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can white cedar be stained

by Alanna Ebert Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Yes, same as paint Cedar can be stained white. Not like the paint, to stain Cedar white, no need to use a primer or any other coatings before applying the stain. When you apply white stains on Cedar there will be no bleeding through problems happen because they do not cover the surface like paint.

Yes, same as paint Cedar can be stained white. Not like the paint, to stain Cedar white, no need to use a primer or any other coatings before applying the stain. When you apply white stains on Cedar there will be no bleeding through problems happen because they do not cover the surface like paint.

Full Answer

What is the best way to stain Cedar?

How to Stain a Cedar Fence?

  • Examine the wood. The very first, basic and yet most important part is to examine the wood closely. ...
  • Clean the wood. Cleaning the wood is the second most important thing to do. ...
  • Stain the wood fence. And so finally! ...
  • Let the fence dry. This is also a mandatory step in staining. ...
  • Enjoy the fence. ...

Should cedar wood be stained, treated or finished?

Staining the cedar is the absolute best way to ensure this, especially in areas that have four-season climates. 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 restain Cedar?

If Changing Stain Color or Manufacturer:

  • Read directions and safety precautions, wear protective clothes and devices as required.
  • Apply deck stripper using a plastic bucket or watering can (NOT metal).
  • Work backward from one end or side to the other.
  • Use a stiff-bristled synthetic brush to spread the stripper.

More items...

How to stain cedar wood to protect it?

You will need a bunch of items when staining cedar wood, and those are:

  • Sander (If the cedar wood you will be staining is small, then a manual sander will work fine. ...
  • Sandpaper ( You will need two sand paper, low grit and fine grit).
  • Shop Vacuum cleaner (this will be needed only if the wood you will staining is big).
  • Wood Conditioner (that needs to be pre-stained).
  • A brush or foam pad. Stain.

Does white cedar stain well?

The wood is also a pleasing golden or pinkish-golden color after harvesting and gradually weathers to a silver color if left outside untreated. If you're looking for a particular color, however, white cedar stains readily and holds the stain for a long time.

How do you finish white cedar?

Applying a wood sealer to white cedar is the easiest and most affordable defense against the natural elements. The purpose of a wood sealer or preservative is to reduce the wood's absorption of water by acting as a water repellent. Wood sealers can still allow the wood to age naturally.Sep 26, 2017

What color does white cedar turn?

Elegant aging: If exposed to the elements, white cedar quickly turns an attractive gray, which adds more visual interest.Jul 28, 2021

Can you stain white cedar to look like red cedar?

Staining Cedar With a Semi-Transparent Stain

Semi-transparent stains are your best bet when you want the real look of slightly weathered cedar with protection. The few solid particles in this mix will not significantly obscure cedar's wood grain.
Nov 23, 2021

What is the best stain for white cedar?

Our Top 5 Best Stains For Cedar Wood
  • 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.

Does white cedar need to be sealed?

Does white cedar need to be sealed? As stated above, yes White Cedar needs to be sealed to obtain maximum life for a fence. Northern White Cedar takes paints and stains very easily. Using a clear sealer, stain or paint will prevent white cedar from turning gray.

What stain looks good on cedar?

Stains for Cedar Wood
  • Natural or Clear Wood Stain. ...
  • Semi-Transparent Wood Stain. ...
  • Semi-Opaque Wood Stain. ...
  • Opaque Wood Stain. ...
  • Best Overall: READY SEAL Exterior Stain and Sealer for Wood. ...
  • Premium Choice: DEFY Stain for Cedar. ...
  • Most Cost-Effective: THOMPSON'S WATERSEAL Waterproofing Stain.

How long does it take for white cedar to turn grey?

Sometimes its as early as 2 months, and other times it takes a year for the grey to set in. This is why stain is so necessary for your cedar wood. It keeps out the water, so those cells can keep doing their thing. But remember: Once your fence is installed, it can't be treated right away.Mar 31, 2014

Is white cedar better than red cedar?

Although there are some key differences, it is important to note that white cedar is an excellent material. White cedar is slightly stronger than red cedar, almost as resistant to rot and decay, and has a beautiful finish. It is far more expensive.

What wood looks closest to cedar?

Western Red Cedar alternatives for your next project
  1. Alaskan Yellow Cedar. As the name rather aptly suggests, this species is a close cousin of Western Red Cedar, retaining all of its incredible natural properties, but differing in terms of appearance. ...
  2. Heat-treated Tulipwood (Thermo Tulipwood) ...
  3. Douglas Fir. ...
  4. Siberian Larch.
Jun 17, 2021

Can I stain wood to look like cedar?

