How do I treat cedar wood for outdoor use? (2023)

Does cedar need to be sealed outdoors?

Unless you particularly want untreated cedar wood, it's best to treat it. Cedar fences should be treated once a year. Cedar's natural oils do protect the wood, but only for a finite period. Eventually, decay will start to set in.

On bare new or restored cedar, apply one coat only of water-repellent preservative (1% or less of wax by volume and content). Allow it to dry for the period of time recommended by the manufacturer. If the wood has been dip treated, a longer drying time may be needed.

There are two oil finishes recommended for sealing cedar: teak and linseed. Applied the same way, teak and cedar oils produce a similar protective finish with a warm, hand-rubbed, natural-looking appearance as compared to varnish and urethane.

Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay, staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration.

Linseed oil is the best clear cedar finish for outdoors because it is durable and dries quickly. Most clear stains that dry quickly contain linseed oil as the main component. However, other oil-based stains and solid wood stains work excellently on outdoor projects.

It's a durable wood that is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks, and resists moisture absorption, so it tends to last longer, needs less maintenance, and doesn't warp or split as easily. A cedar deck can last for 15-20 years or more, depending on maintenance and environment.

However, in the case of intense wood grains such as cedar and mahogany, you may want to seal the deck earlier — perhaps within one or two weeks.

The best clear Cedar finish stain for outdoors is Linseed oil, hands down. Linseed oil is the primary ingredient in any oil finishes, which dries clear. You can find other clear water-based stains, but will not last nearly as long as a Linseed oil based stain will.

When finishing cedar wood, we recommend using linseed oil. This type of oil is the most popular with woodworkers, as well as cedar cladding users and craft enthusiasts. If you would like an oil finish on a piece of mahogany, we recommend using tung oil, linseed oil or teak oil.

How do you seal cedar to keep color?

Used to preserve the Cedar's natural color and appearance, transparent or semi-transparent solvent-borne penetrating stains are recommended. Transparent stains are similar in composition to semi-transparent stains but contain fewer pigments that provide color.

If left untreated, over time that red weathers to light gray. To prevent cedar from fading to gray, you need to seal cedar fence with a stain that blocks ultraviolet light and contains a mildewcide, according to Family Handyman.

Water-based stain is the best stain for Cedar.

Water-based stains are able to give rich deep color to the Cedar wood and emphasize its natural beauty. It gives good protection against environmental elements such as moisture, UV light, and climate change. Water-based stains are easy to clean.

If a deck is new, we recommend waiting at least 90 days before staining and sealing the wood structure. Pressure-treated lumber or smooth milled cedar needs to cure three to six months prior to the staining process.

The oils in cedar protect the wood against decay, which makes the material ideal in even the muggiest climates. Outdoor cedar furniture also resists bacterial and fungal growth. Cedar has tiny pockets of air inside the grain of the wood, and those air pockets protect the wood from changes in temperature.

Good maintenance practices for cedar decks include allowing proper water drainage; keeping the surface free of dirt, leaves, pine-needles and other debris; and moving planters, benches and other deck accessories from time to time to permit the deck beneath them to dry thoroughly.

One of the main strengths of Cedar is its natural resistance to rot and decay. As a result, it can survive outdoors with zero treatment and resist fungi and other microorganisms responsible for rot and decay.

Cedar is stronger and more durable than pressure-treated lumber. Pressure-treated lumber can warp and weather within a few years if left untreated, while cedar is more capable of naturally keeping its shape. However, cedar is more susceptible to cosmetic damages, such as dents and scratches.

Typically, cedar requires retreatment every two years, which you can prolong with several waterproofing applications. Seal your cedar every three to five years.

Is Thompson's water Seal good for cedar?

If your deck is made of redwood or cedar,Thompson's^® WaterSeal^® 3 in 1^™ Wood Cleaner will help restore those wood's natural color.

Things You'll Need

Cedar wood, like other fine woods, can and should be coated with polyurethane for protection. Polyurethane will keep dirt, dust, and oil from getting onto the cedar which would dull and damage the color.

For cedar used indoors, you can apply an impermeable coating of varnish or polyurethane to the wood. This will prevent the wood from "breathing," the natural process by which the wood absorbs or releases moisture to match environmental conditions. Prolonged exposure to dry air is a major source of cracking in cedar.

Depending on the freshness of the wood, exposure to the elements, and the thickness of the wood, cedar may start to turn grey in as little as two weeks, or it could take up to a year before it begins to lose color. The sooner you can protect the natural wood color, the better.

Because water wicks up through the cut end grain of the post much more readily than it does through the sides of the post, either soak the end of the post in a preservative solution (copper naphthenate), or coat it with a waxy end sealer such as Anchorseal.

Although cedar is a softwood like pine, it absorbs stain better than pine, especially when treated with a pre-stain wood conditioner. Indoor and outdoor cedar furniture are stained the same way. However, clear coat polyurethane, which gives the wood a shiny, smooth finish, should only be used on indoor furniture.

Oiling of your Cedar is a recommended procedure due to the ease of application, maintenance, and the fact that only 1 coat of oil is required for each re-treatment. That means less labour is required.

