Ask Your ProPartner™: The right topcoat and surface prep are crucial for long-lasting results on exterior wood.
For this edition of the PPC Ask Your ProPartner column, Dennis Fiorilli, Senior Director of Product Information & Excellence at Sherwin-Williams, answers a reader question: What paint do you recommend for painting cedar wood?
First step: Prep
Up to 80 percent of all coatings failures can be directly attributed to inadequate surface preparation, which affects coating adhesion. The first step in painting or staining cedar is to clean the cedar to remove any dirt, debris, mold or mildew and allow the wood to dry for 24 hours.
Prime and paint
Next, the wood should be primed using a wood primer designed to seal out wood tannins, like Sherwin-Williams® Exterior Oil Based Wood Primer or Sherwin-Williams Exterior Latex Primer (for areas with VOC restrictions).
Finally, topcoat using a premium exterior product to ensure lasting performance. Excellent options include Duration® Exterior Acrylic Latex and Emerald® Rain Refresh™ Exterior Acrylic Latex.
Formulated with PermaLast™ Technology, Duration Exterior offers more durability and a thicker coat than ordinary latex paint. It also provides excellent protection from cracking, peeling and blistering.
The latest addition to the Emerald line, Emerald Rain Refresh with Self-Cleaning Technology™ is an ultra-durable coating formulated to be self-cleaning by shedding dirt upon contact with rain or water. That means it easily washes away dirt to make upkeep easier and achieve a cleaner look to increase the curb appeal of your customer’s home.
Staining the wood
For a solid stain option, we recommend applying two coats of WoodScapes® Rain Refresh™ directly to new or reconditioned cedar siding. The latest innovation in our WoodScapes collection, this exterior stain is formulated with Self-Cleaning Technology™ to help keep the freshly painted surface looking clean with a simple rinse or rain.
Designed for easy application, this WoodScapes stain has great adhesion and resistance to peeling. The outstanding hide, coverage and block resistance make it easy for you to achieve a nearly flawless finish.
Like all WoodScapes products, this mildew resistant stain acts as a preventative measure against mold and blocks tannin bleed to keep your surfaces fresh and clean. Your customers benefit from a more consistent finish over time, while you can worry less when painting.
As a final note, no exterior painting or staining should be done immediately after a rain, during foggy weather or when rain is predicted. All products mentioned in this article can be applied in temperatures as low as 35° F (1.67° C).
Got a question?
We’re here to help! You can find answers to common product and application questions in our Ask Your ProPartner archive.
Or, send your question to Dennis via our secure contact form.
©2026 Fusable. Photo courtesy Sherwin-Williams.
