How to Restore an Old Wood Fence.
- 1. Check the Posts. If you’re, you know, on the fence (sorry) about restoring your old wooden fence, the first thing you should do is check the state ...
- 2. Identify What Needs to be Repaired or Replaced.
- 3. Power Wash.
- 4. Let the Fence Dry.
- 5. Sand Your Fence.
How to restore an old wood fence?
Jun 17, 2021 · Common old wooden fence repairs include: Gluing support beams back to the post Gluing broken pickets back together (or replacing them) Removing protruding nails (or replacing those boards completely) Repairing or replacing the latch on the door Wear gloves and eye protection to avoid splinters. 7. Apply Sealer or Stain You’re almost done.
Can You Power Wash an exterior wood fence?
A rough grain will help the stain soak into the wood and effectively bond to the surface of your fencing. But be careful about applying the stain so soon after you washed the fence. Allow it dry thoroughly before you start the staining process, otherwise it won’t apply evenly. You should give it a full 24 hours to give the wood time to dry.
How long does a wood fence last?
Once you've sanded the fence, fill any holes with putty. Cover each fence board with paint or varnish, depending on the look you wish to achieve. If necessary, complete the project by replacing any loose hardware. Pull old nails out and reinforce the boards with new screws and add new hinges and a lock to the gate, if required.
How do you stain an exterior wood fence?
Sep 11, 2020 · 2. Evaluate slopes on your property and choose the proper fence for your landscape. 3. Before digging, call 811 to be connected to local utility companies. They'll mark any underground service lines. 4. Review and follow all local fencing laws and ordinances. 5. Measure correctly, dig the proper post hole and ensure posts are plumb and level.
How to preserve cedar wood?
To preserve the natural color of the wood, use an exterior semitransparent oil stain. It seals the wood while allowing the grain and color variations to show through. And its pigments add an overall color tone. Make sure the stain contains ultraviolet inhibitors, which will slow down bleaching by sunlight, and a mildewcide to slow fungal growth. Look for samples on cedar at the paint store, or bring in your own piece of wood to test. A test sample is the best way to ensure a satisfactory result.
How do I apply semi transparent fence stain?
Roll a section of fence stain. Use a paint roller with a “medium nap” cover to apply a soaking coat to the wood. Let the wood absorb as much sealer as it can. Roll into the dry wood a soaking coat of semi-transparent fence stain. Coat about 3 ft. of the fence, then proceed to brush out the sealer into the wood. Step 12.
How to keep fan spray from going out?
Keep the sprayer moving. Start spraying with the wand tip 18 in. from the wood surface. Move-in closer as you swing the tip slowly along the length of the board. Keep the width of the fan spray aligned across the board s. Pull the trigger and keep the sprayer tip moving to avoid gouging the wood.
Can you use a power washer on a fence?
Power washers are aggressive as a fence cleaner. They'll strip the wood as well as clean off the dirt and grime, but you can also erode the wood too deeply and ruin it. The key is to use the right sprayer tip and technique. In any case, the power washer's spray will slightly raise and roughen the grain on smooth wood. That's actually good—it allows more sealer to soak in and improves the finish.
Look for Damage
Take a good look at the condition of the fence first. If you find any signs of damage or substantial wear and tear, you’ll want to repair or replace these items before you get started. Explore and observe any signs you might find of broken boards, rot, pest infestation, even rusty old nails that have come up.
Cleaning Wooden Fences
You will need to start by cleaning your wood. A great way to do this is by hiring a pressure washer to help you remove those thick top layers of dirt and grime that have caked up over time.
Apply Oil Stain
Now that you’ve made any repairs or replaced any wood that needed attention and you’ve cleaned away that dull and drab top layer of the fence, it’s now time to revive your wood. You’re going to want to apply a good oil stain to give it a whole new look and feel.
What to do if fence post wobbles?
If it wobbles, you will need to go through the process of restoring it, which includes using an auger to drill a new hole, putting a new post in the hole and filling the hole with cement.
Who is the refinish wizard?
