Many options are available for painting cedar homes.
A cedar home typically uses cedar wood siding to cover the exterior walls of a home. Cedar looks good just as is, but many people do not like the look of exposed wood. If you choose to paint the wood, there are several paint formulas that can work with cedar. If the cedar is new, wait a few weeks or months before sealing and painting to allow the tannic acids to naturally come out from the wood.
Cedar Sealer
If you want to retain the appearance of bare wood but still want to add the protection that paint gives, you can apply a cedar sealer and preservative to the wood. These preservatives seal the wood against damage that can occur from insects, weather, moisture and sunlight. The sealers are applied like regular paint, typically with a paint sprayer. For best results, make sure the wood is clean and dry before you apply the sealer. Some tinted cedar sealers also are available.
Latex Paint
Standard outdoor latex paint is a suitable paint for cedar wood. With latex paint, two or more coats of primer are essential to protect the paint color and the surface of the wood itself. You can apply the paint with a roller, brush or spray. Follow the primer application with the color of your choice. White or very light colors, however, may get some color-bleed through from the tannic acid in the wood.
Acrylic Paint
Any formula and mixture of acrylic paint will work with cedar wood. However, 100 percent acrylic mixtures perform the best on the surface of the wood. Under acrylic paints, a coating of water-repellent wood preservative is essential to protect the wood from the paint and the paint from the wood. Follow the application with a stain-blocking primer for best results before applying the acrylic paint. With these advanced preparation methods, there should be no discoloration problems, and it is possible to use any color of paint.
Oil Paint
Oil paint formulas designed for use with cedar wood will also work in most climates. The main disadvantage of oil paints is that they are not compatible with all wood treatments and preservatives used on cedar wood. Make sure the materials are compatible before starting the paint process. Oil paint can resist most of the tannic acid present in cedar, and with the correct application of preservative and primer, can be used with any color.
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