Hi, Paul here from Trusted House Painter. One of the most common questions I get is: Can you paint over cedar, and what are the benefits? If you’re dealing with cedar siding or considering painting or staining it, understanding how this unique wood reacts to coatings is crucial to avoid common problems like bubbling paint. In this article, I’ll break down why paint bubbles on cedar siding, the best approaches for finishing cedar, and tips to ensure your paint job lasts.
Understanding Cedar: A Unique and Soft Wood
Cedar is a very soft wood, rich in natural oils and tannins, which makes it quite different from other types of siding materials. This softness and oil content mean cedar behaves uniquely when it comes to staining and painting.
Because cedar is soft, it tends to absorb stains very well. Whether you’re using a solid stain, semi-transparent, or clear stain, these products soak into the wood grains, enhancing the natural beauty of the wood while providing protection. Stains are generally the preferred finish for cedar because they penetrate the surface rather than sitting on top like paint.
Painting Cedar: What You Need to Know
Yes, you can paint cedar siding, but it requires proper preparation. Most cedar siding is treated with some form of stain or sealer before painting. If your cedar is already stained, it’s usually best to continue with a stain rather than switching to paint.
When painting cedar, the most critical step is using a high-quality oil-based primer. This primer helps the paint adhere properly by sealing the wood and creating a stable base. Without this step, problems like bubbling and peeling are almost guaranteed.
Why Does Paint Bubble on Cedar?
Let me explain what causes bubbling on cedar siding by sharing a real example. A friend of mine was removing old cedar siding from his house, and the boards showed significant bubbling. When I scraped the bubbles with my five-way tool, the paint coating lifted easily, revealing wood grains stuck to the paint on the back side of the lifted section.
This indicates that the original coating didn’t properly adhere to the wood grains. In this case, I suspect an oil primer was never applied before painting. Without a proper oil primer, the paint struggles to bond with cedar’s soft, oily surface, causing the coating to lift and bubble.
Bubbles can range in size from small to large and are a common issue on cedar siding due to its softness and oil content. When you pop a bubble, you might see wood fibers stuck to the paint, which means the wood itself is pulling away from the coating layer.
How to Properly Prepare and Finish Cedar Siding
If you want your cedar siding to look great and last, here are some key tips:
- Use the right stain or paint: Cedar loves stains, especially oil-based stains. Acrylic latex stains work well on new cedar, but make sure the wood is dry.
- Check moisture content: Always measure the moisture content of cedar before staining or painting. It should be below 15% to ensure proper adhesion and durability.
- Prime properly: If you choose to paint, use a high-quality oil-based primer designed for cedar. Consult your local paint store or a professional for the best primer choice.
- Consider color choice: Dark colors absorb more heat, which can cause the wood and paint to expand and contract more, leading to faster paint failure. Lighter colors reflect heat and help keep the substrate cooler.
Stain vs. Paint: Which Is Better for Cedar?
Whenever possible, I recommend sticking with stains for cedar. Stains penetrate the wood and allow it to breathe, reducing problems like bubbling. If you want to change the color or refresh the look, a solid stain over an existing stain is usually a better choice than switching to paint.
Important: Never apply paint directly over existing stain without proper preparation. Doing so often leads to the bubbling issues I described earlier.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up, cedar siding is beautiful but requires special care when finishing. It’s a soft wood with oils and tannins that make it prone to paint adhesion problems if not properly primed and prepared. Stains, especially oil-based ones, are usually the best finish for cedar. If you decide to paint, use a high-quality oil primer and choose your paint colors wisely to avoid heat-related issues.
If you’re facing bubbling paint on your cedar siding or planning a cedar finishing project, following these guidelines will save you time, money, and frustration down the road.
If you have more questions or need professional painters, feel free to reach out to us at 1-866-PAINT-18 (1-866-724-6818) or email su*****@*****************er.com. You can also find trusted local painters via our app at trustedhousepainter.com.
