Finishing Cedar Porch

Chris G

I originally posted this in the deck section, but it appears everyone there is out building decks....

I'm thinking of using a SW toner on a cedar porch I just did. It's covered and faces East, with large trees offering protection from sun. So, not a lot of UV rays, but water is still an issue on the perimeter.

They want the new look of the cedar to last as long as possible, (within reason I pointed out to them). What would be your choice? Here's two pics. I don't want to wait too long on this if weathering is an issue in your opinion.

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Flikka

Nice looking deck.

I'd like to know what can bring back the look of new cedar (if anything) when it's been left untreated for years.

Chris G

Bump. It must be raining somewhere... c'mon one of you painters has the day off.

gideond

I take it they want to keep the color as close as possible too? I'd personally use something like Sikkens SRD in the 078 Natural tone. It'll make it look a bit amber but will fade out in time and offer good UV protection. Outside on an actual stain you could try a clear sealer, but it must have UV blockers in it and not just be a water sealer. Personally I wouldn't recommend that route. I'd go with a lightly tinted semi-transparent like the SRD, but having seen similar situations in the past I can almost guarantee they'll complain about adding color. It'll be after the wood grays that they realize a stain would have been better than a sealer. I'd try my best to talk them into staining.

gideond

As for bringing back the look of new cedar. Sodium Percarbonate cleaner and Oxalic Acid brightener. That'll do as well as anything will. Restore-a-deck has it prepackaged as a kit.

Chris G

Thanks Gideon, I was thinking that since the porch faces East and has two large trees in front, It wouldn't get much sun, so that was the reason for just using SW toner. The toner has a little bit of a tint to it and offers some UV protection. Does anyone have any experience with this product?

DelW

I've used SW's Toner on cedar posts and railings withgood results, just figure on doing it every year, and I wouldn't let it fo more than 2 yrs.

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Da Vinci

I've never been able to use any sealer without it changing the look a little. Sikkens is my choice- holds up really well...

Bay Area Painting Contractor