Priming New Cedar Siding

Allow it to dry for the amount of time specified on the instruction label.

Priming new cedar siding.

According to paul mackie at the western red cedar lumber association wrcla red cedar siding that has been finished on all six sides with a stain blocking primer and top coated with 100 percent exterior acrylic latex paint has the longest expected service life of any coating system. Water borne primers cannot block the tannins in the cedar. What that means is that you can put primer on the cedar siding but brown stains will come through. Hardboard siding may also require a primer.

Be sure that your primer is appropriate for the surface you re painting. This stain covers all wood grain completely and gives the wood an appearance of being painted. The only way to block the tannins in the cedar siding is to use an oil primer. If you do not intend on priming brand new cedar or redwood for that matter a high quality stain paint should be used as 50 of volume soaks into the wood other 50 is left on top as a dried paint mil.

Do not use water borne primers over exposed cedar siding. Without a primer tannins from within the cedar mix with moisture and seep to the wood s surface naturally staining and discoloring the surface. Cedar and redwood for example usually require an oil based primer to seal the surface so that tannin stains don t bleed through the topcoat. Priming western red cedar helps the wood s natural properties stay put.

As a general rule use an alkyd primer and a latex topcoat when repainting. These paints form a tough but flexible film that allows moisture within the wood to escape while protecting the cedar from atmospheric moisture that might lead to extractive bleed. Apply one even thorough coat of water repellant preservative to the cedar siding with a paint brush or roller. This is called extractive bleeding a naturally occurring process that does not affect western red cedar s properties.

First remove any mill glaze a hard shiny surface on one side of the siding by sanding. Staining cedar siding differs from application of paint and other finishes.