Restore
Cedar Restoration in Wanaka
Grey, peeling, tired cedar sanded back to fresh timber and rebuilt from bare. The full job, done once, done properly.
Most grey cedar can come back
The silver grey layer on weathered cedar is only about half a millimetre deep. Underneath it, the timber is usually perfect. Sand that layer off and you get fresh, warm cedar back, which is why restoration results look so dramatic.
What we cannot fix is rot, split boards or cladding that has gone past the point of holding a finish. We will tell you straight if a few boards need replacing before we start, rather than staining over a problem.
Where old film coatings make it harder
A lot of cedar in Wanaka was originally coated with a film forming product. When those fail they do not fade, they flake, and every flake edge has to be feathered out or you see it through the new finish forever.
That work is slow and it is the main thing that separates a cheap quote from a real one. If someone has priced your peeling cedar the same as a straight re-stain, they have not planned to remove the old coating.
Sanded back properly
Not a light scuff. We take the degraded grey layer off so the new coating grips fresh timber.
Repairs first
Damaged boards, split ends and failed flashings sorted before any coating goes on.
Built back in coats
Bare cedar is thirsty. Restoration jobs usually take two full coats plus spot coats on end grain.
Honest about variations
If prep uncovers worse damage than was visible at quoting, you hear about it before we do the work, not on the invoice.
How it runs
The cedar restoration process
The same person who quotes your job runs it, from the first walk around to the last one. No handovers, nothing lost in between.
- Step 01
Assessment
Moisture readings, a proper look at every elevation, and a written scope so you know exactly what is included.
- Step 02
Wash and strip
Chemical wash, then removal of failed coating where there is one.
- Step 03
Sand to bare
Grey and degraded timber sanded back until the cedar is fresh and even.
- Step 04
Repair and prep
Board repairs, filling, end grain sealing, full mask up.
- Step 05
Rebuild the finish
Two coats of premium penetrating oil stain, more on end grain and exposed elevations.
- Step 06
Maintenance plan
We set the recoat interval so you never have to do this job again.
Seen it in the flesh
Cedar restoration in Northlake
The original coating had failed on the sunny elevations and was peeling in sheets. We sanded the cladding back to raw timber and rebuilt the finish from bare.
- Chemical wash and full dry down
- Failed coating removed and cladding sanded to bare timber
- End grain sealed, damaged boards made good
- Two coats of penetrating oil stain, extra on north and west walls
Reviews
What people say once we have left
Bradley and his partner were excellent to work with. So obliging and did such a fantastic job. So easy to recommend and I will be using for any further work I need done. They did exterior staining on my property.
Bradley and team were reliable, easy to communicate with, and did a great job.
Thanks to Brad for doing such an amazing job on our Wanaka house. The newly stained cedar looks beautiful and the whole house has had a lift. It was very easy to work with Brad as out-of-town home owners. Highly recommended!
Answers
Cedar Restoration questions
Is my grey cedar ruined?
Almost never. Greying is surface deep. Unless boards are cracked, cupped or rotten, sanding brings the timber back. Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly what you are looking at.
How long does a cedar restoration take?
A typical Wanaka home runs one to three weeks depending on size, access and how much drying time the weather gives us. We will give you a realistic window at quoting rather than an optimistic one.
What if you find worse damage once you start?
Our quotes cover preparation of the weathered and flaking areas visible at the time of quoting. If more extensive coating failure turns up once prep begins, the extra remedial work is treated as a variation and we talk to you before doing it.
Can you restore cedar in winter?
Usually not. Cedar needs to dry below 18 percent moisture and the coating needs temperature to cure. We book restorations for spring through autumn and use winter for planning and quoting.
Get in touch
Not sure what your cedar needs?
Send three photos: the whole house, the sunniest wall, and a close up of the worst boards. We will tell you straight whether it wants a wash, a recoat or the full job.