all the specialised prep advice should be readily available from paint suppliers but the most tedious, careful preparation and best quality materials will usually repay all your efforts with the best results...unfortunately, i would be inclined to remove the boards a section at a time (start with small boards in an out of sight area until you understand the best method to use) and take the opportunity to check internal frames, replace any waterproofing, electrician to check wiring, plumber to check water pipes, add or replace insulation and then restore the cladding.....replacing portions of boards should be OK as long as you don't mind extra joins but it might be possible to replace some of the out of sight areas with patches and the most obvious areas with full new boards and, once all the preparation has been complete, consider a very dark charcoal or timber colour stain for the biggest areas and a light grey or natural timber stain for contrast..

Thanks, the plumbing is under the house. Do I need to hire all those tradesmen, or companies, to come look at this house before I replace a board? And no, "specialized advice" isnt so accurate around here, as I am sure is the case at just about all the local suppliers across the country. Lowes, hd, etc, etc, etc, cant pay a professional enough to quit their trade to work at their supply stores and give out accurate advice. It's usually common for the "advisors" at local supply stores to hire anyone that will work there, no experience in the trade required, whatsoever. If one were to have any, all the better, but never required. Probably why nobody gets any advice from the local supply stores across the entire country. Where do you live? If youre getting this professional advice from supply stores like hd, lowes, ace, etc, etc, etc, then youre extremely fortunate. I do appreciate your actual knowledge wayyyy more than any one of theirs! Your advice has far more accurate than anyone in any supply store around here. I do appreciate it too! Very much.

none of the names you mention are familiar to me so i have no specific contacts to recommend so try contacting the manufacturers of timber protective coatings directly by phone or email for advice..we're just experienced amateurs and first try and understand the existing building and then do all the boring preparation and employ professional when necessary....start with a small section away from likely plumbing and wiring and try and identify what's under the boards (use breathing mask and protective clothing and gloves as i forgot to mention asbestos if the house is over 30 years old)...there's a wealth of professional information and advice available on line and a big job, for a hopefully patient customer, is an opportunity to learn most of the skills you need...good luck

Sounds like the US, don't they paint their cedar houses and barns red?with a cream trim, looks great. Are you in Aviation marcpilot1?

Ahh, JEC, I did not realize I was Australia! Very sorry! Yes, I'm in US.(wish I was there sometimes, especially since 11/2016). Anyway, so oklouise tried to help me but I assumed she was here and then I was wondering where she shopped for materials that actual, knowledgeable and experienced advisors! Sorry about that Mrs. Oklouise! I appreciate the help too. It was only a small part of it I didnt quite understand and that's simply because oklouise is not here. I am positive if she was, she'd adapt to the ways and how they do things here. So, come on over mrs oklouise! You're welcome anytime!

Siriuskey, yes they "paint" the cedar here, but they use solid color stain so it looks like paint. I am positive though that there are cedar built things with actual paint. But that's really a no-no with cedar. After it gets older, some transition to semi transparent stain, then, when even older they go to solid colored stain.

Wish I was a pilot! mpilot1 was made for me by my company years and years ago as their name had the word pilot in it; since they already had a "marc" there when I started, they gave me marcpilot1. They've since closed(after 40 years), since I had had it for so long at that point, I took the name/address with me.

Think I should put some of the after pics up, like when I finally finish this project for mother? Thx again for all help, especially oklouise! God Bless.

something else that i would certainly consider in Australia would be to remove the most damaged cedar, salvage what you can for repairs and re cladd some of the walls with a steel or cement sheet....not as attractive as well cared for timber but so much less work for you....and i appreciate the blessing, thankyou

Did your company ever get to marc3, I have seen some lovely "Ox blood" coloured timber restored houses in country areas of Australia, I don't know what they used but the two I loved where on the Mid North Coast of Aus. and had natural metal roofs, look forward to seeing your end result, we're all cheering you on.