Replies

1. 
   sawdustdad | May 19, 2009 06:21pm | #1

   You can try using something like Thompsons water seal, but anything you apply will be temporary and gone in a year or less. do not apply a varnish or other film based product unless you want to remove and reapply it every year or so.

   My advice is to leave it natural and enjoy the silver color while not spending time and money on a losing battle against nature.

    

    

2. 
   Mahoganaholic | May 19, 2009 06:29pm | #2

   I'll 2nd that. Thompson's and let it go gray. Trying to keep cedar bright on a fence would be a lot of work.

3. 
   WillGeorge | May 19, 2009 07:13pm | #3

   Cedar.. My job would use Linseed oil, also known as "flax seed oil".

   Use nothing else unless you want to change the color or is that colour?...

   Cabot make some great wood stains. No, I do not work for cabot.. Just used them...

   And I believe they make a clear stain with UV inhibitors..?

   
   

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   Edited 5/19/2009 12:14 pm by WillGeorge

1. 
   SteveSchoene | May 19, 2009 07:21pm | #4

   If the fence is in a location where it could develop mildew, linseed oil is a very bad choice.  Mildew seems to thrive on it, according to the forest products laboratory. 

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 19, 2009 07:44pm | #5

   Mildew seems to thrive on IT and ANYTHING in the shade!

   I am no big brain on stuff like your response.. And you have all sorts of toxic things availabe..

   Then I would say a bucket of beach water, a scrup brush, and time..

4. 
   saschafer | May 19, 2009 07:49pm | #6

   Rebuild the fence with new or resurfaced wood every other year.

   Seriously, that would be the least amount of work required to keep the fence looking like fresh cedar.

   -Steve

    

5. 
   webted | May 19, 2009 08:38pm | #7

   Penofin works quite well, and you can spray it with one of those cheap ($20 - 40) hand pump type sprayers. Follow it with a big brush to even it out. Two coats the first year, then every year or so down the road. It goes on pretty easy, so it's not like it's a huge maintenance hassle. It took me a couple of hours to do 150 - 200 linear feet of fencing. You can see it in the background of the house picture on my sadly out of date webpage:

   http://mysite.verizon.net/res1ej4d/index.html

   -t

1. 
   Gretchen | May 20, 2009 12:09am | #9

   I would take that fence as THE ultimate reason to take your advice. It is gorgeous.Gretchen

6. 
   hammer1 | May 19, 2009 09:26pm | #8

   Check out this place, The Sealer Store. They carry all the various exterior wood treatment products. They can answer questions for you and make a recommendation. I've been using the Defy products but I've heard good things about Messmers and TWP. Penofin finally has a VOC compliant product but its new. Both new and old wood need to be properly prepped and there are tutorials on how this should be done.

   http://www.opwdecks.com/defy-original-finish.htm

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

7. 
   Ray | May 21, 2009 04:06pm | #10

   Country Wood Finish, made by "Flood" is pretty good, I used their clear finish on cedar siding.  It did a good job of preventing weathering.  I believe Home Depot carries it.

   Don't go there :) my wife doesn't like the looks of weathered cedar.

   
   

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   Edited 5/21/2009 9:06 am ET by Ray

8. 
   YesMaam27577 | May 23, 2009 01:10am | #11

   Use a linseed oil product, that also has UV protection.

   Flood's CWF-UV comes to mind.

   And if you have the money, Pennofin is the absolute best. Hard to find, and pricy -- but best (its actually a teak oil I think).

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.
1. 
   SteveSchoene | May 23, 2009 02:41am | #12

   "Teak oil" isn't a type of product, it's a marketing name for oil finishes that are typically, but not always, mixes of oil and varnish--I suspect some brands include a bit of amber dye, mostly to look rich on the shelf. 

   I do see good comments about Penofin from time to time, but haven't used it myself and can't comment on what is actually in it, or how well it works.   

9. 
   surfacrestoration | Feb 14, 2013 07:34am | #13

   Hi friend! I recommended you to visit surfacerestoration.com; you will find TWP-Total Wood Preservative. It resists water penetration, prevents UV cracking, resists mildew & mold, prevents freeze-thaw damage, will not peel or flake and prevents wood from turning gray & weathered.

10. 
    pressurewashingmichigan | Feb 16, 2013 01:36am | #14

    Visit pressurewashingmichigan; you will find TWP-Total Wood Preservative. It resists water penetration, prevents UV cracking, resists mildew & mold, prevents freeze-thaw damage, will not peel or flake and prevents wood from turning gray & weathered. So i recommended you to use this.