Has anyone heard that I can't use galvanized nails with cedar wood. Someone has suggested that I will get some sort of chemical reaction. This will be used on the outside of my house with a good coat of latex paint covering it. Tks. Chuck
I had a gorgeous cedar clapboard job ruined because the nails gave up the ghost. The dark streaks made it an eyesore. If it's painted you'll _probably_ not have a problem with galvanized nails, but I'd use stainless anyway. It's cheap insurance.
Yes, sounds right. When we bought cedar to clad my folks' retirement home, the supplier warned us against galv and suggested bronze or stainless nails. We used the bronze ... just have to be careful to hit them square on (which is why we didn't let my father nail any). He's an old sailor with two left hands and 10 thumbs.
Well, McFeeley's is in the business of selling stainless steel nails, so they might be a bit overselling, but here's a link that claims hot dip galvanized nails aren't the best option with Western Red cedar:
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On the other hand, the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau recommends stainless, hot-dipped zinc, or aluminum nails.
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Suffice to say, the coating on a galvanized nail might fail and might stain, while stainless will not.
If you go with galvanized, get double hot-dipped nails, which should eliminate defects in the coating that will stain.
Thank you. The siding that I am replacing has galvanized nails and I see no sign of stain. The siding was installed in 1972. I will go with galvanized. Now to see if I can use a nail gun.
I have not heard that "you" can't". ;~) I build more fences than the average wood worker. I build them with cedar and galvanized ring shank nails, in a nail gun. You will get some discoloration, eventually, if left exposed to the elements.
IF you are also using any "modern pressure treated wood" be sure and get the ACQ specified galvanized nails or they will react with the PT wood and fail prematurely.
Hot-dip galvanized nails should work ok, provided that they have a good, thick coating. The problem I've seen in the past few years is that the coating is not nearly as thick as in the past, and it can crack and flake when being pounded in to the wood. Of course, a path for water into the steel will lead to bleeding.
When I installed my cedar deck, all of the reputable advice (e.g., not from the fastener manufacturers) recommended stainless steel fasteners for cedar, so I swallowed hard and bought stainless. Still looks great! Except now I kick myself for not swallowing a bit harder and buying ipe decking.
Back in the 70s they used a different type of galvanization. But the galvanization formula used today causes the reaction. I am certain hot dipped nails will, but am uncertain about electroplated nails.
Hot dipped galvanized shouldn't be an issue for cedar. They are frowned on for outdoor use today because the chemistry used in modern pressure treated lumber will defeat galvanizing of any kind thanks to the EPA saving us from ourselves.
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