Cedar is one of the most popular exterior siding options for your home. Its natural look appeals to homeowners who want that rich, rustic appearance. However, unlike some other types of wood siding, cedar requires routine maintenance to keep it in check.
If your cedar siding is coated with a stain, you must refresh it every so often. Not sure how to go about this? Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to restain cedar siding and some insight on whether or not you should hire a professional for this repair work.
Why restain cedar siding?
Restaining cedar siding is a crucial part of its regular care. Cedar wood naturally deteriorates over time, especially when exposed to moisture, sunlight, or other environmental factors. Staining cedar can help protect it from these elements and extend its lifespan. But even stain breaks down over time, leaving your exterior wood unprotected from the elements. This exposure can damage your cedar house and make it look unsightly, with visible signs of wear, such as peeling, flaking, and cracking. Reapplying a stain every so often will prevent these issues and extend the lifespan of your cedar siding all while keeping its aesthetic appeal intact as well.
Tools and materials needed to restain cedar siding
Wood cleaner
Soft-bristled brush or sponge
Water
Power sander
Fine-grit sandpaper
Paintbrush or spray
Primer
Stain
How to prep your cedar siding for staining
Before you can start restaining your cedar siding, you must go through the preparation process. The first thing you should do is inspect the exterior of your home for any potential signs of damage, such as cracks or holes. You must repair or fix these issues before you continue preparing your siding for staining.
Next, you will want to clean the surface. Apply wood cleaner to a soft-bristled brush or sponge and scrub the siding to remove any dirt, and then rinse thoroughly with water. Consider using a bleach and water mixture for any tough mold or mildew stains. Pressure washing isn’t recommended for cedar wood siding.
Once the siding is cleaned, you will want to remove the existing stain finish to give yourself a fresh, smooth surface for the reapplication. Using a power sander and fine-grit sandpaper, sand the cedar siding in small circles until the protective layer is gone and the natural wood grain is revealed.
After that, brush off any lingering sawdust, and you’re ready to reapply a fresh coat of stain to your cedar siding.
How to restain cedar siding
Step one: Prime the siding
After you’ve cleaned your siding and removed all of the previous finish, you should always begin the restaining process by properly priming cedar wood. Applying a primer as your first layer will ensure that your siding is even more protected from water and other damaging elements while providing the perfect base to enhance the look of your stain.
Step two: Apply the stain
Once you have prepped and primed, you can start restaining your cedar siding. Using a brush or spray, start applying stain at the bottom of the siding and work your way up to prevent drips. You should apply multiple, thin layers to get the most even coverage.
Step three: Let it dry
After you have coated your cedar siding with a fresh application of stain, you will need to let it dry. Check the product’s label for drying instructions, as some stains may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to fully dry.
Step four: Apply more coats as needed
Many experts recommend applying a second coat after the first has dried to give your cedar siding the best look and protection. More than one coat of stain will also help the wood achieve a darker appearance if that’s what you want.
Maintenance and upkeep for cedar siding
After restaining, you may want to consider using other cedar siding care tips to maintain longevity. This includes regularly cleaning the exterior of your home to remove dirt and debris. You should also perform routine inspections to check your cedar siding for any signs of damage, such as peeling, cracking, or fading. Repairing damage promptly can help with the upkeep of your cedar siding.
It is also important to keep insects away from your cedar siding to maintain its longevity. Some of the most damaging pests you might encounter include termites and ants. Protective treatments like cedar oil can help keep them at bay. Still, consider hiring an exterminator if you are concerned about a potential termite or ant infestation.
Another helpful maintenance tip for cedar siding care is regularly cleaning your gutters. When your gutters are full of debris, water can spill out over the top and fall on your siding. This excessive moisture can damage the wood and strip your stain even faster. At the same time, letting debris accumulate inside your gutters may attract pests that can damage your cedar siding.
Restaining cedar siding: DIY or hire a pro?
While DIY cedar siding restaining is certainly possible, you might want to consider hiring a professional for this task. A pro will have the expertise and tools necessary to ensure proper preparation and stain application. This may actually save you more money in the long run, as the stain will last longer and won’t need to be redone as quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can stain over stained cedar siding. If no clear damage or peeling occurs with the original finish, you don’t have to remove it before you restain. But if you plan to apply a new stain on top of an old one, it is important to ensure they are compatible. That means choosing an oil-based stain if the original stain is oil-based or a water-based stain if it is water-based. Using an incompatible stain over already stained cedar siding can result in a blotchy, uneven finish or even prevent the new stain from absorbing into the wood.
While you may not have to strip your original finish before restaining, sanding is a preparation step you do not want to skip. When you sand wood, its pores open up, allowing for better stain absorption. This process also ensures that your cedar siding is free from any scuffs or scratches that can be enhanced when you restain.
It is possible to restain cedar a different color, but you must first consider what type of change you are trying to make. If you want a darker stain, you can simply paint over the original, lighter stain—although the mixture might result in a slightly different color depending on the two stains. On the other hand, trying to go lighter when restaining your cedar siding is a bit more complicated. In this case, you must strip the original finish entirely and sand the bare wood to ensure that the darker stain is completely gone before applying a lighter color.
Cedar siding should be restained every three to seven years. However, the exact time frame for your reapplication needs can depend on several factors. One of the most important things to consider is the climate in which you live. If your home is often exposed to extreme weather conditions such as heavy snow, rain, or excessive sunlight, you might have to restain your cedar siding more frequently. However, if you live in a milder climate, you might be able to go a bit longer in between applications because your stain isn’t breaking down as quickly from harsh weather. The type of stain used is another factor affecting how often your cedar siding needs to be restained. For instance, oil-based stains tend to last longer than water-based stains, and solid stains usually stay intact longer than semi-transparent or clear stains. You should also consider the quality of the last stain job. If the previous finish on your cedar siding was applied professionally, able to likely wait longer before you need to reapply a new coat of stain. But if the last stain on your cedar siding was applied poorly through a DIY project or without proper preparation, you might need to restain it sooner.
Kali is a freelance writer and reporter based in New York City. Graduating from Winthrop University in 2018, her work has covered everything from congressional elections to home improvement tips. She previously served as a senior editor at Best Life in New York City and has interned at The Irish Daily Star in Dublin, Ireland, and The Lancaster News in Lancaster, South Carolina.