How To Restore Weathered Wood

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Although weathered wood seems to be in high demand, there are some instances where it’s just not ideal. If left in its current weathered state, the swing I was asked to restore may not have lasted another year exposed to the elements. Here's how I brightened the wood (without a pressure washer).
Since the wood on it was so weather-beaten, it desperately needed a cleaning before I could do anything with it.
Here you can see where it was not only weathered, but there were also areas of green mold or mildew. The overall look was a little drab.
Since I don’t have a pressure washer, I made a quick trip to Home Depot and picked up some Behr Premium All-In-One wood cleaner. It was exactly what I needed.
Following the instructions on the label, I wet down the wood with the hose and sprayed the cleaner all over, starting from the bottom of each section and working my way up to help avoid streaks. After letting it sit for about ten minutes, I scrubbed the wood using a stiff-bristled brush and then rinsed.


This is what it looked like after it dried…
Pretty impressive, I thought. Here's a closer look...
Once it dried even more, I sanded it down to smooth out the raised grain caused by the cleaner and the water.
Now the weathered wood looks almost new again, and I’m ready to finish it off with some stain and a protective coat to help give it a few more years of use.
Suggested materials:
  • Behr Premium All-In-One Wood Cleaner   (Home Depot)
Susan @SalvagedBySusan
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  3 questions
  • Kathy Reid Kathy Reid on May 23, 2016
    No after picture?
  • Steven Davis Steven Davis on Dec 14, 2020

    Does this product remove wood stain ?

  • Jos78878032 Jos78878032 on Mar 01, 2023

    What stain and finish and like the Q befor me, what’s it look like? Suspense is “ aGrinding my gears”. Peter Griffin;

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  • Hannah V Hannah V on May 23, 2016
    I had no idea you could do this! Thanks for sharing :)
  • Gloria Honea Gloria Honea on May 23, 2016
    Thank you so much for sharing this and the product you used. I have a very old wooden rocker that has been outside for many years and looks like the wood on your bench but is in great condition otherwise. I've wondered how to clean and prepare the wood to restore it and now I know !!
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