How to answer rcdwood finishing questions

Redwood Association has two new pieces of literature: Redwood Exteior Finishes and Redwood Interior Finishes. These color booklets use easy-to-read illustrated charts to show how finishes affect redwood. They also describe the uses, applications and maintenance these finishes require. Redwood retailers can educate their employees and their customers by ordering these booklets and making them available to those who have questions.

Tests conducted by the Forest Product Laboratory in Madison, Wi., document the fact that redwood accepts and retains finishes better than any other wood. While redwood is well known for its excellent performance without any finish, all woods including redwood perform better if they have a protective finish.

pigmented hues can be recommended. Remind customers that these finishes should be applied to clean dry surfaces. It is also important that they keep rooms well ventilated when applying finishes.

In general it's always best to warn customers to read and follow manufacturers' advice when applying finishes. Many finishes can be mixed with thinners, mildewcides and other pmducts to change their visual effect and enhance performance, but it is important that you caution customers to check on products' compatibility. Tell them the best visual test for a finish is to actually try it out on a scrap of redwood to see if it looks right.

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ANYONE who sells redwood needs to know the answers to questions n What is the best finish for my redwood deck?

! What happens to redwood if I don't use any finish at all?

I What type of finish should I use in my redwood kitchen?

E Can you paint redwood siding?

The Technical Services department of the California Redwood Association reports that 75Vo of the questions they receive about redwood projects concern finishes.

Lumber sales and counter people get a proportionate number of questions about paints, stains and finishes for redwood. Providing the correct answer gives the merchant an excellent opportunity to add to the sales ticket while providing a service for his customers.

The key, of course, is salespeople who are knowledgeable about finishes for redwood indoors and out. Fortunately, there's an easy solution. The California

Many people want a natural redwood look for their decks and siding. While there is no finish that will enable redwood (or any other wood) to keep that freshly milled look, clear water repellents containing a mildewcide can be recommended for the most natural appearance. Redwood finished with a water repellent will gradually turn to a buckskin tan color. Semi-transparent stains are also available in many "redwood" shades. The light pigmentation has a natural appearance that manycustomersfindappealing. Paints are not recommended for decks or walking surfaces, but for siding and other projects, a paint that is properly applied will last longer than any other finish.

Varnishes and other clear, film-forming finishes should not be recommended for exteriors because they tend to discolor, blister and crack. They are also very difficult to remove for refinishing.

Finishes for interior spaces are more a matter of decorating, except for moist areas like kitchens and baths where finishes have a protective function. In kitchens and baths, multiple coats of a alkyd resin or polyurethane varnish are best recommended. These are available in either a gloss or duller satin finish. In other areas waxes, oils, sealers, stains and paints that are available in natural or

Story at a Glance

Build sales and reputation by having the right answers to questions on redwood finishes free CRA literaturc can educate employees . . . proper advice will cut complaints.

Redwood is a quality product and it deserves a quality finish that's applied properly. Good advice at the counter can mean the difference between a complaint and a satisfied customer. By giving your customers the right advice about finishes your business can build a reputation as redwood experts.

This information and more is included in CM's two finish data sheets. For free samples of Redwood Exterior Finishes and Redwood Interior Finishes, contact: Califurnia Redwood,Association, 591 Redwood Highwal:, Suite 3lN, MillVallev, Ca. 94941-ed.