How to Sand & Stain Cedar

Maintain the natural beauty of your cedar furniture.

Cedar is a durable wood commonly used for furniture. Finishing cedar helps it last for years under normal wear and tear, but eventually even the best maintained piece of cedar will need refinishing to keep the wood in good condition. To refinish cedar, you have to sand away the old stain and stain it anew.

Things You'll Need

• Oxygen bleach
• Water
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Wood stain
• Brush
• Wood sealer
• Rag
• Polyurethane

Instructions

1. Clean finished cedar using a solution of 20 percent bleach to 80 percent water. Wash the surface with a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris. Use a second cloth to wipe the cedar dry. If you are staining unfinished cedar, clean it using water only, and rinse and dry immediately to keep the wood grain from rising and creating a rough surface.

2. Sand the cedar using 220-grit sandpaper. Remove any old finish on the cedar, revealing the natural color and surface of the wood. After removing the finish, soak the surface of the wood and allow it to air-dry to bring out the grain of the wood. Sand down this grainy surface until the surface of the cedar is completely smooth to the touch.

3. Use a tack cloth to wipe the entire surface of the sanded cedar. A tack cloth, which contains wax, will remove any sawdust left from the sanding process, leaving the cedar clear for staining.

4. Coat the surface of the wood with wood sealer to prevent decay from moist air. Brush the sealer onto the cedar and wait five minutes for the sealer to close the pores in the wood. Wipe off the excess sealer with a clean cloth.

5. Apply wood stain to the cedar using a brush. Brush on the stain in an even layer, taking care not to leave visible brush lines in the wood or to pool the stain in any one place. Apply multiple coats of stain if you want a deeper color. Allow the stain to dry completely, according to the manufacturer's suggestions.

6. Apply a coat of clear polyurethane finish to the wood. Use a brush to place a thin layer of the finish onto the stained wood. The polyurethane will protect the cedar from moisture, preventing rotting. Allow the coating to dry completely, then lightly buff the surface with the sandpaper for a light gloss.

Tips & Warnings

• Work in a well ventilated area to reduce inhalation of fumes from the chemicals.

References

• Log Furniture Galore: Cedar Car & Cedar How to
• Cape Cod Treasure Chest: How to Stain Your Cedar Furniture
• Adams All Natural Cedar: About Cedar & Cypress