How to Treat Cedar Shakes

Cedar shake siding needs to be treated to maintain its color and luster.

Cedar shakes are a popular building material that give siding a rustic, natural look. Traditionally cedar shakes were hand split, and as a result each shingle was unique in size and thickness. Today cedar shakes are mostly manufactured by machine, but variation is programmed in to create the illusion of a hand-crafted shake shingle. Treating cedar shakes is important to maintain the color and preserve the integrity of the cedar wood. Penetrating oil-based wood stain is recommended for treating shakes. The shakes should be washed and brightened prior to stain application.

Things You'll Need

• Wood cleaner
• 5-gallon plastic bucket
• Nylon bristle brush
• Paint brush, roller, or sprayer
• Penetrating oil-based wood stain

Instructions

Preparing the Shakes for Staining

1. Mix a solution of wood cleaner in a 5-gallon plastic bucket. Wood cleaners are often sold in a powder or liquid concentrate. Follow the manufacturer's directions and mix a solution suitable for cleaning wood prior to staining.

2. Wet the siding down with a garden hose and apply the mixed wood cleaner to the wet shakes. Use a paint brush, roller, or a pump-up style garden sprayer to apply the wood cleaner. Let the cleaner sit on the shakes for 15 to 30 minutes.

3. Scrub the siding down vigorously with a nylon bristle brush. Then rinse the shakes down thoroughly with water.

4. If the shakes appear dark, or if they darken during the cleaning process, then mix and apply a solution of oxalic-acid based wood brightener to the siding. Apply the brightener to the still wet wood and let it sit on the siding for 45 minutes. There is no need to scrub; the oxalic acid in the brightener will react with and neutralize the tannins in the cedar wood and restore the natural luster and color of the shakes.

5. Let your shake siding dry for at least 24 hours before attempting to apply stain.

Applying Stain to the Cedar Shakes

1. 

   A natural bristle paint brush is a good choice for applying stain.

   Apply a single coat of penetrating oil-based wood stain. Use a paint brush, roller, or sprayer to apply the stain to the wood. Start in one corner and work your way across the rows of shakes.

2. Maintain a wet edge as you work. Feed the wood as much stain as it will absorb, but be careful not to over saturate the wood with stain. Penetrating stain is mean to completely soak into the surface of the wood. Stain allowed to sit atop the shakes will tend to remain tacky and then attract dirt and mildew growth.

3. After you have applied a single coat of stain give it around 15 minutes to soak in. Then go back over the cedar shakes with a dry paint brush and remove any excess product that has not completely permeated the wood surface.

Tips & Warnings

• The protection from ultraviolet (UV) light comes from the pigments in the stain. Choose a darker stain for a longer lifespan.

• Wood cleaner and brightener contain chemicals that can be harmful to eyes and skin. Were rubber gloves and eye protection when working with these products.

References

• Armstrong Clark: Oil Based Coatings for Wood Shakes and Shingles
• Texas Forest Service: Restoring and Treating Wood Shakes and Shingles
• Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau: Cedar Roof Care and Maintenance