Tips on Staining Your Wood Fence
Wood fences are made from a variety of woods, including Spruce, Cedar, Pine or Fir. If you buy premade sections of fencing, you can choose from many different styles and heights. No matter what type of wood your fence is made of, it needs to be protected from the elements. Otherwise,
the wood can turn gray and dingy after being exposed to the elements. It can also crack, warp, and deteriorate if it’s not protected.
You can either paint or stain your wood fence in order to protect it. For the best protection, you should follow-up the staining by giving your fence a couple coats of a good-quality sealer. Some stains have a sealer mixed in with it. If you choose a product like this, then you can save time by staining and sealing your wood fence at the same time.
Once you have chosen the stain you’re going to use, here’s a tip on staining your wood fence:
The best time to stain your fence is when no rain is forecast for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. This way, the stain will have ample time to dry.
Before you start staining, you’ll need to prepare the wood material first. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the stain container in order to achieve the best results.
Basically, your wood fence will need to be clean and dry. Use painter’s masking tape to mask off metal hardware such as hinges, latches, and gate handles.
Here’s another tip on staining your wood fence that will save you time later: use old newspapers or sheets of plastic to cover the ground underneath your fence. This will keep spills and drips of stain on the paper or the plastic, and off your grass, cement, et cetera.
If your wood fence is very long, you can simply place old newspapers or sheets of plastic underneath a certain section. After you’re finished staining that section, simply slide the protectors on to the next part of the wooden fence.
In order to protect your hands and eyes from the stain, use this tip on staining your wood fence:
wear protective eyewear and a pair of disposable gloves.
Now that you’re ready, a good-quality paint brush will make the best applicator for your wood fence. Using a spray gun would be quicker, but messier. A roller would also be faster than a paint brush. However, a roller can’t reach into corners and other hard-to-reach areas.
Start staining at one end of your wood fence, and work on one section at a time. For the best look and the easiest application, apply the stain on your wood fence in the same direction as the grain runs. Brush the stain on the wood in short, even strokes.
Once you’re done with the first side of your wood fence, of course, you’ll need to move to the second side and stain that part too. When the job is completed, you can remove the painter’s masking tape and allow your wood fence to completely dry.
