GOLDENS BRIDGE NY WESTCHESTER COUNTY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS

/ EXTERIOR HOUSE PAINTING POUND RIDGE NY / By

Stain or Paint the Porch and Steps, Siding trim Doors

Next, consider priming and painting or staining your porch and steps. Much like the front door, it’s easy to miss or get used to how your porch currently looks. A fresh paint job can really transform the look and feel of your home’s entrance. TESTIMONIALS

New Siding Stain or Deck Porch

Before starting, do a thorough cleaning, fix any broken boards or structural issues, and tape off areas you don’t want to paint. Start with a cleaner and etcher, which will remove things like rust, red clay and oil stains and will prepare the surface. 

STAIN PORCH

For concrete, use a bonding primer, which is designed to promote optimal paint adhesion. For color, you can choose one in the same family as your house or trim color or just go with a deep gray. Grays go with everything. manuelzpaintinghomeimprovementinc.com

Natural Cedar Restoration (Deck, Siding, Fence)

Here’s a professional, step-by-step process to restore cedar and bring back its natural color while protecting the wood long-term.

1. Inspection & Prep

  • Check for rot, loose boards, popped nails, splinters
  • Replace damaged cedar before cleaning
  • Protect plants, windows, and nearby surfaces

2. Cleaning (Key Step)

Goal: Remove dirt, mildew, old stain, and gray oxidation

Best method

  • Use a cedar-safe wood cleaner or stripper (oxygenated or sodium percarbonate)
  • Apply with pump sprayer
  • Let dwell 10–15 minutes (don’t let it dry)
  • Light pressure wash
    • 500–800 PSI for siding
    • 800–1,000 PSI for decks
  • Always follow the wood grain

⚠️ Avoid high pressure — it will fuzz and scar cedar

3. Brightening (Restores Natural Color)

  • Apply a wood brightener (oxalic acid)
  • Neutralizes the cleaner
  • Restores warm cedar tone
  • Opens pores for better stain absorption
  • Rinse thoroughly

4. Drying Time

  • Let cedar dry 48–72 hours
  • Moisture content should be below 15%

5. Sanding (If Needed)

  • Light sanding for:
    • Fuzzy wood
    • Raised grain
    • Heavy weathering
  • Use 80–100 grit (don’t over-sand)

6. Natural Finish Protection

For a true natural look, use:

  • Clear or Natural-tone penetrating oil
    • Semi-transparent cedar oil
    • UV inhibitors are a must

Application

  • Brush or stain pad (best control)
  • Back-brush for even penetration
  • One coat usually enough (follow manufacturer)

7. Maintenance Schedule

  • Clean yearly
  • Re-oil every 12–24 months
  • Avoid film-forming stains (they peel on cedar)

Best Products (Professional Grade)

  • Cleaners: Restore-A-Deck, Armstrong-Clark, DEFY
  • Brighteners: Oxalic acid-based
  • Finishes: Penetrating oil, semi-transparent cedar tone