Unfortunately, hair is not the only thing that gets gray as it ages. Wooden fences will gradually turn gray over time because of its exposure to the elements. A gray fence can be an embarrassment to the home owner but it gets left in place because people believe their only choice is to replace the fence. Weathered fences can be repaired and enjoyed for years to come if you follow a few tips:
Always power wash the fence before you add the stain. You can power wash the fence yourself if you have some experience with it but you have to be careful. A power washer can easily damage a fence especially if it is an older fence. Most experts recommend you have a professional power wash the fence for you to remove debris, mold, discoloration and peeling paint. This will give your stain a solid, clean surface to bring out the best color in the wood and seal it against moisture.- Never use cleaning products on your fence. There are a lot of fence cleaning products on the market that promise miraculous results but they are generally a waste of time. If you are getting your fence ready for stain then nothing beats a garden hose, a little dish washing detergent and elbow grease. It will remove most of the stains on your fence and it won’t damage your vegetation.
- Don’t use a roller or hand brush when applying stain to your fence. Many people make the mistake of doing it by hand to save a little money but it actually costs you more in the long run. Painting by hand can use 200% more stain and take days longer than just hiring a professional with an airless sprayer gun.
- Replace the missing and cracked bits. A broken board will stand out like a missing tooth. Especially if everything around it is all nicely stained. Before you go through the time and trouble of cleaning and staining your fence, make sure that all the boards are in good repair and firmly in place.
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