Stain or Re-Stain a Wood Fence

A stained fence lasts 2–3x longer than bare wood. Plan a whole weekend; the prep is most of the work.

Difficulty: Medium Time: 1 weekend Cost: $80–$250

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Check the forecastMost stains need 24–48 hrs of dry weather to cure. Don't start if rain is forecast within 2 days.

Tools

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Wood cleaner / brightener
Removes graying and mildew. Olympic and Ready Seal both sell decent prep products.
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Wood stain
Semi-transparent oil-based lasts longest. Solid stains look more like paint but obscure the grain. Plan ~1 gallon per 100–200 sq ft.

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1

Day 1 — clean

Apply cleaner per the label, scrub or pressure-wash, rinse thoroughly. Let the wood dry at least 24 hrs (more if humid).
2

Mask what you don't want stained

Tape off hardware, gates, neighboring concrete. Drop cloths along the base.
3

Day 2 — apply stain

Brush, pad, or spray (back-brush after spraying to work stain into the grain). Work top to bottom on each board, brushing wet-on-wet to avoid lap marks. Don't stop mid-board.

Tip: Stir frequently. Stain pigment settles, and the bottom of the can has more color than the top.
4

Wait

24–48 hrs to cure before any rain or contact. Don't lean things against the fence until then.