How to Refinish Cedar Paneling
- 1). Remove all of the old broken, peeling or shards of finish from the panels, using a scraper. If any finish remains firmly attached to the panels, you can leave it intact.
- 2). Sand down the panels with sandpaper to smooth the exposed wood and any finish particles that remain. The wood should be smooth without any perceptible differences on the surface.
- 3). Clean the paneling with household bleach and a sponge to kill any possible fungus or bacteria living in the wood. Rinse the panels thoroughly with a hose to clean away the bleach.
- 4). Scrub down the panels with a stiff plastic-bristle brush. Wash down the panels again with clean water to remove any dirt and fibers.
- 5). Wait for the cedar to dry completely after the cleaning and apply one coat of wood primer. Leave the primer to dry thoroughly.
- 6). Apply the finish you have chosen to the primed cedar using one or two coats, depending on how deep you want the finish to be.
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