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Consider the type of wood, and then wait the proper amount of time (usually anywhere between 1 and 6 months) before staining or sealing your fence. This will allow it to sufficiently weather and to dry or cure.
How long do you have to wait to stain a new cedar fence?
Remember, if you install a cedar fence it will need 5-7 weeks to dry in the sun before it will be ready for any kind of staining or treatment.
How soon can you stain cedar wood?
After installing your exterior cedar, you have about a two week grace period until the wood starts to discolor. After that, the color will rapidly change from red to gray.
Do you need to clean new cedar fence before staining?
To keep your cedar fence in top condition, it’s important to restain it every 3-5 years. For a high-quality, professional-looking stain job, you should give your fence a thorough cleaning before you apply stain.
What happens if you stain a fence too soon?
Staining too soon can lead to the stain not being absorbed by the wood and result in a patchy and failed upgrade for your deck. Test to make sure that water is absorbed by the wood which ensures this drying process is done. After the wood is dry, it is ready to stain.
Do you need to clean a new fence before staining?
Before applying any type of finish to a fence, including stains, you need to remove any old finish(es) and remove any built up dirt, dust, grime or other substances from the fence. Pressure washing a fence before staining it will also ensure blemishes are removed that could show through the surface of the stain.
Should I seal my new cedar fence?
If cared for properly, a cedar fence will remain attractive and structurally sound for many years to come. Apply a waterproofing sealer to the cedar fence to protect the wood from splintering, cracking and warping due to the weather elements. Seal your cedar fence every three to five years.
Should I stain cedar fence?
A newly installed fence with the beauty of natural cedar adds value to your property. Staining a new fence can help preserve its look, and once an older fence has been cleaned, stain can help bring back its natural beauty. When selecting a stain for cedar, choose one that’s oil-based and semitransparent.
Should I sand cedar before staining?
If your cedar deck is newly installed, you’ll need to sand* the cedar boards prior to staining. The planing process causes an oily surface on the boards that can hinder the wood stain from penetrating the wood. For an existing deck, you may need to sand* to remove loose wood fibers.
What stain looks good on cedar?
Our Top 5 Best Stains For Cedar Wood Ready Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Stain. Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofing Stain. Defy Extreme Transparent Exterior Wood Stain. Olympic Stain Elite Woodland Oil Stain. Cabot Semi-Solid Deck & Siding Stain.
How much should I charge to stain a fence?
The price of having a professional paint or stain your fence averages $2,000. Homeowners could pay anywhere between $750 to $4,250 depending on the condition, height and length of the fence. Costs average $3 to $17 per linear foot or $1 to $2.50 per square foot.
How many coats of stain do I need for a fence?
In most cases, solid-color stains are like traditional paint and need just one coat to protect your fence. Semi-transparent penetrating stains often need two coats, with the second coat applied approximately an hour after the first coat.
Can you stain a weathered fence?
Fences usually face severe weathering, so expect the finish to last no more than three years. Before recoating, wash the fence with a garden hose sprayer and use a bristle brush on stubborn dirt deposits and stains. Let the fence dry and stain it using the same method.
Is it better to stain or seal a fence?
Unlike sealers, stains penetrate into the wood. Although a wood stain is more expensive than a sealer, it can last up to 5 times longer and looks more professional. So you certainly get your money’s worth. Here at DeckMaster™, we recommend using wood stains for your deck and fence maintenance.
Can you stain only one side of a fence?
A question that customers sometimes ask is whether both sides of the fence should be sealed. In reality, if one side of the fence faces a neighbor and they choose not to stain or seal their side will discolor and yours won’t, without this affecting the structural integrity of the structure.
Can you stain a fence after it rains?
no. Most wood stains are oil-based and therefore will not bond well to a wet surface. If applied to wet woods, the stain will be thin and will eventually wash off after a few sizable rains. It is simply better to stain wood when dry.
How do you prepare a new fence for staining?
Clean the fence surface by applying a cleaner — a small solution of soapy bleach water may be all you need, but seek out a fence/deck cleaner for tough stains. Scrub with a stiff bristle brush to remove dirt, debris, and mildew. Rinse thoroughly with a high pressure nozzle attached to a hose or a pressure washer.
Should you water seal cedar?
Sealing Exterior Cedar Because of its rot-resistance and stability, cedar used for outdoor projects, such as furniture, fences, siding and play structures, lasts for years without any finish. If weather resistance is your main concern and you aren’t concerned about color, use a water-sealing finish.
