Steps To Restore A Fence
Is your old fence is looking WELL Old and tired? It's not a problem I'll show you how you can make it anew. It's quite simple, all you need is a few products,tools, and elbow grease and you'll be ready to go. Here is a few steps and techniques that will make your wood fence restoration a breeze.
Step 1: Asses Fence For General Repairs
Before The restoration process begin you want to evaluate all damaged wood that might need to be replaced. You also want to check if your Fence post are on solid footing. Another thing you want to look at is if your fence gate is functioning properly . If all checks out you can move onto the next step of cleaning the fence. If not, You'll want to make these repairs before you move on to the next step.
- Tightnen Loose Boards
- Square off Gates & Doors
- Apply Wood Preservative (optional)
Step 2: Pressure Wash The Fence
Make sure to wash away dirt and cobwebs as well as mold and mildew. The pressure washer will also scour away just enough of the surface to give you a fresh surface to stain. If your fence is gray, it could be from mildew, which the power washer will clean off, or because it is very dry.
You don't need to use any chemicals . Just a pressure washer and the right size tip will do the work just fine. Make sure to let the fence dry 24-48 hrs before you move on to the next step of staining or putting a sealer on fence .
Step 3: Stain or Seal The Fence
After All the repairs have been made and fence cleaned thoroughly you can move onto the next step of Staining or Sealing your fence .
Reasons To Stain Your Fence
- Prevention of Rotting
- Enhance Wood Grain
- Staining your cedar or pine fence helps to make the wood grain pop, increasing the visual appeal of your fence. Not only will your fence look great, but it may even help to increase your property value!
- Increase Lifespan
Reasons To Seal Fence
Sealing a wood fence will save it from swelling and turning gray from exposure to the elements.
- Prevention of Splitting
- If water gets into your fence and freezes, it could cause big problems. Sealer will repel the water, helping to prevent splitting.
- Increase Lifespan
Applying Stain Or Sealer
There are multiple methods to apply product over Fences.
Airless Sprayer Staining Method
You can use an airless sprayer This would be the fasted method. Using a sprayer can make light work of even the longest Fences. Often times you can achieve the look you want with one coat whilst using am airless sprayer. However, you might have to back brush or roll to make sure every part is coated.The only thing is You have to make sure everything is masked and covered to reduce spills and drips where they don't belong.
Brush & Roller Method
You also can apply using the brush & roller method . Although, this way would take longer . The best benefit this way is its less messy. You can guarantee better coverage as brushing and rolling into the wood fibers . Making for a Simple wood fence restoration project really smooth .
You can use pretty much any brush and roller set as long as the nap holds plenty project . However, 4 inch stain brushes are preferred. They are 4 inch wide which would make covering pickets in one motion viable. Pickets usually come in between 3.5- 4.5 inches wide . They are also made of Natural bristles . Designed for a fine ,smooth finish when using oils, stains, varnishes, and lacquers.
Products to use
you can go to just about any hardware store and find stains and sealants . Home depot, Ace Hardware , Lowes, Even walmart carry them . If you want a higher performing product try going to Sherwin Williams Paint Store. They have products like WOOD SCAPES, SUPER DECK , and many more. I personally recommend using any Oil based product for wood fence restoration than a water based product.
Enjoy Your New Fence
Once you have went through and completed all the steps mentioned , you can sit back and marvel at your NEW FENCE. Congrats on turning Drab To Fab With Wood Fence Restoration Done by You!
