Cedar Maintenance Around Your Home

Best Cedar Maintenance Products for NZ Conditions

Dryden offers the best cedar maintenance products for New Zealand conditions. Our range of wood oils, stains and cleaners are designed to help protect and enhance the natural beauty of your cedar exteriors.

Explore the range of best cedar maintenance products.

How To Seal And Protect Cedar From The Elements

The biggest enemy of cedar cladding is moisture, which is why a migrating oil like Dryden WoodOil is an excellent choice. Dryden WoodOil migrates deep into the timber and repels water while accentuating the natural grain.

To protect your cedar from NZ’s harsh sun, add Dryden Colourtone+, which comes in a wide range of wood oil colours.

How to Identify the Coating on Your Cladding

The most common test to identify the existing coating involves using methylated spirits, as it’s widely available. You can also judge by the finish and look of the timber – if the cladding has a shiny or plastic appearance or is clearly flaking, then it’s most likely a film-forming stain.

You can also do a simple burnish/dry rub test to see how easy it is to remove the pigment. However, please note that all these methods are indicative only and not foolproof. So, to accurately identify the coating on your cladding, it’s best to consult a professional.

See the full guide on checking the existing coating on your cedar.

How To Choose A Cedar Stain Product And Apply It

A semi-transparent wood stain is best for cedar cladding as it brings out the natural grain with your preferred colour. This is exactly what WoodOil and ColourTone+ is designed for!

Remember to use the same colour throughout the application so your cedar cladding maintains a consistent look.

If you’re using multiple cans, mix them together to keep the same tone throughout. One method to do this is ‘boxing’ – mixing half of bucket one and half of bucket two in a separate bucket.

Keep in mind that the final colour of the stain or clear finish can vary based on the quality of application, type of timber, natural colour, texture, grain, and porosity.

Common Questions About Cedar Maintenance

Because Cedar cladding is exposed to the elements, it’s recommended that you give it a soft wash every year and apply a coat of wood oil or 1-2 coats of stain every few years – but this depends on the product used and the timber’s condition.

The timing and number of coats depend on the timber’s natural variations and the weather in your area. Generally, more direct sun means more frequent maintenance is needed.

Regular checks and appropriate maintenance coats will not only maintain its weather-resistant properties but also keep it looking impeccable. Here’s the detailed guide.

How often do I need to apply an oil or stain to cedar?

Because Cedar cladding is exposed to the elements, it’s recommended that you give it a soft wash every year and apply a coat of wood oil or 1-2 coats of stain every few years – but this depends on the product used and the timber’s condition.

The timing and number of coats depend on the timber’s natural variations and the weather in your area. Generally, more direct sun means more frequent maintenance is needed.

Regular checks and appropriate maintenance coats will not only maintain its weather-resistant properties but also keep it looking impeccable.

Can you stop cedar from going grey?

To maintain the rich, warm tones of cedar, it’s important to coat the cedar with a high-quality sealant. A premium solution like Dryden WoodOil protects from the inside out and contains an anti-fungal additive to help protect against mould and decay. – and it’s perfect with Colourtone+, which slows the cedar from turning grey with its UV-blocking properties.