When selecting stains, review a sample of the proposed stain on the proposed wood in the light in which it will exist before applying the stain to the construction.

In your case, wait a year and see what it looks like. If you choose to try to change the stain that exists, try it on a sample first.

Thank you for the feedback. Is it likely that it really will fade?

It depends on the type of stain, quality of wood, exposure, configuration, and weather.

Any suggestions?

Show us a picture of your house and a closer shot of the posts.

I stained our cedar posts with a gel stain in the spring last year. I didnt get around to varnishing them with a spar varnish yet. the posts have already faded quite a bit. I plan to add a second coat this spring and this time I will be sure to seal them!

Ours are quite dark, nearly black. I'm afraid if/when they do fade they'll turn an unattractive shade of grey.

Ours originally had faded gray because the sun bleached them. The gel stain was almost a solid coverage if I would have rolled it on thick. That might be an option to do a solid stain. The only other thing I can think is to let them fade or try to take paint thinner and use a roller to sop up the excess stain. If you really want to have at it use a paint stripper. If you sand them down then they won't be rough cedar anymore. Whatever I do I would test it out on a scrap piece first. Cedar and old pine sucks up stain like crazy!

I don't have a current picture of the faded stain state, this is a pic before and after I stained them with the Minwax cherrywood gel stain. I used a brush.

I know it's too late now, but you can use a prestain sealer to prevent over saturation of rough wood.

@Crystal B79

No pictures to share?

LOL -- sorry to laugh, but same problem with the majority of our house. Told there's nothing we can do about it. I cried, and moved on. The house is still gorgeous, just darker than I imagined.

I do have a couple photos, but am apprehensive about posting them. We are happy with the rest of the house, just not the posts. It's not for everyone and I'm afraid people would say it's ugly, they don't like it etc.

Stains like Minwax, while they may be used outside, lack UV protection and need to be topcoated with something that does.

Depending on the stain used, exposure to the sun etc, it will probably fade.

Often posts are wrapped with cedar boards and are not solid cedar. If that's the case, It may be easy enough to simply replace the cedar and stain again. As suggested above, test before applying.

And no one here really cares what your house looks like. I simply wanted to understand the amount of cedar and how the posts were constructed so I could make the best suggestions.

@Crystal B79, yes, some people here have strong opinions, lol but the most important thing is, that You love the way your 🏠 looks like.

@Crystal B79 -- when I called the stain manufacturer to see if I was really stuck with the darker stain, they said that besides sanding, I could take a chemical bleach to the siding and then neutralize that (he said you MUST neutralize it or the new stain won't take), then try to restain it. I was afraid of making it even worse, or damaging some of the stone work that's next to it in places, so we aren't pursuing that.

It may be possible to strip too. This is a redwood deck I stripped and was in the process of staining.

PPF makes a good point that your posts may be clad with cedar planks rather than being solid cedar. If that's the case, you could try removing the cladding, turning it over and reapplying. The back of it won't be stained.

If your contractor will not be covering the cost of the fix, it's worth waiting to see if they fade to an acceptable shade in a reasonable amount of time. Most stains do fade.

They are definitely skinny.

Wrap them with a hardwood that takes stain well.

@Crystal B79 Our posts are wrapped with 1x12 cedar. I would take @res2architect suggestion and have your posts wrapped. I would even go further to suggest that you stain them before they wrap them. But this time be sure to test on a scrap piece before you go all hands on deck!!! I think a wider post will look more substantial for your porch. BTW I love your brick! Would you mind sharing the brand and color?

Thanks!

Thank you! The brick is Acme Concordia.