Fences provide both aesthetic and practical benefits to a property. Not only do they add value to your home, but they can also keep animals and children safe while providing privacy. If you have a fence that is starting to show its age, there’s no need to replace it – you can simply restain it to look like a newly stained fence.
If you have wooden fences and it looks old, faded, and tired, here’s how to restain them in the fastest way possible without having to replace the entire backyard fence.
Why Restain Your Wood Fence
Before we get into how to restain your long-lasting wood fence, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you might want to do so.
Protect The Fence From The Elements
One of the main reasons for wood stain is to protect it from the sun, rain, and snow that show wood slats. Over time, the elements can take their toll on even the most well-constructed fence.
Prevent Rot And Decay
Another reason for staining a fence is to prevent rot and decay. If you live in an area with high humidity, your fence is especially susceptible to these problems.
Improve The Appearance Of The Fence
Applying wood stain to your fence can also dramatically improve its appearance. If your fence slats are looking old and worn, a fresh coat of stain can make them look new again.
Increase The Worth Of Home
If you’re thinking of selling your home, restaining your wood fence is a great way to increase its value. A well-maintained fence will not only look great, but it will not be costly for potential buyers.
Types Of Stain Finishes
When it comes to restaining your wood fence, you have a few different options in terms of the type of finish you want to achieve.
Solid Color Stain
A solid color stain is exactly what it sounds like – a single, uniform color that will cover the entire fence. To change the color of your fence with a solid color stain, you’ll need to choose a shade that is different from the current color of the fence.
Semi-Transparent Stain
A semi-transparent stain is a bit more transparent than a solid color stain, which means that it will allow some of the wood grain to show through. This is a good option if you want to enhance the natural beauty of the wood without completely changing its color.
Clear Stain
A clear stain will not change the color of the wood at all, but it will protect it from the elements and prevent fading. This is a good option if you just want to give your cedar fence a little bit of protection without changing its appearance then apply wood stain.
Select The Things For Restaining Your Fence
Now that you know why you might want to stain a fence and the different types of finishes you can achieve, it’s time to start gathering the supplies you’ll need.
Spraying Vs. Brushing
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want to apply the stain using a paint sprayer or a stiff bristle brush.
Brushing the stain on is a bit slower, but it’s much easier to control. If you’re worried about making a mess, a paint brush is probably the best option.
To save some time and effort, using an airless sprayer is the way to go. Renting one for a weekend is the easiest way to get the job done quickly and efficiently. But you need to protect any nearby plants or surfaces that you don’t want to get stained.
Oil Vs. Acrylic Fence Stain
The next thing you need to decide is what type of stain you want to use. The two most common types are oil-based and water-based (acrylic) stains.
Oil-based stains have been around much longer than water-based stains, and they used to be the only option for deck and fence stains.
Oil-based stains penetrate deep into the wood, which means they provide better protection against the elements. They’re also more resistant to fading and peeling.
The downside of oil-based stains is that they’re smelly, messy, and bad for the environment. They also require special disposal methods because they’re considered hazardous waste.
Water-based stains are a newer option, and they’re becoming more popular because they’re much easier to use. They don’t have the strong odor of oil-based stains, and they clean up easily with just soap and water.
They’re also better for the environment because they don’t contain as many harmful chemicals.
Power Wash Vs. Cleaning
The last thing you need to decide is how you’re going to clean the fence before you apply the stain.
If your fence is only mildly dirty, you can probably get away with just cleaning it by hand. But if it’s really dirty or if it hasn’t been cleaned in a while, you’ll need to power wash it.
A power washer is a quickest and most effective way to clean a fence, but it can also be the most dangerous. If you’re not careful, you can easily damage the wood.
So if you decide to power wash or garden hose your fence, be sure to read the instructions carefully and start with the lowest setting.
Wood Fence Restaining Method
If you’ve decided that it’s time to restain your wooden fence, follow these steps to get the job done quickly and efficiently:
Pressure Wash Or Clean
The first step is to clean the fence. You can use either pressure power wash or cleaning solutions to clean the wood fence. If you opt for a pressure washer, use a low setting than a high-pressure spray nozzle and keep the tip at least 18 inches from the fence to avoid damage. If you’re using a cleaning solution, mix it according to the manufacturer’s instructions and apply it with a pump sprayer.
Allow To Dry
After you’ve cleaned the fence, you need to let it dry completely. This could take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the weather.
If you’re in a hurry, you can speed up the process by using a fan or a hair dryer. Just be sure not to get the wood too wet, or you’ll have to start over.
Apply First Coat
Once the fence is dry, it’s time to apply the stain. If you’re using an oil-based stain, apply it with a brush or a roller. If you’re using a water-based stain, use a pump sprayer. Be sure to work in small sections so the stain doesn’t have a chance to dry before you’re done.
Once the first coat is dry, apply a second coat. This will ensure that your fence is protected from the elements and that the color is even. If necessary then apply a third coat.
Apply Oil-Based Stain
For applying oil-based stain wait for 24 hours so it will be completely dry. You can use a brush, roller, or airless sprayer for applying the stain. Do it in small sections to avoid drying before you finish.
Cover With Wood Sealer
In the end, you need to protect your stain job by applying a wood sealer. This will help the fence resist fading and damage from the sun, water, and other elements. Again, apply the sealer with a brush, roller, or sprayer. Be sure to work in small sections so you don’t miss any spots.
Contact Us
Restaining is not an easy task to do yourself that’s why Midlands Pro Painter is here for you. We have a team of experts who will help you in restaining your wood fence. You can call us or visit our website to know more about our services.