woodworkershaven
Published on Mar 21, 2023
Cedar is popular among woodworkers due to its durability and unique aroma. Nevertheless, it’s notorious for being hard to paint. As a result, it requires seasoned painters for all finishing needs. If you have cedar furniture, fencing, or siding, you may be at your wits end on whether to paint it. In this post, we’ll focus on the following concerns; What is cedar wood
Can you paint cedar?
How to paint cedar?
Should you paint or stain cedar?
Can I leave cedar unfinished? Read on to learn more. What Is Cedar Cedar is a strong and durable wood that’s used for most construction needs. It’s also versatile, making it a good wood option for various applications. These applications include decks, fences, siding, and shingles. Cedar also features a distinctive smell, which many people find pleasant. Although the wood is native to North America, you can find it growing in some parts of Asia and Europe. Typically, cedar trees grow tall, with some attaining heights above 100 feet tall. Can You Paint Cedar Cedar is easily painted compared to hardwoods such as pine and maple. Moreover, once painted, cedar siding pais seamless. However, before reapplication, prime any bare areas using Resene Wood Primer. Then, whether it is a cedar siding or furniture piece, coating it with fresh paint will deliver a new look. How To Paint Cedar Painting your cedar project or siding offers numerous advantages. From enhancing its aesthetics to improving its durability, you can do your cedar a favor by coating it with paint. Below, you’ll find the correct steps to follow when painting cedar; Tools Needed Scrubbing brush
Wood primer
paint
Paintbrush
Oil-based exterior acrylic primer
Moss and Mold killer
Sandpapers
Painter’s gloves
Clean rag or cloth Step 1: Inspect The Surface Prior to commencing your project, you’ll want to inspect your cedar siding for flaws- the kind that paint can’t fix. Check for large holes and small dents, filling them up using a wood filler. If the damage is extensive, you have no option but to replace the entire piece of lumber. Also, check the wood’s surface for mold growth. When present, mold prevents the paint from adhering to the wood surface properly and results in bubbling. Moreover, it features long-term health impacts. Scrub the mold off using soap and water or spray a mold killer. Step 2: Strip The Old Paint It’s still debated whether applying a fresh coat of paint over your old, peeling paint is okay. However, I recommend stripping the old paint to reveal the surface for the paint to be effective. This way, you don’t risk losing your new paint if the old paint becomes loose and peels off. Use a pressure washer to remove the old loose paint effortlessly. Use a siding cleaner in your pressure washer if you have to deal with excessive mold. However, if the pressure washer doesn’t get rid of the paint, you’ll have to use sandpaper or a scraper to remove what remains. Use the scrapper first, leaving the sandpaper for the most stubborn areas. Paint removal is a tough job, and you may need to use power tools such as a power sander. Step 3: Sand The Cedar Wood Surface Sanding is vital to achieving a smooth surface that can accept a primer. Whether your cedar is old or new, sanding is required to eliminate dust and debris. When sanding, work along the wood grain without missing any spot. Also, remember to apply uniform pressure throughout the surface. After sanding, wipe off the sawdust using a clean rag and prepare the surface for priming. Step 4: Apply The Primer Cedar is rich in tannins, an oily substance, which makes it highly water-resistant. Unfortunately, the tannins seep over time and eventually leech through your paint. This results in ugly blotches all over cedar surfaces, delivering an unappealing look. Fortunately, applying an oil-based primer will seal cedar wood, preventing the tannins from leaching. Alternatively, if you don’t want oil-based products, use stain-blocking acrylic-based exterior paint to prevent the tannins from seeping through. Never use a latex primer on cedar. Instead, go for oil-based acrylic primers to achieve the best results. Once you’ve primed the entire surface, spare about 8 hours for the primer to settle in. Step 5: Apply The Paint Once the primer coating dries fully, you can proceed to the next step. First, deep the Paintbrush into the paint and apply it along the grain of your cedar wood. Painting along the wood grain facilitates maximum paint absorption. Additionally, it ensures you...
