Replies

1. 
   user-148830 | Aug 26, 2008 12:38am | #1

   Wow it sounds like a great room. Perhaps there was a lot of soot in the air, but a cleaning would have gotten most of that off. Oxidation is my guess as to what happened to the redwood. Every wood will oxidize to some extent. Red woods go redder like cherry and mahogany.

   I would first get some potassium dichromate. It's toxic stuff but it's a great stain. Mask and glove up and mix some in water until it won't dissolve any more particles. Brush this on a spot that's relatively hidden. Of course first clean all areas with that Murphy's Soap again. The stain mix should darken the redwood. The question is how much, so as I say just try a patch and see what happens.

   The next issue is how to mask off the older areas that already dark. You could try to be careful with a fine brush or mask the old areas off. Also try to experiment on the dark redwood and see if it darkens with the stain.

   Another thought is to try some garnet shellac on the lighter areas to see if they will darken with that. Of course you can add aniline dyes to shellac but you'll have to be very careful where you paint on this stain.

   Good luck. Gary

1. 
   Redwood_Thom | Aug 26, 2008 01:37am | #2

   Thanks for the ideas... I'll give them a try.

    

   Thom

2. 
   lsteed | Sep 01, 2008 07:17pm | #3

   Hi: You might also want to restore the redwood to original shape by wetting the wood with oxalic acid. This will dissolve the top cellulose layer and restore the wood to the original look. This is normally done outside to cedar and or redwood decks ,so I am not sure how the process would work inside. I guess maybe wet the wood with a rag and or mop or roller and tray, until the acid has done its work and then it must be rinsed with clean water to stop the acid action. Like I said , I have only used this process outside, so you are on your own as to how it would work inside. I imagine just lightly swabbing the areas would be best - not overly wetting anything. When rinsing same procedure. As to where you can obtain this oxalic acid- it is prepackaged as a deck cleaning agent, in powder form, obtainable from most big box home centers or go to a paint store. Also you can get it from pharmacy suppliers. Good luck

   Lorne

   
   

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   Edited 9/1/2008 12:28 pm by lsteed