Yes, you can use tung oil on cedar with no issue. Tung oil makes a protective film over cedar with a natural look. Pure tung oil gives a light yellow color to cedar while dark tung oil darkens the cedarwood.

So, the short answer to the question is that teak oil can be used on cedar, and it's also a good choice to provide enhanced protection from heat, water, and UV rays.

I sand that purple heart right before the 1st coat of poly. That is the only way I can keep the color. I've never stained any cedar. Only shellac or Polyurethane.

Does linseed oil change the color of cedar?

Linseed oil does change the color of wood slightly. It carries a golden-brown hue and yellows slightly over time. This can bring out and highlight inherent color within the wood, but it also means it's not an ideal finish for light colored woods like maple and ash.

How To Seal Natural Wood Without Darkening Or Changing The Color

Another option you have is to use clear sealer on your entire fence. Clear sealers show off all the natural grain of wood. If you use a clear sealer, your fence may turn gray over time. You may also have to treat a clear sealed cedar fence more frequently.

Clean textured cedar and new cedar lumber with an iron-free bristle brush. Scrub away stains with a mild detergent, rinse the wood thoroughly and allow it to dry before staining. Scuff flat-grained cedar lumber with 50- or 60-grit sandpaper to allow the stain to absorb.

Remember, if you install a cedar fence it will need 5-7 weeks to dry in the sun before it will be ready for any kind of staining or treatment.

What Color is Cedar Wood? Most types of cedar wood are a pinkish-red color, though it can have some purple tones as well. As it ages it loses its reddish hues and becomes a silver or gray color.

If you stain the fence all the way around, you create an envelope that keeps rain out of the wood. With only one side of protect, water will get in and get trapped behind the barrier. The only true way to protect your fence is by staining both sides.

Natural properties aside, it's still important to prime and pre-stain western red cedar for exterior applications, especially if you want it to weather naturally into grey. Priming and staining sustains the wood's performance and maintains its natural properties.

In addition to dirt and pollutants, your cedar siding can be turned black or brown because of tannin staining. Tannins are a class of biomolecules that occur abundantly in nature — primarily in the bark of trees, leaves, fruits, and grapes.

What happens if you stain treated wood too soon?

If you stain pressure-treated wood too soon, the stain will be unable to fully penetrate the wood, and you will not get the protective benefits of the stain. What is the best stain for pressure-treated wood? An oil-based stain is the best for pressure-treated wood.

Typically, cedar requires retreatment every two years, which you can prolong with several waterproofing applications. Seal your cedar every three to five years.

If you are looking to preserve the beautiful rich grain of, say, a mahogany or cedar decking, we recommend sealing the deck with a translucent penetrating stain within 1-2 weeks of construction. This will ensure minimal or no UV damage and give your deck that natural look.

One of the main strengths of Cedar is its natural resistance to rot and decay. As a result, it can survive outdoors with zero treatment and resist fungi and other microorganisms responsible for rot and decay.

Cedar is highly resistant to rot and termites due to its natural resins. This allows the wood to last for many years without any maintenance or treatment. It is does not warp or sag and is highly resistant to humidity. This makes it a great choice for outdoor settings.

If your deck is made of redwood or cedar,Thompson's^® WaterSeal^® 3 in 1^™ Wood Cleaner will help restore those wood's natural color.

Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C can be used on almost all wood surfaces, including cedar. Linseed oil was traditionally the recommended wood oil finish by woodworkers, cedar cladding users and craft enthusiasts.

Used to preserve the Cedar's natural color and appearance, transparent or semi-transparent solvent-borne penetrating stains are recommended. Transparent stains are similar in composition to semi-transparent stains but contain fewer pigments that provide color.

If left untreated, over time that red weathers to light gray. To prevent cedar from fading to gray, you need to seal cedar fence with a stain that blocks ultraviolet light and contains a mildewcide, according to Family Handyman.

How do you keep cedar from cracking?

For cedar used indoors, you can apply an impermeable coating of varnish or polyurethane to the wood. This will prevent the wood from "breathing," the natural process by which the wood absorbs or releases moisture to match environmental conditions. Prolonged exposure to dry air is a major source of cracking in cedar.

Some wood, including redwood, cedar and teak, contains varying degrees of natural wood preservatives. But water that soaks into any of these wood species will cause them to crack.

Durability/Strength

Cedar is stronger and more durable than pressure-treated lumber. Pressure-treated lumber can warp and weather within a few years if left untreated, while cedar is more capable of naturally keeping its shape. However, cedar is more susceptible to cosmetic damages, such as dents and scratches.

The oils in cedar protect the wood against decay, which makes the material ideal in even the muggiest climates. Outdoor cedar furniture also resists bacterial and fungal growth. Cedar has tiny pockets of air inside the grain of the wood, and those air pockets protect the wood from changes in temperature.

Water-based stain is the best stain for Cedar.

Water-based stains are able to give rich deep color to the Cedar wood and emphasize its natural beauty. It gives good protection against environmental elements such as moisture, UV light, and climate change. Water-based stains are easy to clean.

Luckily, cedar wood fence needs no chemical treatment since it has got all the natural stuff that a fence requires. So, it is considered as a very good option if you are looking for a natural and beautifully designed wood.