If you have a wood deck that has good solid decking but the material looks grayed or dark and aging, the chances are very good that you can brighten the wood to give it new life. Usually, the problem is just a surface layer of old wood that has been broken down by the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. To deal with this, purchase a pre-mixed oxalic acid deck brightener or purchase oxalic acid crystals online or from a hardware store or home-improvement center. If go the crystals route, follow the label directions or, if there aren't any, mix a solution of four ounces crystals to one quart water in a non-metallic container.

1) First use a leaf blower or broom to blow all of the debris off of the deck's surface and wash the deck. For more about this, see How to Wash a Wood Deck.

2) Wearing protective glasses, rubber gloves, and old clothes, apply the acid solution to a one board at a time and scrub with a soft nylon brush attached to a broomstick-length handle.

3) Let a section dry, then use a garden hose to rinse with clear water.

4) Allow the deck to dry for several days before applying any type of protective finish. Next see Refinishing a Wood Deck.