IPE turns gray from sun exposure — normal UV weathering, not damage — and it can almost always be restored to its original brown.

Why the color fades

Ultraviolet light strips the surface oils from the wood. The gray layer is only skin-deep, usually less than a millimeter. It does not mean the boards are rotting or structurally compromised.

Restoring the brown

A light pressure wash with a fan tip lifts the gray. Once the deck dries for two days, apply a penetrating IPE oil with UV inhibitors. Two thin coats are better than one heavy coat.

Keeping it that way

Oil annually in full-sun locations. Shaded decks can go every other year. Avoid film-forming finishes; they peel and trap moisture