finishes chart

Natural Appearance Finishes

Description

Uses

Effect

Application

Maintenance

Clear Water Repellents with Mildewcide

Clear finishes that modify weathering characteristics and let color and grain show through.

Certified Kiln Dried or air seasoned siding, fascia, trim, decks, fences, garden structures, commercial and industrial buildings. Finishes con taming toxic mildewcides are not recommended for seating, tables or interiors.

Minimize weather and mildew attack. Stabilize redwood’s color at buckskin tan. Helps eliminate redwood’s natural darkening period. Areas exposed to direct sun and rain may eventually bleach to gray.

Apply with brush or roller. Lap marks and brushstrokes will not show through. Two coats recommended for new wood. For best results, coat sawn ends, backs and edges before nailing in place. Read Labels: Mildewcides maybe toxic.

Reapplication is required after old finish has lost its effectiveness. In humid or harsher climates, reapplication may be required every 12—18 months. Before applying, wood may be restored to its natural color as described on back page.

Bleaching or Weathering Stains

Low maintenance, natural appearance with a gray-toned finish.

Certified Kiln Dried or air seasoned siding, fascia, trim, decks, fences, garden structures, commercial and industrial buildings. Finishes containing toxic mildewcides are not recommended for seating, tables, or interiors.

Provide for low maintenance and give redwood a uniformly gray or naturally weathered look.

Apply with brush or roller. Lap marks and brushstrokes may show through as many include gray pigment. Use one or two coats according to manufacturer’s directions. Bleaching is aided by sunlight and moisture, so it may speed the process to periodically dampen surfaces with a fine spray from a garden hose.

Bleaching oils and stains provide nearly maintenance-free performance. Reapply finish only if wood begins to darken or bleaching is uneven. One refinish coat should be enough.

Pigmented Stains

Description

Uses

Effect

Application

Maintenance

Semitransparent Stains

Penetrating finishes available in a variety of semitransparent colors including several redwood hues. Oil-based stains are recommended.

Certified Kiln Dried or air seasoned siding, fascia, trim, decks, fences, garden structures and furniture, commercial and industrial buildings. Most semitransparent stains contain mildewcides.

Provide color in a finish that lets wood breathe naturally. Semitransparent stains let the grain show through but present a uniform single color. The amount of pigment contained in stains will vary according to brand.

Apply with brush for best results, next best is a roller. Avoid drips and lap marks. Two coats usually required for new wood— follow manufacturer’s directions.

Refinishing may be necessary every 3—5 years. Color in pigmented stains may wear away gradually after weathering. Light brushing with a bristle brush will help remove old finish in some spots. One refinish coat is usually enough.

Solid Body Stains

Film forming finishes available in a wide variety of opaque colors. Oil-based stains are recommended.

Certified Kiln Dried or air seasoned siding, fascia, trim, decks, fences, garden structures and furniture, commercial and industrial buildings.

Provide color in a finish that lets wood breathe naturally. Opaque stains will obscure the grain but highlight the texture and have an appearance more like paint.

For best results use a brush. The next best applicator is a roller. Avoid drips and lap marks. Two coats usually required for new wood—follow manufacturer’s directions.

Paints

Description

Uses

Effect

Application

Maintenance

Paints

Durable, attractive finishes for traditional exteriors. Quality paints are generally worth the extra cost.

Certified Kiln Dried siding, fascia, trim, some garden structures and furniture, commercial and industrial buildings. Not recommended for decks and walking or seating surfaces. Note; For air-seasoned or unseasoned siding use a stain-blocking latex primer formulated for redwood.

Provide attractive colorful finishes which obscure grain and texture of the wood.

Apply with brush for best results, roller is next best applicator One prime coat and two top coats are recommended for new wood. Back-priming is highly recommended. Use oil- or alkyd based stain-blocking primer. Acrylic latex top coat is recommended.

Refinishing may be necessary every 7 to 10 years. Paint films that are too thick tend to peel and crack. Sand or scrub with stiff bristle brush. Paint and varnish removers may also be used. If sanding, countersink galvanized nail heads to protect their coating.