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Cedar and galvanized nails

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Chuck

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Feb 13, 2009, 6:42:18 PM2/13/09
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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

Nova

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Feb 13, 2009, 7:33:47 PM2/13/09
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Hot dipped galvanized nails should be okay. See:

http://www.soundcedar.com/lumber/siding/installation/nails.php

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
nov...@verizon.net

PDQ

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Feb 13, 2009, 7:58:56 PM2/13/09
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Nova wrote:
> Chuck wrote:
>> 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
>
> Hot dipped galvanized nails should be okay. See:
>
> http://www.soundcedar.com/lumber/siding/installation/nails.php

If you do not want the nails to "bleed" all over the holes use stainless.

The reaction is to the stuff in cedar that makes it the wood resist rotting.

Does not matter if the nails are painted over they will rust in short order.

Mine did and I switched to stainless - no more rot and no more bleeding

P D Q

RicodJour

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Feb 13, 2009, 8:37:19 PM2/13/09
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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.

R

Peter Huebner

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Feb 13, 2009, 9:49:22 PM2/13/09
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In article <uznll.372822$Mh5....@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>,
cbac...@attt.net says...

> 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
>

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.

-P.

Jim Weisgram

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Feb 14, 2009, 12:33:22 AM2/14/09
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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:

http://www.mcfeelys.com/stainless-nails

On the other hand, the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau recommends
stainless, hot-dipped zinc, or aluminum nails.

http://www.cedarbureau.org/installation/wall_manual/page05.htm

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.

>> Jim

Gerald Ross

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Feb 14, 2009, 4:23:40 AM2/14/09
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My 30 year old cedar sided house has spiral galvanized nails, acrylic
"stain" and nary a rust spot. Maybe those old nails were better.

--
Gerald Ross
Cochran, GA

All stressed out, and no one to choke...


Chuck

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Feb 14, 2009, 7:28:27 AM2/14/09
to
Nova wrote:
> Chuck wrote:
>> 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
>
> Hot dipped galvanized nails should be okay. See:
>
> http://www.soundcedar.com/lumber/siding/installation/nails.php
>

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.

Leon

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Feb 14, 2009, 9:31:52 AM2/14/09
to

"Chuck" <cbac...@attt.net> wrote in message
news:uznll.372822$Mh5....@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...


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.


Rusty

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Feb 14, 2009, 10:37:38 AM2/14/09
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You can buy screws for cedar they are brown anodized coated

http://www.sportcompactcar.info/4084364/987676/Phillips-Ii-Cedar-Screws-User-Review-44763.html


"Chuck" <cbac...@attt.net> wrote in message
news:uznll.372822$Mh5....@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

bsa...@gmail.com

unread,
Feb 14, 2009, 11:18:20 AM2/14/09
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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.

PDQ

unread,
Feb 14, 2009, 12:42:28 PM2/14/09
to
Gerald Ross wrote:
> Chuck wrote:
>> 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
>
> My 30 year old cedar sided house has spiral galvanized nails, acrylic
> "stain" and nary a rust spot. Maybe those old nails were better.

Does "They don't make them like they used to." soud familiar?? <G>

P D Q

Chuck

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Feb 14, 2009, 6:59:21 PM2/14/09
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OK I am gonna use SS. Screws. Square drive and about 2 1/2" long,
Thanks to all for the input. Really appreciate it. Chuck

HeyBub

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Feb 16, 2009, 7:22:41 PM2/16/09
to
Chuck wrote:
>
> 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.

CAUTION: There're two kinds of galvanized: dipped and plated. Make sure you
get the dipped.


Chuck

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Feb 16, 2009, 7:28:21 PM2/16/09
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Thanks. I decided to go with SS screws. Thanks for the help. Chuck

Phisherman

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Feb 17, 2009, 6:24:02 AM2/17/09
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Good choice. The SS screws won't rust like the galvanized. SS won't
streak wood like galvanized.

Class Act Rain Gutters

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Apr 30, 2021, 12:03:50 AM4/30/21
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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.

J. Clarke

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Apr 30, 2021, 4:36:35 AM4/30/21
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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.


Leon

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Apr 30, 2021, 12:07:16 PM4/30/21
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Twelve years later,,,, When I put up fencing it was advised to use
Aluminum nails to prevent staining.


k...@notreal.com

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Apr 30, 2021, 4:29:21 PM4/30/21
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On Fri, 30 Apr 2021 11:07:08 -0500, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
wrote:
In modern times, stainless nails are preferred for cedar siding.
They're cheap, compared to the siding and the labor to put the stuff
on the wall.

Markem618

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Apr 30, 2021, 4:39:44 PM4/30/21
to
I have used stainless steel with cedar, leaves black runs from the
nail heads.

k...@notreal.com

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Apr 30, 2021, 5:19:06 PM4/30/21
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On Fri, 30 Apr 2021 15:39:36 -0500, Markem618 <mark...@hotmail.com>
Some stainless stains more than others. Your area (salt, in
particular) dictates which formulation is needed. The more common 304
stainless is less corrosion resistant (particularly to salt) than 18/8
or 18/10.
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