Paint's solids ward off light, and light is the main contributor to the deterioration of cedar. What you get is a very uniform opaque color. Staining with a solid color stain is an effective option when using rough cedar. Use a latex paintbrush if you are applying latex stain. Used for shingles, trim, house siding, decking, fences, hot tubs, and gates, cedar is cheap, widely available, highly versatile, easy to fabricate, and best of all, it weathers exceptionally well. The few solid particles in this mix will not significantly obscure cedar's wood grain. HOW TO STAIN A CEDAR HOUSE. Apply a second coat of stain onto the cedar and allow it to dry for 24 and wait 72 hours before heavy use. Solid color stains have solid particles, but not nearly as many as paint. Brush the surface of the cedar with a stiff shop brush to clean off any debris from it … Quick tip on how to properly stain cedar siding. Plus, this type of stain is excellent at repelling water. Jonah Morrissey has been writing for print and online publications since 2000. Q: The stained rough cedar on the walls of my 3-season porch is nasty. Cedar Deck Association adds a great quote on finishing exter cedar decks: “Decks should never be allowed to weather before finishing.The simplest, but most labor-intensive, finish to maintain on a cedar deck is a water-repellent preservative, which may have to be applied annually. Do you like the natural but weathered look of cedar? Because of cedar's large pores, it is necessary to prime the wood before painting it. Re: Whats the best way to strip finish from exterior cedar siding? When the stain starts to fade, wash it down with wood cleaner. But one aspect is that cedar's lovely red turns a monotonous gray surprisingly quickly. Semi-transparent stains are your best bet when you want the real look of slightly weathered cedar with protection. Staining Cedar With a Solid Color Stain . Rough cut wood isn't as easy to paint as a smooth, flat surface, but it's not an overwhelming task. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Thus, solid color stains let some of the cedar's grain show through, but none of the color. Use a wood brightener with oxalic acid in it to remove the tannins and lighten up the wood. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, WRCEA: Finishing Western Red Cedar Siding, Tool Base: Staining Red Cedar and Redwood Siding, Garden Structure: Exterior Stain on Wood DIY. Check our how we applied the stain to over 3,600 sq.ft. Latex vs. Oil Exterior Stain: Which Is Best For Your Deck or Fence? At least 24 hours is recommended. After that, the color will rapidly change from red to gray. TWP that is, Total Wood Preservative is in itself a “contractor formula” which is especially suitable for a cedar fence. Be especially careful to smooth any runs or drips. Preparing Cedar Outdoor Applications. Mix the oxygen bleach in a ratio of 2 cups of powdered granules to 1 gallon of water, or based on the product and manufacturer's instructions on the label Pour the mixture into a cleaned-out lawn and garden sprayer. Apply the stain, if it soaks in its ready. Semi-transparent stain also beads up water, preventing moisture from penetrating the wood's cellular structure. The Idaho Painter showing how to stain wood timber with solid color stain. I haven't worked with cedar too much. He graduated from Saint Michael's College, earning a B.A. There are pros and cons to both products. Cover about a 4-by-8-foot section with the liquid and let it sit on the siding for about 15 minutes. To fully understand the best way to stain or treat cedar, you first need to understand the nuances of this unique wood's weathering process. Prime the Cedar Before You Paint It Cover the floor with drop cloths. Red cedar is one of the most popular wood species for exterior use because of its natural rich, red color and its natural resistance to decay. Many manufactures provide a less colorants in stain, referring to just Transparent Stain, and Semi-Trans. Most of these products provide very good wood protection from the Sun, rain, snow, and wide range of temperatures. (the company went bankrupt). Staining cedar siding with Sherwin Williams sold color wood stain. Allow the stain to dry for 24 hours. From a structural standpoint, cedar more than holds its own. But one aspect of cedar's weathering process that doesn't appeal to some homeowners is that it turns gray unevenly. Staining rough-cut lumber is different from staining traditional lumber, so be sure to use the right method. Cedar has a tendency to turn gray after a while and this product prevents it for around 2-3 years. The upside is that solid … I'm building a pergola out of rough cedar and I starting thinking about what grit I should use for it. The Purity Clear formula yields high-solid finishes, bringing out the natural beauty of the wood’s color and texture. If you absolutely want some type of wood appearance, paint is not a good alternative. However, with semi-transparent stains, you will need to take care with the application. When sawing, sanding, planing, or undertaking other activities with western red cedar, be sure to use a twin cartridge respirator, not a paper mask. Mark explains in the video below. When fully weathered, cedar takes on a light silvery-gray appearance. If the cedar is rough and/or rustic, go a bit more sleek on the floor with smooth, satin or matte finish slate or porcelain. