I have a client that wants me to paint her exterior cedar railing that was just installed, I was always under the impression that people in general stain cedar rather than paint it, she is adament on painting it.
She chose cedar over pressure treated because she did not want to wait a year or two for the pressure treated to take to paint
So my question is, does cedar take to paint as well as other natural wood’s?
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Replies
Cedar paints well, although you may get some tannin bleed through. Trouble is, now that the rail is assembled and installed, you can't seal all the cuts and end grain. So the paint won't last as long. :0
Rich
Thanks Rich!
What would be the best way to stop the tannin bleeding, oil base primer?
Lorne
Lorne, I've always used oil primer but sometimes it still bleeds through. Two coats of prime would help. Maybe someone will speak up with some better advice.
Rich
Check with your Sherwin Williams paint store. They have a primer sealer esp formulated for the resins in cedars, redwoods, and fir.A shellac based sealer like Bin is another alternative for a first coat
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Piffin, BIN is recommended for exterior use only as a spot primer. I know it tends to craze on large exterior surfaces.
Are the screws/hardware/etc. designed for exterior use? You will probably have to use an oil based primer just to keep the steel from rusting and bleeding through.
A shellac based primer will have to be used over any knots and sap streaks before being covered by an oil base primer. Do not use shellac over the entire surface as BIN does not recommend this for exterior surfaces.
Before you do anything, go to a professional paint store and ask their advice. I believe an opaque stain may be a better option than paint. If you are worried about your client objecting, pour the stain into a virgin can and write "special order handrail paint" on the can with a Sharpie. Charge her accordingly.
toolman65
Thanks toolman!
I like your way of thinking!
Lorne
I would prime everything with Cabot Problem Solver or Benjamin Moore Fast Start oil based primer, caulk any gaps, and then either paint with a high quality paint topcoat (like Benjamin Moore or SW) or go to a solid color stain (like Cabot PrOVT latex).
Solid colour stain sounds like a great alternative.
Lorne
All of the exterior trim on my house is painted red cedar. It has been on for 22 years and looks like the day I put it up.
I used Valspar oil primer and acrylic paint. I don't particularly like Valspar paint, but that was what was available at the time. Their exterior paint seems to be very tough, but for anything interior, I love Ben Moore!