How to Stain Cedar Boards
Cedar boards should be protected so they will not rot from humidity or fade from sun exposure. The best way to protect the boards is by applying stain to them. The cedar boards should be properly prepared before the stain is applied.
How to Stain Cedar Boards
Materials Needed
- Bucket
- Water
- Liquid dish detergent
- Scrub brush
- 80 grit sandpaper
- Semitransparent oil based stain
- Paintbrush
- Paint stirrer
- Fill a bucket with water and ¼ cup of liquid dish detergent. Use a scrub brush and the cleaning solution to thoroughly clean the boards. Rinse the boards with water from a garden hose. Allow the boards to dry.
- Place drop cloth under the boards. Sand over the surface of the boards on both sides with 80 grit sandpaper. Make sure you follow the direction of the grain when you and the boards.
- Open a can of oil based stain. The stain should be semitransparent. Blend the stain with a paint stick. Apply the stain with a paintbrush. Make sure you are in a shaded area when applying the stain. Allow the stain to dry for 24 hours.
- Apply a second coat of stain and allow it to dry for 24 hours. You can apply additional coats of stain but allow each coat to dry before applying the next coat.
- Flip the cedar boards over and stain the other side in the same manner as you stained the other side. Allow the boards to dry for 24 hours.