Staining Protects Porous Wood Fences

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If your fence is built out of wood, there is a good chance it will require periodic sanding and staining to maintain its structural stability and attractive design. Wood is porous by nature, and over time, the stained finish wears away, leaving the wood unprotected to the elements. Dirt, pollen, and mold spores settle into the pores, leaving the wood a dull gray. Unless you enjoy the rustic, vintage look, you will need to repair the finish every two to three years.

Preliminary Tasks

Begin by inspecting the fence for any rotten, broken, or weak boards. You’ll need to replace these boards before applying any finishes to ensure that you have an even look when the project is complete.

Once the fence is structurally sound, clean it thoroughly by using a pressure washer or a garden hose. If the wood is extremely weathered, you can restore some of the original color by sandblasting.

At this stage, you’ll need to take a break – no paint, stain, or sealant should be applied to wood until it is completely dry. A couple of days of dry, warm weather are ideal for drying the fence, but if rain or chilly weather is in the forecast you may need to wait a bit longer. If you continue with finishing your wood fence before it has a chance to dry out, you’ll seal the moisture into the boards, which will eventually cause them to warp, split, or rot and will likely give the stain an uneven, splotchy appearance.

Staining and Sealing

So, the wood is dry and the forecast is clear (for 1-2 days at least); it’s time to get to the finish line. Using painter’s tape, mask off any hardware (hinges, latches, locks, handles, etc.) so that they won’t be covered with stain. Next, put down newspaper or plastic tarps along the ground under the fence so that you don’t stain or seal the lawn or have spills, causing harmful agents to seep into the ground and possibly a run off.

When staining your fence it will be best served and preserved by a couple of coats of sealant as well. Some stains now come with sealant mixed into the stain, which can save you time (and possibly money) in the fence finishing process.

Apply the stain/sealer with a sprayer, roller, or brush in thin, even coats. It may be necessary to apply up to three coats to ensure an even finish. After the stain is completely dry, apply a waterproof seal in either a varnish or polyurethane. A stain is more for color than sealant, and will wear away quickly without a protective covering.

As with any exterior painting or staining project, make sure you avoid temperature extremes and windy or rainy weather.

Stains and varnishes can be rather strong, so be sure to wear adequate protective clothing and a ventilator if working in an area with poor ventilation or whenever using a sprayer and be sure to keep children and animals away.

Fencing can also be painted or whitewashed, or simply sealed for a more natural look.

Product Choices

A quick glance at any hardware shelf in the stains aisle will prove that there are numerous options of fence stain and sealers. Here’s a preview of some of the choices you may be faced with.

5-Minute Fence.  This product is designed to help keep the finishing process to a minimum of time and effort on your part. It’s a water-borne acrylic stain with UV protection. One jug of 5-Minute Fence, attached to your hose for easy application, can take the place of four gallons of stain. They claim that with their product, there’s no need for masking metal hardware, simply hose off any overspray. On the down side -- it comes in only three different wood shades and they do not specify if their stains have a sealant component in it or if you’ll need to seal the fence after using the product.

One Time.  This is a product which guarantees your fence will be protected from the elements for at least seven years. It’s a sealant with a proprietary acrylate resin blend. One Time can be used on any type of wood, as long as it is clean and dry. The product promises to keep wood from cupping, warping, and splitting. It’s also used to prevent mold growth by penetrating deep into the wood’s cellular structure and being cured by natural sunlight. Unfortunately One Time comes only in Red Cedar or Natural hues and the manufacturer recommends that when using this product on new cedar or redwood, the boards be naturally weathered for one year before applying the sealant.

Wood Defender. This line of stain products is designed to protect fence boards with a three-year warranty, but the manufacturers assert that the stains often hold their integrity for twice as long as their warranty period. One of the great things about Wood Defender is the large variety in stain options. They carry two lines of fence stain: transparent and semi-transparent and each line offers several color choices. The disadvantage is that the distributors for Wood Defender are very limited, mostly in just Texas, Florida, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Nevada.

Minwax Gel Stain. Minwax is a name most are familiar with and that can be easily found in any hardware store. The Gel Stain product can be used for any interior or exterior wood and its gelled qualities make it perfect for vertical projects, like fences, since it won’t drip. It comes in a variety of color options but requires a bit more effort by the homeowner as the manufacturer recommends two coats of stain be applied and topped by an exterior clear top coat.

Staining Fences / Deck / Fencing / Furniture