I'm doing a carved 6' x6' Cedar sign that I want to finish in it's natural colour or something close. What the best finish for Cedar that requires the least maintenance and looks natural?
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
Sign Life made a good oil sealer its been a long time since I used it I mixed it with one shots to make stains they lasted well I even did a maroon sign one time and it held up it was sandblasted cedar.....
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
Kelly,
We use Sikkens, Log and Siding. You should consider it. Two coats are best but be careful, it doesn't smell good. Lasts and lasts.
Joe
Posted by Colleen Henderson (Member # 906) on :
Hi Kelly, we use Sikkens also for our cedar sandblasted signs. It's a 2 part - a penetrating slightly tinted stain & a finish coat (Cetol 1 & 2 I think) We've had excellent success.
Posted by Pat Welter (Member # 785) on :
Hi Kelly Larry Whan of Banff Signs told me about this...and have used it ever since...Its gives the longest life on cedar signs for our weather exposure, than anyting I've ever used....
Nazdar 59000 Series Enamal Plus Gloss Screen Ink 59140 Overprint Clear...
It takes about 5 coates as you thin the first coat about 50% with mineral spirits then gradually reduce the mineral sprits in the subsequent coats... it stays soft and expands and contracts with the cedar it also flows out great...Great info from Larry and Best results I've ever had on cedar...Pat
Posted by Rene Giroux (Member # 4980) on :
Hi Kel, I did a lot of cedar signs in the years and always used, with great results, the Cetol system. The brand is Sikkens, product 1 is called Cetol-1 and the other one is called Cetol-23, two coats of that one. They have an array of colors available.
See your local Sikkens dealer for details (sounds like an add eh?)
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Hiya Kelly, Never worked much with cedar, but did a lot of redwood signs in the way Mr. Boone describes.
I don't know how long it lasts for, because I never had to refinish any
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Thanks or your help. Pat does that screen print enamel leave a glossy finish?
Posted by Tom Henningson (Member # 7442) on :
How long does the Cetol System last?
We used to use liquid rawhide until Behr changed the formula. We also used to use McCloskey's "Man O'War" Log Home finish until Valspar bought them and dis-continued the product line.
We're now using the last of our McCloskey stock and experimenting with new products. A promising product is sold by Cedar Village in Edmonton called CV224-Gloss, and is the most similar to the old liquid rawhide.
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
Tom,
There's seems to be some miss understanding about Sikkens products.
Their premium cedar product is "Log and Siding" It costs about double the that of their Cetol product. I'd suggest you check out both and make your decision from there. For us Cetol will only last a couple of years.
Posted by Tom Henningson (Member # 7442) on :
Thanks Joe, I haven't tried the Sikkens Log and Siding product...but I will.
The CV224 product costs us $70/GAL! We used to pay $30/GAL for the McCloskey (Canadian Dollars). Better be good!
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
Tom,
I believe Log and Siding costs about the same. It's not good to stay in a closed room when painting it. The product is a little thick and seems to last very well.
Good luck,
Posted by Pat Welter (Member # 785) on :
Hey Kelly its high gloss, looks good... I too only get a couple of years out of the cetol, but the Nazdar does the trick we have some going over 5 yrs and looking great.
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