transparent redwood tinted sealer. I was planning on using Penofin Red Label but then read too many reviews about mildew and darkening. Do you agree we don’t have to strip and what products would you recommend for cleaning, brightening and sealing. Thanks!
You need to strip and brighten. Do not use Penofin. Try Restore A Deck Prep kits and their stain or Armstrong Clark Stains.
Unfortunately, the the cleaner i used contained bleach and was nearly two weeks ago. Is it to late to use a brightener and should I sand or buff the fuzzies before or after the brightener?
Post a picture of the prep so far.
Installed new redwood deck 1 year ago. Due to medical reasons had to wait until now to prep and stain. A local paint store that was recommended by a very respected painter gave me a wood cleaner in 21/2 gallon containers with what appears to be self labeled as FLD51/S2 Flood Wood Cleaner and has a manufacturers label on the back that says Premium Olympic Wood Cleaner. I followed the instructions by covering liberally with a pump sprayer,waiting 10 min. then using a pressure washer.The result is that the wood now has no natural color and ugly brown and. light to darker grey streaks and blotches with widespread fuzzies.I would like to stain now with a Armstrong Clark semi transparent stain but am afraid of what the result may be. Can you HELP?
Post some pics in the comments.
Posting pictures on behalf of Jim S
Try a wood brightener first before staining with the AC. See here if you want to remove the fuzzies: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-fuzzies-furring-on-deck/
the pics below show what it looked like wet and then what it looked like (bleached out with various greys and brown streaks and blotches)when dry. pics sent by Eric s
We already replied yesterday.
Hello, we have just installed a new redwood deck December and will wait till Spring to finish. The support structure is pressurized wood.
Questions:
1. Do we finish both the redwood and pressurized woods by doing a one coat spray application of oil type semi-transparent? (we do need UV protection).
2. Do we spray both top and under the deck?
3. Have you tested or have knowledge of a product called Cutek? We are looking for a product that is great on initial application and easy maintenance in the years to follow.
Thank you
1. You do not have to do the support structure but if you want, then one coat.
2. No need to apply stain to the underside of the deck.
3. We are not fans of Cutek. Does not last that long.
Purchased a home that had a redwood deck installed in 2014, we don’t know how frequently it was maintained, but it’s in need of maintenance now. I’d like to pressure wash and reseal, but I’m not sure with what. Would you be able to provide a recommendation? We’re in New Mexico, and get a ton of Sun, so I think I may need something tinted to provide UV protection.
Thanks for the help!
Strip and brighen for prep with Restore A Deck Stripper Kits and both additives. Stain with TWP Stains or Restore a Deck Stains.
Just built a new redwood deck this September 2021, If I let it weather for three months as recommended it puts me in the winter rainy season. What should I do? Please Help!
Do in Spring.
Just built redwood vegetable planter boxes and want to maintain the look (color) of the redwood. Boxes have already been filled with soil. 3 main questions:
I live in California a few miles inland from the coast. Relatively mild weather without a ton of heat.
Thanks for your help!
1. No, must be tinted.
2. Restore A Deck Products.
3. It should not.
Hello I have a redwood pergola can I use a clear stain to maintain the current look?
Nope. Has to be tinted, not clear for UV protection from graying. Try Restore A Deck Stain in Natural. It is lightly tinted.
Doing a clear stain on new redwood. Do I need two coats?
One coat for new wood is normal.
Hi there, I just installed the new fences, may I ask for your opinion, do I need to stained for the Redwood
You will need to stain this after a few months of weathering and prep. Try TWP Stains or Armstrong Clark.
I just installed a new redwood deck in Colorado (lots of UV, temp changes all year). I’ll weather it the next couple months then I plan on cleaning with the RAD products. the mill I bought the wood from says the best choice for their redwood is “penetrating oil” but I’m unsure which products qualify under that category. Can you clarify?
I want to maintain the natural color variations (sapwood heartwood) and wood figure as much as possible. Thanks!
The best penetrating oil based stains for CO would be TWP 1500 Series or Armstrong Clark.