OT: Fence Staining Project

[512taylor]

I have a cedar fence ( Pressure treated posts) that was installed about 6-8 months ago.

I don't want a solid color and I don't believe I am allowed per HOA to use a clear stain. Would you suggest transparent, or semi-transparent stain?

Other than cleaning the fence, is there some sort of treatment I should apply to the wood before I actually apply the stain?

Thanks.

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

I don't remember a lot of cedar being used in MS, it's like kudzu here in TX. Ready Seal is awesome if you can find it. Most stains get darker when it overlaps, but Ready Seal doesn't. I used it on a fence and got 7 years out of it on the sunny side, was still perfect where it was shade protected.

You do need to clean the wood if it's 6 months old.
Pump sprayer or airless if you can access it. You really don't have to back brush this stuff.

https://www.readyseal.com

 

[RocketDawg]

The cedar is probably kinda rough on the surface, so it'll soak up stain really well. But the more transparent the stain, the more often you'll have to redo it. I used semitransparent on my deck and was having to stain it every year. Finally went with a solid stain and it's lasting much better. But your fence will have less direct exposure (it's not laying flat) so semitransparent should last a few years at least.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

I’d go with transparent. Go with whatever has the least amount of color added - it will hold its color longer. The more color added, the more potential for fading.
You’ll need to clean in with something like simple green. Pressure washing is the easiest way. If you don’t have one, rent one.
Clean. Dull. Dry. Before you paint or stain anything make sure it’s clean, it’s dull, and it’s dry.

 

[bulldogcountry1]

I'll recommend Ready Seal. I ordered some online a couple years ago after some extensive research, but they recently started selling it at the big box stores.

Its available in several different colors, and the best part is that you can apply it with an inexpensive pump sprayer. It soaks into wood like cedar very nicely. You can do a large fence in a few hours.

Thompson's is garbage.

 

[rebsgoingdown]

Have a cedar deck and the transparent Thompson's water seal has brought more compliments from visitors.

 

[T-TownDawgg]

+1 for Thompsons sucks.

Water based sealers have come a long way. I recommend them over oil based now, and I used to think oil based is always better. Oil based WILL yellow eventually, and you can't ever put water based over it once you've pulled the trigger. I used some water based gloss sealer on some exterior stonework. That stuff looks freshly sealed 6 years later.