How Soon Should You Stain Unfinished Siding

Here are some helpful tips that you should know when deciding how to paint your lp smartside siding options.

How soon should you stain unfinished siding.

Solid color stains have solid particles but not nearly as many as paint. The upside is that solid color stains will block most damaging ultraviolet light. For best results fresh siding should be pre primed on all six sides with a stain blocking primer and top coated with 100 percent acrylic latex paint. If you work in the shade when applying deep penetrating stain to siding it will dry more slowly enabling the stain to sink more deeply into the wood surface.

One of the most thorough methods when staining is to use a thick natural bristle brush. Sometimes as the products are cut on the job site it leaves the wood substrate. If the wood has weathered some you may have to do some surface preparation such as sanding before you can apply stain. The wood s structural integrity will remain unless the wood is exposed to excessive moisture which can cause curling cracking and wood rot.

Here s a quick answer for you. After you have washed it wait for it to dry before applying any stain to the cedar. Type of stain matters. Thus solid color stains let some of the cedar s grain show through but none of the color.

While cedar stands up to the elements fairly well on its own putting a seal or a coat of paint on it can enhance the color and protect the wood from inclement weather. The following outline is intended to prepare you before buying any such products knowing exactly which type fits your final outcome. If dampness rain or snow is a concern choose a stain that will seal well and be resistant to moisture. Prepare your cedar siding by washing it with soapy water to remove any dirt or dust if any has accumulated.

Staining cedar with a solid color stain. Use a thick brush when staining. Most importantly pick the highest quality stain even if it costs more. Work in the shade while staining.

First let s talk about the type of stain. Transparent to semi transparent and a solid body stain if i m using a semi transparent stain i find a good maintenance coat if done from day one is every three years with a one coat application then let s say you go a little bit beyond that and you want to change the color of the house. What you get is a very uniform opaque color. Alkyd oil primers are recommended but one may choose a high quality latex primer as long as it contains stain blockers.

The stain should be matched to the needs of the siding. Left unstained cedar s red hue will fade to gray within about a year.