This is easy to determine with.
Do you stain cedar before guttering.
If the wood is wet when you apply the coating it may not work well.
Apply the sealant or stain to clean dry cedar.
This is easy to determine with penetrating semi transparent stains.
Prepare your cedar siding by washing it with soapy water to remove any dirt or dust if any has accumulated.
If the wood has weathered some you may have to do some surface preparation such as sanding before you can apply stain.
Cedar should be stained as soon as it will accept the stain.
The next time you plan to stain the cedar after a thorough cleaning select a water repellent wood stain that contains synthetic rather than natural resins especially if you re repeatedly.
The following outline is intended to prepare you before buying any such products knowing exactly which type fits your final outcome.
Never stain cedar wood that is warped dirty stained or rotten.
Wash wait for it to dry.
However with semi transparent stains you will need to take care with the application.
Hand washing is better than using a power washer which can cause damage.
Sand down any rough areas that might give you a problem when you apply the stain.
Semi transparent stains are your best bet when you want the real look of slightly weathered cedar with protection.
Cedar should be stained as soon as it will accept the stain.
Put the oil stain you have chosen on the cedar while it is fresh and new.
Cedar siding can last decades and it requires little maintenance to retain its natural beauty.
It will absorb the maximum amount of protective deep penetrating stain when it is in this condition.
Likewise dirt or grime on the wood surface makes it impossible to get a good finish.
The few solid particles in this mix will not significantly obscure cedar s wood grain.
Apply the stain if it soaks in its ready.
Remove it and replace it with new wood.
If you wait a year the wood will turn gray and may even show deterioration from the weather.
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.
Cedar siding has a warm natural look.
Restaining your cedar siding involves removing the old protective coating and applying a new layer of wood stain in the color of your choice then applying more protective coating.
By staining early you provide uv and water protection to the wood.
If it pools on the surface do it later.
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.
Clean or sand down any cedar that is dirty stained or contaminated with mildew.
After you have washed it wait for it to dry before applying any stain to.
Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration.