I am using 5/4 x 10″ rough sawn cedar, lapped (8″ to weather), in northern Wisconsin, for horizontal siding. Normally one would prime the back, but I don’t plan to apply any paint or stain the face . . . I want to let it weather naturally to grey. Any concerns about not back-priming? Do you think I should apply some sort of treatment to protect the wood or let it be?
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If I were you, I'd use a 'weathering stain.' I've only used the Benjaman-Moore product, but weathering stains are offered by a variety of suppliers.
Weathering stains are a mostly clear (slightly amber) sealer that you can brush, roll or spray on. When you first apply it, it doesn't do much but brighten the wood up, as though you were applying a natural stain.
But, after several weeks and up to about 6 months, the wood will gradually turn the silvery gray you desire, but it will do it consistently over the entire surface, like up under the eaves and on the shady side of the house and will match the 'weathering' appearance in the areas exposed to full sun light.
The greatest benefit is that you get the appearance you desire along with the protection of a sealer for your cedar.
Back priming is always preferable, but there's a lot of wood siding around that was never backprimed that is holding up OK.
Ditto Notchman's comments. I've had good luck with Cabot's Bleaching Oil and I'd recommend backpriming. http://www.cabotstain.com/shared_frames.cfm?area=towoca&cfid=427356&cftoken=19648586