Replies

1. 
   oldusty | Nov 13, 2009 08:07am | #1

     You could never go wrong with a clear and natural lacquer type  finish

2. 
   Dave45 | Nov 13, 2009 06:13pm | #2

   I like a clear finish on redwood. Since you aren't familiar with it, here are a few things you need to know.

   - Redwood is very soft (about like pine) and is easily "dinged".
   - Its straight grain means that it isn't very strong. If you're using it for shelving, it can bow pretty easily.
   - Don't try to nail or screw into the end grain. If you can't avoid it, bore and dowel the endgrain.
   - Like cherry, redwood will darken in sunlight - even with a finish.
   - It probably isn't a problem indoors, but termites won't touch the heartwood (the red parts), but LOVE the sapwood (the white parts).

   Here are some pictures of a fireplace mantle and tabletop I made early this year from reclaimed deck boards. I used epoxy in the nail holes and the pattern in the tabletop is maple. The finish is several coats of gloss poly. Sanding was an adventure since the soft redwood wore down faster than the harder epoxy and maple. I had to relearn how to sharpen a card scraper. - lol

   
3. 
   troys | Nov 14, 2009 05:18am | #3

   You might try shellac, or a wipe-on poly.

   Troy

1. 
   chenige | Nov 14, 2009 07:08am | #4

   What I am hearing is a clear coat of some kind is fine with Redwood and stain is not needed. thanks.

1. 
   troys | Nov 14, 2009 10:53am | #5

   I am making the assumption that the Redwood is all heart wood not the light colored sap wood. You might do a couple of test pieces. I don't think you will need to stain it. With amber shellac it will be about as dark as Cherry. If it is to light for your tastes you might give it a base coat of Watco then after that cures do a wipe on poly. Anyway I tend not to stain wood for my projects so do some tests and show us what you build.Have funTroy

2. 
   Gretchen | Nov 15, 2009 04:29am | #6

   If you wipe it down with mineral spirits, that will be the color of the wood you will get if you apply a clear coat. In my experience with a slab of redwood log, it will be DARk DARK DARK!!  And if I recall correctly when I sanded that piece, it is indeed really soft, and needs to be carefully wiped down to get rid of all the dust.Gretchen

1. 
   chenige | Nov 15, 2009 06:46am | #7

   Thanks again. Glad to hear it looks like cherry and darkens. Normally work with Cherry and it is going in a room with a bedroom suite made I made out of cherry. Just could not pass on the free redwood!