Can You Paint Cedar Shake Siding

Your freshly painted cedar siding looked so good after it was completed.

Can you paint cedar shake siding.

The problem is many painting contractors do not approach painting cedar siding the right way. Stains dry rapidly and fresh stain applied over dried stain will show lap marks. The easiest way to accomplish this task is to paint the shakes before they are installed. A primer with a paint top coat will have a significantly longer service life than will a single coat of paint or even a solid stain.

As you can see many highly authoritative sources on the net make their own suggestions without really understanding the long term effect this will have. Do remove all failing. Having to paint cedar shake siding can be a real pain. Painting them afterwards can lead to gaps and missed spots between the shakes that can lead to problems later.

You can also use a pressure washer before painting siding if you are careful not to force water behind the siding panels which could cause water damage or even mold. But over time the elements have taken their toll and the finish is starting to look weathered. Having cedar lumber wood siding such as 1 x 6 1 x 8 1 x 12 or two inch thickness can be painted with a solid paint stain not requiring primer but still not recommended painting cedar if you can help it. After you are through painting the second coat take the time to inspect the siding to ensure that there are no thin spots.

It is strongly recommended that you go with the two coat system for protecting your cedar siding. Here are the do s and don ts of painting cedar siding. The key to a successful application of paint is surface preparation. Once the surface is clean and primed you can start applying the paint.

First remove any mill glaze a hard shiny surface on one side of the siding by sanding. If you choose to stain cedar rather than paint it there s a few things you should know. Certain areas are peeling and lifting and the color has faded. You will probably need at least two coats of high quality paint to do the job.

If you do it right painting cedar siding can last for a long time. Prime the cedar before you paint it. Staining cedar siding differs from application of paint and other finishes.