Choice of Interior Finishes

The rich beauty of Western Red Cedar's natural color can be enhanced or modified by applying any of a number of commercial finishes. If left in its natural state, some darkening of the wood can be expected as it ages and the color variation will become less pronounced. Application of transparent finishes will also darken Western Red Cedar to some degree but they form a protective surface that is easier to maintain.

Bleached finishes result in a sun bleached driftwood look. It can be achieved with commercially available bleaching agents. After bleaching, the Western Red Cedar can be left in its natural state or given a coat of clear sealer.

Clear wax is a finish option for smooth surfaced cedar. Few finishes bring out its inner luster so well. There are also unpigmented liquid waxes on the market which incorporate a penetrating vehicle.

Clear finishes or water-based acrylic, polyurethane or acrylic/polyurethanes are an excellent option for finishing Western Red Cedar at home. These finishes can be brushed on to produce a non-yellowing coating that does not mask the natural appearance of cedar.They contain very low levels of solvents and other compounds that can reduce indoor air quality. They are available in flat (matte), satin (semi¬gloss) and gloss finishes from a number of manufacturers. When choosing a brand it is important to specify a non-yellowing formula unless an amber tint to the Western Red Cedar is preferred. High-gloss polyurethanes provide the most durable finish but the highly-reflective surface may be objectionable to some. These products are not suitable for exterior use.

Oils such as Danish oil, tung oil and boiled linseed oil are widely available and easily applied to smooth or textured Western Red Cedar; however, they tend to darken the wood unevenly and should be tested on a sample before final application.

Clear lacquer can be used for smooth surfaces. It is an unobtrusive finish which helps to retain much of Western Red Cedar's natural beauty. It is not recommended, however, for kitchens and bathrooms or areas which require more than a light dusting for regular household cleaning.Due to their fast drying characteristics, some lacquers are best applied with an air-less sprayer rather than brush. For best results, two or more coats are recommended, and sanded with the grain between applications. For optimum surface durability, the first coat may be of high gloss lacquer followed by one or two coats of matte or satin lacquer.

Clear varnish is recommended only for smooth surfaces. It will inevitably add a richer, darker tone to cedar. Two coats applied by brush are acceptable for most areas but additional coats should be added for kitchen and bathroom use.

The surface will be slightly brittle and may show scratches but these can be touched up with a tinted wax. Varnish-finished surfaces can be cleaned with soapy water, or wiped with thinners.

Varnish stains are varnishes to which color pigment has been added. Although difficult toapply, they are available in a broad choice of tones and tints.

Paint is an unlikely choice as an interior finishing medium because it will hide the intrinsic beauty of Western Red Cedar. However, if it is desired to accent a feature wall or door for example, any of the following paints may be used:

• Latex or oil-based paints should be used over a stain-blocking primer recommended by the manufacturer. A more common interior use for latex or oil-based paints is as a tinting medium. Only a few pieces should be painted at a time and then allowed to sit for a few seconds before wiping with a clean cloth. By controlling the amount of paint used and the time that elapses before wiping, a wide variety of effects can be achieved while still allowing the grain to show through.
  
  
• Enamels used over cedar require both a primer and an enamel undercoat. Check the manufacturer's directions before  application
  
  
• Glazing and antiquing is an innovative finishing technique that employs transparent or translucent glazes - sometimes several layers of super-imposed glazes - over a base of alkyd or oil-based paint. Although this technique is more commonly used on woods of lesser quality and character, it is perfectly adaptable for use on Western Red Cedar.