First, I want to encourage you to start a new thread by clicking the link in the upper left corner. This conversation thread is more than a year old and is not visible to most of the board.
What a treat. New Redwood. Its becomming rare and is a wonderful investment as long as it is maintained. You can finish this deck with a semi-transparent stain when it is dry enough to absorb the oils. It is really easy to check. Just put some water on the wood. If it beads or runs off its not ready. If it darkens the wood and spreads, you are ready to go. Olympic stains are very high quality. I used Penofin last time, but would have no concerns about using the fine Olympic alkyd products in the tint you choose.
It is important to understand that this new deck may need refinished with a coat of oil next year. New wood has an appetite for oils to replace the moisture lost through the first year of exposure. Its important to get the first coat on as soon as it can be absorbed, but don't neglect the second coat next year (and dont try to put it on now or you will get gloss slicks). After that about every 3-years will be protective of appearance and structure.
I hope you check back so I know you saw this. If you have further questions, please be sure to start a new thread at http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/wwwboard.html
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