You might have heard of the multiple benefits of cedar woods, so you may want to know how to protect them, in this segment, we will share some tips and tricks on how to paint cedar woods.
Cedarwoods are popular for their multiple uses, its aromatic qualities have allowed it to become a favorite of many, as it can be used to treat many different ailments and also, can be found in multiple beauty products. Cedar trees are available in various shapes and forms, and many varieties of cedar wood are used for different purposes. For example, if you’re planning on creating outdoor structures then you may want to choose a type of cedar wood that is resistant to the different environmental conditions. In the end, cedar woods last long and are easy to take care of.
When it comes to choosing water vs oil-based paint, you may encounter mixed opinions about this.
- Cedarwood cleaner
- Water / Brush
- Stain paint
- Regular Paint
- Sandpaper /Rag
The painting process when it comes to cedar woods is similar whether you painting large or small objects, although it may take some time to complete so make sure you have some time available when painting cedar woods.
1. Cleaning The Cedar Woods
Before you can start with the painting process of the wood, you need to make sure the surface is clean as it will be easier to work with, this is also known as the prep process. Cleaning the wood is a very important step as it will help remove any stains and mildew from the wood and bring back its natural look.
There are many different cleaners available specifically designed for wood that can be used in this case, especially if you don’t have a power washer. To use the cleaners, you can simply follow product instructions for best results, but normally, the product is applied to the surface and left for about 20 to 30 minutes for the product to start dissolving the dirt. It is not recommended to let the product dry into the wood as it can damage it, so make sure you add water if necessary to prevent this from happening.
Also, stay away from chlorine bleach products as they may bleach the natural color of the wood, instead use oxygen bleach, which is considered a non-toxic product. After the 20 to 30 minutes is up, scrub the wood well with a brush to remove all dirt then rinse the area thoroughly with water using a hose if necessary. You can also use a power washer to wash off the dirt if you have one available. Since it’s wood, the drying process can take up to 48 hours so allow it to dry well.
This cleaning agent will serve the purpose and making your walls look newly painted.
Once the cleaning is done and the cedar wood is completely dry, the next step is to add some stain paint to the wood which will add a protective layer to it. The stain paint process is very important as this will prevent the cedar wood from cracking or splitting. If the cedar wood is left to air dry for too long, it can cause the fibers of the wood to begin to shrink, the wood will harden and start to curve which will then cause it to crack or split. This can be prevented by adding stain paint on time.
There are different methods to apply stain paint to cedar wood, most recommend using paintbrushes or rollers as this will allow the stained paint to absorb into the wood. Airbrush paints or spray cans can also be used as long as you’re back-brushing the paint into the wood for better absorption. It is also recommended to add saturated coats of stain paint, so that the wood may absorb enough of it. Applying 1-2 coats of the stained paint to the wood will be enough, allowing about 1 hour in between coats for the paint to dry. They are a wide range of wood colors you can choose from and once applied, allow up to 48 hours for the stained paint to dry.
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When it comes to choosing water vs oil-based paint, you may encounter mixed opinions about this. The fact is, you can choose either one based on your preferences. With water wood paints, you would normally have to strip off the protective coat when refinishing because it tends to peel. Oil paints, on the other hand, don’t need to have the paint stripped off, and you would only need to clean the surface and add another coat of the paint to refinish it.
The drying time may also help you decide which paint is best for you. Water paints tend to dry faster while oil paints do take a longer time, but it requires less maintenance and moisturizes the wood. In either case, when painting just make sure you’re following the grain of the wood for a smooth finish.
4. Painting Cedar And Adding Non-Stain Paint To It
Besides painting your cedar wood with stain paint, you can also choose to use non-stain paint on the wood to achieve a different color other than wood color, meaning, you can add any other type of color to the wood.
Most people prefer to preserve the natural beauty of the wood, but if you’re looking to add some color besides wood color, it’s fine and the same basic prep procedures can be used. Before you start painting the wood with the color of your choice, make sure you clean the surface well using wood cleaners and allow it 48 hours to dry. Next, you will need to sand the surface once it’s dry, you can do so using 320-grit sandpaper then dust off the surface and use a wet rag to clean off smaller particles.
Add a wood primer and once dry, paint the wood with the color of your choice, applying 1-2 coats and allowing 1 hour in between coats for the paint to dry.
