How do you prepare a cedar fence for staining?

Prepping Your Fence for a New Stain

1. Step 1: Repairs. Examine your fence’s current condition.
2. Step 2: Deep cleaning. It’s important to remove any dirt, mold or other grime from your fence before staining.
3. Step 3: Rinsing. Rinse off the cleaner and any remaining bits of dirt with a pressurized hose.

What should I stain my cedar fence with?

The best cedar fence stains start with a 100% paraffin oil base. Offering one of the best and safest ways to preserve wood. Paraffin oil is a great penetrating oil that helps prevent UV and water damage.

Is it good to stain a cedar fence?

A newly installed fence with the beauty of natural cedar adds value to your property. Staining a new fence can help preserve its look, and once an older fence has been cleaned, stain can help bring back its natural beauty. When selecting a stain for cedar, choose one that’s oil-based and semitransparent.

How many coats of stain does a cedar fence need?

You just need to be sure that it’s a good oil-based stain rated for exterior use. When you stain your fence be sure to add two coats of stain as this will help it last longer.

Is it better to spray or roll stain on a fence?

I recommend using an airless sprayer when applying wood fence stain. Using only a brush and roller for this project is extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive. Use a sprayer to quickly apply the material on the surface and a brush and roller to push the material into the wood.

Should I pressure wash my fence before staining?

Should You Power Wash Before Fence Staining? More often than not, it is not a good idea to power wash a fence before staining it. Power washers can force the mold and mildew (the greying color of the fence) deeper into the wood pickets. This causes the wood to deteriorate quicker.

How many gallons of stain do I need for a fence?

For a small fence, up to 175 square feet, you will only need one gallon of stain, in any transparency. If your fence is larger, up to 550 square feet, you will need to buy 2 gallons of stain. For very large fences, up to 700 square feet, you will need 3 to 4 gallons of stain to complete the project.

Do I need to sand cedar fence before staining?

Strip or Sand Fencing (If Necessary) If you’ve previously stained, varnished, or painted your fence, you’ll want to strip off any finish that’s remaining before you apply a new coat of wood stain. If it beads, you’ll need to lightly sand the fence (in the direction of the grain) before you can stain it.

Should cedar fence be sealed?

If cared for properly, a cedar fence will remain attractive and structurally sound for many years to come. Apply a waterproofing sealer to the cedar fence to protect the wood from splintering, cracking and warping due to the weather elements. Seal your cedar fence every three to five years.

What time of year is best to stain a fence?

The best time to stain a deck is when it’s been dry for several days and the wood is dry. You need at least 48 hours with no rain in the forecast after the application of the stain. Temperatures should be between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. For most people, these conditions are met between late spring and early fall.

What temperature should it be to stain a fence?

Apply stain only at the proper temperature. For most stains, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum, with the safety range from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Stains do vary, so check the label first. Avoid high humidity and staining on hot surfaces.

How many coats of stain do I need for a fence?

In most cases, solid-color stains are like traditional paint and need just one coat to protect your fence. Semi-transparent penetrating stains often need two coats, with the second coat applied approximately an hour after the first coat.

What is the best wood stain for a cedar fence?

Armstrong Clark stain is ideal for most types of wood fences. If dealing with pressure treated pine, pine, cedar, redwood or rough sawn wood then Armstrong is the best stain for fences.

What is the best way to stain a cedar fence?

How to Stain a Cedar Fence. The cedar fence stain will perform best when applied to a clean surface. Regardless of the fence’s age, strip away any dirt, grime, or surface graying using a wood cleaner. Wash the cedar fence with a scrub brush or pressure washer. Work in small sections at a time. Notice how the fence lightens up as you clean it.

When should you stain a new cedar fence?

Cedar should be stained as soon as it will accept the stain. This is easy to determine with penetrating semi-transparent stains. Apply the stain, if it soaks in its ready.

How often should my fence be stained?

A wood fence should be treated every two to three years with stain due to its durability on wood exposed to the elements. Plan to stain your fence every two to three years to preserve its sheen and weather protective qualities and keep in mind that extreme temperatures and precipitation can prematurely age the finish.