why cedar

Back

why use western red cedar?
characteristics & properties of western red cedar
benefits of real cedar
real cedar history
real cedar certification
sustainability & the environment
biophilia
forestry facts
why use yellow cedar?
products

Back

siding

Back

introduction
siding home
siding gallery
design & spec
siding grades
siding calculator
prep & install
preparation
pre-building
tyvek drainwrap
general installation
finish & maintain
choosing a finish
how to finish
care & maintenance
restoration
siding profiles & trim
bevel
trim boards
board & batten
shingle panels
tongue & groove
lap or channel
decking

Back

introduction
decking home
decking gallery
design & spec
decking grades
decking span charts
span tables
decking calculator
prep & install
fasteners
stairs & railings
finish & maintain
choosing a finish
how to finish
care & maintenance
restoration
deck projects
roof deck
ground level deck
raised deck
uphill sloping lot deck
outdoor

Back

introduction
outdoor home
outdoor gallery
design & spec
diy plans
pre-built kits
design tips
span tables
prep & install
preparation
fasteners
finish & maintain
choosing a finish
how to finish
care & maintenance
restoration
fences
fence construction
fence specifications
pre-built fence panels
indoor

Back

introduction
indoor home
indoor gallery
design & spec
design tips
prep & install
preparation
finish & maintain
how to finish
care & maintenance
indoor projects
saunas
doors & windows
tongue & groove paneling
blinds & shutters
timbers

Back

introduction
timbers home
timbers gallery
design & spec
grades & specs
span tables
prep & install
preparation
installation
finish & maintain
how to finish
care & maintenance
restoration
diy projects
membership

Back

our members

Back

executive members
retailers
partners
tertiary manufacturers
certified cedar distributors
certified cedar distributors - usa
certified cedar distributor - canada
architects
international associates
why become a member?
membership levels
membership benefits
membership faq
cedar school registration
join the wrcla!
member support
resources

Back

gallery
videos
blog
documents
*new* yellow cedar
gallery
about us
architects & builders
member login

USA & Canada

Restoring Western Red Cedar Siding

How to Restore Your Western Red Cedar Siding

Prime Time

Bevel Cedar Siding, stained cedarPreparation is key. If you don’t properly prep your siding surface before applying finish, you may end up dealing with poor adhesion and inconsistent coloration. You can start this process by inspecting the condition of your siding. Any damage, mildew and/or loose dirt must be dealt with before you do anything else.

To remove dirt, simply wash the siding with a little warm water and phosphate-free soap. If there’s mold or mildew (look for black or dark brown spots), you will have to kill it either with a commercially available mildew killer or a warm water and oxygen bleach solution. This is a critical step because if dirt or mildew is covered with another coat of finish, the dirt will become sealed in and the mildew/mold will continue to grow if not killed.

Solid Finishes

board and batten cedar siding, solid stain siding, outdoor patioIn severe cases where there’s old paint or solid color stain peeling and cracking, you may need to remove the old finish prior to tackling any kind of mildew issues. While there are plenty of ways to strip away these flakey layers, there are no shortcuts – i.e. if you try to cut down on time by power washing your siding, you will run the risk of seriously damaging the wood. As well, you may compromise the wood’s ability to hold a finish. After you strip off all the peeling finish and sand the bare wood till the edges are smooth, then it’s time to start from scratch and treat the siding as if it were new wood.

Keep in mind that with opaque finishes, generally speaking you should use the same type of refinishing product as the original finish. So old latex finish should be replaced with new latex, and old oil-based finish should be replaced with new oil-based finish. The exception here being that you can put latex on top of oil-based products. However, you should NEVER put an oil-based product on top of latex. And in terms of how many coats you should apply, it’s very important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Also, always make sure the wood is dry to the touch before applying any kind of finish.

Semi-Transparents and Bleaching Oils

When it comes to clear or semi-transparent stains and bleaching oils, all that’s usually required is a basic cleaning with a stiff bristle brush. If the old finish is a semi-transparent latex stain; however, your siding may require the same kind of extensive prepping as a solid finish (see above).

Real Cedar in its Raw Form

grey cedar deck, transparent stain, outdoor mountainous patio, cedar sidingUntreated siding will eventually turn a beautiful silvery grey. But, if this is no longer the desired effect, you can usually get your siding back to its original color with wood brighteners, cleaners and restorers. But first you have to sand off the top layer of “skin.” After that, clean, dry and inspect the wood for mildew. Then it’s time choose the finish of your choice.

For a complete guide on how to finish western red cedar, please visit our Resource Library and download the comprehensive “How To Finish Western Red Cedar” guide.

You Cedar as much as we do?

Find a retailer
Gallery
Video Gallery