If you like the lasting benefits of pressure-treated wood, but think that the wood won't blend with cedar used in your construction project, you can stain the wood to look like cedar.

Will linseed oil Keep cedar from turning gray?

Boiled linseed oil, despite not providing much water-resistance to wood when applied in the usual way associated with furniture, will do much to slow the weathering to that natural grey/silver colour if applied heavily and re-applied periodically.Jul 28, 2015

How to treat cedar?

Treating Cedar With a Bleaching Oil. If you want the gray, weathered appearance of naturally aged wood, but also want protection, you will need to take special unnatural efforts to make it look natural. Applying bleaching oil is a two-step process.

What does cedar look like?

When fully weathered, cedar takes on a light silvery-gray appearance. If you like the weather-beaten look of a seaside cottage or an old barn, cedar can develop that look all on its own. But one aspect of cedar's weathering process that doesn't appeal to some homeowners is that it turns gray unevenly. While this process is not apparent ...

How does cedar wood weather?

How Cedar Wood Weathers. Cedar wood deteriorates slowly, due to its abundance of natural oils. From a structural standpoint, cedar more than holds its own. Untreated cedar fences can go for many years before they need to be replaced. Although weathering begins immediately with cedar, it quickly slows to a crawl.

What is solid color stain?

Solid color stains have solid particles, but not nearly as many as paint. Thus, solid color stains let some of the cedar's grain show through, but none of the color. What you get is a very uniform opaque color. The upside is that solid color stains will block most damaging ultraviolet light. Plus, this type of stain is excellent at repelling water.

What is the best way to treat cedar?

Paint is your best option for treating cedar if your only intent is protection. Paint's solids ward off light, and light is the main contributor to the deterioration of cedar. Lighter colors last longer since they reflect light more efficiently than darker colors.

What is red cedar used for?

Used for shingles, trim, house siding, decking, fences, hot tubs, and gates, cedar is cheap, widely available, highly versatile, easy to fabricate, and best of all, it weathers exceptionally well.

Can cedar trees cause asthma?

Red cedar dust can cause asthma or exacerbate the condition in people who already suffer from asthma. Volatile compounds within the wood have been identified with this condition. When sawing, sanding, planing, or undertaking other activities with western red cedar, be sure to use a twin cartridge respirator, not a paper mask.

What is exterior cedar stain?

Exterior Cedar Stain. Exterior Cedar stain is exactly what it implies, either in an oil based or water. Staining new Cedar requires a Transparent, Semi-Transparent, or Semi-Solid stain, if your intention is to still see the natural beauty of the wood's grain after completing the staining process. Transparent has less product colorants, showing most ...

What is the first thing to consider before painting cedar?

First Item before Painting or Staining Cedar. First important item to consider is moisture. Moisture is the main deterrent for all stains, oil or latex, from a moisture content within the wood itself and or weather conditions. Weather conditions include cleaning, power washing, rain, snow, drizzle, and higher than normal humidity ratings.

What is the best additive to use on cedar siding?

Cleaning the mil glaze by power washing first opens up the wood's grain, allowing proper adhesion and saturation. A good additive to use is TSP or Trisodium Phosphate. This chemical is widely used as a cleaning agent, stain remover, and de-greaser.

What is semi transparent stain?

Staining Cedar with a Semi-Transparent formulation, normally comes in a oil, linseed oil, or water based mixture. Many manufactures provide a less colorants in stain, referring to just Transparent Stain, and Semi-Trans. Most of these products provide very good wood protection from the Sun, rain, snow, and wide range of temperatures.

What is solid body stain?

Solid body stain is like a paint stain, whereby allows 50% of the stain to soak into the wood, the other 50% lays on top as a paint mil, thereby being referred to as a paint-stain. If your Cedar wood and siding already has this type of paint stain on it, you are required to put something very similar for a new coating.

Can you paint cedar siding?

Having painted and stained numerous structures having this exact wood, comes out flawlessly, once a few important steps are completed. No matter which paint or sealer product you are leaning towards using, working with seasoned older Cedar wood and siding, it is imperative to remove all the old flaking paint or if stained, removing all the old, dried, top layer of wood off by power washing.

Can you stain cedar wood before?

Older Cedar wood previously stained years before can be quite a challenge. Especially if a Semi-Transparent or Transparent stain is being considered, allowing the natural beauty of the Cedar wood grain to show through, as this stain does not cover wood grain imperfections.

How long does it take for a stain to dry?

Once you have sealed the stain properly, now it is time to let that sit. Some sealer takes 24-hours to dry, some even take 45-hours, and some takes a few hours. Doesn’t matter which sealer you have picked make sure it dries properly.

