How should I treat my new redwood deck?
Ōdate I have built a large redwood deck in the southwest (New Mexico). I understand that redwood resists decay and insects very well, but I want to try to keep if from drying, splitting and cracking. Extremely hot and dry weather here is the real culprit. I wish to start with a semi transparent stain, then I have been told that a mix of linseed oil with a little thinner will do the trick, any other suggestions?
Technorati Tags: culprit, decay, dry weather, insects, new mexico, redwood deck, semi transparent stain, southwest, thinner
5 Responses
pcbeachrat
10 Feb 2010
mustachekat
10 Feb 2010
Redwood has a open cell structure, so it absorbs all finsihes extremely well. Oh ya, DO NOT, use, any polyurthene or varnish on redwood.
doc holiday
10 Feb 2010
Your on the right track, linseed oil will preserve the wood and cutting it with thinner is OK but don’t cut it more then 3parts linseed oil to 1 part thinner. Linseed oil has been used on sailing ships like the Nina for many many years…
You can also mix in some stain of your choice with linseed oil and try it on a sample piece of wood before applying it to the deck…
Al Moes Kraesee
10 Feb 2010
That would be the next best thing to not treating at all. A lightly tinted deck stain is another possibility.
Lescee
10 Feb 2010
Linseed oil will eventually go black as it is a vegetable oil and therefore awill attract mould or fungi, You would be better to use a decking oil as they contain anti-mould properties, available from most paint stores.
Alternatively, Tongue oil will also resist mould or fungi.
Linseed oil also will remain tacky..especially in warmer weather..Do not by all means use that cheap crap..I am a 37 year experienced painter..and the best product on the market as far as I am concerned is "cuprinol" put out by Sherwin Williams…Do not use Thompasons..it is the worst stuff on the market and a parrafin base..thus making it almost impossible to reseal in the future …I would not suggest putting a stain color with the cuprinol for the redwood will darkwen already as soon as you put any [product on it…here is some info on cuprinol
This is A uk site, but this product is available in the us as well as suggested..Sherwin Williams