Applying Siding Stain Over Old Stain
Test for cedar bleed with a.
Applying siding stain over old stain. Rub your hand or a clean cloth over the wood s surface. When staining on top of the existing stain choose the right type based on the current finish. Sanding for the best possible finish lightly sand the whole area to be stained. Do a clean job at the joints staying with the wood grain direction.
Semi transparent dyes and stains don t peel like paint does however those which are thick or solid can peel in a similar manner to paint. Use a brush roller paint pad or sprayer to apply one thin coat for clear toner and semi transparent stains. For darker stains work from the top down and always stain your railings before your floor boards no matter what color stain you re applying. Use a wide paintbrush to apply the stripper to a 2 to 3 foot wide area of the siding.
Most power washers have a detergent feed feature allowing you to apply detergent and then blast it off with high pressure water. You can do this by sanding the old stain down thoroughly or you can buy a stain remover that may do the job. Apply the stain in the direction of the woodgrain being careful to observe the joints. Rebrush the length of the stain with a dry white china bristle brush to soften and even out the staining as needed.
Change your sandpaper often when removing old lacquer. When the stain begins to lighten and your sanding is producing stain colored dust you have reached the surface of the stain. Look for problems such as rot mildew dust dirt cedar bleed and chalkiness. Examine the surface for defects.
Scrape off the old stain with a putty knife or. Allow to sit until the stain begins to lift and bubble. If there is flaking on your hand or. This will be hard to cover with a lighter semi transparent color as the old dark color will come through.
If stain is uneven or puddles use a roller to even out. Apply a similar or darker color of stain with no additional preparation required. Stain fades much more slowly and applying a new coat of stain over an old one will make your home s siding appear good as new. Paint has the tendency to crack and peel as it weathers.
Use a scrub brush and detergent some siding and deck washes remove mildew even out the underlying color and clean all in one application for small areas such as decks or rent a power washer for a whole house. If you plan to switch from a darker stain to a lighter one you will need to remove the old stain fully to achieve the best results. Preparing the siding for staining 1.