QA

Quick Answer: How To Stain Cedar Shingles

The best way to stain cedar shingles is to dip each shingle in a bath of stain, allow it to dry, then install. Once the cedar shingle is installed, the staining process is slightly more complicated and messy. The cedar shingles must be clean and dry prior to starting the project to remove all debris.

Should cedar shingles be stained?

Staining cedar shingles not only enhances their beauty but also fortifies them against threats posed by the elements. To protect new shingles, apply a penetrating stain. Stain soaks in and protects the wood from the weather, and it won’t crack, peel, or chip.

Can you Restain cedar shingles?

After the wood has dried (normally 2–4 days), you can let the wood age naturally or apply an oil-based semitransparent stain. Staining the shingles on a regular basis will help them maintain their color and last longer. In general, finishes should not be applied to wood having a moisture content above 15%.

Is it better to paint or stain cedar shingles?

First, stain preserves the texture, grain and appearance of the wood better than paint. Second, with stain there is no peeling problem since it soaks into the wood. Finally, in most cases stain is actually easier to apply – at least on shingles.

Is linseed oil good for cedar shingles?

Some cedar siding shingles are treated with bleaching oil, which is a treatment made with linseed oil and bleach crystals. Along with protecting your cedar shingles against decay and other coastal contamination, this treatment will also give them the weathered silvery gray look that many homeowners prefer.

How do you keep cedar shakes looking new?

If you have weathered and discolored wood siding, you can regain the new look of cedar by cleaning off the dirt and mildew with a solution of one third cup liquid household detergent (be sure it is ammonia-free), one quart liquid household bleach (containing 5% sodium hypochlorite), and three quarts warm water.

Should cedar shakes be sealed?

No. Never seal your cedar roof. Sealing the roof will lock in moisture that would otherwise naturally evaporate during normal weather conditions. Cedar needs to breathe and thus a water repellant type product, rather than a water proofer is the best route to follow.

What kind of stain do you use on cedar shakes?

Best Stains for Cedar Shingles Can Be Oil or Water Based Oil or water based stains make an ideal stain for your cedar shingles, as long as they don’t have a high solid, particulate nature. Paint VS Stain, Best stains seals and protects wood shingles, leaving no paint mil to chip, crack, or peel.

How often do you have to stain cedar shingles?

High-quality paint or stain, properly applied, should last five to seven years, and as many as 10, depending on weather conditions and if you maintain the siding. However, you may need to reapply a clear-coat stain every two years.

Should you spray or brush cedar siding?

Hand-brushing is recommended. For refinishing, especially, hand-brushing is always preferred. If one chooses to spray the paint on the cedar, the best results will be achieved by back brushing the finish during application.

Do cedar shingles come in colors?

Natural Colors of Cedar Shingles Cedar shingles come in one of two varieties: red cedar and white cedar. The two types offer a similar style of shingle, but the specific coloring, the way the shingles age and the durability of the shingles vary slightly.

How do you Restain cedar?

The first thing you need to do when restaining cedar siding is to clean the surface. Mix one part bleach with four parts water and use it to wash the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dirt and reveal the wood finish. Afterwards, rinse the surface with a second damp cloth and pat the siding dry with a dry cloth.

Can you stain shingles?

It’s important to note that after shingles are painted, they cannot be stained unless the paint is sanded or has worn off completely, which is cost-prohibitive. Stain has less pigment and is more translucent. It allows some of the wood’s original color and grain to show through.

What do you stain cedar with?

Things You’ll Need Use a quality semitransparent wood stain on cedar siding, exterior trim, fences, decks and sheds to preserve the integrity of the wood while maintaining its natural color.

Can you use tung oil on cedar?

Rough-sawn light woods such as red cedar, basswood and western hemlock, however, have a much lower rating, allowing use with undiluted Pure Tung Oil or Dark Tung Oil.

Should I sand cedar before staining?

If your cedar deck is newly installed, you’ll need to sand* the cedar boards prior to staining. The boards go through a planing process at the mill that result in “mill glazing”. The planing process causes an oily surface on the boards that can hinder the wood stain from penetrating the wood.

What can I put on my cedar to keep the color?

Boiled linseed oil, despite not providing much water-resistance to wood when applied in the usual way associated with furniture, will do much to slow the weathering to that natural grey/silver colour if applied heavily and re-applied periodically.

How do you keep cedar shingles from turning GREY?

To prevent cedar from fading to gray, you need to seal cedar fence with a stain that blocks ultraviolet light and contains a mildewcide, according to Family Handyman.

How do you seal stained cedar?

The best clear Cedar finish stain for outdoors is Linseed oil, hands down. Linseed oil is the primary ingredient in any oil finishes, which dries clear. You can find other clear water-based stains, but will not last nearly as long as a Linseed oil based stain will.