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. How To Stain Rough-Cut Lumber. How to Stain Rough Cut Lumber Work outdoors if possible. Since the posts are very rough I should sand it at least some but by how much? Complete Guide to the Best Stain for Cedar Finding the Best Cedar Deck Stain Products Useful Tips and Tricks for Applying a Cedar Stain Give rough-cut lumber a new and finished look by applying a stain before you begin your project. Color stain is more like paint, and it works better if the siding has already been painted or has weathered to gray. Manual brushing is often the best option since spraying can result in blotching. Applying bleaching oil is a two-step process. Cedar wood deteriorates slowly, due to its abundance of natural oils. The more solids in the treatment, the longer the cedar will last. Brush on an even coat of solid color stain using a stain brush. Open the can of stain and mix thoroughly with a stir stick, scraping along the bottom to ensure the color is mixed thoroughly. Using wood stains without making big messes. Paint is your best option for treating cedar if your only intent is protection. Rough cedar can be stained with penetrating stain or solid color stain. You can leave the wood untreated to weather naturally, painted or stained. TWP 100 Wood stain. Pour 2 gallons of semi-transparent water-proof oil-based stain into a 5-gallon bucket. I usually get asked this question when a homeowner has a rough sawn cedar home. But be aware that it is notoriously difficult to mimic authentic wood color with paint. I'll be staining it of course. Allow the stain to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. [ click on middle of picture below to play video that Mark made about frequency of re-staining your cedar home } This is easy to determine with penetrating semi-transparent stains. Be sure to clean your brush well with a solvent-based cleaner. If you roll the stain, do it with a thick nap roller, and reload the roller frequently. Rough sawn wood can be used to construct and stain a beautiful wood deck. For a crystal-clear, high performance finish that doesn’t amber the wood, Purity Glacier is a good option. Red cedar dust can cause asthma or exacerbate the condition in people who already suffer from asthma. Cedar is porous wood with a straight grain, so finishes soak in evenly and cover well. Test the finish out on a scrap piece of rough cedar before applying it to the wood for your project. Apply the stain to the rough-cut lumber using the 3- to 4-inch paintbrush and working from left to right. Or do you prefer an even but unnatural look? By using The Spruce, you accept our, Staining Cedar With a Semi-Transparent Stain, How to Remove Indoor Water Stains From Wood. Untreated cedar fences can go for many years before they need to be replaced. The next easiest is a semi-transparent oil-based stain. Real Cedar Member Sansin’s Purity series can be used for interior applications. He began his career as a staff reporter/photographer for a weekly newspaper in upstate New York. Stir the stain … Some owners like this look, while others may think that it looks tired. Cedar should be stained as soon as it will accept the stain. While rough cut lumber can be slightly more tricky to stain than traditional lumber, it's a task that can easily be undertaken with a helpful instructional guide and a few basic staining tools. How do I paint it? of fence! It gets absorbed by the wood and then becomes a great base to which the topcoat of solid stain or paint will adhere. I had applied a product when I built it with a waxy base and nothing else would go over top. You can use penetrating stain on new, rough sawn cedar. Thanks for Watching "How to DO it". Stain or paint rough sawn cedar with the proper application techniques. Although weathering begins immediately with cedar, it quickly slows to a crawl. Volatile compounds within the wood have been identified with this condition. Wood stain can be difficult to clean, so this is definitely not something you want sinking into your driveway or sidewalk. Once cedar has turned gray, there is no natural way of going back. Apply the primer and stain in an area with adequate ventilation. Staining rough cut lumber is a fantastic way to beautify its