Wanaka·
Cedar Refresh & Garage Door Repaint, Wānaka
Cedar oiled and garage door repainted on McLeod Avenue.
View project →
Cedar Specialists
Cedar Staining in Wanaka
Bringing faded cedar back to life across Wanaka, Queenstown & Central Otago
5-Star Rated|15+ Years Experience|Free Quotes
What our cedar clients say
Trusted by Wānaka cedar homeowners
“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.”
CC
Craig Chirnside
Wanaka · Google Review
“Thanks to Brad for doing such an amazing job on our Wānaka 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!”
SG
Sarah Gunn
Wanaka · Google Review
Wanaka's Cedar Staining Specialists
A fresh coat of stain is what keeps cedar looking warm and rich, and it is the single best thing you can do to protect the timber from Central Otago's harsh alpine sun.
I'm Bradley Hamilton, and I've been staining and re-staining cedar across Wanaka, Queenstown, Arrowtown and Cromwell for over 15 years. Down here the UV is intense, the humidity is low and the temperature swings are big, which is hard on cedar. Get the timing and the products right and your cedar stays beautiful for decades. Leave it too long and the boards grey off, dry out and start to split, which turns a straightforward re-stain into an expensive restoration.
I only use premium penetrating oil stains with high-grade UV protection. Unlike film-forming coatings that peel and flake, a good oil stain soaks into the timber and wears back gracefully, so the next coat goes on cleanly. Whether your cedar needs a straight maintenance re-stain or a full sand-back and re-colour, I can help.
Is your cedar due?
Signs it's time to re-stain your cedar
The colour has faded and the boards are drying out or looking grey
Water no longer beads on the surface when it rains
The stain is patchy, blotchy or wearing off on sun-facing walls
It has been more than 3 years since the last coat
You can see the start of splitting, cupping or surface cracking
You are selling and want the exterior looking its best
Spotting a few of these? It's worth getting the cedar looked at before the weathering goes deeper. Give us a call for a free assessment.
Our Recent Work
See the difference a re-stain makes
Drag the slider to compare before and after on real cedar jobs across Wānaka and Central Otago.
Wanaka·
Cedar Oil Refresh in Northlake, Wānaka
Maintenance oil refresh on a cedar-clad home in Northlake, Wānaka.
View project →Our Process
How we stain cedar
A methodical approach developed over 15+ years in Central Otago
1
Assess
Moisture readings, a look over the timber, and planning around the weather. We work out exactly what your cedar needs.
2
Prepare
Wash with timber-safe cleaners, let it dry below 18% moisture, and sand back any grey weathering so the stain grips.
3
Stain
Apply premium penetrating oil stain, two coats minimum and three on the high-sun faces, always working with the shade.
4
Protect
Final inspection, touch-ups, and honest advice on when the next coat is due so the cedar never falls behind.
Stains & Colours We Trust
After testing plenty of products in Central Otago's conditions, these are the cedar stains we come back to. We always sample on your actual timber first so you can see the colour before we commit.
Dryden Colourtone+ Oil Stain
Premium ChoiceOur top pick for most cedar. Strong UV blockers, deep penetration and a lovely natural finish. Holds up 3-4 years on moderate exposures.
Resene Woodsman
Great ValueA solid option with a good colour range and easy recoating. A smart choice on tighter budgets. Recoat every 2-3 years.
Cabot's Australian Timber Oil
Maximum DurabilityWhen you need extra toughness on high-wear or high-sun areas. Proven in harsh conditions.
Built for alpine UV
We choose stains with high-grade UV protection because our high-altitude sun fades cheaper products fast.
Oil, not film
Penetrating oil stains soak in and wear back cleanly, so they never peel or flake like film-forming coatings.
Cedar Staining FAQs
How often should you re-stain cedar in Wanaka?
In Wanaka's high-UV alpine climate, north and west-facing cedar usually needs re-staining every 2-3 years, while sheltered south-facing walls can go 3-4 years. Staining on a regular cycle is far cheaper than letting the timber grey off and needing a full sand-back restoration.
What is the best stain for cedar in Central Otago?
We use penetrating oil stains rather than film-forming products, because oil stains soak into the timber and wear back gracefully instead of peeling. Dryden Colourtone+ is our premium pick for its UV blockers, and Resene Woodsman is a strong mid-range option. The right choice depends on your cedar and how exposed it is.
Can you re-stain cedar that has already gone grey?
Yes. Grey cedar is just a weathered surface layer. We sand or wash it back to fresh timber first, then stain. If the boards are badly weathered this becomes a restoration rather than a straight re-stain, but the result is the same warm, protected finish. See our cedar restoration work for examples.
How much does cedar staining cost in Wanaka?
A maintenance re-stain on cedar that is still in good order is roughly $15-25 per square metre. If the timber needs sanding back from grey first, expect $35-50 per square metre. Every home is different, so we give you a free on-site quote with exact pricing.
Can I choose the stain colour?
Yes. Cedar stains come in a range of tones from clear and natural through to rich honey and darker browns. We can match your existing colour or help you shift it, and we always test on your actual timber first so you can see the finish before we commit.
Do you stain decks and fences as well as cladding?
Yes. Alongside cedar weatherboards and cladding we stain decks, fences, pergolas, gates and exterior joinery. Any exterior timber that needs protecting from the alpine sun, we can look after.
More Cedar Services
Cedar Maintenance & Restoration →
Full cedar care, from re-stains to restoring grey, weathered timber.
Cedar in Northlake, Wānaka →
Local cedar work on the exposed Northlake hilltop, with project examples.
Cedar Care Guide →
How to look after cedar in Central Otago's climate.
Weathered Cedar: Restore or Replace? →
What to do when cedar has been left too long.
Cedar Staining Across Central Otago
We stain cedar weatherboards, cladding, decks and fences throughout the region:
WanakaQueenstownArrowtownCromwellAlbert TownLake HaweaLuggateHawea Flat
Contact us for aComplimentary Consultation
Ready to transform your space? Connect with us for a personalized, no-obligation consultation and detailed proposal.
+64 22 106 0336
Mon–Fri, 7:30am–5:30pm
info@lakesidepainting.co.nz
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Wanaka and surrounding areas
15+ years trade experienceFully insured · workmanship guarantee5-star rated on Google
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