How to Spray Wood Finish on a Fence
Finishing your wooden fence provides a layer of protection for the wooden planks that prevent rot and staining due to external weather conditions. In addition to protection, the stain used during the finishing process increases the attractiveness of the fence, adding a vibrant color that the natural wood doesn't possess otherwise. Spraying the finish onto the fence is a quick and effective method of application, requiring no special tools, just a paint sprayer for initial application and a paint roller to level out the coverage. Once completed, you'll have an easily cleaned fence surface, protected from the elements for up to three years before needing an additional layer of finish. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Power washer
- Masking tape
- Newspaper
- Respirator
- Safety goggles
- Long clothing
- Wood stain
- Paint spray gun
- Paint roller
- Wood sealant
Instructions
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Clean the fence with a power washer. Spray along the entire length of the fence with the washer on both sides to remove any dirt or debris from the fence surface. Wait for the fence to dry before continuing.
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Apply masking tape to any metal fixtures, such as mailboxes or gate hinges and locks, on the fence to protect them from the finish. Place newspaper over plants lining the fence to protect them from the finish as well.
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Put on a respirator to protect your lungs from the spray finish. Put on safety goggles, and wear work gloves and clothing that covers as much skin as possible during the application process to avoid being covered with overspray.
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Place a spray tip between 0.13 and 0.15 of an inch onto the nozzle of your spray gun. Fill the spray gun reservoir with the wood stain. Test the spray pattern from the spray gun on a piece of cardboard to determine the proper air pressure setting for the gun. Set the pressure so that the stain pattern is consistent throughout without leaving heavy edges along the stain application.
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Hold the nozzle of the spray gun perpendicular to the fence, about 12 inches from the fence surface. Pull the trigger on the gun and move the nozzle parallel to the surface of the fence starting at the bottom and moving from left to right, following the plank's width until you reach the end. Release the trigger then start at the left side again to apply the next row of spray, overlapping the first by about 50 percent.
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Back-roll the plank with a paint roller after covering it with stain to make sure the stain penetrates the surface of the wood. Go over the surface of the wood, following the wood grain with the roller pressing with a moderate amount of force to push the stain into the wood grain.
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Continue along the fence line, spraying each plank then back-brushing until you reach the end. Go back to the beginning and spray the other side of the wooden plank following the same application procedure until the entire fence is covered with the stain. Remove the newspapers, and then wait the manufacturer's suggested waiting time for the stain to dry on the wood.
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Seal in the stain by applying a layer of wood sealant to the fence using the paint roller. Coat the wood with the sealant in two thin layers. Apply the first layer then wait two hours before applying the second. Wait 48 hours for the sealant to dry before touching the fence.
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References
Resources
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