7 tips painting or staining cedar wood siding walking into a paint store can be overwhelming trying to decide which paint or stain coating you wish to provide your exterior cedar wood and siding as there are many varieties.
Do you stain cedar before guttering.
Staining cedar with a semi transparent stain.
By staining early you provide uv and water protection to the wood.
Clean weathered cedar before staining.
After you have washed it wait for it to dry before applying any stain to.
If the wood has weathered some you may have to do some surface preparation such as sanding before you can apply stain.
It will absorb the maximum amount of protective deep penetrating stain when it is in this condition.
Work in the shade while staining.
The following outline is intended to prepare you before buying any such products knowing exactly which type fits your final outcome.
Even if you don t get great penetration of the stain the worst that will happen is that you will need a second application next year.
However with semi transparent stains you will need to take care with the application.
Semi transparent stains are your best bet when you want the real look of slightly weathered cedar with protection.
In many cases this just requires a simple application of a good wood stain.
The natural drying process is slowed down a bit but that helps prevent cracking.
Prepare your cedar siding by washing it with soapy water to remove any dirt or dust if any has accumulated.
Not a bad idea anyway.
Hand washing is better than using a power washer which can cause damage.
Wash the wood first.
The few solid particles in this mix will not significantly obscure cedar s wood grain.
There is one thing you must do however to hold onto that warm wood glow and that s restaining when your siding starts to look dull.
If the wood is wet when you apply the coating it may not work well.
In this case you may have to sand the boards to help them absorb the stain.
Let it dry completely before you start.
If your cedar decking has been exposed to the elements for a longer period of time and has weathered a great deal then you should wash it before staining.
Depending on the weather you may have to wait a few days after cleaning your fence for the wood to dry.
Wash wait for it to dry.
Likewise dirt or grime on the wood surface makes it impossible to get a good finish.
See all fence stain colors buy fence stain online.
If it pools on the surface do it later.
Put the oil stain you have chosen on the cedar while it is fresh and new.
Apply the sealant or stain to clean dry cedar.
Use a moisture meter to determine how dry your fence is before applying any stain.
Use a power washer or hose to thoroughly clean the surface of the deck.
Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration.
Stain that is applied to a damp moist surface won t adhere well and will crack or peel.