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Whether your Ellen Price Wood fence is age erstwhile or newly installed , it can benefit from a single inexpensive add-on : stain . utilize wood stain to the slats can improve its excogitation appeal and keep up the lifespan of your untiring out-of-door structure .
For long - lasting , professional - tone resolution , work with a semi - transparent oil - base stain designed for the exterior . These stains elegantly accentuate the natural patina of the underlying Ellen Price Wood with a subtle shade , and , as a bonus , boast pattern that slow the growth of mould and waste as well as protect the wood from ultraviolet light exposure .
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With canonical cleaning and staining wooden fence supplies , and this straightforward tutorial on how to tarnish a fencing , you could refresh your wooden concealment wall in as slight time as a weekend . and reap the benefits right forth .
Tools & Materials
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Project Overview
Working Time : 30 minutes per fencing panelTotal Time : 1 hour per fencing panelSkill grade : BeginnerEstimated Cost : get at $ 200 for 550 square ft of fencing
Before You Begin
While there is less homework ask when staining a fresh fence , there are still several steps necessitate before you could get started with applying stain . Here are some key factors to think before fence staining begins .
Select the stain.
Beyond just considering the chromaticity , there are brand that are transparent , semitransparent , and opaque . Some are design for indoors and others areexterior stainsdesigned to protect woods alfresco . Always check the recording label before purchasing smirch and confirm that it provides the aegis your fencing need . You will need 2 gallon of spot per every 550 straight feet of fence . call back , there are two sides to every fence .
Check the weather.
Before maculate a wood fencing , read the weather condition prognosis and select a day with temperature between 50 and 80 degrees , low to restrained humidness , and no hurry expect for 24 hours . Extreme frigidness or wet can extend the dry out time of wood stain , while the diametric extreme can dry out out stain too apace and leave behind unwantedlap markson the fencing .
Prepare wood for staining.
Depending on the current condition of your fence , you may need to dismantle or sandpaper the surface . If the fencing was previously stained or polish off , apply woodwind smirch or finish stripper to the slat fit in to the producer ’s instructions , then scrub the spline with a loaded - bristle brush toloosen the old varnishand slough off upright Natalie Wood fiber .
If you want to staina unexampled fencing , hold in the surface to ensure the stain will come home the wood with this water run . Lightly spray a small subdivision of the fence with a garden hose . If water pearl form on the slats , lightly sandpaper the slat in the focus of the forest grain . Water successfully penetrate the slat , though , indicate that your wooden fence can pronto absorb the stain .
Clean the fence.
Clean the fence with body of water from a gamey - pressure atomiser nose impound to a garden hosiery ( or use apower washing machine ) . This will remove light to moderate dirt accumulations and complete the job of the woods soil stripper in blasting aside any old varnish from the fence , if applicable . If using a baron washer , choose for a low - powered unit operating at no more than 2,000 psi so as not to brave the Ellen Price Wood spline and always start on the humble place setting . check that to permit the wood dry out out completely before continuing .
Protect the area.
Nearby plants and persona of the fence not to be stained benefit from protection . Usepainter ’s tapeto protect expanse of the fence you do not require to maculate . Similarly , protect surrounding vegetation at the base of the fence by covering it with drop cloths .
Treat imperfections.
If you spotmold or mildew depositson the fence , make a root of whitener diluted with water in a bucket . Donning golosh gloves , use the bleach to the slats with a garden sprayer , allowing it to settle into the spline for a few minutes before rinse off the fence clean with a high-pitched - pressure level spray nozzle or power automatic washer . Again , verify to permit the woodwind instrument dry out completely before continuing .
If there are imperfectness in the fence slats , fix them before begin the staining summons . Repair chips , nick , or cracks in the fence withwood makeweight . If want , supersede damaged slat .
How to Stain a Wood Fence
Step 1: Apply stain to the fence slats.
Employ a brushing , tumbler , or sprayer to stain the woodwind instrument slats of the fence .
How to stain a fence with a brush
A wide innate - bristle brushing or a hybrid instinctive - man-made brush are the best manner to promote an oil - based or hybridwood stainto riddle wooden fence slats .
How to stain a fence with a roller
How to stain a fence with a sprayer
Step 2: Let the stain dry, then apply additional coats as desired.
When the entire fencing has been maculate , let it dry out consort to the stain manufacturer ’s instructions . Apply additional coating of stain as need to achieve the desired deepness of color . A exclusive pelage should be sufficient for a Modern wood fencing or one that you also plan to seal , but we suggest always apply two pelage in case any spots were missed during the first laissez passer .
Tried-and-True Advice
The first time I maculate a wood fencing I applied the smirch as if I was paint , using long , smooth apoplexy . The result — a very uneven stain job , with benighted smirch where the strokes overlapped and lighter topographic point between — was dissatisfactory . I eventually learned that stain a fence is not like painting a fence . As far as brushstrokes go , staining wood requires a unlike technique , namely brusque , flying strokes rather than tenacious , suave ones . This see to it that the stain goes on even , with a consistent layer across the wood . If your fencing needs two coats , I ’ve get hold that it also helps to go for them on the same day to ensure they blend well and to prevent light-headed or glowering spots .
— Chase Brush , Contributing Writer
Step 3: Finish the job with a coat of sealer.
While a dependable quality mark alone is sufficient to protect your fence from everyday habiliment - and - tear , applying a durable sealantover the grime can sustain the finish , and the life of your fencing . For good results , employ a single coat of clear , weatherproof sealant by brushing , roller , or sprayer . Quickly back - brush unseal grooves and recesses with a across-the-board thicket to achieve a unvarying appearance . set aside the sealant to dry out totally .
Step 4: Clean up.
Dispose of soiled drop fabric , remove the painter ’s mag tape from the spline , seal any idle stain , and discover your fresh updated woodwind instrument fencing .
Tips for Staining a Fence
How to choose the right stain
Thebest type of stainfor a wood fence depends on the kind of wood and personal predilection . Water - based stains tend to be less expensive , dry more quickly , and propose more color options than oil - based stains . They also put up the flexibility of leaving a paintable surface . Still , oil - establish smear are more long-wearing , run to coat more evenly , and put up more crystal clear options . Hardwoods like walnut and mahogany have soaked and smaller pore , making it sturdy to absorb weewee - based stains . true pine and cedar suck stain quickly , so you ’ll use less of an oil - base stain .
How often to stain
Staining a fence is n’t a one - and - done DIY project . While stains can last anywhere between 2 to 5 geezerhood , utmost temperature and precipitation can prematurely mature the finale . Do n’t remain on your laurel wreath too long and risk potential weather price : Aim to stain your fence every 2 to 3 years to preserve its sheen and weather condition - protective qualities .
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