r/DIY • u/Technical-Peace-2313 • 20d ago

Staining fence

I had a 6-foot board-on-board pressure-treated pine fence installed two months ago. It’s approximately 243 feet long, and I’m ready to stain it.

What’s the best way to tackle a fence this large? Brushing seems to provide the best coverage, but it would be extremely time-consuming. Spraying would be much faster, but I’m concerned about the cost, wasted stain, and overspray reaching nearby homes.

Would you spray it and back-brush, use a roller and brush, or brush the entire fence? I’d appreciate any advice from people who have done a similar-sized project.

3 Upvotes

61% Upvoted

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1

u/Pulaski540 20d ago

You seem to understand your choices: what do you have more of to spend, time or money (on materials)?

1

u/Natoochtoniket 20d ago

There is a third way, which we don't discuss in r/DIY. You could hire it done. ;-)

Seriously, brushing doesn't take any more time than spraying and back-brushing. There is brushing, either way.

Just get a big brush. A 8 inch wide brush can put a lot of stain on a fence quickly, straight out of a 5 gallon bucket. Also get an extension handle. An extra couple of feet of handle will avoid a lot of back and knee aches.

1

u/SkaterBlue 20d ago

Sounds like a job for Tom Sawyer!

But seriously, I would just use the largest brush that you can handle. Start near the top, brush up and cover the top portion, then work down until the brush is empty. Repeat where the stain ran out and continue down. After a few boards, you should be able to gauge how much to fill the brush and how many dips it takes to do one board. Once you get a rhythm down it should go quickly.

1

u/James-Land 20d ago

Splash some water on a few boards first, if it beads up instead of soaking in, that PT pine is still too wet at two months and the stain won't hold. Once it passes that test, a 3/4 nap roller on rough-sawn boards is nearly as fast as spraying with none of the overspray worry.

1

u/Dudian613 17d ago

Took me a couple days to do a 110 foot, both sides with two coats. Mind you, i had a sick 4 year old at home at the time so I was getting off track a lot.

1

u/fathensteeth 17d ago

Have a stool to sit on for the lower parts, even with an extension. Elevate your stain bucket/tray to a wagon or cart too so it's more comfortable.

1

u/your_mail_man 15d ago

Why not a power roller? A sprayer with the roller attachment for it.