Stain Your Fence Like A Pro With The Right High-Powered Sprayer

Is there anything more satisfying than a freshly stained wood fence? The rich, uniform color transforms dull, weathered wood into an impressive focal point. But without the right prep work and tools, your staining project can easily end up blotchy and uneven. The secret to flawless results is using a high-powered sprayer designed for fence staining.

With the right equipment, you can achieve a smooth, professional finish. Read on to learn how to stain your fence like a pro!

Materials Needed for Staining a Fence

Before picking up a sprayer, make sure you have the necessary supplies. The materials you'll need depend on whether you're working with new, untreated wood or previously finished wood.

Lumber and Supplies

For new wood that hasn't been stained before, you may only need to lightly sand and clean the boards before applying stain. But if you're revitalizing a fence that's already coated, some additional prep work is required.

First, strip off any existing finish with chemical strippers or by power washing. Once the old coating is removed, smooth out the wood by thoroughly sanding. Pay special attention to any cracked or peeling areas. Spot primer can help seal knots and repaired sections prone to tannin bleed.

Pick an oil-based, water-based, or polyurethane fence stain. Purchase enough to fully coat the square footage of your fence. You'll also need clean rags, paintbrushes, and other staining supplies like sandpaper, degreasers, and wood cleaners.

Safety Equipment

Proper protective gear is a must for safe staining. Wear safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, and an approved respiratory mask or respirator. Long sleeves, pants, and close-toed shoes are also recommended.

Shield nearby surfaces like house siding, plants, and concrete with tarps or plastic sheeting. The overspray from high-powered sprayers can travel far, so take precautions.

How to Prepare a Fence for Staining

Taking time to properly prep your wood fence will ensure the new stain has a smooth surface to adhere to. Here are some tips for getting old or new wood ready for a stain.

Cleaning and Stripping

Start by using a power washer to remove loose dirt, mildew, pollen, and other contaminants. Pay special attention to the bottom boards which see the most weathering. For fences coated in old, cloudy stain, pick up a chemical stripper to break down the existing finish.

Wood cleaner and brightener products help remove grease stains, embedded dirt, tannins, and gray weathered wood fibers on new or stripped fences. Let the boards dry fully before moving onto sanding and scraping.

Sanding and Scraping

Sanding opens up the wood grain and allows stain to penetrate. For new wood, light sanding with 120-150 grit sandpaper will do. Previously finished fences require more elbow grease with 80-100 grit for a deep clean.

Always sand in the direction of the wood grain, and never across it. Pay extra attention to damaged areas. Scrape off peeling sections of old stain instead of sanding them to avoid gumming up the paper.

Wipe away all dust with a tack cloth. If needed, patch holes and cracks with exterior wood filler before priming.

Spot Priming

Knots and repaired sections prone to tannin bleed need an oil-based primer. The resin in primer seals in the wood tannins that can discolor new stain. If your fence has a lot of knots, consider priming the full boards.

On previously stained wood, prime all bare areas to create a uniform surface. Oil and shellac-based primers work well to block tannins and wood discoloration.

Best Equipment for Staining a Fence

Once your wood is prepped, it's time to pick equipment. You have a few options when it comes to sprayers for fence stain. Here are the pros and cons of each for tackling different sized projects.

Airless Paint Sprayers

For staining larger fences, an electric airless paint sprayer is the way to go. Models like the Graco Magnum 262800 X5 provide the power and capacity to make quick work of big fences. These professional-grade sprayers deliver enough pressure for thick stains.

The Graco sprayer has a flex hose over 50 feet long so you can reach every spot easily. Its sturdy metal SG3 spray gun has a comfortable grip for extended use. You get optimal control with fully adjustable pressure up to 3000 PSI.

Another powerful pick is the Titan ControlMax 1700 PRO High Efficiency model. It sprays unthinned stain at 0.38 gallons per minute with minimal overspray. An insulated hose keeps the stain warm and fluid in cold weather.

HVLP Sprayers

High-Volume Low-Pressure or HVLP sprayers are also suitable for staining. Models like the Fuji 2203G Semi-PRO 2 are designed for spraying thin materials. The turbine produces a gentle, focused spray to minimize fogging and overspray.

This Fuji sprayer has flexible air caps to control horizontal, vertical, and round spray patterns. Use narrower patterns for fencing and wider ones for broader surfaces. The non-bleed function prevents dripping between coats.

