When stained properly, Cedar can be kept that way.To stain cedar, you need to understand your needs, prepare the wood for the process, use the best brushes, and clean up after.Adding a nice tint to your cedar siding will make it look better.
Step 1: To show off the wood's grain, use a transparent stain.
The appearance of cedar siding is unaffected by transparent stains.The wood will turn gray over time.Many transparent stains do not have wood Preservatives.If you use a transparent stain, you will need to have your cedar siding re-painted annually.
Step 2: If you want to show off your cedar's best assets, apply a semi-transparent stain.
Some of the wood grain can be seen through the semi-transparent stains.Solid stains need to be refinished every two years because they are not as weather resistant as semi-transparent stains.
Step 3: If you don't want to see the grain, choose a solid stain for cedar.
They are made in a variety of colors and look like paint.After several coats, solid finishes build up a film.This causes chipping and peeling.
Step 4: Take a look at the stain on your cedar.
Is it bare or is it coated?You can use whichever stain you want if it is bare.If it already has a film finish, apply it to your cedar.If you want to cover a water-based stain, use a stain that isn't oil based.Water stains will cover oil stains.
Step 5: cedar is a soft wood, so apply any penetrating stain to it.
The harder woods need different kinds of staining.
Step 6: The surface should be examined for defects.
There are problems such as rot, mildew, dust, dirt, cedar bleed and chalkiness.Clean the surface of the wood.Each of these issues has its own solution, and for staining to work properly, you must clean these contaminants off your wood.A cleaning solution that contains sodium hypochlorite, an active ingredient in household bleach, and sodium metasilicate, a non-ammoniated detergent/wetting agent, is used to remove pollutants.
Step 7: There is a test for chalkiness.
Rub the wood with a cloth or hand.The former stain application is breaking down and causing the chalkiness on your hand or cloth.If chalkiness is left on the wood, it will cause a rough texture when the stain is applied.To remove chalkiness, use a detergent that contains the active ingredient.
Step 8: There is a test for cedar bleed.
This is a reddish-brown color that makes an old stain application look discolored.The discolored surface should be treated with a ferrous sulfate solution.You have cedar bleed if the solution turns blue-black.
Step 9: The cedar should be removed with an oxalic acid solution.
The stain on the wood will appear discolored.cedar bleed and nail and rust stains can be removed with oxalic acid.
Step 10: It's important to protect your cedar from the elements.
New cedar has not yet been weathered.It should be protected from the weather before being used for construction.If the cedar has been protected from the weather, make sure to check its moisture content.It never hurts to look for water before staining if it is well sheltered.The content of the water should not go over 20%.If the cedar was affected, any contaminants must be removed.Smooth-planed cedar is a good choice for surface preparation.In order to increase the performance of the coating and still maintain a smooth appearance, a flat-grained wood surface should be scuffed-sanded.There is no need for surface preparation for clean-textured cedar.
Step 11: Dust can be removed by wiping with a sticky cloth.
There is a layer of sawdust on new wood.Clean wood means an even stain.To remove sawdust, use a sticky cloth.Use a power washer to clean the surface, but give the wood a full day to dry before staining it.
Step 12: Protect the surrounding areas from the stains.
Use a drop cloth to cover the ground, patio furniture, the yard, your porch and anywhere else you don't want stain to spill.Place painter's tape around areas that aren't being stained.Before applying stain, you should remove switch plate and outlet covers.If you want to apply stain around edges, use an angle trim brush.
Step 13: On a hot day, stain your cedar in the shade.
The weather can affect wood and staining.The stain will be more prone to flaking if you apply it in direct sunlight.The wood will trap too much humidity.The staining could be less effective if the wood is moist.When staining your cedar, limit sun exposure and work in the shade.The sun dries the stain too quickly when it warms up the wood.The stains won't penetrate the wood and will form a film on the surface and peel.It's always a good idea to stain in the shade.The best time to work is in the morning or late afternoon.
Step 14: Apply the stain with a brush.
The motion of the brush forces the staining into the wood.You can either spray or use a roller to apply the stain, but you need a brush to work it into the wood.A brush can be used to get the stain into the corners of the wood.The paint and stain brushes are made with bristles.If you want to cover larger areas at once, use a wide brush instead of a smaller one.Depending on the type of stain you are using, choose a brush.Natural brushes work best for oil-based stains, while acrylic bristles work well with latex stains.
Step 15: It is possible to stain the cedar siding.
You can coat all sides and edges with no obstacles before hammering up the siding.If wood is left exposed, it will be susceptible to water damage and chemical bleeding, so apply the stain front to back, top to bottom, and all the edges.
Step 16: After staining your cedar, let it rest.
Some stains require you to allow the wood to rest for different lengths of time.The weather, local climate and humidity can affect resting time.
Step 17: If there is a splatter, clean the surrounding area.
If you used a latex stain, rinse brushes and roller covers with warm water and soap.If you used an oil-based finish, wash brushes with a mineral spirit.If you spill a lot, keep clean rags handy.If you are going to apply a second layer of stain, store your brush or roller in a plastic bag.Extra cleaning will be saved each time.