Replies

1. 
   KFC | Apr 26, 2009 06:13pm | #1

   Sunday bump.

   Thanks in advance for ideas, I'm off for a day at the ballpark with my daughter, I'll check in tonight.

   k

1. 
   [email protected] | Apr 26, 2009 06:51pm | #2

   Try posting over on Knots, in the finishing section. There are a bunch of folks over there that really know that kind of stuff.

2. 
   rjw | Apr 26, 2009 08:11pm | #3

   Ammonia works with (the tannins? in) cherry and oak: fumes for a slow approach - applied wet for the fast food approach,....

   ---

   "Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

   Howard Thurman

   ---

   http://rjw-progressive.blogspot.com/

1. 
   Malo | Apr 26, 2009 08:21pm | #4

   Allow me to add a slight correction to your post ( before some less than honorable poster may) The Tannin in white oak responds to Ammonia quite well, there are no such tannins in Cherry. It gains "patina" by UV light. 

   Fumed oak, it also not really "patina' per se, it is/was a finishing step. Patina occurs, finish is applied.

   And one more bit, I don't *think* Redwood contains the same tannin that will react as Quercus Alba does.

   AFAIK, the OP may be asking about weatherd appearance.

   (  I know you are a stickler for accuracy, just filling the void for ya (g))View Image

1. 
   KFC | Apr 27, 2009 07:26am | #5

   Thanks for the replies so far. 

   I'm after the silver/grey color.  Trying to add some elements to a 15-year old redwood deck without it standing out too much.

   k

2. 
   rjw | Apr 27, 2009 08:15pm | #10

   >>The Tannin in white oak responds to Ammonia quite well, there are no such tannins in Cherry. It gains "patina" by UV light. 

   Well, since I've never been wrong before, I'm telling G-d to change 'em.... <G>

   But I can tell you that amonnia does give instant aged cherry patina to cherry wood....

   Stickler for accuracy? Moi??? Prove it...! <G,D&R>

   "Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

   Howard Thurmanhttp://rjw-progressive.blogspot.com/

1. 
   Malo | Apr 27, 2009 10:52pm | #16

   Just for you, I did a test.  Average aged Cherry ( not just planed) and straight ammonia ( got a bottle for the DW's poison Ivy) .

   The right 4-5" was wetted ( the knot is still wet) and the left was not ...as you can see, possibly a SLIGHT change, but nothing like natural UV and age Patina.

    

   View Image

    

   This myth is BUSTED (G)

   View Image

   Edited 4/27/2009 3:53 pm ET by Malo

   
3. 
   splintergroupie | Apr 27, 2009 09:20am | #6

   Lye will make redwood instantly deep, dark maroon. It's also a decent paint remover. (Don't forget to add lye crystals to water, not vice versa.)

   If you want gray, try household bleach, or move up to oxalic acid.

1. 
   KFC | Apr 27, 2009 05:45pm | #8

   Someone on knots said bleach, too.  And oxalic acid makes sense...

   Thanks a bunch!

   k

4. 
   gotcha | Apr 27, 2009 03:59pm | #7

   KFC
   Geez. I just spent hours planing and sanding down my redwood deck and getting ready to stain it.....it's beautiful. Not gray anymore.

   This deck was here when we moved in in '91 so it has held up very well.
   As has the pergola which I'm not doing anything but staining.

   Pete

1. 
   KFC | Apr 27, 2009 05:49pm | #9

   Right, well, rather than spend days sanding every last detail of the deck/walkway/arbor to make the old look new, the goal is to spend a few minutes with a rag (and some waiting, but I'm good at that) to make thenew look old. 

   We'll see.

   k

5. 
   DanH | Apr 27, 2009 08:27pm | #11

   TSP will do it real fast. (Use at your own risk.)

   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
1. 
   DanH | Apr 27, 2009 08:29pm | #12

   And if you want a grey look, TSP followed by oxalic acid would do it. Once again, you may get a stronger effect than you want.
   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

2. 
   KFC | Apr 27, 2009 08:37pm | #13

   Thanks.  What's my risk?

   k

   edit: ah- I just read the 2nd part.  too much grey is probably not a problem in this case.  I don't need a perfect match, just so's it doesn't jump out at ya from 40 feet like new and old would.  Ill experiment a bit, just to be safe.

   Edited 4/27/2009 1:39 pm by KFC

1. 
   DanH | Apr 27, 2009 08:43pm | #14

   Apply the TSP full strength and redwood will turn instantly red/black -- the extreme end of the reddish darkening that initially occurs with age. Apply the oxalic acid and the red color will be washed out, leaving grey, and a rougher, more weathered appearance.
   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

1. 
   KFC | Apr 27, 2009 08:47pm | #15

   Sounds perfect.  Thanks.

   k