How to Treat Cedar Wood With Oil or Latex

Western red cedars, known botanically as Thuja plicata, are coniferous evergreen trees whose fragrant, red-brown wood is commonly used as a building material. Because of cedar's beautiful red-brown color, many homeowners choose to forgo opaque paint products in favor of clear or semitransparent stain products that showcase the wood's natural beauty. Choose penetrating oil or oil-based semitransparent stain products for a treatment that soaks deep into the wood. Select semitransparent latex stain products for a non-penetrating, film-like finish.

Penetrating oil or semitransparent wood stain
Electric or manual hand sander
Sandpaper
Paper face mask
Cotton or plastic drop cloths
Three- or four-inch paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Choose oil or stain products that contain water repellent, ultraviolet light blocker and fungicide additives. Purchase a high quality penetrating oil, penetrating oil-based semitransparent stain or non-penetrating latex semitransparent stain to treat your cedar wood.
- 2
  Sand your cedar wood to a smooth finish using an electric or manual hand sander. Wear a face mask to avoid breathing in cedar dust.
- 3
  Protect surrounding surfaces from accidental drips of stain or preservative by laying down cotton or plastic drop cloths.
- 4
  Apply oil or stain to your cedar wood using broad, even brush strokes. For best results, use a high quality, three- or four-inch wide paintbrush when treating your cedar wood. Apply two coats of oil or stain to your cedar wood. Allow the wood to dry completely between coats for best results.
- 5
  Retreat cedar wood treated with penetrating oil products every one to two years. Retreat cedar wood that has been treated with oil-based or latex stain every three to six years.

How to Remodel My House

How to Cut Plastic Wood Panels

Remodeling Plans