How to Renew Your Garden Fence With Stain

1.         At this time of lockdown, working on your garden is a great chore and perfect way  to brighten up the day. Do not be sedentary and park indoors if you can work in  your garden and carry out those many greenery tasks.     Now is the time. And for one example: that wooden fence which needs attention as  it lacks a stain. This will add prolonged life to your fence that brings privacy to your  garden. And anyone can do it. It’s just a bit of painting.    What You Need    You need a basic set of tools and your local DIY store will have them all.    • Can(s) of stain  • Paintbrushes, both large and small  • Paint rollers  • Tarp  • Clean rags  • Paint tray  • Wooden stirrer  • Sandpaper  • Power-washer    1. Prepare the Garden Fence    Before applying the stain, the wood must be properly prepared. This will make sure  the stain can adhere to the wood. Failure to do this step may result in an uneven  stain that needs to be redone. 

2.   Begin preparing the fence by sanding down any noticeable rough spots. It’s not  imperative that the fence is completely smooth, but you will want to sand any  broken edges to prevent splintering. It’s also necessary to completely sand a fence  if it’s been previously painted.    The wood should then be cleaned with a power-washer. You want to fully remove  any dirt and debris. If you notice black mould, scrub it with bleach and water to kill  the mould and prevent regrowth. Allow enough time for the fence to fully dry before  moving on to the next step.    2. Protect the Surroundings    Place a tarp around the fence to protect the area from any drips. It’s also smart to  cover any garden furniture or plants in the surrounding area. If it’s windy, it may be  necessary to use rocks or bricks to hold the tarp in place.    3. Timing is Everything    Check the weather forecast before you begin staining the fence. Avoid staining if it’s  humid or rainy outside. It’s also not wise to stain wood on a cold day. All these  situations may prevent the stain from fully drying.    It’s best to stain a ​wooden fence​ when it’s dry and warm outside. If the wood is too  hot, you may find the stain dries too quickly. Try staining the wood in a shaded area.  Windy days are also not ideal for applying a stain. The wind may cause dirt or grass  to get stuck in the wet stain before it has a chance to dry.    4. Apply the Stain    Now you’re finally ready to apply the stain. This is easily done with paintbrushes and  a paint roller. Large areas of the fence are easy to stain with a paint roller. Use  paintbrushes on edges, tip, trellis, and other small areas, as brushes allow for more  precision.    When applying the stain, never go against the wood grain. Always move the brush  or roller in the same direction. This will prevent streaking. It’s also wise to always  keep a wet edge. This is done by brushing into the wet area and back brushing.    Always apply a liberal amount of stain to the fence. You need to use enough stain  so that it’s able to penetrate the wood. Use a paintbrush or clean rag to blot away  any drips. Start at the top of the fence and work your way down to prevent drip  marks.    Most wooden fences require two coats, but you should always refer to the  manufacturer’s instructions for the best results. The manufacturer will also  recommend how long to wait before applying the next coat.   

3.   Some more tips    Consider these points to get the best results.    • If you want to cover a large fence with stain, consider using a paint sprayer.  You will still need to use a paintbrush to stain any hard-to-reach areas.    • Choose your stain color carefully. Stains come in a vast array of colors, from  bright to dark. Stain a small, inconspicuous area first to test the color.    • Consider staining before the fence is installed. If you have a new fence, it’s  easier to apply a stain before it’s erected. This may also reduce the chance of  missing a spot or applying an uneven stain.      Get tips like this on maintaining your garden and advice from the pros at ​Your Job  Cost​.