I’m Melissa McKenna from Sherwin Williams, teaming up with Trusted House Painter to walk you through the best stain choices and techniques for painting—or repainting—your cedar shingle home. If you’re trying to match an existing semi‑transparent coating or deciding whether to strip the old finish first, this guide breaks down the products, preparation steps, and application tips to get a professional, long‑lasting result.
Why matching your cedar shingle stain matters
Cedar shingles age, weather, and absorb stain differently across a roof or facade. A good color match preserves curb appeal and protects the wood. The goal isn’t always an exact factory match—textures, previous coatings, and UV exposure mean “close” often looks best when it blends naturally with surrounding shingles.
Sherwin Williams stain product lineup — which to choose
Sherwin Williams offers several proven options depending on whether you want semi‑transparent, solid, oil‑ or water‑based finishes. Below are the products I recommend and when to use each.
SuperDeck Oil Semitransparent Stain
Best when you want a traditional oil‑based look and deep penetration into cedar. Use SuperDeck oil semitransparent stain if you prefer enhanced grain definition and a classic finish. It performs well over bare wood once old, failing coatings are removed.
WoodScapes Polyurethane Semi‑Transparent Stain
Ideal if you want the durability of a polyurethane‑enhanced formula with the natural, semi‑transparent appearance. WoodScapes provides strong film properties and abrasion resistance while retaining wood texture. Great for areas where longevity and protection against weathering are priorities.
SuperDeck Acrylic Solid Stain
Choose a solid acrylic stain when color uniformity and opacity are more important than showing wood grain. Solid stains conceal imperfections and offer excellent UV protection and color retention—useful if your shingles are uneven in tone or you want a more painted look.
Remove or recoat? How to decide
One of the most common questions is whether to remove the existing coating before applying a new semi‑transparent stain. Here’s a simple decision flow:
- If the old coating is peeling, flaking, or has significant adhesion failure — remove it. Old film compromises new stain adhesion.
- If the existing finish is intact, well‑adhered, and mostly faded evenly — you may be able to clean and recoat with a compatible product.
- If you need a precise color match to a semi‑transparent coating, stripping down to bare wood and applying a fresh formula often yields the best control over final appearance.
Preparation is key: clean mildew and dirt, spot prime any bare or exposed areas as needed, and test small patches to confirm adhesion and color before committing to the entire house.
Step‑by‑step: Achieving the closest semi‑transparent match
Follow this workflow to get the best match and performance:
- Inspect and document the existing finish across multiple exposures (sun vs. shade).
- Perform a cleaning: soft wash or deck cleaner to remove dirt, mildew, and chalking.
- Test adhesion: scrape a small area to see if the existing film is sound.
- If required, remove old film using a stripper or mechanical methods for badly failed coatings.
- Sand or scuff glossy surfaces lightly; remove dust.
- Apply a test patch with your chosen Sherwin Williams product (SuperDeck oil, WoodScapes poly, or SuperDeck acrylic solid) to compare color and absorption.
- Allow the patch to weather for a few days—view it in different light—and adjust choice if needed.
- Apply full coats per product instructions (typically two coats for semi‑transparent; follow dry times and tool recommendations).
Application tips for cedar shingles
- Work from top to bottom and with the grain. Avoid lap marks by maintaining a “wet edge.”
- Use the recommended tool: brush is best for penetration on shingles; back‑rolling or brushing after spraying improves uniformity.
- Thin coats penetrate better and reduce runs—don’t overload shingles.
- Account for weather: apply when temperatures are within the product’s recommended range and when no rain is forecast for the curing period.
- If you’re matching semi‑transparent tones, two lighter coats often look better than one heavy coat.
Common issues and troubleshooting
Here are problems you might encounter and how to address them:
- Uneven absorption: Test different products and allow adequate penetration; sanding may help in extreme cases.
- Color mismatch after drying: Adjust color by changing tint strength or switching between semi‑transparent and solid options.
- Peeling or flaking: This usually indicates poor adhesion—strip to sound substrate and reapply with correct preparation.
- Mildew or dirt: Clean thoroughly before recoating; mildew kills and mildew inhibitors in products help, but surface cleaning is essential.
Final recommendations
For the best balance of appearance and protection on cedar shingles:
- Use SuperDeck Oil Semitransparent for a classic, penetrating oil look over bare wood.
- Choose WoodScapes Polyurethane Semi‑Transparent when you want enhanced durability and film performance while keeping wood texture visible.
- Pick SuperDeck Acrylic Solid if you need full coverage and uniform color across varied or weathered shingles.
Always run small test patches, follow product instructions, and prepare the wood properly. As I often say, “test, observe, and then commit”—a good test patch saves time and money and gets you the closest possible match.
Resources and next steps
If you want product details or technical data, look up Sherwin Williams’ product pages for SuperDeck and WoodScapes. If you’re hiring a pro, Trusted House Painter can help you find experienced painters who know how to match and apply these products correctly.
Conclusion
Matching and refreshing the finish on a cedar shingle home takes careful product selection, solid preparation, and thoughtful testing. Whether you prefer the oil‑rich look of SuperDeck, the durability of WoodScapes polyurethane, or the coverage of an acrylic solid, Sherwin Williams provides excellent options. Test patches, proper cleaning, and correct application techniques will get you a beautiful, long‑lasting result.
Good luck—take your time with tests, and you’ll love the final outcome.
