How To Treat Cedar Wood Siding

Surface preparation is not necessary for textured cedar.

How to treat cedar wood siding.

Your oiled siding will look so good that you won t believe you did it yourself. Most cedar treatments are much like house paint in that they are composed of pigments and solids. As soon as you run a piece of tape take a larger square of plastic sheathing covering the newly painted spot. After that the color will rapidly change from red to gray.

Take a brush or roller applying the paint on the cedar surface approximately 6 x 6. Wash the wood first. At this point you can apply a fresh coat of oil or oil stain. Treatments for cedar siding maintenance some cedar siding shingles are treated with bleaching oil which is a treatment made with linseed oil and bleach crystals.

Spraying the cedar siding with water will make problem areas easier to see. Apply it with a pump sprayerlet it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with with a garden hose. If you do decide to color your wood there are several options. On flat grained wood the surface should be scuff sanded with 50 60 grit sandpaper.

Likewise dirt or grime on the wood surface makes it impossible to get a good finish. If the wood is wet when you apply the coating it may not work well. Allowing it to dry as directed. Along with protecting your cedar shingles against decay and other coastal contamination this treatment will also give them the weathered silvery gray look that many homeowners prefer.

After installing your exterior cedar you have about a two week grace period until the wood starts to discolor. Apply the sealant or stain to clean dry cedar. Prep the cedar siding by cleaning it with a bleach and solution. To protect the finish when it starts to look dull clean it with a homemade wood cleaner consisting of 1.

Inspect the flashing the seal between the roof and chimney for signs of water leakage or damage. The cedar bureau recommends using a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water. Sand it to remove the loose surface particles. This procedure will greatly increase the coatings performance but will not detract from a smooth finish.

The paint test on cedar is like this. Be sure to keep the hose pointed downward to avoid forcing water up behind the shingles. Inspect all caulking and repair or replace any that is damaged cracking peeling or missing. With an oiled surface clean the wood with a pressure washer apply a coat of wood bleach let it stand per the manufacturer s instructions and pressure wash again.

For smooth planed flat grained cedar some surface preparation may be desirable. Cleaning away the age is the first step in caring for cedar shingles. Look for any signs of mold.