This post was updated on April 4, 2025
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 2025. 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 Water-Based Deck Stain for New Wood | The Easiest Applying Deck Stain for New Wood | Best Oil-Based Deck Stain for New Wood |
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
Hi Scott, Jeff here, (Springfield Oregon)I have a redwood deck we just installed. I found some beautiful milled redwood. Moisture content of 10 to 20%. I’ve always done a light sand 220 grit is usually what I use. I’m just wondering why you don’t recommend it? I’ve always believed that sanding opens the wood pours to help the stain to penetrate. Please understand that I’m not questioning your knowledge. I’ve been building decks since the 90’s. And I always look for a better,faster way to get the quality for my customers. So I have a very open mind. Thanks for this forum. And your knowledge. je
In our experience, sanding does not help to open up the wood grain (especially at 220 grit) but reduces stain penetration. If you have to sand, don’t sand finer than 60-80 grit: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/
There is no way to speed up the staining of new wood, and it is not about the moisture % but about the porosity. New wood needs to weather and be prepped:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
All of this varies depending on the stain brand you use, and it’s best to follow their directions for new wood, as they do vary. You want the wood to be absorbent and slightly rough, not smooth like a hardwood floor.
Is it possible to make old redwood look weathered?
Weathered in what way?
Hi Scott, my inquiry relates to a redwood fence that was erected in my courtyard that leads to the front of my house. I hired a contractor who installed raw/rough redwood when I did not know that we should have discussed the finish before the project started. I assumed it would be smooth, finished wood, similar to a wood deck. It’s a piano style fence with two gates. Is there anything I can do to smooth out the wood before staining and sealing? Thank you in advance for your time and attention.
No need to smooth out the wood. Just stain the rough sawn as is.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-stain-rough-sawn-wood/
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.