How to Finish a Faded Cedar Wall

Unfinished cedar wood works well as a building material due to its durability and natural ability to repel moisture and insects. Unfortunately, cedar wood exposed to sunlight will eventually fade to a grayish color. If you prefer a natural red color, you can stain cedar wood with a commercial stain. Alternatively, you can paint cedar wood for a customized look. Paint and stain both improve cedar wood’s appearance and prevent additional weathering.

Vacuum cleaner
Liquid dish detergent without phosphates
Sponge
100-grit sandpaper
Stain-blocking latex primer
Foam paint rollers
Nylon brush
Latex paint, solid-color stain, transparent stain or semi-transparent stain
Rag

Instructions

- 1
  Vacuum the wall to remove any dust and dirt that settled between the cracks of the cedar panels.
- 2
  Wash the wall thoroughly with a sponge and soapy water. Rinse the wall and allow it to dry thoroughly before proceeding.
- 3
  Sand the wood lightly along the grain. Vacuum away sanding dust.
- 4
  Apply stain-blocking primer to the wall before painting it or applying a solid-color stain. Paint along the grain, covering large areas of the wall with a foam paint roller, and use a nylon brush to cut into corners and edges. Allow the primer to dry thoroughly before proceeding. If you are applying a transparent or semi-transparent stain, do not use primer.
- 5
  Apply paint using the same methods used to apply the primer. If applying stain, follow the directions on the stain’s packaging to determine whether to paint it on or wipe it on with a rag. Apply stain across the grain first and then with the grain.

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