We hear the questions a lot. How long do you wait before staining or painting a fence?
If you’ve just bought a new fence and had it installed, it’s very exciting. It’s just one of those things that can turn a house into a home. If you have a new wood fence, however, you may feel as though it’s not quite complete until it’s been stained or painted.
Should you wait to paint or stain your fence?
Usually, the answer is yes. However, not all material is created equally. If you, for example, have pressure treated pine fence posts, it needs to dry before applying a finish. But if you have a cedar fence, you do not need to wait an extended period of time because it may weather too much.
A good rule of thumb is to wait a month or two if the fence is made with dry materials. This will allow it to weather enough but not too much.
If the fence is made with pressure treated material, you may need to wait 3-4 months for the posts to dry enough. The fence can always be double checked with a moisture meter.
You know you’ve waited too long if the wood becomes weathered and gray. Fortunately, it can be sanded or power washed to prepare it for a finish again.
If you have a fence built of dry material such as cedar, it is possible to treat the wood so that it is able to accept a finish sooner than waiting a month or two.
Still have Questions?
If you are ever unsure about how long you should wait to stain or paint your fence, reach out to us and let us know. We would be happy to answer any questions.
