As an owner of a cedar fence, you are concerned with keeping up the appearance of that fence. This goal can be accomplished by maintaining the fence and repairing any problems. Sometimes, restoring fencing is necessary. Restoring fencing made of cedar is necessary for making the fence look brand new. If you have decided that restoring fencing of cedar is worth the effort, be prepared to work all weekend on this project. Once you are done, the work will be well worth the result.
Preparing to Restore Cedar Fencing
There are several tools and materials you will need to have on hand when restoring fencing of cedar. These tools and materials include paintbrushes, a pressure washer, a cleaner, cedar stain, a scrub brush, new cedar planks, nails and a hammer. Once you have everything you need, you can begin the restoring fencing project.
Start by cleaning the cedar fence in order to clear it of any dirt or debris. If there are stubborn stains, you can remove them with a pressure washer. Pressure washers are fairly inexpensive to rent by the day. However, make sure that you follow the accompanying instructions so you know what type and amount of cleaner to use.
When restoring fencing with a pressure washer, use the right tip so the cedar wood planks do not become damaged. Remember, pressure washers are powerful machines. The manufacturer's instructions and the tool rental employee should be able to tell you what kind of tip is best to use when it comes to restoring fencing made of cedar.
If all the stains are not removed with the pressure washer, the scrub brush should take off the rest. When restoring fencing, you must replace damaged or broken planks. While pulling off the old planks, take care not to get caught on rusty nails. New planks can be attached with nails and a hammer.
Staining the Fence
Now that the fence is prepared, you can begin the next phase of restoring fencing, which is applying the stain. A nice cedar stain can make a huge difference in the overall appearance of the fence. And the stain will act as a protectant from weather elements. For staining fences, natural bristle paintbrushes work best. Paint the planks one by one by starting at one end and working your way towards the other.
Move the paintbrush in an up-to-down motion. If the stain drips, be sure to smooth the drips with the paintbrush. The weather conditions will determine the drying time. Obviously, it is best to apply the stain when it is warm and sunny outside. If there is a slight breeze, the stain will dry even faster.
Lightening the Fence
If you wish, you can lighten the cedar fence's appearance by using an oxalic acid spray. Take caution when applying the oxalic acid by wearing pants, a long-sleeve shirt and goggles. Unless otherwise noted in the manufacturer's mixing directions, you will need to combine four ounces of acid per one gallon of water.