How To Stain Cedar Siding Like a Professional

Adorning the exterior of a home with stained cedar siding is great for achieving a natural and rustic look. However, to maintain the look, you must know how to stain cedar siding.

Staining will not only preserve the value of the home but also prevent the siding from becoming unsightly with signs of visible damage such as splintering, flaking, and fading. As these occur, the fresh wood underneath will be exposed to the outside conditions, and it can begin to decay as well. Luckily, Bear Mountain Custom Painting is here to help you prevent this from happening by providing professional tips on how to stain cedar siding.

If you are looking for house painters in Alpharetta, painting services in Roswell, or help elsewhere in North GA, please get in touch.

How Often Should You Paint or Stain Cedar Siding?

You should paint your wood siding every 3-7 years, or stain it every 4 years or so. How often you’ll need to restain or repaint will depend on your region’s weather conditions as well as how often your home suffers damage. Cedar wood itself deteriorates slowly over time due to its concentration of protective natural oils. However, that protection begins to decay as soon as the wood is exposed to the elements.

Splintering, flaking, and a light gray color on the surface of the siding are all visible signs of damage. As these occur, the fresh wood underneath will be exposed to the outside conditions, and it’ll begin to decay as well.

How To Clean Cedar Siding Prior to Painting It

Before painting or staining cedar siding, it’s essential to clean and prepare it to ensure optimal adhesion and a long-lasting finish. Start by inspecting the siding for any damage, rot, or loose nails. Make repairs as needed. Next, clean the surface to remove dirt, mold, mildew, and old paint or stain. Use a mixture of warm water and a mild detergent, or opt for a specialized wood cleaner. For stubborn stains or mildew, a diluted bleach solution can be effective. Apply the cleaning solution with a soft brush, working in sections and rinsing thoroughly with clean water to avoid residue buildup. Allow the cedar to dry completely, which may take a couple of days depending on the weather conditions. Once dry, lightly sand the surface using a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough spots and promote better paint or stain adherence. Ensure you remove all the sanding dust. Now, your cedar siding is prepped and ready for a fresh coat of paint or stain!

How To Apply New Stain or Paint on Your Wood Siding

Choose Good Weather For Your Paint Job

Before you even pick up a paint brush, you should consider the local weather, as it could affect how well the stain will stick to the siding. Once you decide on the perfect day to do the job, think about the effects you want the treatment to have. When you’re treating cedar, in particular, you’ll want to know how much of the real wood you’d like to cover up and how much stain you’ll have to use to achieve the desired color.

Time is of the Essence – Cedar Can Become Discolored

If you’re staining your cedar siding for the first time, keep in mind that cedar will start to discolor about two weeks after it’s installed. To prevent this discoloration, you’ll want to stain or paint the wood as soon as possible. If your main goal is to protect the cedar, the best option is to paint over it, as the solids in paint ward off light and can postpone the deterioration process.

Learning how to stain cedar siding can be intimidating, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Bear Mountain Custom Painting will work with you to help with any of your home painting needs in the Atlanta area. We have the finest painting contractors in Woodstock, Cumming, and elsewhere.