Funny, I used to be all about that “perfect” cedar look too—spent way too many weekends re-staining the porch. Then last year, I let a section go just to see what would happen. It turned this silvery gray that actually kinda grew on me, even if it does remind me of my granddad’s old tool shed. Still, I totally get wanting to keep the grain front and center. There’s just something satisfying about seeing the wood’s character come through, even if it means more elbow grease every spring.
Funny, I used to be all about that “perfect” cedar look too—spent way too many weekends re-staining the porch. Then last year, I let a section go just to see what would happen.
Letting cedar weather naturally does have its own charm, I’ll give you that. Still, I’m the type who likes to see the original color pop. That said, sanding and sealing every year is a pain. I tried a semi-transparent stain once—kept the grain visible but lasted longer than clear sealers. Maybe worth a shot if you ever want to mix it up.
I hear you on the maintenance grind—cedar's gorgeous, but it’s real work if you want to keep that fresh-cut look. I’ve had decent luck with oil-based semi-transparent stains too. They seem to hold up better, and you don’t have to reapply every single year. Downside is they can be trickier to clean up, but the payoff’s worth it if you like that color to stick around.
I’ve wondered about the oil-based stains—everyone says they last longer, but I always get nervous about the cleanup and fumes. Water-based is so much easier to deal with, but you’re right, it just doesn’t hold up as well on cedar. Have you ever tried a hybrid stain? I read somewhere they combine the best of both worlds, but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Honestly, keeping that “just built” look on cedar feels like a full-time job some years...
- Tried a hybrid stain last year on my fence—honestly, it was less hassle than oil but still not as easy as water-based.
- Cleanup wasn’t terrible, but you still need mineral spirits for brushes.
- Durability’s better than water-based, not quite oil-level though.
- Price was higher, which bugged me since I’m always watching the budget.
- If you’re after that fresh cedar look, nothing really lasts more than a season or two in my experience... I just accept a little weathering now.
