How to Use Oxalic Acid on Cedar or Redwood
- 1). Prepare the wood surface where the stains or blemishes are being bleached. If your deck or floor has been sealed with varnish, sand off the finish by rubbing sandpaper in the direction of the wood grain. Wipe away dust from the wood surface, using tack cloths.
- 2). Mix oxalic acid and hot water in a plastic bucket, following the manufacturer's labeled mixing instructions. The common ratio is 2 cups of oxalic acid per gallon of water. Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses during the mixing procedure, taking care not to splash the liquid on your skin or clothing.
- 3). Apply a liberal amount of the oxalic acid solution to the wood, using the paintbrush or large sponge. If you use a paintbrush, don't dip any metal into the corrosive acid mixture. Spread the mixture over the surface and allow it to sit for five to 10 minutes. If the mixture soaks into the wood, apply more to keep the surface as moist as possible. The bleaching effect will begin almost immediately and can be monitored to attain the desired wood tone.
- 4). Rinse the wood with clean water. For an exterior redwood or cedar deck, use the garden hose and sprayer nozzle for rinsing, but take care not to splash the rinsed acid onto the home's exterior siding, metal door thresholds or metal patio door frames.
- 5). Mix a neutralizing solution of ammonia and warm water, or Borax and warm water, in a plastic bucket and thoroughly rinse the wood surface. Follow the manufacturer's label for mixing. The common neutralizing ratio for ammonia is 1 part water to 1 part ammonia. For Borax the ratio is typically 3 tbsp. of borax to each quart of water. Rinse the wood surface with the neutralizing solution and allow to dry thoroughly. The neutralizing solution stops the bleaching action of the oxalic acid.
- 6). Rinse the deck or floor area once more with clean water and allow the redwood or cedar to dry thoroughly before use or refinishing.
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