How do you refinish siding?
Emma Martin
Updated on April 26, 2026
How to Restain Wood Siding on a Home
- Pressure wash the siding. Fill the pressure washer tank with water and set the psi between 220 and 230.
- Cover the surrounding area with tarps or plastic.
- Apply chemical stripper to the siding.
- Sand the surface of the siding.
- Apply the new stain using a clean, cotton rag.
- Seal the siding.
- Things You Will Need.
- Tips.
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Also question is, how do you refinish cedar siding?
Cedar siding has a warm, natural look.
- Clean the siding with a mixture of 1 part bleach and 4 parts water.
- Remove the existing finish with a power sander and 220-grit sandpaper.
- Brush stain onto the siding.
- Seal the siding by brushing on a coat of clear polyurethane finish.
Similarly, should cedar siding be stained or painted? Answer is yes, you can paint over stained cedar, but with some testing, also long term commitments. You'll want to make darn sure stain has dried out, after using best deck cleaner, also great for cedar siding. Good way determining this is splash water on stained cedar.
Likewise, people ask, how often do you have to stain wood siding?
When deciding between painting or staining your siding, it's important to remember that you'll need to re-stain the surface about once every 3 to 5 years.
What is the best exterior house stain?
Clear Sealer
- Behr is a leading brand of exterior coatings and is available exclusively at Home Depot.
- Benjamin Moore makes a wide variety of decking stains, including water- and alkyd-based solid, semi-transparent, wood-tone, and clear finishes.
What happens if you stain over stain?
If the object you're hoping to stain has been sealed with a topcoat, you won't be able to restain it, but you can go over it with a coating or a colored stain blend. As an alternative, you could color the wood with an oil-based paint, but the opacity of the oil-based paints can hide the grains.Is semi transparent or solid stain better?
Semi-Solid - Semi-solid deck stains will almost completely hide the wood grain and natural color. These stains provide more UV protection than a semi-transparent and are a better representation of the stain's actual color. Solid color stains will “film” on top of the wood, masking the grain, while looking like paint.What is the best stain for outdoor wood?
- Defy Extreme – Perfect For Exterior Decks And Pressure Treated Wood.
- Ready Seal – Top Exterior Stain for Wooden Fence And Siding.
- #1 Deck Premium Wood Stain – Choice For Exterior Siding and Floors.
- Thompson's WaterSeal Waterproofing Stain – All In One Application.
- Old Masters – Gel Wood Stain For Outdoor Use.
What is the longest lasting deck stain?
Solid stains last the longest. Most last at least three years. One by Behr was by far the longest-lasting. It's the Solid Color Deck, Fence & Siding Wood Stain from Home Depot.What is the best wood stain?
Best Interior Wood Stains in February, 2020| Wood stain | Colors | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Finishes Oil Base Editor's Choice | 13 |
| 2 | Minwax Penetrating Wood Finish | 28 |
| 3 | Rust-Oleum Ultimate | 13 |
| 4 | Minwax Gel Stain | 12 |
Why exterior wood stain Cannot be used indoors?
Because of their exposure to the elements, exterior deck stains almost always contain fungicides that kill mold, mildew and fungi. These chemicals can be toxic to humans, so the products should not be used on indoor wood floors or furniture.Can you pressure wash cedar siding?
Power washing can be used to clean cedar as long as the sprayer is set at a low pressure to prevent damaging the wood's soft surface. Once cleaned and allowed to dry, the wood can then be painted using a urethane-acrylic house paint. It is unsightly, but the cedar has not been damaged.Can I paint over stained cedar siding?
Cedar contains extractives that can discolor paint, so it is necessary to prime the siding prior to painting it. If the underlying stain is dark, have the primer tinted to match your paint color for better coverage.How often should you stain cedar siding?
Cedar treatments should last 5-7 years High-quality paint or stain, properly applied, should last five to seven years, and as many as 10, depending on weather conditions and if you maintain the siding. However, you may need to reapply a clear-coat stain every two years.How do you clean cedar siding on a house?
You simply keep the wood siding wet with the oxygen bleach solution for 15 minutes. It will remove the mildew and deep-clean the siding. Lightly scrub the siding before rinsing with clear water from a garden hose. Avoid the temptation of using a pressure washer.How long does untreated cedar siding last?
about five yearsHow do I make cedar look new again?
Just take a pump up sprayer and add Clorox bleach ( must use clorox brand) 1 part bleach and 2 parts water. When you spray it on the fence the gray washes off and the board looks new again.How do you stain cedar siding?
- Use an Oil-based Stain Instead of Latex.
- Apply Stain to Cedar Siding Before Hanging.
- Apply Stain Before Wood Begins to Weather.
- Work in the Shade While Staining.
- Keep the Oil Stain Well-mixed.
- Use a Thick Brush or Backbrush to Apply Evenly.
- Prevent Lapping of the Stain.
- Allow the Stain to Dry Slowly.