What kinds of questions would you like see addressed in this section?
I would like to make this page as informative as practical. Please email me your questions and I will add them to this section. Thanks.

How do I finish my furniture?

1. Oil/varnish combinations: the easiest to use, flood on, wipe off in 10-15 minutes; continue to touch up as needed.
2. Oil/Water Based Stain: Your cedar chair can be stained any color utilizing a good brand of oil or water based stain; paint on, wipe off; maintain as needed
3. Paint: to paint cedar you must first utilize an acrylic water based primer followed by a water based acrylic enamel top coat; if you do not use a primer, the cedar will always “bleed through”” your top coat.

What will happen if I don’t put any finish on my chair?
Over time your chair will change to a silver/gray color.

How do you recommend I clean up my furniture?
It is not unusual for outdoor furniture to collect dust or other stuff that comes with being outside. I have found that using dishwashing liquid detergent (not the kind you put in your dishwasher)apllied to a sponge will clean up your furniture very well. I use a sponge that has a scouring side with it and it works well. I recommend you lightly rub while cleaning and wash off/rinse with your hose. Remember, that if your wood is stained, rubbing too hard may remove some of your stain. I also recommend you hand dry with a towel to avoid any water marks.

Useful information concerning Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar is a fantastic choice for outdoor furniture building because of its combination of unique properties. It is dimensionally stable meaning that it lays flat and stays straight. Even grain and consistent density make it less likely to warp, cup, or twist. It’s fragrant, dark-colored heartwood naturally resists rot and insect infestation in outdoor environments without the need for preservative chemicals. Western Red Cedar is more rot resistant than the Eastern varieties. It also comes from a significantly larger tree so it can yield a larger variety of dimensional lumber. It has a rich warm aesthetic quality offering a range of natural hues, tight grain patterns, and soft texture. Fresh cut Cedar will come in a wide range of honey/peach shades of light brown. When exposed to weather it will change in color to silver gray. The areas most exposed to the Sun’s rays may exhibit some weather checking; however this does not compromise the wood’s strength. Cedar’s softness makes it very easy to work with and readily accepts protective sealers or stains. Red Cedar is similar to Redwood in many of its properties because both are from the same genus. Western Red Cedar however has more flexural toughness than Redwood meaning that it can flex more without shattering and is also less dense and has less natural oil that makes it easier to accept stain. Western Red Cedar has 85% of the strength of Oak. Western Red Cedar forests are also more abundant and present somewhat less of an environmental issue for commercial logging if managed responsibly. Cedar Trees have a long history in the forestry industry and have been studied by scientists for over a century. The trees grow principally in the Pacific Northwest Forests; many reach heights of up to 200 feet tall. Western Red Cedar holds both nails and screws well. Nails are faster and cheaper to install but may produce squeaking as the wood shrinks. Screws are a more labor intensive alternative to nailing, and may result in small cracks to form around the screw head. Stainless Steel fasteners and Exterior Construction Adhesives are suggested for best long lasting results. If you should choose to stain your furniture you must select a product that is compatible with Western Red Cedar, check with stain or sealer manufacturer for recommendations and follow directions. If you decide to paint your furniture you MUST first prime the wood to stop any bleed thru that will affect the top coat (we suggest KILZS Premium Wood Primer). Any stain, sealer, or paint applied will most likely need to be lightly sanded and recoated annually to keep appearances.