If your cedar decking has been exposed to the elements for a longer period of time and has weathered a great deal then you should wash it before staining.
Do you stain cedar before guttering.
Make sure your fence is completely dry before staining it.
Work in the shade while staining.
If the wood has weathered some you may have to do some surface preparation such as sanding before you can apply stain.
See all fence stain colors buy fence stain online.
Clean weathered cedar before staining.
After you have washed it wait for it to dry before applying any stain to.
It will absorb the maximum amount of protective deep penetrating stain when it is in this condition.
Wash wait for it to dry.
Use a moisture meter to determine how dry your fence is before applying any stain.
Let it dry completely before you start.
By staining early you provide uv and water protection to the wood.
Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration.
If you can paint then you are more than qualified for staining a cedar fence but it is best to first understand the proper way to prep and stain for your wood staining project.
Stain that is applied to a damp moist surface won t adhere well and will crack or peel.
The following outline is intended to prepare you before buying any such products knowing exactly which type fits your final outcome.
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 it pools on the surface do it later.
Likewise dirt or grime on the wood surface makes it impossible to get a good finish.
Depending on the weather you may have to wait a few days after cleaning your fence for the wood to dry.
Semi transparent stains are your best bet when you want the real look of slightly weathered cedar with protection.
Hand washing is better than using a power washer which can cause damage.
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.
In this case you may have to sand the boards to help them absorb the stain.
Wash the wood first.
However with semi transparent stains you will need to take care with the application.
Not a bad idea anyway.
Prepare your cedar siding by washing it with soapy water to remove any dirt or dust if any has accumulated.
In many cases this just requires a simple application of a good wood stain.
Apply the sealant or stain to clean dry cedar.
The few solid particles in this mix will not significantly obscure cedar s wood grain.
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.
If the wood is wet when you apply the coating it may not work well.
Put the oil stain you have chosen on the cedar while it is fresh and new.
The natural drying process is slowed down a bit but that helps prevent cracking.