How to Lighten Cedar Siding
Cedar siding has been used on homes for centuries. Natural cedar has a beautiful appearance, but the wood can turn dark and unsightly over time. Many things can turn cedar dark, including dirt, old finish, mildew and tannin stains. Lightening cedar back to its original look involves understanding what is causing the wood to darken, then treating the siding with the proper cleaning products. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Household bleach
- Wood cleaner
- Wood brightener
- Plastic bucket
- Nylon scrub brush
Instructions
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Testing
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1
Test for mildew. Mildew grows on the surface of the wood and often appears blotchy and bluish-black. Apply a single drop of household bleach to an affected area. If the area lightens immediately, you are dealing with mildew.
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2
Wash the whole house down with a solution of 1 part bleach and 3 parts water if you have mildew. Apply the bleach solution to the house.
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3
Scrub the siding with a nylon brush.
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4
Rinse thoroughly. Don't leave the bleach on any longer than 15 minutes, or it may damage the wood.
Cleaning
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5
Wash the siding with wood cleaner, which is usually sold in a concentrated form. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding dilution. Let the cleaning solution sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
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6
Check if the grime, weather damage or old coatings are lifting. You can leave the cleaner on longer, but check it every 15 minutes. Leaving cleaner on too long can damage the wood.
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7
Scrub the siding down with your nylon scrub brush. Rinse thoroughly.
Treating
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Mix wood brightener. Wood brighteners contain oxalic acid, a mild acid that will neutralize unsightly tannin stains. Oxalic acid-based wood brighteners come in powders, liquid concentrates and premixed bottles. Choose the product that fits the scope of your project and your budget. Mix according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Apply the brightener to wet wood. The brightener will remain effective as long as it remains wet. Leave it on for about 45 minutes. If the product starts to dry out, mist it with water.
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10
Rinse thoroughly. Do not scrub with wood brightener because scrubbing could bring more tannins to the surface.
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Tips & Warnings
Protect your siding with a penetrating oil-based sealer to help resist water and maintain color.
Bleach, wood cleaner and wood brightener can damage skin and eyes. Wear rubber gloves, protective clothing and eyewear when working with these products.
