How to Preserve a Cedar Fence
Cedar fencing has a tendency to turn gray, or even black, after a few years of exposure to the elements. When installing new fence, protect it with a layer of staining within the first 3 to 4 months. Be attentive to the weather, as you will need a steak of clear days to properly seal the wood. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- 5-gallon bucket
- Brushes
- Mask
- Power washer (optional)
- Tarps
- Water hose
- Clear weather
Instructions
-
-
1
Set down a large plastic tarp.
-
2
Clean the fence with a pressure washer, but be careful not to use too much power, or get too close with the spray nozzle. Alternatively, use good sized brushes (3 or 4 inches) to clean the large surfaces and a 2-inch brush for the sides, top and bottom.
-
-
3
Dilute the cleaning mixture inside the bucket and pre-soak 2 or 3 panels of the fence with the cleaner.
-
4
Go back to the pre-soaked section and, using the pressure washer or brushes, deep clean an area that takes between 3 and 5 minutes to finish. If you're using a brush, go with the grain to reduce the amount of flaking.
-
5
Use plenty of water to perform a final cleaning rinse and to dilute the chemicals on the yard.
-
6
Let the fence dry for at least two days. When you're ready to stain the fence, obtain a semi-transparent stain, your bucket, the water hose and protective gear, along with the brushes, or pressure washer.
-
7
Set down the tarps again. Have the water hose close by and dilute your staining mixture in the bucket. Read the manufacturer's specifications to ensure a proper mixture of the stain and stir the solution often.
-
8
Practice using the pressure washer on a scrap piece of wood, or even a cardboard box, to develop a smooth fluid motion for the application process. When using brushes, take extra precautions to apply a full coverage to the wood.
-
9
Stain one or two panels at a time. Don't leave a panel half unstained for another day. Finish whatever panels you've started.
-
10
Apply a second coat of stain once the first one has had time to set. Read the manufacturer's label to see if a second coat is applicable, or if a different application technique is required.
-
11
Clean the fence yearly and consider applying further stain every four or five years. Your fence should have that many years of protection, but will vary depending on the set of products you use.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Olympic Deck Brightener would be a great choice in cleaning your fence before staining. A good product for the staining phase is Olympic's Maximum Semi-Transparent Stain. It's available in 37 different colors, and best applied at temperatures below 80 degrees.
Cedar fencing will flake and peel if solid stains are applied, so avoid this common mistake. Don't use a power sprayer unless you use low power settings. Don't use bleach, even on older fencing. Bleach depletes the wood of its natural oils. Avoid this damage by using high quality products designed for this job.
