Two coats of penetrating oil-based stain on textured Western Red Cedar will provide a longer service life than one coat, but only if the wood will accept the second coat. Stir the stain thoroughly during application to prevent settling and color change. Avoid mixing different brands or batches of stain.

Do you need to stain red cedar?

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. ... The only alternative at this point is to tone the wood with a stain or other coloring agent.

What stain should I use on cedar?

• Ready Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Stain.
• Thompson's WaterSeal Waterproofing Stain.
• Defy Extreme Transparent Exterior Wood Stain.
• Olympic Stain Elite Woodland Oil Stain.
• Cabot Semi-Solid Deck & Siding Stain.

How do you prepare cedar for staining?

If your cedar deck is newly installed, you'll need to sand* the cedar boards prior to staining. The boards go through a planing process at the mill that result in “mill glazing”. The planing process causes an oily surface on the boards that can hinder the wood stain from penetrating the wood.

Can red cedar be stained?

Western Red Cedar has been our first choice for years due to its durability, ascetic appeal, and environmental sustainability. ... Since Western Red Cedar naturally lacks pitch and resin, it allows for countless staining options and will accept stain very well if applied correctly.

How To Treat and Stain Western Red Cedar

How do you finish red cedar?

Use finishes specially formulated for “interior” applications in low-moisture areas of the home. Finish if you want to provide some protection to the cedar from minor abrasions. Use bleach, oils, semi-transparent and solid body stains and opaque finishes, if you want to change the wood's appearance.

Can cedar be stained dark?

Wood lacquer is the best choice for any interior dark-stained cedar. It can be sprayed or brushed on. Lacquer dries quickly, making it the most efficient of all the available coatings, but cannot be used for exterior cedar. The lacquer formula is thinner than other coatings, and will penetrate faster.

Can you use water-based stain on cedar?

Type of Wood

water-based stains, if you are coating a wood that has a natural resistance to rotting, a water-based stain is the better option. Some examples of this kind of wood are cedar, cypress, and redwood.

How long should you wait to stain cedar?

We completely agree. You don't want to incur any chipping or pealing or cracking so staining within a 2-3 month period is best. Cedar Deck Association adds a great quote on finishing exter cedar decks: “Decks should never be allowed to weather before finishing.

Is it better to paint or stain cedar siding?

The best answer is based on your home's current cedar condition. Stain lasts longer and often looks more natural, but can only be applied if cedar is paint-free. Paint offers more protection and can be a good choice for badly worn homes with previous peeling issues from past painting applications.

Should you prime cedar before staining?

Priming western red cedar helps the wood's natural properties stay put. Without a primer, tannins from within the cedar mix with moisture and seep to the wood's surface, naturally staining and discoloring the surface.

Should I clear coat cedar?

Transparent, non-flexible, film-forming finishes such as lacquer, shellac, urethane, and varnish are not recommended for exterior use on cedar. Ultraviolet radiation can penetrate the transparent film and degrade the wood.

How do you know if cedar is dry enough to stain?

3. Another way of checking if your wood is ready for stain is to pour a little water on the wood. If the water beads up, the lumber still too wet to be stained or painted. If the water is absorbed into the wood easily, it's ready to be sealed or stained.

Is linseed oil good for cedar?

Its natural resistance to insects, disease and water-induced rot are factors in cedar's longevity, but a protective application of oil can enhance the wood grain and increase the lifespan of the furnishing. ... Brush a heavy, dripping-wet coat of linseed oil onto the wood and let it soak in for approximately 30 minutes.

How do you keep cedar from turning GREY?

To prevent cedar from fading to gray, you need to seal cedar fence with a stain that blocks ultraviolet light and contains a mildewcide, according to Family Handyman.

Does Cedar need to be sealed?

Cedar offers a durable option for exterior and interior building projects with natural resistance to rot and decay, so a protective finish is optional. ... If you're using cedar for an outdoor project, give it a light seal coat to guard against moisture and sunlight.

Whats the difference between water and oil based stain?

Water-based stains require a little more time and effort than oils, but it pays off with significantly greater durability. Oil based stains are easy to apply and take less effort, but they will not last nearly as long as a water based stain.

Can you use tung oil on Cedar?

Rough-sawn light woods such as red cedar, basswood and western hemlock, however, have a much lower rating, allowing use with undiluted Pure Tung Oil or Dark Tung Oil.

Can you use polyurethane on cedar?

Cedar wood, like other fine woods, can and should be coated with polyurethane for protection. Polyurethane will keep dirt, dust, and oil from getting onto the cedar which would dull and damage the color. ... Allow the wood to dry completely before applying the polyurethane to it.

Does Western Red Cedar need to be treated?

Cedar does not need to be chemically treated, making it a good choice for families who prefer to use natural products. A properly installed cedar fence will look great for a long time. Not only will it resist the effects of bad weather, but it will also maintain its straight and aligned appearance.

What is better pressure treated wood or cedar?

When it comes to comparing treated wood vs. cedar, pressure-treated wood is the sturdier and more weather-proof of the two. It's highly resistant to insect attack and rot, and special versions rated for “ground contact” can be buried in soil and will continue to shrug off decay for decades.

What's the best finish for red cedar?

Compared to other finishes, paint offers the greatest protection for western red cedar siding against the elements. And while cedar siding accepts, holds and showcases all types of paints beautifully, your best choice is a 100% acrylic latex formula. They outperform other types of paints in all types of weather.

How do you keep red cedar looking new?

1. Stain Soon After Installation. Staining your cedar siding will considerably slow down the siding's change in appearance. ...
2. Maintain Your Cedar Siding Every 3 to 5 Years. ...
3. Embrace the Natural Weathering of Cedar Siding.

What is the best finish for Eastern red cedar?

Michael Dresdner: Eastern red cedar contains an antioxidant that can prevent oil-based finish from curing, so for that wood, I'd choose a waterbased exterior coating that contains UV blockers or absorbers.

What happens if you stain wet wood?

If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off.