Hi, Brad here. I’ve been painting for 16 years — more than a decade of that in Otago — and if there’s one thing Wanaka teaches you, it’s respect for the sun. Our blue‑bird days are magic, but the alpine UV and that big lake glare can cook cedar faster than most folks expect. Left alone, cedar goes from warm honey to flat silver in a couple of seasons, then starts drying, checking and sucking in water. The good news: done right, you can bring it back and lock in protection for years.
Why Wanaka Is Tough on Cedar
At our altitude the air is thinner, which means less natural UV filtering. Add Wanaka’s nor’westers and the lake’s reflection and you’ve got a perfect storm for weathering.
- Lake Wanaka bounces light back onto lake‑facing walls
- Winter snow reflection kicks UV up a notch on clear days
- Dry alpine air + wind accelerate the “shrink and swell” cycle
- Plenty of sunshine — great for morale, hard on timber
Bottom line: cedar that might cruise for 8–10 years on the coast can look tired in 3–5 years here without maintenance.
What Weathering Looks Like (in plain English)
New cedar starts warm and smooth. After a couple of Wanaka summers you’ll see the colour flatten, then a uniform silver creep in. Grain raises, boards dry out, and little checks show up — especially on north and west faces. Leave it longer and dark mould settles into joints, water soaks faster, and boards start splitting. That’s your cue to act.
My Proven Restoration Process for Wanaka Homes
1) Assess and Plan
I start with moisture readings (I want the timber under 18%), note any splits or loose boards, and pick a weather window of 4–5 dry days — spring through early autumn is best.
2) Clean and Re‑surface
A gentle wash removes grime and oxidised fibre — never over 1,200 PSI or you’ll fluff the grain. Then I sand: 80‑grit to cut back the grey, 120‑grit to refine. Blow down and tack everything clean. This is where the magic starts: you’ll see that fresh cedar glow again.
3) Repair and Prime (when paint systems are chosen)
I fill checks where needed, sand flush, and prime bare timber if we’re moving to a paint or solid‑colour system. For stain/oil systems, the “primer” is your first coat.
4) Protect
For Wanaka conditions I often recommend:
- Dryden Colourtone+ for a natural look with solid UV blockers (great on lake‑facing walls)
- Resene Waterborne Woodsman for a cost‑effective tinted finish
- Cabot’s Australian Timber Oil where you need extra durability
Two coats are standard; some hot faces get a third. The key is even saturation and working in shade where possible.
What It Costs in 2025 (ballpark)
Every house is different, but here’s what I’m seeing around Wanaka:
- Single‑storey (≈120 m² of cladding): a light refresh from $700–$950; a full sand‑back and stain from $1,800–$2,400
- Two‑storey (≈200 m²): $1,200–$1,600 for refresh; $3,000–$4,000 for full restoration
- Significant replacement and rebuild work can jump to $4,000–$10,000 depending on access and scope
Access gear (for those steep sections we love) typically adds $300–$500.
Keeping It Looking Good (simple maintenance)
Each autumn, give the cedar a gentle wash and a look‑over. Touch up worn areas before winter bites. Every 2–3 years, plan a proper clean and a fresh coat. South faces usually last longer; north and west need more love. If it’s been 5–7 years since a full restoration, let me assess it — we’ll decide together if it needs another sand‑back or just maintenance coats.
My Product Picks for Wanaka
You can’t go wrong with the three systems above. The right choice depends on the look you want and how much maintenance you’re happy to do. Natural look and easy touch‑ups? Go Dryden. Want more colour control on a budget? Woodsman. Need a tougher film where kids’ scooters bash the cladding? Cabot’s.
Common Mistakes That Shorten Cedar Life
- Painting over grey, weathered timber (it’ll peel — always re‑surface first)
- Using interior or generic products (they won’t handle the UV here)
- Skipping prep because “it looks fine” (your top coats won’t bond)
- Coating in hot direct sun (work with the shade and the wind)
When to Call a Professional
DIY-Friendly Tasks
- Annual washing and inspection
- Touch‑up coating on small areas
- Basic caulking and minor repairs
Professional Territory
- Extensive sanding (dust control + speed)
- Multi‑storey access work
- Board replacement and structural repairs
- Colour matching for partial restoration
Ready to Restore Your Cedar Investment?
I’ve restored cedar on baches and family homes all over Wanaka, Albert Town and Hawea. It’s part science, part craft — and done right, it looks brilliant for years. If you’d like a friendly, no‑pressure assessment, I’m happy to pop over, check moisture, explain options and give you a clear plan and price. We’ll make your cedar look like Wanaka on a blue‑bird day.
