I have a cabin type home to do this spring. It has rough saw cedar siding that was treated with Flood Clear Wood Finish (clear finish, non film building) when the siding was installed 18 years ago. Since then, nothing has been done to the exterior. The siding is of course extremely gray, lots of black areas and areas that have turned a very dark reddish brown color. The dark color is mostly under the eaves and on the front porch, areas not exposed to rain. Is this the tannins from the cedar and will it interfere with the next coating?
Also, there is a good amount of black and green mildew in areas. The owners like the "weathered" look that it currently has. I am concerned that since the wood is quite gray and weathered, it is not really ready to be recoated and the mildew has to be killed, but they do not really want the wood to be brightened. So, how do I kill the mildew and prepare the weather wood for a new coat of clear without brightening the wood in the process?
Also, there is a good amount of black and green mildew in areas. The owners like the "weathered" look that it currently has. I am concerned that since the wood is quite gray and weathered, it is not really ready to be recoated and the mildew has to be killed, but they do not really want the wood to be brightened. So, how do I kill the mildew and prepare the weather wood for a new coat of clear without brightening the wood in the process?