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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Solid color stain v. transparent
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beachman
Member
# Posted: 16 Sep 2012 05:38pm
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I am about to stain my cedar shingle cabin and I was leaning towards the transparent stain v. solid color because I was under the impression that the solid color might peel or crack in time. However, I like the look and the selection of the solid colors. Does anyone have thoughts or experience here?

OwenChristensen
Member
# Posted: 16 Sep 2012 05:54pm
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I've been led to believe solid color protects better.

Owen

hiddenacres
# Posted: 16 Sep 2012 11:31pm
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We just used a semi-transparent stain/sealer on our cedar deck. LOVE it!! The semitransparent is oil based and the solid stain/sealer is water based.

RnR
Member
# Posted: 17 Sep 2012 05:00pm
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Dear Beachman,

I used solid stain because the exterior is not nice wood, but if you ahve cedar shingles I would go with a transparent or semi-transparent stain that will show some wood grain. I used an oil-modified water (acrylic) based stain. Turned out very nice, but you have to keep stirring it as you apply it.

If the shingles are in good condition, I think you will be happier with the result because opaque stain doesn't look any different from paint, it's just more resilient against the elements and is designed to bond to the wood much better. If you are not happy with the first area you do with transparent stain, you can always go over it with opaque/solid stain, but you can't go back the other way around.

All the best with your project, send photos!

beachman
Member
# Posted: 18 Sep 2012 08:26am
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Thanks RnR and others. I gues I will go with the transparent stain due to the fact that I can always change to the solid later, but not the other way around. I am fortunate to have nice cedar shingles and can let the natuarl grains show through. Tough part now to pick a colour. I'd like to start before the shingles get too weathered.

wakeslayer
Member
# Posted: 18 Sep 2012 12:25pm
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I have used a product called Preserva-Wood on the cedar siding on our cabins. I used the clear, not the tinted. Been very happy with it. I sealed the cabin in 2007, and just did it again this summer. I probably should have done it a year or two ago, but some light sanding on the areas that started to mildew (?) cleaned it right up and looked great when done. It is not available here in MN for some reason. Had to search the local HD store in Sandpoint.

Preserva Wood

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