Refinishing Cedar Siding

Real cedar in its raw form untreated siding will eventually turn a beautiful silvery grey.

Refinishing cedar siding.

This is necessary if for example the old finish is severely cracked or is peeling. Clean the siding with a mixture of 1 part bleach and 4 parts water. Staining cedar siding differs from application of paint and other finishes. Step 5 apply caulk some areas of the cedar siding such as around openings or fixtures may need caulking again.

Do not soak the wood. 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. So when it comes to choosing a finish for your real cedar project it s good to know the expected lifespan of your product. First remove any mill glaze a hard shiny surface on one side of the siding by sanding.

And while cedar siding accepts holds and showcases all types of paints beautifully your best choice is a 100 acrylic latex formula. Wash the entire surface with a dampened cloth removing any traces of dirt and revealing the wood finish. Allow the primer to dry for three days or as instructed by the manufacturer. Step 4 let the cleaner sit on the cedar siding for 15 to 30 minutes.

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. After all real cedar is pitch and resin free which means there s nothing to interfere with the bonding of your finish. Rinse the surface with a second damp cloth and pat the siding dry with a dry cloth. They outperform other types of paints in all types of weather.

Apply the wood cleaner to the cedar siding using a paint brush or roller. Exterior western red cedar surfaces only need to be refinished when the old coating has worn thin and no longer affords the wood protection. Coating the cedar shingles with a water resistant product helps to preserve the wood against moisture damage. In refinishing painted or solid color stained siding and trim removal of the old coating may be required.

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. That said no finish lasts forever. Stains dry rapidly and fresh stain applied over dried stain will show lap marks. Give the cedar siding a thorough coat as this will greatly help to protect it from the elements.