Best Exterior Stain For Cedar Siding (With Buying Guide)

Being a house owner isn’t easy, is it? You’ll have to be on the lookout for different problems and their solutions. And when fixing these problems, you’ll lose a bit of time and money. 

Similar to the other problems, you’ll need to take care of the wooden surfaces like- sidings and fences. And if you go about a proactive approach to this problem then getting an exterior stain would do just fine. 

In fact, you’ll be shocked at how a few coats of exterior stain will work at protecting the cedar sidings. So, it’ll always be a win-win situation. 

Just a heads up- 

As there are tons of options in the market with great features, it’s not going to be easy to select the best product. That said, how should you select the best exterior stain for cedar siding?  

Fret not, we’re here to save the day. We’ve handpicked the best 6 products in this article after weeks of research. Furthermore, we’ve included a buying guide in the end that’ll make things even clear and easier. 

Sounds interesting? Let’s begin right away- 

Comparison Table For The Best Exterior Stain For Cedar Siding

Product	Size	Color
DEFY Extreme Exterior Wood Stain	1-Gallon	Cedar-Tone
Ready Seal 512 Exterior Stain and Sealer for Wood	5-Gallon	Natural Cedar
Cabot 140.0019202.007 Wood Toned Deck & Siding Exterior Stain	1-Gallon	Cedar
THOMPSONS WATERSEAL TH.041831-16 Waterproofing Stain	1-Gallon	Sequoia Red
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain for Decks, Fences, Wood Siding	2.5-Gallon	Clear
Olympic Stain 56500-1 Sealant	1-Gallon	Clear

1. DEFY Extreme Exterior Wood Stain

Let’s have some drum rolls for the first one in our list- DEFY Extreme Exterior Wood Stain. And, this is the best exterior wood stain for cedar siding. So, what’s so special about this product? 

Well, the USP of this product is that it enhances the beauty of the surface. Here, it ensures a smooth finish and an organic feel. So, the surface looks premium and feels great. 

Other than the aesthetics, it protects the surface as well. Firstly, the durable seal gives maximum protection against any type of weather. Here, the nanoparticles of the product work at protecting the surface from UV rays. So, the surface doesn’t face any type of cracking and dulling. It even protects from mildew formation. 

On the other hand, if you’re worried about the application then you’ll be relieved. This is because it’s easy to apply and you won’t require many tools to do the job. However, do clean the surface if you want the best results. 

So, if you’ve liked the defy epoxy deck stain reviews, we’ll definitely recommend this option for your household. This best exterior solid stain for cedar siding will provide maximum protection all the time. 

Grab this one here of Amazon.com

The Good

• Easy to apply. 
• Protects the surface from fading and cracking. 
• Enhances the beauty of the surface. 
• Protects from mold and mildew formation. 
• Durable product. 

The Bad

• Some folks complained about the transparency of the product. 

2. Ready Seal 512 Exterior Stain and Sealer for Wood

Looking to stain and seal the wooden surfaces in your household? With this product, you’ll be able to enjoy both worlds. The ready seal deck stain is the 2nd product in our list and one of the best quality stain for older exterior cedar siding.

For starters, you won’t have to apply this product a lot when coating the surface. Here, the oil-based formula ensures that it’s easy to apply and not time-consuming by any chance. 

Other than this, the product will work on all-temperature and a variety of surfaces. Besides, it works at providing the extra layer of protection from water and UV-rays. 

Lastly, when compared to the Cabot wood toned deck & siding stain, it dries faster and doesn’t have any complications when dried fully for the best cedar siding sealer. 

Grab this one here of Amazon.com

The Good

• Will be able to stain and seal the surface. 
• Easy to apply. 
• Can be applied to all temperatures. 
• Doesn’t need a primer. 
• Comes ready in the box. 

The Bad

• Lacks good customer service. 

3. Cabot 140.0019202.007 Wood Toned Deck & Siding Exterior Stain

Who doesn’t love a smooth and colorful wooden surface? In fact, many people stain the surfaces in the first place so that they look great to the eye. And, if you’re looking for this option then you’ll love this one. 

The 3rd product of our list makes sure that you’ll get an oily yet shiny surface after the application. In fact, it has the best finish for exterior cedar siding. Even though it looks good, it also works at protecting the surface. 

Speaking of protection, the Cabot cedar stain ensures that the surface doesn’t get damaged due to exposure of water. Here, the water repellent formula works at providing this benefit. 

Besides, the deep penetrating formula of this product ensures that it can stop the cracking of the surface as well. However, it’s not the best outdoor stain for cedar siding so keep that in mind before buying this product. 

Grab this one here of Amazon.com

The Good

• Available with 5 different tones. 
• It’s water-resistant. 
• Provides an oily finish that looks great. 
• Protects the surface. 

The Bad

• Doesn’t work well on the interior surface. 

4. THOMPSONS WATERSEAL TH.041831-16 Waterproofing Stain

Presenting you one of the few products on this list that’s made of a completely original formula- THOMPSONS WATERSEAL TH.041831-16 Waterproofing Stain. 

This is the best exterior solid color stain for cedar siding. But, how is that an issue? 

Well, the USP of this product is that it can be used on dry and damp wooden surfaces. 

Moreover, the Thompson water seal stain ensures that the surfaces will be water-proof for a longer period of time. As a result, your surfaces won’t get damaged easily when exposed to water. 

And, the application process is easier as well. But, you’ll have to prepare the surface and ensure that no dirt is present whatsoever. If you ensure these factors then you’re good to go. 