How to get dust off wood when sanding?

If the wood piece is small, then wipe clean the wood. Pick a brush and work that on the sanded surface. And do not stop unless you get a surface that doesn’t have any dust at all.

How to make wood rough?

In the beginning for a rough texture use low grit sand paper. And make sure you sand the wood in the wood grain direction. Sanding with lower grit sandpaper will give you a very rough surface and later, you will have to sand that surface with finer grit paper in order to smoothen the surface.

What does it mean when wood grain raises?

If you see that the wood grain has raise a little, that means that wood is not ready for staining. But before that, you will have to do the conditioning. You can use a brush to apply the conditioner.

Do you need to seal cedar wood after staining?

Once you are done with the staining, now it is time to seal that stain. But before that, you will want the stain to get dried properly. And after that seal the wood. Sealing the stain will protect the wood from harsh weather such as heavy rain, UV-ray, discoloration, etc. In case you want to learn cedar wood sealing, check out our blog on how to seal a cedar wood.

Is it hard to stain cedar wood?

Staining cedarwood isn’t a tough job at all. Gather the right equipment and have little knowledge of wood staining and you are there! For outdoor cedar woods, staining and sealing are a must, otherwise, the wood will get damaged in no time. So it is better that you learn how to do those, it will come in handy at the right time.

What is the best way to stain cedar?

1. Three choices for staining. When it comes to staining your cedar, you have three choices: natural, semi -transparent, and coloured or opaque. Consider whether you want your building to look untouched or add a pop of colour to your yard before choosing. 2.

How long does it take for a cedar tree to dry?

After you have put the first coat on, it is recommended that you wait 6 to 8 hours for it to dry before placing a second coat on.

What is semi transparent stain?

Semi-transparent stains offer up a hint of colour. They still represent the wood beautifully but give it a little boost. Grains and knots in your wood will be modified, not enough to take away from its natural qualities though!

Is it better to stain cedar siding?

The sooner you treat your cedar, the better. Once you’ve decided on your finish it’s best to get to work quickly. The sooner you treat your cedar, the better. Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay, staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration. 6.

Can you stain Western Red Cedar?

Since Western Red Cedar naturally lacks pitch and resin, it allows for countless staining options and will accept stain very well if applied correctly. To help you properly stain your newly built outdoor structure, we’ve come up with 10 tips to help you stain your cedar and to keep it looking new for years to come.

Does cedar siding have pigment?

Cedar is known to age gracefully to a soft, silver-grey patina, but it’s wise to keep the rich tones of your cedar siding lasting longer. Transparent stains contain no pigment but have water-repellent features that will help to retain natural tones and slow down the natural colour change process. It’s a win-win!

New white cedar fence: to stain or not to stain?

We just installed a white cedar, lattice-topper fence--about seventeen 6' and 5' panels, plus double-driveway gate. I'm very happy with the fence and am wondering whether we should stain it, to give it a natural reddish color, or stick with our original, lazier plan to leave it alone and let it go gray.

Comments (7)

Come over my house and you'll see all my cedar fencing weathered to a lovely silver-gray.

What is cedar used for?

Typical Uses of Cedar. Cedar is typically used in outdoor applications . Due to its naturally weather-resistant makeup, it is perfect for surviving the elements. It is also highly sought-after for its lightweight and stable makeup that is more durable than fir or pine. Cedar is most often used for outdoor decks.

Why is my cedar deck rotting?

If you have a cedar deck that is rotting, there may be a few reasons. Your deck may have been anchored to the ground with cedar posts, which can rot. It may also be incredibly old and would need to be replaced regardless of what kind of wood it was made of.

How long does a cedar deck last?

If properly taken care of, a cedar deck should last 15 to 20 years. Proper care usually means re-sanding once every two years. It also means keeping the deck from direct sunlight and other outdoor elements as much as you possibly can.

Why is yellow cedar used in musical instruments?

It is also used in musical instruments due to its resonant, lightweight qualities.

Why is cedar used in closets?

It is often used for indoor applications such as closets or dressers. This is partially due to the fact that the smell acts as a natural insect repellent.

Can you seal cedar?

A sealed deck will show more imperfections than one that is left natural. You can also seal cedar if you wish to change the color. Many sealants and polyurethane varnishes will slightly darken the color of the wood they are applied to.

Is cedar good for a fence?

Fences tend to be exposed to wind and sun more than other parts of the house. Because of this, Cedar is a perfect material for fences, gates, and other outdoor applications. If your home has any of these things, odds are they are made of cedar.

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