Refinish Wizard: How to Refinish and Restore Wood Furniture. William McCoy. Toronto-based journalist William McCoy has been writing since 1997, specializing in topics such as sports, nutrition and health. He serves as the Studio's sports and recreation section expert.
Can fence boards get bleached?
Fence Boards. Over time, fence boards get bleached by the sun, and regardless of how well they're finished, they can begin to flake and peel. Examine the fence to see how severe the peeling and flaking is on each board. Some boards, especially those in direct sunlight, will be worse than other boards. Some boards that are in the shade most of the ...
Is the Post Damaged?
Reinforce posts by adding braces to support the post base. Simply drive the brace into the ground and attach the brace to the undamaged section of the post.
Is Your Fence Gate Sagging?
If the fence is sagging, reinforce it with a no-sag kit to bring it back to square.
Is Your Fence Dirty or Mildewed?
If your fence is dirty or has mildew, use a pressure washer to clean it. Let it dry completely and then apply stain.
Are Animals Digging Underneath Your Fence?
If your dog digs under your fence, you may need to address a behavioral issue at some point. In the meantime, you can create a physical barrier to prevent or discourage digging.
General Fence Maintenance
While regular maintenance won't totally eliminate the need for repairs in the future, it will help to preserve the fence and maintain its longevity.
Planning Your Fence
To help ensure longer fence life, remember these pre-installation tips:
How much does a gallon of fence stain cost?
They cost $10.99 to $18.99 for a gallon. Exterior stains, which usually also are sealants, are another option if homeowners want their fence to coordinate with the exterior of their homes. Semi-transparent stains costs $17 to $18 per gallon.
What is a wood fence made of?
Typically, wood fences, especially those going up around newly constructed homes, are made of cedar or redwood. "They are more resistant to rot and decay than other species," says Jack Holt, owner of Holt Lumber in Fresno, Calif.
How much does a fence picket cost?
Fence pickets cost between $1.70 and $3. Within the first year of installation, the wood may warp or split as it dries, says John Elaison, co-owner and founder of Elaison Lumber. In five to eight years, the fence may start to lean, but it should last 10 to 15 years overall.
How to keep wood from rotting?
To keep the wood from rotting, apply a wood preservative to seal it. "It's like wax on a car," Holt says. "It helps protect it from the elements, from water, from sprinklers.". Water-repellent preservatives and sealants are sold at home-improvement and hardware stores. They cost $10.99 to $18.99 for a gallon.
What is a stepping stone path?
A path made of stepping stones is a simple, inexpensive way to add charm to your landscape. Stone paths offer a practical route for foot traffic from the sidewalk or driveway to your front door and along the side or back of the house. How to Keep Pets Safe From Weather.
Do wood fences rot?
But over time, wood fences rot away. A wood fence can be a great way to give a home a definitive border. It also changes the look of the house. But over time, wood fences rot away. However, you can you can make wood fences last longer with a little care.
This post shows you how to easily remove old stain from an old fence and apply a new solid stain
Our backyard fence is original to our house that was built in the late 1980s and had seen better days. The stain was orange and worn and we recently replaced the lattice that was on top, typical of prefab fence panels.
BEFORE
We noticed a number of products on the market that remove old stain from a fence that we thought it couldn’t hurt to try them. This post is not sponsored, I’m just in love with these products because they worked so well!
Directions
1 .Wet the fence down with a garden hose. Spray with Remove product on with the sprayer. Rub in the product with a stiff bristle brush. Rinse the fence off with a garden hose again. Note: A pressure washer is not recommended as it could damage the old fence.
If your fence has not been stained before
If you have an old fence but it wasn’t stained or the stain is gone as far as you can tell, use Restore first (instead of Remove) and then Brighten.
If your fence has new boards added
We replaced a few of the boards that were rotten and replaced the lattice on top. Those boards, because they were new, had lots of tannins in them and as such, the tannin color leaked through the stain after it rained. We had to paint over those new boards again with another coat of stain.
video
I hope this helps you with how to prep and re-stain your old fence. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.
