Finishing/ sealing ROUGH sawn cedar

[HMH]

Hi folks - finally wrapping up an outdoor kitchen project I started awhile back, and will be installing a western cedar arbor behind it, wired for lights, etc. after reading several recommendations online, I went w/ rough sawn cedar vs plained/ smooth, as the rough sawn lets sealer get deeper into the open poures, etc for longevity, and I think the “shaggy” look will look natural/ blend in, and create some cool shadow lines when uplit.

That said, re: finishing - I’ve read that you’re just supposed to brush or roll w/ the grain. Easy enough, but my Q is should I al least try to knock down some of the “fuzziness” w/ a sander beforehand, or just roll in 1 direction, and lay the fibers down that way, like combing a cow-lick, ha.

Any experience in working w/ the rough stuff here?

Thanks!

 

[bowman]

Use a sprayer

 

[mark2]

might try a single pass (or two) with a smoothing or jack plane instead of sanding - should take off a bit of the rough feel without affecting the appearance much.

 

[HMH]

Great advise guys - thanks! Re: a sprayer, I've never done that method, but it certainly makes sense to flood the surface in a hurry, and then back-brush. That said, I suppose the approach is to buy a cheap one, and trash it after? I cant see cleaning oil based stain out of a sprayer being super effective.

 

[wndopdlr]

I have used a garden sprayer successfully on things like this. You will use much more product with a spryer than with a brush or roller.

 

[Tim Sherwood]

I've used a brass brush to remove some of the loose fibers. Then a rattle can of spray might give you an easy finish.

 

[jfynyson]

I did this as I wanted to keep that rough look but not be rough yet be protected. I found that using 220 grit with a very light pass (virtually no pressure) was adequate to knock off the fuzzies but not alert the rough look. Then I built up coats of spare urethane just before the next coat would overtake the rough. The result was a very smooth feeling finish yet was rough sawn in appearance that you can dust off with a towel w/o having the roughness "catch" the towel.

 

[HMH]

Thanks all - I actually finished this project up last weekend, (along w/ the stone, counters, getting the grill components set, etc). Still need to install the lights in the posts, but all functional otherwise. Re: finish, I ended up just brushing on SW woodscapes in Cedar bark color, and am very happy w/ the results. Brushing w/ the grain laid all of the “fuzzies” down nicely, and I must admit I do much prefer the rough sawn look here/ in this application. It isn’t in an area easily contacted directly, so the rough texture gives a nice natural look w/o worrying about splinters in day to day contact - just wear gloves when installing, ha.

Edit - forgive the overcast morning pics, the color is more of a medium brown in normal daylight. Also, the primary grill is 60” wide for scale - definitely massive.

 

[jfynyson]

Just in time to bring on the pollen !