Restore UV-damaged, greyed wood without shredding fibers or trapping stains under a new finish. In this child category we explain why wood turns grey, when to clean vs brighten, and how to lock in color with the right topcoat—so decks, siding, and fences recover fast and stay that way.
Greyed wood = sun-killed lignin and surface fiber erosion—not mold, not tannin bleed, not iron staining. Confirm by dry brushing: if the surface powders/furs and looks uniformly silver, you’re seeing UV weathering.
Read next: Wood Restoration • Greyed Wood Restoration
Clean to remove soils/organics without gouging fibers (avoid harsh pressure).
Brighten with an oxalic-based step to reverse UV greying and normalize pH before finishing. Rinse thoroughly and follow product guidance for pH balance.
Read next: Greyed Wood Restoration • Stain protocol for non-UV issues: Remove Stains from Wood Siding & Decks
Mildew film (wipes off as smudgy brown/black) needs a different chemistry than UV grey.
Read next: Best Deck Mildew Remover
Black mold colonies need safety-first containment and targeted dwell times.
Read next: Black Mold on Deck
Blue-black halos at fasteners are iron-tannin stains, not greying.
Read next: Nail & Screw Staining on Wood
Use low-pressure rinsing and soft brushes; keep the fan tip moving with the grain; test dwell on inconspicuous areas; and never sand before brightening or you’ll lock in discoloration unevenly. Reserve sanding for light de-furring after the brightener step has done its job.
Read next: Method details: Greyed Wood Restoration
Choose protection by sun/shade and maintenance appetite:
Semi-transparent stains with higher pigment loads last longer under UV.
Clear sealers look natural but need more frequent refreshes.
Film-forming systems can look great but are harder to strip once they fail—commit to maintenance calendars.
Read next: Strategy hub: Wood Restoration
If greyed surfaces also show checks, soft spots, or edge rot, diagnose load and moisture pathways before finishing. Stabilize or replace compromised sections first.
Read next: Soft Rot in Deck Posts • Consolidate/patch guidance: Wood Rot Consolidants • Material choice: Wood Filler vs Epoxy for Exterior Repairs
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Oxalic Acid vs Commercial Brighteners Compared If your deck or fence turned dull and grey, you’ve got two powerful ways to bring the color back: pure oxalic acid and commercial wood brighteners. I’ve restored hundreds of decks in the rainy, UV-intense Pacific Northwest, and here’s the blunt truth from the field: 100% oxalic acid (properly […]
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