Summer Project #1: Fence Rejuvenation

The thing I love about summer is I always feel motivated to get things done. During the winter I can't imagine construction, let alone digging up whole garden beds, or re-roofing my shed, but summer arrives and I am motivated. I try to take advantage of the motivation while it's here because normally it's short-lived.

The last couple weeks I've been re-staining my fence. The last time this was done was ten years ago when I first bought the house. I've been dreading it, but the fence is on its last legs, nearly disintegrating in places, falling over in other places, boards are wiggly and there are about ten screws on each board where I have attempted reattach them over and over again. Unfortunately some of the support boards are rotten. I just need it to hang on as long as possible since it'll take a lot of money to replace...money I'd rather spend on something else. Like a new house.

 

I've been dreading this for many reasons.  First, the stain is stinky and toxic. I wear a mask and thankfully, it doesn't seem to make me ill, but I can smell the stain for weeks until it's properly cured. Yuck.

Second, it's a lot of work. More work than nearly anything else I might want to do, so I put it off. It involves cleaning the fence first with a broom and then with water sprayed from a hose on "jet". Some spots are mossy or mildew and that involves washing it down with 30 Seconds which is a bleach compound that cleans things in 30 seconds! It's a miracle cleaner, but highly toxic, and smelly.

Third, it's just messy. The stain gets all over the plants. I have to wear gloves, work clothes, and a mask.

Fourth, it can only be done in dry weather so standing out in the heat of the sun is anything but comfortable.

Fifth, this stain is expensive and it will take at least 7 cans to do most of the fence.

I was going to put it off one more year then for some reason I felt this impulsive urge to jump right in. This stain is gorgeous. It goes on a light orange color and then ten minutes later it's a dark copper. It really rejuvenates the wood, too. Four cans later the front and side parts are done. I may need to wait to do the backyard fence.

Before Photo...sun bleached nearly white.

See the difference?

 

Old fence made to look kind of new! Love it!