When thinking about important parts of your property, don’t forget the humble fence. This multi-purpose structure opens a world of possibilities for your home or business. With a fence, you have added security against intruders, a protective barrier for your dogs and kids to play within, and increased value for your property. However, owning a fence comes with responsibilities, too. The big ones are fence pressure washing and fence staining. Can you stain a fence without cleaning it? Are there negative consequences that you should look out for?
Bucher Pro Wash tells all in this blog! We are Bothell, WA’s preferred pressure washing company, and we have a deep understanding of the fence pressure washing process. If you decide you need us to clean your fence, remember that we’re only a phone call away.
Why Stain Your Fence?
Can you stain a fence without cleaning it? Before we answer that, it’s important to know why to stain your fence at all. So, you’ve decided that you want to stain your fence. There are many reasons that you may have made this choice. Maybe it’s because fence staining revitalizes the structure’s appearance, giving it a richer, more colorful appearance. Or perhaps you’re interested in the protective benefits of fence staining. For example, by staining your fence, you’ll shield it from ultraviolet rays that can cause it to fade over time. Fence staining even keeps out unwanted pests, such as wood-eating termites.
Whatever the case, before you stain your fence, it’s important that you make the right preparations. Perhaps the most important thing you can do before staining your fence is cleaning it. Let’s take a look at what makes this so crucial.
Why Clean Your Fence Before Staining?
Can you stain a fence without cleaning it? The simple answer to this question is no. Unless your fence was freshly installed yesterday, it has probably accumulated debris on its surfaces. This debris, including dirt, moss, mold, algae, dead insects, and pollen, does a number on your fence. It darkens exterior surfaces and reduces their overall visual appearance. Additionally, it slowly causes damage to the fence over time. So, the longer your fence goes without cleaning, the more likely it is that you will need to repair it.
When your fence is dirty, it also directly affects the staining process. Stain is best applied in even layers, but these layers are impossible to make when your fence is coated with debris. Because of this, we highly recommend having your fence pressure washed before attempting to stain it. This will save you frustration and ensure you get the highest-quality results.
Fence Pressure Washing
Now that you know the answer to “Can you stain a fence without cleaning it?”, the next question is “How can I clean it anyway?” The process of pressure washing a fence is fairly uncomplicated. To do this work, you’ll need a pressure washer, attaching hose, and safety equipment (including goggles, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes). Consider also using cleaning solutions such as sodium hypochlorite. Cleaning solutions will help you break down stubborn debris so you can more easily remove it.
Once you have all the necessary gear, you’ll need to figure out how much water pressure to use to clean your fence. The correct setting depends on the material that your fence is made of. We’ve included a handy bulleted list for your reference below.
- Vinyl Fence: 500-1000 PSI
- Softwood (Pine/Cedar) Fence: 500-1000 PSI
- Composite Fence: 1000-1500 PSI
- Hardwood Fence: 1000-1500 PSI
- Aluminum Fence: 1500-2000 PSI
- Chain-Link Fence: 2000-2500 PSI
Now that you have selected the correct water pressure setting, rinse the fence thoroughly. Be sure to clean both sides of the structures, as well as in between posts. Don’t overlook a single nook or cranny—that way, you can ensure the best possible results.
Staining Your Fence
Now that your fence is cleaned, the stage has been set for successful staining. The only thing left to do is actually stain it! What equipment will you need for this work? You will need a bucket of liquid stain, paintbrushes, a paint tray, and of course, a pair of clothes that you aren’t particularly fond of. That way, it doesn’t matter if you get them messy. (Consider also covering nearby parts of your landscaping with drop cloths or tarps.)
Pour some liquid stain into your paint tray. Then, apply a thin layer of it to your fence’s surface, making sure that you follow the direction of the wood grain. Finally, once you have thoroughly stained the entire fence, give it time to dry. This typically takes one to two days. After this time has passed, your fence will sport a new, visually appealing look that you are sure to love.
General Tips For Fence Cleaning and Staining
Here are some other pointers to keep in mind while pressure washing and staining your fence. These tips could save you frustration and worries during your project!
- Give yourself enough time for your work. It’s not feasible to pressure wash your fence and stain it within a timeframe of two hours. Your fence needs to dry before you stain it. Plus, by rushing yourself, you’ll compromise the quality of the final results. The work may require several hours-long work sessions across multiple days.
- Exercise caution when pressure washing. Pressurized water is not a toy. It’s capable of removing debris from your fence… as well as bruising or even slicing your skin. This is why it’s so important to wear protective gear. Additionally, only aim the hose at what you intend to clean. That’s basic trigger discipline.
- Mind the weather. You’ll be doing a lot of manual labor outside, so pick a day with comfortable temperatures. Additionally, avoid staining your fence when it’s going to be rainy. Rain will interfere with not only the process of applying stain to your fence but also the drying process.
Can you stain a fence without cleaning it? The answer is technically yes when you schedule an appointment with Bucher Pro Wash. You won’t have to clean your fence because we will! Contact us online, let us know about your fence, and choose a time and date for your appointment. We’ll be there soon to serve you.
