There are many ways to take care of cedar, it eventaly goes near black
in color. You can try to clean it and keep it natural but once its black
a solid color stain is it. I just sprayed mine in solid oil stain.
Easiest may be pick a color and go soild color, or be prepared for alot
of work every few years. You can seal it and latex solid stain should
get you 15 yrs, oil one coat solid color coat oil apx 7. Transparent oil
apx 3-5 yrs. You have many options, but it will last longer stained as
the oils will wash out.