Things You'll Need:
- Metal putty knife
- Hammer
- Stiff broom or leaf blower
- Stiff fiber scrub brush
- TSP (trisodium phosphate)
- Household bleach
- Rubber gloves
- Oxalic acid preparation or wood brightener
- Rollers, brushes, or sprayer
- Deck stain
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Step 1
Use the edge of a metal putty knife to loosen debris and dirt between the boards, as a sharp knife could damage the wood.
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Step 2
For loose nails, hammer them back flush with the wood. For missing nails, replace them with galvanized screws and set them just below the surface of the wood.
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Step 3
Remove dirt and debris with a stiff broom or leaf blower.
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Step 4
Using gloves to protect your hands, scrub the deck with a stiff fiber brush using a solution of one cup TSP, one cup household bleach and one gallon of water. Scrub small sections at a time in the direction of the grain and rinse frequently.
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Step 5
Let the deck dry for two or three days before going to the next step.
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Step 1
Restore the color if your deck still has stains or gray-looking wood and you want a newer look to the redwood.
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Step 2
Apply a color restorative/brightener such as an oxalic acid product to remove stains and revive the original colors of the redwood by brushing, rolling, spraying or using rags.
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Step 3
Let the deck dry for two or three days before going to the next step.
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Step 1
Use a high-quality stain that includes a mildewcide, UV protection and water repellent for best results. Slightly tinted transparent stains will last longer and shield redwood better than clear stain. Penetrating, oil-based finishes are well-absorbed by redwood so are most effective. If you would like a more uniform appearance, use a semi-transparent stain.
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Step 2
Apply the stain with a brush or roller on a windless, dry day.
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Step 3
Keep the kids and pets off the deck for two or three days until it's completely dry.