HVLP sprayers like the Wagner Spraytech 0529010 FLEXiO 590 work well for oil-based fence stains. The adjustable controls let you fine-tune the spray's width and flow rate. This gives you pinpoint accuracy when applying stain.

Handheld Electric Sprayers

For DIYers with smaller fences, a handheld electric sprayer allows you to stain wood with precision. Models like the HomeRight C800971 Super Finish Max Extra are highly portable and easy to control.

This sprayer only weighs 6.4 pounds, so it won't wear out your arms during hours of staining. The adjustable nozzle lets you toggle between round, vertical, and angled spray. Use the narrower patterns for optimal coverage when applying wood stain.

Another top handheld sprayer for fence staining is the Graco TrueCoat 360 DS. Its vacuum suction tube keeps the sprayer primed and prevents clogging. The flexible suction tube lets you spray at any angle, even upside down.

Key Features to Look For

When researching sprayers, keep an eye out for these useful features:

• Multiple nozzle tips - Look for a variety of spray patterns.
• Adjustable pressure - Control the stain flow rate.
• Long hoses - Provide extended reach around the fence.
• Front-mounted container - Reduces strain from a heavy dangling can.

Consider renting a high-powered sprayer at your local home improvement store for a large staining project. This can save you money compared to buying.

How to Stain Your Fence Like a Pro

Once you select the right sprayer for your fencing, maintain care through every step of the staining process. Follow these pro tips and techniques.

Plan Your Approach

Consider the size of your fence and how much mobility you'll require when choosing a sprayer. Handheld sprayers allow for more portability and precision but have small paint capacities. Larger fences call for an airless sprayer with long hoses.

Map out a logical staining plan to work efficiently and minimize mess. Start staining vertical fence boards from top to bottom before moving onto horizontal sections. Schedule your project when rain isn't expected for 2-3 days.

Apply Stain in Sections

Working in small sections ensures you maintain full coverage. Stain 4-5 boards vertically, overlapping each stroke. Then quickly go over the section with horizontal strokes to blend.

Always maintain a wet edge. Feather out each stroke into previously stained areas to prevent lap marks. Back-brush for an ultra-smooth finish.

Let sections dry before moving onto the next. With oil-based stains, wait at least 24 hours between coats. Check the manufacturer's instructions.

Protect Surrounding Areas

Shield any nearby surfaces like vegetation, siding, or brick patios with tarps, plastic sheeting, or masking tape and paper before you begin. You don't want to deal with stain splatters.

Position your sprayer a reasonable distance from the fence to minimize fogging. Turn off and safely disengage the sprayer when not in active use.

Monitor weather conditions. Avoid spraying stain on windy days when overspray can be a major issue.

Achieve Full Coverage

Apply enough stain to fully saturate and penetrate the wood. Thin coats that don't soak in properly require excess work for even coverage.

Maintain a wet edge and watch for drips, runs, or sags. Distribute the stain as evenly as possible while spraying. Let it sit for 5-15 minutes before back-brushing.

Vertical sections and the bottom of boards tend to absorb more stain. Adjust your technique and spraying distance to compensate.

Maintaining a Stained Fence

Your hard work should result in a professional-looking wood fence that grabs attention. Keep your stained fence looking its best with regular care and maintenance.

Cleaning and Touch-ups

Aim to wash your stained fence at least once a year. Use a wood cleaner and soft bristle brush. Avoid high-pressure washing which can damage the finish.

For small chips or cracks, sand the area and reapply stain. Larger damaged sections may need priming and full restaining. Address any issues promptly to avoid further deterioration.

Refinishing Over Time

Expect to refinish stain every 2-4 years depending on weathering. Signs you need a fresh coat include fading, cracking, peeling, or erosion of the finish. Promptly refinish damaged boards before they rot or warp.

Lightly sand and clean the fence, then use your sprayer to apply a new coat of stain. Maintaining your fence stain helps the wood last longer.

Achieving a flawless stained fence requires careful planning, high-quality application tools, and proper technique. By choosing the right sprayer for your project and making proper stain preparation, you can avoid disappointment.

Using a powerful electric or airless sprayer designed for stain allows you to achieve smooth, professional results. Work methodically section-by-section and take measures to minimize mess and overspray.

You can feel confident tackling a fence staining project with this guide's tips. Before you know it, you'll have an enviable stained wood fence that makes your landscape pop.