Cleaning And Sealing Cedar Siding

The siding must be thoroughly cleaned and old layers of paint or sealer must be removed before you can apply a new coat.

Cleaning and sealing cedar siding.

The oxygen bleach comes as a granular powder that mixes with water. Wash part of a wall and allow it to dry thoroughly before applying the sealant. The side of the house with the least sun exposure can be the worst spot with the cedar developing mildew or mold that looks black. Removing the the wood mold with oxygen bleach.

If necessary use a paint removing product to remove an old layer of paint. Then using low pressure power wash your home. Get rid of that grunge by cleaning your cedar siding with an. Department of agriculture s forest services laboratory recommends cleaning cedar shingles with an oxidizing bleach as opposed to a household bleach to avoid damaging the wood.

It is highly toxic to vegetation. While you can use household bleach to kill mold and algae it tends to make the cedar shingle s surface fuzzy because of the excessive pulping reaction when using it. Begin by sweeping off dust and cobwebs. Cedar shingles can also grow moss and algae or develop iron staining which requires periodic cleaning.

When you begin the process of cleaning your cedar siding make sure to remove any old sealer stain with a stripping solution. It s important that cedar and redwood siding as well as cedar shingles and shakes are cleaned using a two step method prior to sealing the wood with a semitransparent oil based finish. Inspect the siding for rot or damage. Have any damaged pieces replaced.

Surface preparation to prepare the surface of rough cut cedar siding wash the siding down with a good wood cleaner and follow that up with an application of wood brightener. Make sure you use low pressure because high pressure can damage the wood. Special techniques are necessary for cedar and redwood home maintenance because the wood is soft and can easily be damaged. The wood cleaner will remove dirt gunk and grime that could be contaminating the surface of the wood.

Pressure washing can damage cedar so if possible wash by hand.