Grab this one here of Amazon.com

The Good

• It’s UV and water-resistant. 
• Doesn’t let the colors fade on the surface. 
• Has a faster drying time. 
• Comes with a multi-color availability. 
• Has the option of using on dry and damp wooden surfaces. 

The Bad

• It’s a bit difficult to remove. 

5. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain for Decks, Fences, Wood Siding

Even though we’re at the end of our list, we’ve got two interesting products for you. The 5th one is the Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain for Decks, Fences, Wood Siding. This is one of the best stain for exterior cedar wood siding. And, if you’re a fan of easy cleanup and easy application then you’ll love this option. 

Firstly, let’s focus on the build quality of the product. With a water-based formula, it’s easy to apply and clean-up. Moreover, it’s a completely eco-friendly product. So, you won’t be damaging the environment. As it’s a water-based stain, it contains low VOC elements and won’t produce harsh odors. 

And, to take things to the next level, the product doesn’t let mold and mildew form on the surface. Here, it prevents water from damaging the surface. Furthermore, it doesn’t let moisture accumulate on the surface as well. So, your sidings will be protected from any kind of mold formation. 

So, the restore-a-deck wood stain reviews show that it’s a great product and we’ll definitely recommend this to you. This best solid stain for cedar siding will do wonders when you’ll apply it. 

Grab this one here of Amazon.com

The Good

• It’s eco-friendly. 
• Easy to clean and easy to apply. 
• Has a faster drying time. 
• Reduces the wear of the surfaces. 
• UV-Rays resistant. 
• Has Low-VOC elements present in it. 

The Bad

• You’ll have to apply a bit more than usual. 
• Need to prepare the surface and purchase the right tools. 

6. Olympic Stain 56500-1 Sealant

Well, that brings us to the end of our list of the best exterior stain for cedar siding. And, the last product we have for you is the Olympic maximum waterproofing sealant clear. Don’t trust the position of this product, it’s still one of the best ones to go for. 

Starting off, the 2-In-1 solution of the product ensures that you’ll be able to enjoy both the worlds. Here, you’ll be able to stain and seal the cedar sidings. 

Apart from this, the application of this product is pretty simple and straightforward. In fact, you won’t have to waste your time on the preparation of the surface. Just open up the can and you’re good to go. 

As the sealant is water-resistant, it’ll seal off the surfaces properly. As a result, your wooden surfaces won’t get damaged when you expose them to water. 

So, by knowing this best stain for cedar siding reviews, it’ll be easy for you to make a decision about your final product. 

Grab this one here of Amazon.com

The Good

• Easy to apply. 
• Works as a sealant. 
• It’s water-resistant. 
• Won’t have to prepare the surface to apply this product. 
• It’s UV-resistant. 

The Bad

• Have a bad reputation for customer service. 

Buying Guide

Well, that does it for the review section. Here, we’ve reviewed 5 different products for you to take a look at. Moreover, we’ve given a complete overview of them and highlighted the pros/cons as well. 

But, here’s the problem- 

When taking in this much information at one go, it’s easy to get confused. After all, we’re humans. However, it’s not okay to be confused at the time of buying a product. If you’re confused then you won’t be able to select the best one for yourself.

So, we’re here to make things easier and clear away all of your confusion. Here, the buying guide will contain all the critical buying factors that you’ll need to know. So, let’s begin- 

Finishing Factor

When it comes to the finish of the stains, it’s important that you know what to expect. If you know the finish of the product, you’ll be able to prepare accordingly. 

Here, the product comes in two types of finish- transparent and semi-transparent. If you choose the transparent finish of the product, you’ll get a much more organic look. 

As a result, your surfaces will look great and it’ll give off a complete organic vibe. But, if you go for the semi-transparent option, you’ll not get the organic wooden vibe. 

Well, some do prefer this option and if you’re one of them, go for it. The best semi-transparent stain for cedar siding still provides great results. 

Oil-Based Vs Water Based

When looking at exterior stains, there are two types of base and formula. If you’re going for a water-based formula then you’ll be able to clean up easily. Moreover, the water-based formula products are easier to apply and easier to dry. 

Whereas, the best exterior oil-based wood stain for cedar siding provide better protection. Here, they have an oily finish but it enhances the beauty of the surface as well. 

Clean-Up & Application

Well, if you follow the previous point then you’ll know that water-based formula is easier to clean and apply. 

If you’re someone who’s beginning to stain for the first time then it’ll be easier for you if the application is easy. So, check this factor before buying the product.  

Drying Factor

The drying factor is a critical buying point at all times. By now, you’ve seen 6 different products and their features. And, all of them have different drying times. So, it’s important to know what you’re going to get. 

On the other hand, if the surface isn’t dried fully then you’ll damage the surface even more by working on it. So, it’s better to know about the drying time of the product. 

Besides, faster drying time means that you’ll be able to work again on the surface. So, you won’t have to wait for a longer period of time. 

FAQs

Question: Which color is the best when choosing for the cedar sidings? 

Answer: Any color with natural browns and a bit of rustic red looks the best on the cedar sidings. 

Question: Can you stain the cedar sidings? 

Answer: Yes, staining can be considered as an option when working on the cedar sidings. Sometimes, stain works better at providing extra protection to the cedar sidings. 

Question: Which one is the best cleaner for the cedar siding? 

Answer: “Oxygen Bleach” is considered to be the best cleaner for cedar siding. Here, you can add this powder to the water in order to make the mixture. 

Wrapping Up

Well, that’s been it. Hopefully, you’re able to select the best exterior stain for cedar siding now. In the end, we’ve shown the best options available in the market. Now, you’ll just have to choose according to your personal likings. 

But, if you’re still confused then go through the buying guide again. And, if you have any queries then let us know in the comment section below. Good Luck!