8 tips for staining new cedar siding.
Do you stain cedar siding.
The stain should be matched to the needs of the siding.
This will allow you to coat all sides and edges with no obstacles before hammering up the siding to your home.
If you have intense sun on cedar wood siding you d be best served using a semi transparent stain not a paint.
Second biggest factor is moisture.
Wash wait for it to dry.
In refinishing painted or solid color stained siding and trim removal of the old coating may be required.
Once you ve decided on your finish it s best to get to work quickly.
Apply stain before wood begins to weather.
Restaining your cedar siding involves removing the old protective coating and applying a new layer of wood stain in the color of your choice then applying more protective coating.
Apply stain to cedar siding before hanging.
Semi transparent stains require more maintenance with an additional application in between keeping wood protected than does a solid stain paint lasting typically 5 7 years.
Cedar siding has a warm natural look.
You can apply this on any wood surface even if you just cleaned it out a little bit.
As mentioned this paint stain or solid body stain can be applied to new or previously paint stained cedar wood and siding.
The few solid particles in this mix will not significantly obscure cedar s wood grain.
Exterior western red cedar surfaces only need to be refinished when the old coating has worn thin and no longer affords the wood protection.
Staining cedar with a semi transparent stain.
When putting up brand new cedar siding it is recommended that your first stain be oil based alklyd.
Applying deck stain to cedar vertical siding is not required could be cost prohibitive and not needed but could very well be done lasting much longer.
The sooner you treat your cedar the better.
It comes in many colors to choose from and can help customize your home.
This is necessary if for example the old finish is severely cracked or is peeling.
Stain the cedar siding before hanging it if possible.
Use an oil based stain instead of latex.
Apply the stain front to back top to bottom and on all the edges because any areas of wood left exposed will be susceptible to water damage and chemical bleeding.
However with semi transparent stains you will need to take care with the application.
It is a water based stain that has a semi transparent finish.
Most importantly pick the highest quality stain even if it costs more.
Cedar siding can last decades and it requires little maintenance to retain its natural beauty.
If dampness rain or snow is a concern choose a stain that will seal well and be resistant to moisture.
Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration.
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.
Prepare your cedar siding by washing it with soapy water to remove any dirt or dust if any has accumulated.
Semi transparent stains are your best bet when you want the real look of slightly weathered cedar with protection.