Refinishing Cedar Siding

If possible stain all sides of the siding before installation.

Refinishing cedar siding. Cedar maintenance you don t have to do much to cedar shingle siding if you prefer its weathered gray look other than clean and coat it with a clear water resistant preservative and inspect it for rot and damage periodically. But if this is no longer the desired effect you can usually get your siding back to its original color with wood brighteners cleaners and restorers. They outperform other types of paints in all types of weather. So when it comes to choosing a finish for your real cedar project it s good to know the expected lifespan of your product.

That said no finish lasts forever. Give the cedar siding a thorough coat as this will greatly help to protect it from the elements. But first you have to sand off the top layer of skin. Exterior western red cedar surfaces only need to be refinished when the old coating has worn thin and no longer affords the wood protection.

After all real cedar is pitch and resin free which means there s nothing to interfere with the bonding of your finish. Wash the entire surface with a dampened cloth removing any traces of dirt and revealing the wood finish. Compared to other finishes paint offers the greatest protection for western red cedar siding against the elements. Step 4 let the cleaner sit on the cedar siding for 15 to 30 minutes.

In refinishing painted or solid color stained siding and trim removal of the old coating may be required. Coating the cedar shingles with a water resistant product helps to preserve the wood against moisture damage. Real cedar in its raw form untreated siding will eventually turn a beautiful silvery grey. Staining cedar siding differs from application of paint and other finishes.

First remove any mill glaze a hard shiny surface on one side of the siding by sanding. Stains dry rapidly and fresh stain applied over dried stain will show lap marks. Allow the primer to dry for three days or as instructed by the manufacturer. Rinse the surface with a second damp cloth and pat the siding dry with a dry cloth.

Reach the high areas or apply cleaner to the less dirty areas using a roller with an extension pole which doesn t allow you to apply as much pressure or elbow grease as a paint brush. And while cedar siding accepts holds and showcases all types of paints beautifully your best choice is a 100 acrylic latex formula. Apply the wood cleaner to the cedar siding using a paint brush or roller. Do not soak the wood.