Treating Cedar

[trackman]

Do any of you treat cedar before putting on a finish?  An if so how/what?  It seems like the wood covers different in spots. 

[oldhudson]

If I'm staining wood. I sand it as needed and then, nearly always, seal it with a couple of light coat of shellac. It dries in under an hour. Then give the shellac a light sanding. I've been tempted to try Minwax Sanding Sealer or the Conditioner but haven't been able to get my wallet open.

[Dave Monk]

3 hours ago, trackman said:

Do any of you treat cedar before putting on a finish?  An if so how/what?  It seems like the wood covers different in spots. 

I spray (not rattle can) three coats of pre catalyzed lacquer. First coat really gets sucked up. Soft maple is about the same.  Works good for me.

[JimErn]

Ever since Kevin posted on how to make his beeswax/mineral oil concoction, I have been using that on all wood species, then top coating with lacquer.

[tomsteve]

if im using cedar- or other woods that blotch- and its going to be stained, i spray it with mineral spirits first. allow the MS to soak in then apply the stain.

on cedar, if im just applying a clear topcoat, many times i will  apply a 50/50 mixture of BLO/MS. allow that to dry then apply the clear. that helps the clear not soak in so and less coats for good coverage

[trackman]

4 hours ago, tomsteve said:

 

on cedar, if im just applying a clear topcoat, many times i will  apply a 50/50 mixture of BLO/MS. allow that to dry then apply the clear. that helps the clear not soak in so and less coats for good coverage

Thanks I will give that a try next time. 

[Phantom Scroller]

Beeswax and mineral oil for me brings out the grain and colours. Roly

[Jim Finn]

On 12/10/2019 at 7:42 PM, oldhudson said:

"... nearly always, seal it with a couple of light coat of shellac. It dries in under an hour. Then give the shellac a light sanding. …"

This is what I do with cedar, also.  I then spray with  lacquer.  (rattle can) I use a LOT of cedar.

[oldhudson]

42 minutes ago, Jim Finn said:

This is what I do with cedar, also.  I then spray with  lacquer.  (rattle can) I use a LOT of cedar.

Just curious, do you mix your own or do use Zinnser or.....

[Jim Finn]

I just brush on Deft and  sand it. (usually one, or sometimes, two coats) I spray on rattle can of cheap lacquer.  Less than $4 a can.  "Krylon Triple thick  finish." Gloss.