Does your wooden fence need to be stained? Maybe you’re on the fence about whether or not to do it yourself. Well, we’re here to help!

This blog post by Castle Rock Deck & Fence will outline five steps to DIY staining a wood fence.

Fence staining is a project that can be completed in just a few hours, and it will add value and beauty to your home. So, if you’re ready to get started, keep reading! We promise that you won’t regret it!

Step #1: Preparation

What You’ll Need

Before you get started, it’s important to gather all of the necessary materials.

This project doesn’t require many supplies, but you will need these; a pressure washer, water, bleach, a plastic bucket, a stiff brush, gloves, and goggles. You will also need to choose the best fence stain for your needs.

Choosing The Right Stain For Your Needs

There are three main types of wood stains – water-based, oil-based, and gel stain.

  • Water-based stains are the easiest to work with and clean up but don’t last as long as oil-based or gel stains.
  • Oil-based stains are more durable and longer-lasting but can be tricky to apply and require more cleanup.
  • Gel stains are the most difficult to work with, but they offer the longest-lasting protection.

Step #2: Pressure Wash Your Fence

Pressure washing your fence will remove any dirt, grime, or mildew build-up. It’s essential to make sure that your fence is completely clean before you apply any stain. Otherwise, the stain won’t be able to penetrate the wood and will just sit on top of the dirt.

Step #3: Mix Water and Bleach

After you’ve pressure washed your fence, it’s time to mix water and bleach in a plastic bucket. The ratio of water to bleach will depend on how dirty your fence is.

  • If your fence is extremely dirty, you might want to use a 1:1 ratio of water to bleach.
  • If your fence isn’t too bad, you can use a 1:3 ratio of water to bleach.

Let the mixture sit on the fence for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with a hose.

Step #4: Sand Your Fence

If your fence is already stained, you’ll need to remove the old stain before applying a new one. You can do this with a sander (hand or palm) or by using a chemical stripper.

Sanding helps the stain adhere to the fence better.

  • If you’re using a palm sander, use 120-grit sandpaper.
  • If you’re using a hand sander, you can use either 60-grit or 80-grit sandpaper.

Once you’ve finished sanding the fence, use a brush or a vacuum to remove any dust left behind.

Step #5: Stain Your Fence

Now for the fun part – staining your fence! You can stain your fence in two ways: with a brush or with a pump sprayer.

  • If you’re going to stain your fence with a brush, you’ll need to buy a high-quality brush that’s designed for staining.
  • If you decide to use a pump sprayer, make sure it can handle oil-based stains. However, take note that pump sprayers can be a bit more difficult to use, so if you’re a beginner, it’s probably best to stick with a brush.
  • Don’t forget to wear gloves and old clothes that you don’t mind getting stained, and make sure to stir your stain well before using it.
  • Test your stain on a small, inconspicuous area of the fence before doing the entire thing.
  • Once you’ve applied the stain to your fence, you need to let it dry. Depending on the type of stain that you used, this can take anywhere from 2-24 hours.

If you’re confused about how to DIY, hire a professional fence staining company! At Deck & Fence Staining, we provide the best staining services for your fence in Littleton! So, are you ready to give your fence a makeover? Get a free estimate today!