QA

Question: How To Stain Cedar Siding

Should you stain cedar siding?

Staining cedar siding is a good option for people who really like the natural look of cedar but want it to match some other aspect of their property, or people who want to keep the natural look while tweaking the hue. Stain allows you to display the natural beauty of wood grain.

Can you stain old cedar siding?

Staining Old Cedar: Older and seasoned cedar siding is where your painting skills are properly matched. If a few steps are performed, staining an old cedar siding comes out almost flawlessly. You should always remove all old flaking paint or stains on the top layer of wood by using power washing.

What kind of stain do you use on cedar siding?

Exterior Stain for Cedar Siding Comparison Chart Name Type Base DEFY Extreme Exterior Wood Stain Semi-transparent Water THOMPSONS WATERSEAL Waterproofing Stain Transparent Water Krylon Exterior Wood Stain Semi-Transparent Oil Penofin Red Label Transparent.

Is it better to stain or paint cedar siding?

The best answer is based on your home’s current cedar condition. Stain lasts longer and often looks more natural, but can only be applied if cedar is paint-free. Paint offers more protection and can be a good choice for badly worn homes with previous peeling issues from past painting applications.

Can you spray stain on cedar siding?

The siding comes in a wide array of color selections — available based on the type of stain you wish to apply. Although you can use a paint brush to apply the stain, using a sprayer allows you to quickly cover the home, eliminate brush strokes and reduce the time and cost of the project.

Should I power wash my house before staining?

Taking your time is key to power washing a deck successfully. Now that the wood has been cleaned and stripped of grime, you can sand it and apply your stain of choice. Power washing a deck before staining will allow the wood to absorb the stain better and deeper.

Do I need to sand cedar siding before staining?

Cedar wood is lightweight, stable and relatively easy to work with. It can be sanded to remove surface defects and prepare the wood for painting or staining. Rougher sandpaper can be used to remove material, and finer sandpaper for smoothing the wood surface and preparing for finishing.

Do you have to prime before staining?

As you may know, Primers are preparatory coatings that should be used before painting or staining with a solid color. It is key to note that Primers are not a necessity for a wood stain treatment, especially when the desired finish is meant to show the actual wood grain.

How do I make cedar siding look new again?

After cleaning your cedar to bring back its color, apply a clear exterior varnish to help sustain it. A quality weatherproofing product will prolong the fresh look of your cedar and help limit algae growth. If you would prefer your siding stained another color, choose a stain that is darker than the cedar.

Can you sand and Restain cedar?

Sand the cedar with 80-grit sandpaper to remove gray, weathered wood and remnants of the old finish. Follow up with 180-grit sandpaper to smooth out the surface. Sand in long, even strokes and avoid leaving any patterns on the wood.

Can you stain cedar dark?

Lacquer. Wood lacquer is the best choice for any interior dark-stained cedar. It can be sprayed or brushed on.

What is a good finish for cedar?

Cedar accepts most finishes well, including penetrating oils, such as tung oil and linseed oil. Penetrating oils are especially effective for sealing the grain while leaving the wood looking raw and natural.

Is Thompson’s water seal good for cedar?

A new Waterproofing Stain from industry leader Thompson’s WaterSeal can not only protect your deck from further damage, but also add rich, beautiful color. Choose from five popular colors: Acorn Brown, Harvest Gold, Maple Brown, Sequoia Red or Woodland Cedar.

Should you spray or brush cedar siding?

Hand-brushing is recommended. For refinishing, especially, hand-brushing is always preferred. If one chooses to spray the paint on the cedar, the best results will be achieved by back brushing the finish during application.

Is it OK to pressure wash cedar siding?

Power washing can be used to clean cedar as long as the sprayer is set at a low pressure to prevent damaging the wood’s soft surface. Once cleaned and allowed to dry, the wood can then be painted using a urethane-acrylic house paint. It is unsightly, but the cedar has not been damaged.

How much does it cost to stain a cedar house?

The national average materials cost to stain cedar siding is $0.55 per square foot, with a range between $0.29 to $0.80. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $2.60, coming in between $1.52 to $3.67. A typical 300 square foot project costs $779.64, with a range of $457.21 to $1,102.06.

Can you use a roller to stain cedar siding?

You may choose to spray or use a roller to apply the stain, but use a brush after to work the stain into the wood. A brush is most affective for getting the stain into corners of the wood.

Is it better to spray or brush stain?

Brushes waste the least amount of stain or finish. Only the amount that remains in the brush after you are done is wasted. Rags waste the amount of stain or finish that remains in the rag when you are done. Spray guns waste all the stain or finish that bounces back off the object or misses the object.

How long should you wait to stain cedar?

We completely agree. You don’t want to incur any chipping or pealing or cracking so staining within a 2-3 month period is best. Cedar Deck Association adds a great quote on finishing exter cedar decks: “Decks should never be allowed to weather before finishing.