Ask at your local paint store (in the states that would be Sherwin Williams or Bejimen Moore. ) If I give you brand and product your next question will be where to get it.

@klem1 Where to get it…do tell! lol

I can tell you that any product I've witnessed doing a good job was a two step process. The renewer is applied,alowed to sit for a certain period,rinsed off and allowed to dry before applying stain finish. Garden sprayer and spray nozzle on garden hose do a creditable job. Pressure washer set to only a few hundred psi is a step up from garden hose and airless sprayer at low psi gos faster than garden sprayer,,,,,,,if one is experienced with using them. The biggest challenge on your hose is getting access with ladders and scaffolds.

That looks like a pro job to me. Call around for a couple estimates.

I've used PPG Proluxe for my decks and have been happy with it. I've seen it used on siding and it seems to do a great job. It will darken your wood and mask the knots some. I'd prep just like a deck. Another product I use on my siding is Behr penetrating oil stain. I use the natural, which is really sort of an amber. It doesn't seem to last as long as the PPG, but can be put over previous coats more easily. I do a piece of my house every year.

Against better judgement I will suggest a specific brand and product. Preserva Products LTD brand, Renewer and Cleaner. One gallon makes four gallons and costs $20. Applied per instructions a slimy layer will form on surface. Dissolved in that slime is wood fibers removed from surface (equivalent to sandpapering surface but 10x faster plus surface has less fuzz to shortly age and discolor). Follow up with oil based stain/preservative. You will receive dozens of answers from the web so I highly recommend testing any that sound viable on a section of house before undertaking project.

IMO attempting to conceal knots is an attempt to change character of home and you will wind up with,,,,,,well something that looks like poorly concealed knots. Embrace the look or cover cedar with vinyl.

@klem1 Well thank you so much for the product advice, it is very kind of you.

Now, direct me to a store, here in Ottawa that sells it. LOL just joking of course.

In CR's testing, Behr Solid Color House and Fence Exterior Wood Stain (Home Depot) performed the best. Note that this is a solid stain. Solid stains performed much better than transparent stains. All tested clear sealer stains performed miserably. Instructions.

• CR Exterior Stain Reviews ($10/month digital)