One part white vinegar to 3 or 4 parts water is fine.
How to lighten cedar siding.
Mix the oxygen bleach in a ratio of 2 cups of powdered granules to 1 gallon of water or based on the product and manufacturer s instructions on the label.
Mildew must be killed and removed before western red cedar is refinished or the mildew will grow through the new paint coat or solid color stain.
Tips brighten the surface of the cedar siding with deck and fence brightener or apply a new coat of stain to restore a vivid color and luster to the siding.
You could use a white wash by mixing 1 part paint with 3 parts water add more water for less color test on a small area.
To get your desired shade you may go from chlorine to a peroxide based two part bleach view example on amazon.
How to lighten cedar shakes most of the exterior stain companies have a three part wood prep.
Change the color of your cedar siding go lighter with new stain or change it out and go maintenance free with a lighter colored lp smartside siding.
To treat this condition the tannin can be neutralized by applying a solution of a wood brightener that contains oxalic acid.
Once the cedar is dry you can leave it as is or apply the finish of your choice.
Shingles if needed can go architectural and stand out a bit more.
Dip a sponge in the vinegar solution and wipe it on the bleached wood.
System consisting of a stripper cleaner and brightener that should get you back to new bare wood.
Pour the mixture into a cleaned out lawn and garden sprayer.
But in cedar shakes it has the effect of darkening their surface.
Cover about a 4 by 8 foot section with the liquid and let it sit on the siding for about 15 minutes.
Paint is your best option for treating cedar if your only intent is protection.
Paint s solids ward off light and light is the main contributor to the deterioration of cedar.
Add some bolder trim not sure what s there now and let it accent the rest of the house.
Removal can be done with a commercial mildew remover or with dilute solutions of liquid household oxygen based bleach followed by thorough rinsing with clean water.
Brush or roll on and wipe off excess until it looks how you want.
A gray ish tint would give the cedar an aged patina and a sage green or turquoise wash a copper look.
Rinse the sponge in clear water before dipping it again in the neutralizing solution.
Treating cedar with primer and paint.
This solution is applied to the stains on the cedar shake siding then is allowed to dry about hour.
I would have the customer decide what finish they want by signing off on an actual sample and then use that company s prep system in the correct.