How to Remove a Stain From a New Cedar Fence

Don't let stains mar the natural beauty of cedar.

A fence does so much more than assert the boundaries of your property line; it gives you a sense of privacy and protection, and a cedar fence provides enhanced aesthetic quality, in addition to the strong functional value. That's why a stain on your cedar fence is particularly undesirable; it becomes an instant eyesore, disrupting the charming quality of the wood. The most common stains found on cedar fencing are mold and mildew stains, as well as oil and sap stains, but, luckily, you don't have to live with them.

Things You'll Need

• 1 qt. bleach
• 1 gallon water
• Bucket
• Rubber or latex gloves
• Scrub brush
• Garden hose
• Soft cloth
• Paint thinner

Instructions

Black Mildew and Mold Stains

1. Pour 1 qt. of bleach into a bucket. Add 1 gallon of water.

2. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and a dust mask.

3. Dip a scrub brush into the mixture and scrub the cedar fence, paying particular attention to the black spots of mold and mildew. Re-dip the scrub brush into the mixture as necessary.

4. Rinse the fence with clean, cold water from a garden hose and allow it to air-dry.

Black Oil and Sap Stains

1. Put on a pair of rubber or latex gloves and saturate a soft cloth in paint thinner.

2. Rub the cloth against the oil and sap stains. Turn and fold the cloth as you work, so that you're constantly scrubbing the stains with a fresh part of the cloth, and not redistributing the oil and sap back on to the fence.

3. Rinse off the fence with a light coating of cold water from a garden hose.

References

• "Fences & Retaining Walls"; William McElroy; 1990

Resources

• Phillips Fencing: Fence Staining