Staining the wooden fence is essential to keep it looking the best and long-lasting for years. But is it compulsory all the time? Do you have to stain a fence after pressure washing or every single wash?
Yes, you should stain the fence, but it will be different depending on specific wooden barriers. Staining depends on the condition of the fence and even the cause of why you apply pressure washing to clean it.
I’m going to speak out about this topic so that you can realize whether you should stain the fence or not.
Let’s go…..
What is Staining
If you have a fence that is starting to look a little dull and faded, you can spruce it up with some stain. There are many different types of stains that can be used on fences, so finding the right one for your fence is important.
Some popular types of fence stains include wood stain, paint stain, and concrete stains. Each type of stain will give your fence a different look and feel. Wood stain is the most common type of fence stain and is usually used to give fences a traditional wooden look. Paint Stain is similar to wood stain but gives fences a more painterly look. Concrete Stain is the darkest type of fence stain and can give fences a very dark appearance.
Before you start staining your fence, make sure to measure the length, width, and height of your fence. This will help you choose the right size bottle of stain for your project. Once you have measured your fence, gather all of the supplies you need including the stained clothes, brush, bucket, and cleaning soap.
To begin staining your fence, first, remove any dirt or dust from the surface with a brush. Then pour enough clean water onto the surface of the brush to cover it completely and scrub it into the dirt/dust until it’s removed. Next, mix together 1 part Stained Clothes with 9 parts of water in a bucket or spray bottle.
​Do You Have To Stain A Fence After Pressure Washing?
The answer is yes, but not all the time after pressure washing.
If the fence remains in excellent condition and you have done simple pressure washing, it is not essential to stain the fence.
The reason is that in this method, you only need to use a gentle soap or detergent powder to get rid of dirt, dust, and mold build-up. Here you need to scrub the fence and then pressure wash to clean the agents.
It is effortless, and you can do it several times based on what is necessary. For this, you don’t need to stain the fence after every single pressure wash.
Note:
- As long as you are very careful about too much pressure, that can cause damage to the fence’s surface.
- You must ensure the pressure keeps less than 12000 psi and use gentle cleaning solutions. It will clean the fence and look new without trouble and doesn’t need staining or sealing.
When you clean the fence using brightener and oxalic acid to remove stubborn dust and dirt or significantly older painting coats, painting is the next step after pressure washing. The idea with wooden fence maintenance is to color it before damaging it.
So, if the fence boundary needs any heavy cleaning and isn’t in good condition, it requires a heavy maintenance coat.
Staining can protect the fence from moisturizers and UV rays responsible for discoloration and rotting the wood. It also has a longer lifespan than the fence and looks new and attractive.
What Happens If You Stain The Fence After Pressure Washing? Top 4 Benefits
After heavy pressure washing the faded wooden fence, it needs to be stained. It has many advantages:
First: Deepen Color & Grain The Wood Of Fence
Unstained, dull, dirty, algae-covered bare wood doesn’t look as pretty and nice. So, it is common to stain the fence wood, which helps pull out the interior beauty wood scrap within.
Some people love to keep their fences with the natural color of the wood, and they only apply a seal to the wood.
But many people think staining is the best idea to enhance the color and grain of the fence wood. It makes the wood look brand new, shiny, bright, and well-maintained for a long time.
Second: Protect the Fence
The next advantage of staining a wood fence after pressure washing is to save it from sun damage and even fading.
The sunlight destroys the fence as it sits in a path for a long time. If you leave the bare fence for too long, the wood will crack and splinter.
So staining with a protective topcoat on the fence can save every layer from the sun’s harmful rays.
Third: Minimize the Mold and Mildew
Most of the exterior stains come with mold and mildew resistance formula which is very important for the long-lasting protection of the fence.
A fence sealant and a mold and mildew resistance formula can protect the fence’s wood for a long time.
Fourth: Save From Moisture & Water Damage
Staining or sealing after pressure washing protects the wooden fence from moisture and water damage. The water is the next enemy of the sun, making the fence quickly worse.
The rainwater and moisture from green algae can cause the fence to rot. And the simplest way to prevent it is to apply a fence sealant to add a layer of safety between wood and water or moisture.
What Happened If You Don’t Stain The Fence After Pressure Washing?
If the pressure washing removes the protective sealant or doesn’t exist anymore, sealing or staining with a double coat is essential.
Otherwise, the wooden fence will be damaged by heavy sunlight and moisture. The fence becomes dull and fades and even will crack very soon.
Staining isn’t vital after power washing, but after heavy pressure washing and applying harsh chemicals, you should stain the fence.
Besides, I would recommend you to read this article if you are looking for the best pressure washer for your home.
How to Pressure Wash Your Fence
Pressure washing your fence can help keep it clean and looking great. Follow these steps to get started:
1. Remove any large objects that may get in the way of the spray.
2. Set up your pressure washer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure the water flow is set at a low setting and the nozzle is directed towards the ground.
3. Fill a bucket with water and place it next to the fence. Position yourself so that you are spraying from close to but not directly on top of the fence.
4. Start spraying at a low setting and gradually increase the pressure as needed to reach desired results. Be patient and keep spraying until all of the dirt, mud, or grease has been removed.
FAQs:
1. How long should you wait for staining a fence after pressure washing?
If you are a beginner then a question might arise in your mind, how long should you wait to stain a fence after pressure washing?
After pressure washing, allow the wet fence to dry before applying the stain. Typically, a wood fence takes 24 to 48 hours to dry thoroughly.
Depending on the temperature and humidity, you may need to wait a long time. I suggest leaving it for 48 to 72 hours.
2. Is It Good To Paint Or Stain The Wooden Fence?
Most of the time, staining is better than painting the fence. It saves your fence for a long time from painting and protects you from peeling and cracking. It requires less pro-preparation than painting. Paint is indeed less expensive than stain.
3. Is It Worth Staining The Fence?
A stain after pressure washing is the updated method for most fence finishes. When the initial cost is higher for colors, they are much longer and need very little maintenance. It is worth it because it requires less cost but offers service for a long time.
4. How Often To Stain A Fence?
- 3 to 5 Years
The general rule is that the fence must be stained every three years to 5-years. The experts of five-star painting products suggest that stains for the fence’s durability can enhance and preserve its polish and weather defense qualities.
Note: Before applying any stain, your wooden fence needs to be dried. You should know how long should wood dry before staining, to get a good result.
5. How Long Does Stain Last On A Fence?
- 1 to 10 Years
The best stain can last long on a fence in 1-8 years, provisional on how dense the stain is. Keep in mind that a transparent stain can last for a short time while a dense stain lasts longer.
Paint lasts more than 10 years when it is applied effectively. So, it is most important to use high-quality and exterior-grade products.
6. What Time Of Year Is The Best for Staining A Fence?
Summer is the best time to stain your wood fence. It may be early summer or late summer.
You should wait for 3 days or 4 days to dry and warm the weather after pressure washing. Plus, a good day like early morning and late afternoon are the best times for staining.
7. How Many Coats Of Stain Should I Need To Apply On A Fence?
One Or Two Coats
Typically, a wood fence requires one coat after pressure washing to gain your desired color. If the stain is light, there needs to be a second coat for the perfect cover.
If you want to decrease the coating layer, you should apply the wood conditioner before staining; that helps minimize the number of coating to stain the fence.
Final Words
I hope you have the right answer on whether you must stain a fence after pressure washing. Yes, it is most valuable to stain a fence after pressure washing. Mainly it performs to protect the fence from damage and keeps it nice looking all the time.
If the wooden fence becomes dull and fades, stain it after taking a professional pressure washing. Enjoy your ground with a new look every day.
