Do You Stain Cedar Before Guttering
Semi transparent stains are your best bet when you want the real look of slightly weathered cedar with protection.
Do you stain cedar before guttering. That way you can rest easy knowing your real cedar was treated by pros. There is one thing you must do however to hold onto that warm wood glow and that s restaining when your siding starts to look dull. If the wood is wet when you apply the coating it may not work well. Wash the wood first.
Use a moisture meter to determine how dry your fence is before applying any stain. Ideally you want to apply a finish to all six sides of your wood before installing them or better yet opt for factory applied finishes. It will absorb the maximum amount of protective deep penetrating stain when it is in this condition. Not a bad idea anyway.
Decks should never be allowed to weather before finishing the simplest but most labor intensive finish to maintain on a cedar deck is a water repellent preservative which may have to be. Stain that is applied to a damp moist surface won t adhere well and will crack or peel. Put the oil stain you have chosen on the cedar while it is fresh and new. But hey if you re an ambitious diy improver who likes to take more of a hands on approach to outdoor projects then more power to.
However with semi transparent stains you will need to take care with the application. If it pools on the surface do it later. Wash wait for it to dry. Staining cedar with a semi transparent stain.
Hand washing is better than using a power washer which can cause damage. Let it dry completely before you start. The few solid particles in this mix will not significantly obscure cedar s wood grain. Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration.
Prepare your cedar siding by washing it with soapy water to remove any dirt or dust if any has accumulated. Likewise dirt or grime on the wood surface makes it impossible to get a good finish. Make sure your fence is completely dry before staining it. Depending on the weather you may have to wait a few days after cleaning your fence for the wood to dry.
By staining early you provide uv and water protection to the wood. The natural drying process is slowed down a bit but that helps prevent cracking. 7 tips painting or staining cedar wood siding walking into a paint store can be overwhelming trying to decide which paint or stain coating you wish to provide your exterior cedar wood and siding as there are many varieties. The following outline is intended to prepare you before buying any such products knowing exactly which type fits your final outcome.
Even if you don t get great penetration of the stain the worst that will happen is that you will need a second application next year. Apply the sealant or stain to clean dry cedar. If the wood has weathered some you may have to do some surface preparation such as sanding before you can apply stain.