Cedar Shake Strip

[John Doherty 126]

Ok Woodies, what do you think is the best way to strip these shakes?

[James 625]

Do a test spot and you'll find out ?

[RPetry 564]

John,

Are you sure there is a stain present? From the picture it looks like normal cedar weathering.

[John Doherty 126]

Let me rephrase the question, how about getting them back as close to their natural state as possible, so they can be restained.

Remember I don't do any wood and have zero experience with this stuff.

Rick, If you haven't heard from the Witherington's give them a call. She may be stalling because she is unsure of a color to go with, I'm sure you can sell her.

[John Doherty 126]

Jim, How are you feeling?

My sister had that surgery in '04 she says the scar from it still hurts.

[RPetry 564]

John,

If in fact there is no stain on the shakes, I'd suggest using a sodium percarbonate wood cleaner, pressure wash, and follow up with an acid (citric, oxalic, citralic). This will have the cedar looking like new and a fine prep for an oil based stain.

Diamond Jim may have better suggestions, he does a lot of shake work in Ct.

If you haven't heard from the Witherington's give them a call.

OK will do.

[James 625]

The most difficult cedar shake cleaning or restore is when half of the shake has stain on it and the other half is exposed wood with out stain on it. Do a test spot with bleach and water first. This should show if there is stain on the shake. If there is you have to find what dilution of stripper is right for the job without furring the crap out of the exposed wood. You have a small area of shakes to do so not that difficult to de-fur if you have to.

Had my one year anniversary in Jan.. Many things hurt in the rib cage area when dealing with this industry ( twisting and different weights). I worked out pretty intensively over the winter to get back in shape ( very difficult).It's more of a mental challenge and to find out what you can and cannot do. Thanks for asking.