Pressure Washing Your Fence Before Staining

28 Jul Pressure Washing Your Fence Before Staining

You should always pressure wash your fence before staining to get the best results. If you’re getting ready to refinish your fencing, call Acme Pressure Wash in Phoenix. Professional pressure washing is the best way to prepare exterior wooden surfaces for refinishing. Whether you want to stain and seal your fence or update exterior paint, pressure washing will remove years of dirt and grime to give you a perfect finish. 

Why should you pressure wash a fence before staining it?

Before staining, your fence needs to be clean. If you stain or paint a fence that hasn’t been cleaned, you’ll be trapping dirt and mold underneath your finish. Dirty surfaces cause uneven, patchy results and waste all the time and effort you spent refinishing your fence. Pressure washing removes dirt, stains, mildew, pollution, old paint, and any other blemishes that might affect the finished appearance.

In addition to cleaning, pressure washing will brighten the wood and prime the surface for refinishing. Constant exposure to the elements creates all kinds of weather damage, but pressure washing restores that warm glow to weathered wooden fences. You will have to wait for about 48 hours after pressure washing to ensure the wood is completely dry before staining, painting, or varnishing. Take advantage of the drying time and use it to make any necessary repairs to your fence before staining.

Can pressure washing damage wooden fencing?

Unless you hire a professional, pressure washing could potentially do more harm than good. Homeowners who are inexperienced with pressure washing equipment or unfamiliar with cleaning exterior wood might cause accidental property damage. Common mistakes homeowners make include:

• Using the Wrong Pressure—Certain types of wood like pine and cedar can splinter under too much pressure. A professional knows when to use heat and when to use pressure to clean different types of wood.
• Using Harsh Chemicals—Cleaners and solvents can cause permanent damage to wooden fences, and also affect the consistency of the finish. Most fences can be cleaned with pure water, although a mild detergent might be required in some situations.
• Not Following the Grain—Spraying against the grain causes erosion and streaks, resulting in damage to the wood and an uneven finish. When it comes to pressure washing, trust an expert to get the job done right.

Contact Us

Don’t bother with renting DIY equipment when you can hire a pro. Acme Pressure Wash in Phoenix will do all of the work and all of the cleanup for you! Are you ready to pressure wash your fence before staining? Contact us to request a free estimate for professional pressure washing today.

Photo credit: @wolfspriestess