How to Repaint Cedar Shingles & Scarring

Paint protects wood from the elements; over time paint can peel and lift from the wood.

Painted cedar shingles protect the sides of your house from exposure to the elements. The paint protects the shingles themselves from damage caused by water of ultraviolet (UV) rays. Because the shingles are constantly exposed to weather, the paint will fail over time. When paint fails, it will lift or peel from the shingles. Cleaning the shingles with a wood-cleaning product will remove any compromised coatings, and provide you with a good, consistent surface for recoating. The process for preparing and repainting cedar shingles is the same for other types of shingle wood.

Things You'll Need

• Wood cleaner
• Nylon scrub brush
• Masking tape
• Plastic sheeting
• Utility knife
• Paintbrush, roller, or sprayer
• Exterior house paint

Instructions

Preparing the Shingles for Painting

1. Mix a solution of wood cleaner. Wood cleaner is sold in a concentrated form. Consult the manufacturer's instructions regarding the proper dilution for removing peeling paint from wood.

2. Wet the cedar shingles down with water and apply the wood mixed wood cleaner to the wet wood. Allow the cleaner to sit on the wood for 15 to 30 minutes.

3. Scrub the siding vigorously with a nylon scrub brush. You should see the compromised paint lifting from the wood.

4. Rinse the shingles down thoroughly with water and allow them to dry for at least 24 hours before masking and painting.

5. Mask the trim and windows with masking tape. If you are planning to spray the shingles with paint, use plastic sheeting to completely mask the windows and doors. Cut the plastic sheeting with a utility knife.

Painting the Shingles

1. Open the paint cans and mix the paint thoroughly with a stirring stick. Pigments will tend to settle, so scrape along the bottom of the can while you mix.

2. Apply the paint to the siding with a paintbrush, roller, or sprayer. Start in one corner and work your way along the shingle courses. If spraying or rolling, use a brush to work the paint into joints between shingles and to coat the exposed end cuts. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the dry time between coats.

3. Apply a second coat of paint over the cedar shingles as soon as the first coat dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use paint on a rooftop. Because the rooftop is constantly expanding and contracting due to sunlight exposure, paints will tend to fail very quickly. A penetrating oil-based stain is generally recommended for sealing rooftop shingles.

References

• New Siding: Wood Siding
• Ask the Builder: Painting Cedar Shingles
• Superdeck Products: Tips for Super Looking Wood