Can You Paint Cedar Wood Siding

Here are the do s and don ts of painting cedar siding.

Can you paint cedar wood siding.

While extremely old cedar can be painted it requires heavy preparation. If you absolutely want some type of wood appearance paint is not a good alternative. Although intended primarily for restoring horizontal wood surfaces such as decks these products generally work almost as well on vertical surfaces. The following outline is intended to prepare you before buying any such products knowing exactly which type fits your final outcome.

Having cedar lumber wood siding such as 1 x 6 1 x 8 1 x 12 or two inch thickness can be painted with a solid paint stain not requiring primer but still not recommended painting cedar if you can help it. When working with cedar on craft projects you may need to paint the wood. I can assume there is instant dissent with the title of this story. The best choice of paint to use for cedar wood is urethane acrylic house paint.

But there is good reason not to powerwash a wood sided exterior. The siding must be free from mold mildew and dirt. Cedar wood naturally repels insects is aromatic and a very durable material. Whether it is white or red cedar or clapboard or even alaskan yellow cedar it is still wood has longitudinal pores running its length from butt to feathered edge on a shingle as well as on cedar clapboard.

Choose a paint and primer. Do not however use a power washer because cedar can t withstand the pressure. Even then the paint is not expected to last long. The problem is many painting contractors do not approach painting cedar siding the right way.

Using a stiff bristled brush scrub the siding. Coating raw cedar with clear wax is the most unobtrusive way to finish. Once done let the wood dry completely for approximately two weeks. Surface preparation is the key to success when dealing with weathered wood.

The smoothness of cedar makes it a natural choice for furniture its lack of knots and raised grain is comfortable against the body. Cedar siding can be one of the most resilient beautiful materials that you can put on your home. But be aware that it is notoriously difficult to mimic authentic wood color with paint. Be careful when painting very old cedar siding.

7 tips painting or staining cedar wood siding walking into a paint store can be overwhelming trying to decide which paint or stain coating you wish to provide your exterior cedar wood and siding as there are many varieties. Uncoated weathered western red cedar siding or trim can often be restored to its original color by applying commercial products called cleaners brighteners or restorers. You can paint directly over previously painted cedar but prime with a stain blocking primer before painting over bare wood.