surface. Follow the grain of the wood and take care not to allow the stain to pool, as this will leave visible brush marks. Lighter colors last longer since they reflect light more efficiently than darker colors. How to stain western red cedar. Rough sawn cedar is a traditional building material in common use on exterior applications such as siding, sheds and other out buildings. The upside is that solid color stains will block most damaging ultraviolet light. Brush stain onto the siding. This is Part 2 of a 3 part episode on "How to Rehab a Wood Shelf". One oft-mentioned selling point of cedar is that you can treat it with oils, stains, or paints—or let it weather on its own. Let the wood dry completely before you apply a stain to it. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Cabot's Bleaching Oil is one prominent brand of oil appropriate for artificially weathering cedar. Second, over a short period of time, the oil will accelerate the bleaching process so that you get the weathered look faster and with more uniform results The fully uniform weathered effect, though, will take between three and six months to develop. [1] X Research source You can buy drop cloths at home improvement stores and paint-supply stores. Solid color stains have solid particles, but not nearly as many as paint. The only alternative at this point is to tone the wood with a stain or other coloring agent. Assuming you want to keep the wood looking natural, you have a couple of choices when it comes to finishing rough cut cedar. Solid color stain comes in a wide selection of colors so that you can finish the wood in the color that you want to complete your project. But over time, the weathered portion of the wood begins to splinter or flake away, exposing fresh wood to the elements. Apply stain to large, flat surfaces, such as a fence, with an airless sprayer or a roller. It was a hell of a job. Brush the surface of the cedar with a stiff shop brush to clean off any debris from it prior to priming. Keep cedar looking its best by dusting with a soft cloth or vacuum cleaner brush as needed. What you get is a very uniform opaque color. When it comes to solid-body finishes—paints and solid stain—for siding and trim boards, we recommend an alkyd oil stain blocking primer. The removal of a film-forming finish is also necessary if a penetrating stain or water-repellent finish is to be applied to a previously painted or solid-color stained surface. First, the oil tones the wood with a light gray pigment to fix and stabilize the color. in political science with a minor in journalism and mass communications. Tony I did my whole cedar house, rough cedar siding. After installing your exterior cedar, you have about a two week grace period until the wood starts to discolor. Morrissey specializes in topics related to home-and-garden projects, green living and small business. Staining Cedar with a Semi-Transparent formulation, normally comes in a oil, linseed oil, or water based mixture. Use using multiple thin layers of stain for an even coating. Tips on How to Paint Rough Cut Exterior Wood. Weathering quickly progresses into the wood to about two millimeters before it slows down. You should do this even if you are working outside. Here's what I did. Wash the rough-cut lumber thoroughly by spraying it with the pressure washer. Most cedar treatments are much like house paint in that they are composed of pigments and solids. But how often? For best results, fresh siding should be pre-primed on all six sides with a stain-blocking primer and top coated with 100-percent acrylic-latex paint. Thus, solid color stains let some of the cedar's grain show through, but none of the color. Alkyd-oil primers are recommended, but one may choose a high-quality latex primer as long as it contains stain blockers. If you wish to sand or power wash this siding effectively, however, use solid color stain. Prime the cedar with alkyd primer using a paintbrush to brush on a light coat. If you want the gray, weathered appearance of naturally aged wood, but also want protection, you will need to take special unnatural efforts to make it look natural. 1. You can use a penetrating type of oil-based stain or a hard-drying, film-forming urethane. While gray-toned wood walls are definitely a modern way to go, pairing cedar tone plank walls with gray flooring can work beautifully too. When treating cedar, the most vital question is: how much of the real wood do you want to cover up? If you do decide to color your wood, there are several options. Allow the primer coat to dry for 24 to 48 hours. Use an oil-based paintbrush if you are applying oil-based stain. Maintaining your cedar's color is about choices, timing, and above all, the right type of treatment. Smooth any rough or splintering portions of the lumber using 80 to 120 grit sandpaper.