Staining your Garden Fence : Some simple steps

Varnishing your garden fence can add years to its shelf life

Mother Nature will also wear away at the colour of the stain, so unless you wish to leave the wood looking more ‘traditional’, you may also need to sand and re-varnish the fence posts every three years or so.

Start off by inspecting the fence for any noticeable damage or rot before you start, it’s easier to stain all the panels in one go, rather than having to replace a panel at a later date.Before applying a stain your fence may require a sealant to help waterproof it, and protect against any warping or rot. This is also important when preparing the fence panels, as you will want to wait for dry weather before starting. Any trapped water will cause damage to your fence.

Similar to the varnishing a table guide, it is advised to test out the stain colour on a scrap fence post if possible, as colours will change dramatically upon drying. Once you are happy with the colour, gradually apply the stain in horizontal brush strokes, ensuring an even cover is applied. You can also use a varying number of sprayers to apply the stain, but I would advise only doing this when the weather is calm to avoid polluting any plantlife or vegetation with stain.

Safety:

Always cover up your skin and clothes when using stain, and remain in a well ventilated area – stain can be highly toxic!