Staining a wood fence with a quality exterior stain helps extend the lifespan of your wood fence. The stain protects the wood from splitting or cracking and other long-term damages due to moisture and heat of the sun.
There are two popular stain finishes for a wood fence. One is semi-transparent, which highlights the natural beauty of the wood. The other is a solid finish, which masks most of the grain and looks like a paint coating. A solid finish is thicker and can better protect the wood from damages, and it lasts longer than the semi-transparent finish.
Staining a wood fence is easy to do using the right method. Here are some tips:
Use acrylic fence stain instead of oil
New VOC laws have paved the way to the increasing popularity of acrylic fence stain over oil-based products. Acrylic penetrates wood very well and is easy to clean with soap and water. On the contrary, oil-based stain contains resins that feed mildew, and when plants surround the fence, mold is more likely to form and spread quickly. When the coating wears off, oil tends to become brittle and crumble.
Power wash the fence
Before you apply the wood stain on the fence, remove the dirt and any loose material by power washing. Spray a wood cleaner first, let it sit for at least ten minutes, then power-wash the entire surface.
If you are planning to apply a transparent or semi-transparent finish, remove the stain from the previous coating for a better outcome. A good power washing can remove stains, but in some cases, you may need to apply a chemical stripper. If you’re using a solid coating, it’s not necessary to remove the old stain as the new one will hide them.
Apply the wood fence stain
You can either brush or spray the stain on the wood fence. Brushing, though, may consume more time and be labor-intensive than spraying. If you’re short of time, you can rent an airless sprayer from a paint store near you. The sprayer will help you apply the stain quickly on the surface. Then, use a brush or roller to push the material into the wood.
Before spraying, remember to cover the bushes and plants and other objects around your fence to avoid staining them.
Start applying the stain from top to bottom and stick in one direction. Do not start or stop in the middle and the bottom. Use a larger spray tip and reduce the pressure to avoid over-spraying. Let the stain dry, and you’re done!
Conclusion
By staining the wood fence, you can protect it from damages. A well-maintained fence can make it last longer. While staining a wood fence is easy to do, you may still want to consider hiring a professional staining company, especially if we’re talking about a large fencing area. They can do the job more efficiently.
If you’re looking for a local interior painting service in TX, get in touch with us today! We have a wide range of interior paint solutions that will reinvigorate your home.