How to Scrape Cedar Siding

Inspect the cedar siding boards for chipping, bubbling or peeling paint. Also look for areas where the paint is completely worn off.

Scrape off the loose, peeling, chipping or bubbling paint by moving a paint scraper across the surface of the siding in a back and forth motion. Always scrape in the same direction as the wood grain to avoid scratching the wood.

Flake off any loose sections of paint that don't come off with a paint scraper using a putty knife. Work the blade carefully under bubbling or peeling paint that is loose enough to remove without digging into the surface of the wood. Always move the blade of the putty knife in the same direction as the wood grain.

Sand the scraped areas of the paint with a fine-grit sanding pad to smooth the transitions between the painted surfaces of the siding and the scraped areas. Always sand in the same direction as the grain of the wood.

Brush off the siding surface with a shop brush to remove all of the dust and debris from the surface of the wood.