What is the best way to prepare a cedar porch for staining?
Remove all surface contamination by washing with appropriate cleaner to remove all contaminants. I recommend Cuprinol Liquid Deck Cleaner. For areas not exposed to direct weathering such as under eaves and porch ceilings use a power washer. Rinse and allow to dry. If the surface still appears dirty, suspect mildew. Remove the mildew by washing with a solution of one pint liquid bleach and one gallon water. Apply the solution and scrub the mildewed area. Allow the solution to remain on the surface 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and allow the surface to dry before painting. Always follow the safety precautions printed on the label. Cuprinol deck and wood stains are good choices for this application. These stains are available in everything from semi-transparent coatings to solid stain coatings.
