How to Paint Old Redwood Siding

Last Updated: December 30, 2021

Redwood is a beautiful, increasingly rare type of soft wood used in siding. It is rarely used today, because of its high price tag. This means that most redwood siding is old, and often in need of care. One way to care for redwood siding is to paint it. You must take extra care in the preparation of the siding because it is softwood and will mar more easily than hardwoods. Invest in time, excellent materials and proper paint, and your paint job will be less likely to peel. A good paint job can last for 10 years or more. This article will tell you how to paint old redwood siding.

Steps

1
Consult your hardware store about the condition of your redwood siding. If it is already painted, you will want to carefully strip the paint away with scrapers and sandpaper. Make sure to take the time to invest time in this process, since the preparation exposes the initial layer of redwood, allowing it to breathe and absorb the primer and paint.
2
Wash the wood with a weak solution of tri-sodium phosphate (TSP), if it is allowed in your state. Check into the health regulations regarding this toxic material. Rinse well with water and allow the redwood to dry.
- Use eye-protection, gloves, long-sleeved shirts and pants when working with TSP. Make sure no animals or children get near it. Dispose of excess TSP at a toxic waste disposal site.
- Do not allow your newly stripped redwood sit long without staining. Because it is soft, it can easily absorb moisture and dirt.
Advertisement
3
Make sure your redwood is dry enough to absorb a little water. Test it on a small area. You want to make sure it is ready to absorb the primer.
4
Use a roller and brush to apply 1 coat of oil or alkyd-based primer. Ask your hardware store if they have any specially formulated redwood primers. Use the roller on the straight parts of the sidings and use the brush to apply the primer in all cracks and sides of the siding.
5
Allow the primer to dry completely before beginning your redwood paint job. An optional step is to coat the primer with 1 coat of "Duration" or a similar product that will help your paint job to last longer.
6
Paint the surface of the primed wood with 2 coats of latex paint in the color of your choice. This acrylic paint will stretch and shrink with the wood as it ages. Buy a top-quality paint, if it is in your budget, and the paint job is more likely to last longer.
- Use a clean roller and brush to apply the coats of paint. You may want to begin by brushing the edges and then rolling the straight parts to get a uniform coat. Make sure to follow the paint's directions of drying times between coats. This can be between a couple of days and a week.
- Try to apply your paint in dry temperatures over 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). This will help to avoid bubbling or peeling due to humidity.
- For redwood that has maintained its looks, you may be able to use a paint sprayer. This is how paint is applied on most new redwood siding.
7
Allow the paint to dry. Wash your siding with a water sprayer and some soap periodically to maintain the paint job. Rinse well and allow it to dry.

Community Q&A

Question

I get large bubbles or blisters. When I scrape them, it exposes the bare wood. The house is 108 years old, but I suspect the siding is 50 years old. This happens in a detached, non-heated garage. The wood has been tested for moisture and it is dry.

Community Answer

Redwood siding is better stained than painted. The wood itself is very resistant to rot. There are several opaque stains that are almost like paint.

Warnings

Beware when removing old layers of paint. Some were lead-based paint and they are hazardous to your health. Consider hiring a team of professional painters to remove the paint, or make sure you wear a face mask and dispose of all lead-based paint at a toxic waste removal center.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1