I would like to know what any of you use for sealing or priming bare cedar, when making sandblasted cedar signs. (redwood is not readily available here) Paintability is a must.
I had bad results with my favorite latex primer, and now know that water causes a chemical leaching reaction in some woods, cedar being one of them. I am not sure if redwood has a similar reaction.
What base do you find works well? (Brands might not be available in Canada)
Thanx,
Ivan
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
bump...i would also like to know...i am using allwood cedar blanks for a big job and don't want to screw it up...i was just gonna use the oneshot blockout and use oneshot enamel over it...that ok?
Posted by Murray MacDonald (Member # 3558) on :
I use cedar all the time here, and have had good results with some benjamin Moore products. If it's gonna be all paint, Fresh Start primer, if it's stained, Cetol23 in your choice of stain, with Cetol TGL clear as a clearcoat. There is also a product called Pentox, a primer sealer of venerable age, that is excellent under anything.I don't have the address handy but google will. Hope this helps. MUR
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
SignLife primer from TubeLight in Columbus OH is what we use. It goes on clear and has a semi-gloss when dry. After dry we use a red scothbrite pad to knock down the shine and give it some tooth for paint to adhere to.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Signlife primer here too. Also, Sherwin Williams solid color "Woodscapes" stain works very well as a primer. I have a big cedar sign in front of my shop(facing south)which has Woodscapes for the sandblasted background and as the primer for the latex topcoat. It's 4 years old and holding up well so far. Use two coats at least. Any tannins will be trapped in the first coat.
Posted by Danny Busselle (Member # 3746) on :
This One is EASY SHALLAC THIN COATS only drys as fast as you put it on...
Posted by Jean Shimp (Member # 198) on :
If the sign will be a light color background I will use an oil-based primer (Cabot's) to prevent bleed from the cedar. However my preference is latex primer and top coat. I rarely use alkyd paints anymore - they oxidize and look terrible after 3 years facing south. Make sure your wood is kiln-dried.
Posted by Marty Engel (Member # 3483) on :
Hi Ivan,
Most paint manufacturers recommend the use of an oil based primer for woods like cedar, redwood, teak and mahogany. I have had good luck with Zinsser Cover Stain.
Danny is right about shellac for a sealer coat. However it should only be used on interior work as the shellac may soften in the sun. Keep in mind to use a de-waxed variety. Zinsser makes a good premixed variety called Bullseye Sealcoat. It is a 2lb cut and can be brushed or padded.
