How to Finish Cedar Decks

Cedar decking needs to have water repellent products applied annually.

Cedar is a beautiful and durable outdoor building material. Redwood cedar is a common wood for decking and naturally has some water repellent and preservative qualities. In spite of this, it is a good idea to seal and finish cedar to extend its life. The deck is exposed to water and sun as well as traffic that will eventually cause wear and tear. You can chose to stain the deck or just let the natural color of the cedar shine through. Penetrating seals such as water seals and semi-transparent stain will soak into the wood. You can also apply topical seals that go on like paint, but they may peel over time.

Things You'll Need

• Hose
• Long-handled scrub brush
• Oxygenated bleach
• 100-grit sandpaper
• Orbital sander
• Water repellent seal with UV blocker
• Paint stick
• Paint tray
• Roller
• Paint brush
• Stain

Instructions

1. Scrub the deck if it is not newly laid. It is best to finish a deck right away to enhance its life. The cedar needs to be clean to finish it. Wet the deck and hose off any debris. Use the scrub brush to get mildew and grit out of the grain. If necessary, sprinkle on oxygenated bleach and mist with the water. Scrub with the bleach to lighten stains and remove grime. Rinse thoroughly and let the deck dry for several days.

2. Sand any areas of the deck that are not smooth. The cleaning will have softened the wood fibers and some may have pulled up. Corners and ends should be sanded to open up the grain. The goal is not to make the wood smooth as glass, but to remove imperfections and burrs that would be hard on bare feet and hands. If the entire deck needs to be sanded, use an orbital sander. Rinse the deck lightly or sweep off the sawdust.

3. Stir the water repellent to incorporate the oil and solids on the bottom. Pour some into the paint tray. Starting in the center of the deck, use a roller dipped into the repellent to apply the product. It will be thin and drippy, but will soak into the wood readily. Apply the product on a dry day when temperatures are at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit but do not exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Use the paintbrush on vertical surfaces and corners. Do not worry about overlapping lines or uneven color with the water repellent since it is clear. Allow the product to dry for 24 hours or until it is no longer tacky. Check to see if you need to reapply in any areas by looking at how dull the board looks. Fully cure the deck for two days before walking on it.

5. Treat the deck with water repellent annually. You will have to sand more as the deck gets older. You can always add a stain over the water repellent, but stains are harder to apply because you need to worry about overlapping. Roll the stain onto individual boards in their entirety to get even coverage. Then move to the next board and completely coat it. Stains will last about two years.

References

• Home Envy: The Three Things You Need to Refinish Your Deck
• Western Red Cedar Export Association: Finishing Western Red Cedar Decks
• Decorating Country Home: Maintaining Your Red Cedar Deck