Cedar siding information

We do a ton of cedar and wood siding. We are currently in the middle of spring; and experiencing a lot of rain. Rain means moisture. Moisture and paint/stain don't mix.

We generally allow at least 2 days for the siding to dry before we begin. So it if rains, we won't be out for 2 or 3 days to allow the moisture to exit the wood. 

Is it better to paint or stain cedar siding?
This is your preference, stain allows moisture to escape the wood, and paint creates a higher build preventing moisture from getting in or out of the wood. Using a solid stain will allow the texture of the wood to show, if you prime then paint, you are creating a “build” or “film thickness” on the siding removing this appearance of the wood grain. Don’t forget that if you are using paint, that the cedar will require a bonding/blocking primer if it is bare wood. If the wood has been painted before, you cannot use stain. 

We have a few houses we need to do warranty work on. Last spring, we decided the paint a couple houses in a neighborhood while it was 90° and super humid out. So please advise, I understand schedule is important; but we want the job to last. Sometimes it's just better to wait until the right conditions for better outcomes!

If your initial siding has been painted, or its brand new siding and you are planning to paint it, we recommend oil priming the pealing and bare spots.