The Way to Paint Over Non-Oil Based Stain on Cedar Siding

Stained cedar can last for years with very little maintenance, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t simply want a change of speed. Painting over siding can give your house a facelift, sprucing up tired timber and making it appear fresh and new again. Painting over stained timber is not much different than painting over raw timber and with just a couple of additional steps you’ll be on your way into a freshnew exterior.

Preparation

The most important part to painting cedar siding is preparation. If the siding wasn’t sealed with a shiny lacquer or varnish, as is true with most siding, the process is rather straightforward. Wash the siding thoroughly with a dilution of water and detergent according to the manufacturer’s directions. For large spaces it is simpler to use a pressure washer to perform the job. When it is clean, nail down any loose siding or replace missing pieces and fill any holes. Replace sand or sand any damaged areas. If the stain was sealed, then sand all of the timber to the natural wood to remove any lacquer prior to washing and fixing.

Priming

Cedar includes extractives that could discolor paint, so it is necessary to prime the siding prior to painting it. In case the underlying stain is dark, have the primer tinted to match your paint colour for improved coverage. Tape off and cover any areas that you don’t want painted, and apply the primer using a roller or a spray painter. For better adhesion and fuller coverage, sand the initial primer coat gently using medium-grit sandpaper and apply a second coat.

Painting

Once the primer has dried completely, use a roller or paint sprayer to apply the paint over the entire surface. Let this dry for a few hours and apply a second coat. A third coat may be required if the stain is extremely dark. Be sure to apply the paint when temperatures are not too trendy and when rain is not expected in the next 24 hours. Start painting at the peak of the area and work your way down.

Paint

Make sure that the primer and the paint are specially made for outdoor use. Oil-based paint can be used to paint the exterior. However, experts recommend using a outside latex paint with high elasticity for the best coverage. Cedar tends to change shape slightly as the weather goes involving being wetter and drier, so it is important that the paint be in a position to move with the timber. Wear a breathing mask when sanding timber.

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