DIY Natural Stain For Cedar Planters

When we decided to make our own planters for the backyard I had grand ideas of painting them red or orange or green!  But since I change my mind just that quickly, I decided neutral was best. 

We wanted a way to keep the natural texture of the wood and make it look a little modern. Raw cedar will age over time, but how long will it take?  And will it be consistent?  And I want it to look good now! 

We learned that you could give cedar an aged appearance with steel wool and vinegar.  Not only did this seem like a great solution for making the planters look good, but it was incredibly simple.

Directions:

In a large pot combine one gallon of white vinegar with 6 pads of #0000 steel wool.  Let sit at least 24 hours.  Using a brush, large sponge, or a rag, liberally apply the vinegar concoction to the wood.  Let dry and add another coat if needed.  Seal with a clear coat of deck stain.

A fabulous way to turn raw wood into something a little more modern and a lot more polished.