Refinishing Painted Cedar Siding

Exterior grade acrylic latex paint is the most dependable finish in terms of protecting cedar.

Refinishing painted cedar siding. Do prime the exposed wood whether new or previously painted with oil primer. Use the wood cleaner according to instructions on the product s packaging. If you do not intend on priming brand new cedar or redwood for that matter a high quality stain paint should be used as 50 of volume soaks into the wood other 50 is left on top as a dried paint mil. Although quick and easy sandblasting and pressurized water spray are not recommended unless extreme care is taken to avoid damage to the wood s surface.

Do not soak the wood. This is necessary if for example the old finish is severely cracked or is peeling. The type of finish selected is driven by style preference. Choose the correct type of paint for the cedar.

Step 4 let the cleaner sit on the cedar siding for 15 to 30 minutes. For many owners painted cedar siding is a particular style. It is not all about protection. Wash the entire surface with a dampened cloth removing any traces of dirt and revealing the wood finish.

Cedar siding painting will only be successful if you have a clean slate. Remove pollutants and remove failing paint. Finishes can be removed by sanding wet sandblasting pressurized water spray electrically heated paint removers and chemicals. Reach the high areas or apply cleaner to the less dirty areas using a roller with an extension pole which doesn t allow you to apply as much pressure or elbow grease as a paint brush.

Watch this quick tutorial on what you need to do to prepare wood house siding for refinishing. What you do before the finish goes on makes the most differenc. In refinishing painted or solid color stained siding and trim removal of the old coating may be required. Clean the siding with a mixture of 1 part bleach and 4 parts water.

Exterior western red cedar surfaces only need to be refinished when the old coating has worn thin and no longer affords the wood protection. This is a cleaning solution specially designed for removing any stubborn stains or greasy marks on the wood. If your siding is already stained painted or treated with a water repellent you must scrape off any of the coatings before you can paint over it. First painting freshly milled cedar requires a paint stain unless a 100 acrylic exterior primer is used first thereby allowing a 100 solid acrylic paint to be used as final finish coats.

Apply this to the entire surface of cedar siding making sure that the wood is completely saturated with it. Do not allow peeling paint to remain on the cedar siding before painting. Apply the wood cleaner to the cedar siding using a paint brush or roller.