Cedar is a naturally durable wood that makes it a staple in many outdoor applications, such as fencing, decking and siding. Painting that siding can help protect it from rot and insects, and can prevent mold and mildew from affecting the wood. It also makes it easier to clean, which is especially important for your siding, as you’re going to want to keep the exterior of your home looking its best.
If you’re going to paint your cedar siding in Seattle, WA, it’s important you do it properly, so you don’t have issues with paint peeling and bubbling. Here are some tips from our team.
Remove old paints and caulk first
If your siding already has been painted, stained or otherwise treated, you’re going to need to remove the old coating first. This can be a timely process. You can use a paint scraper first to remove loose peelings. Getting rid of old finishes will allow the paint to adhere to the wood more easily. Be sure also to remove old caulking and replace it with new caulk. Putting new caulk on top of old caulk will simply not work, as it will fail to create a proper seal.
Perform some thorough wood prep
Your next step is to prepare the wood for painting. It’s important to clean the wood before you refinish or repaint it—otherwise, you will be trapping debris or possibly mold underneath the surface of the finish, allowing it to continue eating away at the wood. You can use a combination of water and bleach (or other types of cleaners) with a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the siding. Avoid using a power washer, because it will damage cedar wood. You should let the wood dry out for a couple weeks before you proceed from this point.
Pick out your primer and paint, then begin painting
With cedar, your best choice for paint is going to be a urethane-acrylic paint for exterior applications, and the primer you select should be whatever goes best with the paint you choose. Make sure to read labels to verify that they are good with cedar. Some paints are not designed to paint cedar. When purchasing paint and primer, you can assume at least a gallon of each for every 400 square feet. This can add up to a whole lot of paint for large areas, so be sure you’ve budgeted properly for this project.
Once you’re ready to begin painting, apply the primer according to the directions, and once it’s dry, you can begin painting. Using a paint sprayer and then going back over the area with a brush can help you get a more even coating. Make sure you work when the weather is scheduled to be warm and dry, as paint will stick best when it is applied in those conditions.
Keep it looking great
Your job isn’t done once the paint is dry! It’s important to prioritize maintenance of your siding so you don’t have to worry about repainting again any time in the near future. Spray it with a hose every now and then to remove dirt, and take immediate action if you see any paint bubbling, blistering or peeling.
For more tips for painting cedar siding in Seattle, reach out to the experts at Stewart Lumber & Hardware Co. today!