How to paint cedar cladding?

Kokonut

We have a cedar clad house (exterior), and would like to ask how to prepare it for painting, as in:

1. Can we pressure wash first? I have noticed that the pattern of the water can leave a permanent mark on the timber.
2. Do we treat the cedar prior to painting, or do we just paint primer?
3. What is the best paint for cedar, or can we use most paints suited for the exterior?
4. Oil or water based primer?
5. Oil or water based paint?
6. It would be awesome to provide the brand and product name for a high quality primer / paint.
7. Brush or roller? Specs for these?

Current cedar looks to be stained a darkish wood color, and we wish to paint it pale yellow.

Many thanks,

David

MitchellMc

Hi David (@Kokonut), 

You can pressure wash the cedar, but you’ll need to be careful. Using high pressure can leave marks on the timber, so stick to a low-pressure setting and keep the nozzle a good distance away. If you’re worried about damaging the wood, washing by hand with a soft brush and some mild detergent is a gentler option.

Before you start painting, make sure to prep the surface properly. Sand down any rough areas and ensure the cedar is clean. If it’s been stained previously, using a wood cleaner like Feast Watson 1L Woodclean to remove the old stain and dirt is a good idea. Once everything is clean, let the wood dry thoroughly. After that, you’ll want to apply a quality exterior wood primer. A water-based primer works well on cedar, as it won’t raise the grain and it dries faster than oil-based ones.

For the paint, go for a high-quality exterior acrylic, as it’ll be flexible and move with the wood as it expands and contracts. Water-based paints are generally the better choice for cedar for this reason. Dulux Weathershield is a solid option for exterior timber, and if you need a primer, Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 is a reliable water-based one that bonds nicely to cedar.

In terms of application, I’d recommend using both a brush and roller. A roller will make quick work of the large, flat sections, while a brush is useful for cutting in around edges and getting paint into any grooves or textured areas. For the roller, a medium nap (around 10-12mm) should work well on timber, and for the brush, go for a good-quality synthetic bristle one to ensure a smooth finish.

Since you're planning to switch from a darker stain to a pale yellow, you may need a couple of coats of your primer and topcoat to get full coverage. Be sure to give each coat enough time to dry before applying the next one. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell