Because of the inherent nature of Western Red Cedar to withstand insect attack and the outdoor elements, cedar does not require a finish to keep its structure over the years.

Many folks prefer to allow their cedar furniture to "naturally age" outdoors without a stain or finish. Over time the colorful tones of the wood slowly weather to a handsome silver-grey and the grain of the wood will become slightly raised. Left completely natural this silver- gray color will eventually be highlighted by darker streaks formed from the reaction between the Cedar Resin and the zinc hardware. If the dark streaks are not for you, we suggest using a simple wood sealer as described below.

We do not recommend using oil finishes on your cedar outdoor furniture.
A good wood sealer such as Thompsons Wood Sealer is useful by blocking the pores of the wood. This inhibits the grain from becoming raised yet allows the natural fading of the wood to a gentle silvery-gray color.

If you would like to preserve the colorful tones of the freshly sanded cedar any number of finishes can be used on cedar furniture. You'll want to choose a good quality penetrating sealers and transparent or solid exterior stain. There is a wide variety of colors to choose from which makes it easy to match your existing decor. We recommend a single coat of a semi transparent stain with a UV inhibitor such as Sikkens Cetol 1 (natural), or Thompsons Stain to preserve the handsome look of your furniture. Every 3rd year you might re-apply a coat of stain to freshen the finish. Little or no sanding, preparation or primer is needed when you use a stain.