Stripping semi-transparent stain from cedar siding

[sdo]

About 6 years ago I built an 8 x 16 shed and sided and trimmed with western red cedar. I regretted from day 1, the decision of applying a semi-transparent alkyd stain which ended up way too orange. In hind sight I should have just used a clear preservative and let the cedar age and naturally gray. The stain went on like a paint, and really didn't penetrate so it more or less sits on the surface. Its in need of some maintenance because Sun and weather has caused some to slough off, but I'd like to get it off rather than re-apply. What is an effective economical option?

Are their any stripping agents that wouldn't harm my galvanized roof and flashing, (or give me an unintentional skin peal) that would weaken it so I could remove with a pressure washer? Water and power is cheap, I don't want to invest in any other blasting options like corn cob, walnut shells, etc. Shed shown on my avatar picture is the unit I am talking about.

 

[6PTsocket]

I think that shed is phenominal just as is. I like the color and that metel roof is really nice. The color does not look opaque, I can see kno3ts and grain. I can't see the peeling. Sorry I have no good info. on stripping it but that is a really nice shed. I would hit it with a pressure washer with a broad enough tip to not tear up the wood and see what happens.

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[MarlynOC]

HD80 or Ripit but apply with a pump up sprayer and power wash off then neutralize with brightener. Keep it off metal surfaces.

 

[kd3pc]

nothing is going to remove it from the cedar, without getting into, and removing wood fibers...

and if you try the chemicals and then power wash, it will likely look much worse.

I often use test panels with stain, to show customers...so they have some idea what their selections will really look like...seldom do things look the way the marketing pictures present them.

YMMV

 

[yeldogt]

The old oil based semi was a great product and could be recoated without much fuss -- the newer oil stuff and all of the latex products are basically paint IMO. I'm in the same boat as you with a very long board and batten wall. I found the best way was to brush all with a very stiff brush -- clean off with bleach solution and hose it all down. Let dry - brush and recoat.

 

[flan]

If you use a pressure washer to remove the color you will wreck the wood in the process. The stain soaks in so you have to remove the layer that holds the stain. Short of sanding there is no great way. It should darken with sun exposure over the years.

 

[jptbay]

Our entire house is cedar sided.

When we bought the house, the stain coating was failing in many spots because the previous owner did not maintain it. Stain was Sikkens.

We stripped it without damaging the wood grain by first wetting the siding, then hand pump spraying chemical stain remover (Behr) from home depot that we let sit for about 15 minutes, then aggressively brushing with a very stiff short bristled brush on a 3 foot handle. Brush was about 2" x 6". Then we used an electric 1500 psi pressure washer with a wide spray pattern to finish it off.

The brushing was backbreaking and I never want to do it ever again, but the house turned out amazing. We restained with Sikkens, first a base then two translucent top coats. We reapplied another top coat after 6 years, and will do it again in 6 years intervals to maintain the finish. Harsh sun is a stain killer.

 

[DCarr2]

your better off letting it wear off.

 

[6768rogues]

I used to have a red cedar deck and we used powdered deck cleaner and a good pressure washer to clean it, and in the process nearly all the old stain came off.

 

[sdo]

Thanks for the suggestions.