Having a wooden fence brings with it certain responsibilities, including staining it to keep it viable and visually appealing. The problem is that many people aren’t all that certain how to stain their fence, which puts them in a bind that requires either paying to have it done, or putting forth an amateurish effort.
To avoid this dilemma, a list of easy steps explaining how this process should work is listed below:
Clean the Surface
Any good stain should be applied to a surface that has been thoroughly cleaned, which often means rinsing it with water to get rid of any debris that might have collected on it. Once that’s been completed, wait until the wood is completely dry before applying the stain, something that might be delayed if rain arrives. The moisture content of the wood must be 12% or less, so invest in a moisture meter to be sure you’re where you need to be before applying stain.
Get the Area Ready
Just bringing out some fence stain and applying it to the fence will accomplish your task, but that may leave a mess in its wake. Make sure you protect the area underneath and cover anything that happens to be located nearby, since overspray and splatter are a real possibility.
Even before you place a drop cloth around the area you’re working on, it makes perfect sense to perform some landscaping near the fence itself. That might involve cutting grass, getting rid of weeds, and/or raking leaves.
Applying the Product
You can go to most hardware stores and find fence stain, though it makes more sense to be discerning in that choice. That’s because not all stains are alike, as quality levels vary enough that you’ll notice a clear difference when the first inclement weather arrives.
While you can use a brush to handle the job, you may prefer either a roller or sprayer if you happen to be pressed for time. If you choose to use a sprayer, make sure that you have on both safety glasses and a dust mask. This will help avoid the product spraying back in your eyes or accidentally ingesting it. Windy days should be avoided if you choose to use a sprayer.
There are many products to choose from. Ready Seal checks all of the boxes when it comes to quality, plus it’s Goof Proof, so even someone who has never stained before can handle it like a pro. One of the huge time-saving benefits of Ready Seal is that most other stains will require back-brushing in order to avoid the unsightly look of runs or streaks marring your hard work. Ready Seal leaves no laps, runs or streaks, and does not require back-brushing. In addition, some products can’t be used if the temperature dips to a certain level or if the sun is beating down, a concern that falls by the wayside when you’re using Ready Seal, which can be applied in full sunlight and in any temperature, even below freezing.
Cleaning Up
Depending on what product you use, but if it’s an oil-based product (like Ready Seal), you’ll need mineral spirits to clean up your brushes, roller frames, and pans. You can also run mineral spirits through your pump up sprayer to clean it out. If you’re using rollers, make sure to use toss out the roller sleeve after you are done.
The Only Real Option
Ready Seal has been formulated as a wood stain and sealer that is GOOF PROOF, so even if you’ve never applied stain before, your outdoor wood project can still look like it was done by a professional!
When you say spray can you use a pump sprayer type device to spray the stain or do you need to have an air compressor type device for spread
Great question, Lawrence. Ready Seal can be applied with a brush, a roller, a pump-up garden sprayer, or an airless sprayer. It is very versatile, so whatever tools you have or like to use, it is easy to apply!
How many coats of stain should be put on the fence just one coat? It is a new Cedar fence. Does it need to be washed first and set for 48 hours as it is a new fence. How many gallons will I need for a fence that 66 feet wide and 6 feet high?
Hi Ruth-
Thanks for your questions. We always recommend two light coats or one heavy coat. But if the wood is brand new or smooth-milled, it will only take one coat initially, as it takes a few years for the pores of the wood to open up fully. As for cleaning– even new wood can benefit from a light cleaning before you stain. Before any stain can be applied, all previous coatings must be removed, and the wood must be completely dry (12% or less moisture content – use a moisture meter to determine). This is the most critical point of preparation to follow before using Ready Seal. It may take a couple days, or a couple weeks, depending on the wood, so please use a moisture meter to ascertain the moisture content before you begin. Once the wood is clean and dry, you are ready to begin applying Ready Seal. On average, a gallon of stain will cover approximately 125 square feet, maybe more. So with your dimensions, plan on using 3, maybe 4 gallons for one side of the fence. If you plan to do the back as well, you’ll double that.
Thanks for your interest. We’d love to earn your business, so please feel free to call our office during normal business hours if you have more questions and/or to get additional information and support on how to best prepare your wood before application. 1.888.STAIN.4.U or 972-434-2028. Have a great week!
I’m truly happy to find this page, because i’m looking for vinyl fence stain clean process. After reading this article i get full of stain clean information. Thanks for helpful writing.
Thanks for commenting Anthony! Glad you found our site helpful. Feel free to check back in with us anytime.
After two coats with about a day gap in between, my deck looked great.
About a day after the second coat, however, it rained – a passing but heavy shower.
Is it OK to have a little bit of rain before the stain completely dries up?
Great question! And the good news is that if the wood is prepared properly before staining, then it can rain within hours after staining, and Ready Seal will not wash away. But the correct preparation beforehand is critical. There are two rules that must be followed: wood must be clean and completely free from other products/coatings (you may even have to chemically strip other products off, then neutralize and clean) AND then the wood MUST be completely dry- with a moisture content of 12% or less (you can use an inexpensive moisture meter to measure and be sure). If those two standards are met, then Ready Seal will quickly penetrate into the wood, and rain shortly after application should not cause any problems with your fence, deck, or other outdoor project. If you are unsure about what steps a project requires to prepare for staining, please feel free to call our office at 888.STAIN.4U for information and guidance.
I have two questions: 1) I have a new cedar fence that’s been up for 2 months. I went to buy stain and was advised to wait till next spring to stain it by the person in the paint department. Is this ok or should I get it stained now? 2) If I do stain it now does the fence need to be cleaned since it’s been up for 2 months?
Hi Sue- In many cases, no, you shouldn’t have to wait until spring to stain a new fence, but there are some exceptions to that. There are different variables that determine the best time to stain a new fence, and we would be happy to answer your question once we get a little more information about your wood/project. As far as cleaning, it’s always a good idea to clean before you stain, but if you are not noticing any greying of the wood or any mold/mildew spots, that may not be necessary. Please call our office at 1-888-782-4648 or 972-434-2028 during regular business hours Mon-Fri, and we’d love to help answer all your questions.
Well worth a read. Got great insights and information from your blog. Thanks.
informative blog
Thank you for pointing out that it makes great sense to do some landscaping close to the fence itself, even before you lay down a drop cloth around the area you’re working on. The fence is what my sister wants for her property. I’ll advise her to install wood fencing in her landscaping.
Do you need to Mia mineral spirits with the ready seal stain? I have read two different answers in articles.