Stain Gets Into the Wood. Paint Sits on Top of It.

The fundamental difference between stain and paint matters a great deal in Florida. Paint forms a film on the wood surface. Moisture gets into wood from the back and sides of boards. When it cannot escape through the paint film, it blisters and peels.

Stain penetrates into the wood grain. There is no film to peel. Moisture moves through stained wood and evaporates naturally. Stained fences in Florida show their age gradually as the color fades, but they never peel. That makes them far easier to maintain over time.

Fences R Us applies fence stain across Marion County for residential and commercial wood fencing. Surface prep is included. Stain type and color are confirmed at the estimate based on wood species and fence condition.

Semi-Transparent Stain

Shows the natural wood grain while adding color and UV protection. The lightest of the three stain types. Best for newer fence with good-looking wood grain worth preserving. Requires the cleanest and most uniform wood surface of the three types. Reapplication is straightforward because there is little buildup to deal with.

Semi-Solid Stain

More color than semi-transparent but still shows some wood texture. Better UV blocking than semi-transparent. Good for fence that has started to weather and gray. Covers minor surface checking and discoloration while still looking like natural wood from a distance.

Solid Stain

Fully opaque like paint but penetrates the wood rather than sitting on top of it. Best for older or heavily weathered fence where the wood grain has deteriorated beyond what a semi-transparent treatment can improve. Solid stain does not peel. Reapplication adds more material over time and can build up on rough surfaces.

Water-Based vs Oil-Based Stain

Water-based stain dries faster and cleans up with water. Oil-based stain penetrates deeper into the wood and provides better water repellency. In Florida conditions, oil-based stain on pressure treated pine gives better long-term water resistance. Both types are available from Fences R Us. Manny recommends based on the wood condition and sun exposure.

Cleaning

The fence is cleaned with a wood cleaner or pressure wash before stain is applied. Mildew, dirt, and tannin bleed from pressure treated wood all interfere with stain penetration. A clean, open wood surface absorbs stain evenly. A dirty or coated surface absorbs unevenly and shows lap marks.

Drying

The wood must be dry before stain is applied. Freshly pressure-washed fence needs 24 to 48 hours to dry before staining. Stain applied to wet wood sits on the surface and washes off in the next rain.

Wood Brightener

Weathered gray wood benefits from a wood brightener applied after cleaning. Brightener restores the natural pH of the wood surface and opens the grain for better stain penetration. It lifts the gray color from surface oxidation and gives the stain a more uniform, consistent result.

Existing Stain or Paint

Stain can go over a previous stain coat without stripping. The old stain must not have flaked, and the surface must be clean. Stain cannot be applied over paint. Any painted fence that needs staining must have the paint removed first.