I pretty use nothing but ppg porter paints so my recommendations might not be as valid in your neck of the woods.
Primer for cedar shake siding.
Choosing a suitable paint or stain to use on your cedar is one of the most important steps in this process.
According to paul mackie at the western red cedar lumber association wrcla red cedar siding that has been finished on all six sides with a stain blocking primer and top coated with 100 percent exterior acrylic latex paint has the longest expected service life of any coating system.
Factory applied finishes of this type are available in most market areas where cedar siding is sold.
Like most wooden shingles however especially when painted they require care and maintenance over the course of time.
Regular stains don t require primer.
Painting cedar however calls for some preparation.
Best primer and paint for cedar shingles.
These paints form a tough but flexible film that allows moisture within the wood to escape while protecting the cedar from atmospheric moisture that might lead to extractive bleed.
You ll have to remove the mildew and prime the wood with a stain blocking primer.
The paint will begin to peel and the shingles may become stained and they will need to be repainted.
Alkyd oil based primers usually offer the best shield against discoloration by water soluble extractives.
Anytime i have customers with cedar shingles siding i always try to either use a good oil based primer or an alkyd modified wb bonding primer.
Cedar shakes are cedar shingles that naturally weather and are resistant to decay.
This discoloration is most likely caused by a combination of excessive tannins leeching from the wood and mildew growth.
Properly primed a 100 percent acrylic latex paint will provide decades of protection for cedar siding shingles.
Stain blocking primers are available in alkyd oil or water based formulations.
Masonite siding or trim acrylic stain resistant primer alkyd quick drying primer chalky wood siding 100 acrylic primer sealer alkyd wood primer cedar or redwood siding trim alkyd stain resistant primer acrylic stain resistant primer.
Primer shouldn t be necessary before painting vinyl siding unless the surface is pitted or the original color has faded so much that the siding panels have become porous in that case be sure.