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Stain for Knotty Cedar Siding

16 years ago

Hello,

This is cross posted from the building a home forum...

Our knotty cedar siding arrived last week and our contractor put together a few stain samples. We want to stain the siding black, allowing the character to show through but without too much variation in color. He put together four samples - Cabot black semi-transparent in one and two coats, and Cabot black semi-solid in one and two coats.

I really did not like any of them. Even the semi-solid in two coats allowed too much of the underlying red cedar to show. In other words, some parts of the siding were black while others were light brown. It looked as if some sections did not take the stain at all.

We are trying to achieve a more consistent look - one where the grain is visible, but not a tan color. It would be ideal if the wood was varying shades of black.

Are we asking too much? Would a solid color stain work, or do they just look like paint and hide all the grain? Would three coats help?

Any input is truly appreciated - we don't have too much time to make this critical decision!

Thanks.

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Comment (1)

steve-va
16 years ago
I guess try a 3rd coat. Remember that semi & transparent stains do not last as long as solid so when you have to do a maintenance coat after 5 years or so you will start to get a more solid look, & eventually all black with no grain showing through. I would say that the look that you desire will not be there for the life of your house unless you strip anything existing before each maintenance coat.

Good Luck!
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