New ice castle inside need stain?

[jjack]

I just bought a brand new ice castle. Its got cedar inside. Do people usually stain these or just let em be?

[PurpleFloyd]

It's personal taste depending on whether you like the color. Has the cedar been clear coated or is it raw wood? If it has been clear coated then you can't stain it now(Well, it can be done but..)If it is raw wood you are going to want to add a clear coat for protection and stain before that if you want to change the color of the wood.

[jjack]

Nope it's a raw wood. If I like the color can I just add clear coat?

[waligators]

Yep, if you like the color just add a polyurethane water based clear finish. It may darken the cedar a little bit, but it will "pull" the grains out of the wood and look great! Plus it will help protect from any moisture. This summer I put knotty pine in my house and did what I described above. Turned out great! I have 6'6"x17 and only put the pine on the walls. I put two coats on and one gallon was just enough. Good luck!

[dirt292lv]

I'm debating to do the same I love the color of the ceder and want to just water base seal it but I'll asked one person and they say it will be fine then the next will say if you don't. Seal both sides it could crack has anyone done it and had it for a couple years to see the results over time sure would be nice to just wipe water of fish blood,slime ect off the walls when in need

[Hawg]

Buy good sealer, they have more of the good stuff in them. I agree with the clear instead of color also. I still can't understand why anyone would seal both sides of the wood, especially if you're foaming. Moisture can get into anything and needs a way out.