Equipment

Before starting the process of staining your fence, always ensure you put on some old clothes, as there’s a high chance you may get a bit of the stain on you at some point.

Firstly you need to decide how you’re going to apply the stain. You can use a wide flat brush to cover a wide surface area, a roller, or if you have very large fence panels you may well be best off with a spray gun to save time. Regardless you will still need the use of a smaller brush to get into smaller gaps, and parts that are harder to reach.

Choosing the Right Stain

There are so many stains available on the market nowadays, you really are spoilt for choice. Just make sure the stain is suitable for exteriors and that it will cover the entire fencing area, as you may need to buy more than one pot.

If you’re going to opt for a colour, rather than just a wooden effect, think about applying a tester amount first. While a brighter colour may look appealing in the summer months, it may not suit so well when it comes to winter.

If you are using a sprayer to apply the stain, make sure you buy one that is compatible with a sprayer.

Preparation

Always make sure your fencing is clean before you start work. If it’s dusty, has marks on it, or if it has mould, always make sure you scrub it clean first and allow it to dry completely before beginning to stain.

Move any garden furniture out of the way before you start, and try to cover nearby plants with a dust sheet or tarp to protect them.

When to Stain

Check the weather before you start the staining process, the weather must not be too cold, otherwise, your fence panels will never dry. Also, ensure that it hasn’t been raining otherwise your panels will be damp and the stain won’t take to the wood.

Try to wait until the fence is in the shade before you start work – if the wood is too hot, the stain will dry too fast and won’t get a chance to soak into the wood properly.

Applying the Stain

Use a brush to paint the top, edges and any trellis, then carry on with your implement of choice. Always paint in the same directions as the grain of the timber. Maintain a wet edge by brushing into a wet area and back brushing, to avoid uneven coverage and darker areas where you’ve overlapped.

Apply the stain fairly liberally, making sure there is enough to fully penetrate the timber but be careful not to leave drips. Always ensure you start at the top and work your way down.

Follow the stain manufacturer’s instructions on how many coats are needed, and how soon subsequent coats can be applied. A minimum of two coats is usually required to give your fence full protection.

We hope this advice has helped you, for more advice on staining your fence panels, read the original article here: http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/stain-fence.htm