Work in the shade while staining.
Do you stain cedar before guttering.
Apply the sealant or stain to clean dry cedar.
Semi transparent stains are your best bet when you want the real look of slightly weathered cedar with protection.
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.
But hey if you re an ambitious diy improver who likes to take more of a hands on approach to outdoor projects then more power to.
Ideally you want to apply a finish to all six sides of your wood before installing them or better yet opt for factory applied finishes.
7 tips painting or staining cedar wood siding walking into a paint store can be overwhelming trying to decide which paint or stain coating you wish to provide your exterior cedar wood and siding as there are many varieties.
Use a moisture meter to determine how dry your fence is before applying any stain.
Wash the wood first.
If the wood has weathered some you may have to do some surface preparation such as sanding before you can apply stain.
It will absorb the maximum amount of protective deep penetrating stain when it is in this condition.
The following outline is intended to prepare you before buying any such products knowing exactly which type fits your final outcome.
Stain that is applied to a damp moist surface won t adhere well and will crack or peel.
Likewise dirt or grime on the wood surface makes it impossible to get a good finish.
Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration.
That way you can rest easy knowing your real cedar was treated by pros.
Hand washing is better than using a power washer which can cause damage.
Make sure your fence is completely dry before staining it.
Not a bad idea anyway.
By staining early you provide uv and water protection to the wood.
Prepare your cedar siding by washing it with soapy water to remove any dirt or dust if any has accumulated.
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.
Let it dry completely before you start.
Wash wait for it to dry.
If it pools on the surface do it later.
If the wood is wet when you apply the coating it may not work well.
Staining cedar with a semi transparent stain.
Even if you don t get great penetration of the stain the worst that will happen is that you will need a second application next year.
After you have washed it wait for it to dry before applying any stain to.
The few solid particles in this mix will not significantly obscure cedar s wood grain.
However with semi transparent stains you will need to take care with the application.
Put the oil stain you have chosen on the cedar while it is fresh and new.
