Fencing: Tips for Staining Your Fence

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Since your fence is exposed to the elements, it is not surprising that it will begin to fade over time. Leaving this to go on unchecked does not simply affect the appearance of your fence but it can also have an adverse impact on your kerb appeal. Luckily, you could enhance the aesthetics of your fence by opting to stain it. Below are some handy tips you could employ to make the most of staining your fence.

Tip 1: Select the right wood stain

The first thing that you need to do before you purchase a stain for your fence is to consider what the main function of the staining process is. For instance, if you have a gorgeous hardwood fence with an attractive grain, then you should consider a transparent stain. This will restore the shine and lustre to your fencing without having to cover up its natural appeal.

On the other hand, if your fence has acquired imperfections over time, then you may want to consider a solid stain. These stains not only enhance the appearance of the timber but they will also camouflage any faults on the surface. Also, if choosing a solid stain, consider the prevailing colour scheme of your home. This does not mean match the fence to your exterior walls. Instead, try to match it with areas such as shutters, doors, trimmings and more so as to ensure the colour scheme blends in seamlessly.

Tip 2: Ensure your fence is spotless

The trick to a flawless staining job is by starting off with a pristine fence. Some homeowners may assume that simply wiping down the fence would be sufficient. The reality of the matter is small particles of debris can be caught up in cracks that may be on your fence, which would negatively affect the finish once you are done staining it.

Instead, you should consider power washing your fence. Since power washing only makes use of water, you can rest assured there will be no chemicals lingering on your fence to affect the staining. Power washing also eliminates a host of contaminants including mould and mildew that may have started developing on your fence.

Tip 3: Determine if you need to remove the previous stain

If you had applied a solid stain on your fence previously, it would be prudent to determine if you should have it removed. This is because if the stain is flaking, it could affect the appearance of your new stain and cause it to deteriorate prematurely. To determine if the prior stain should be removed, lightly scratch across  the surface of the fence. You should then proceed to tape the area with some duct tape and rip it off. If flakes of the stain have adhered onto the tape, it would be in your best interests to sand out this older stain before you apply your new stain.


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