How I Took on the Ultimate DIY: Cleaning and Staining My Fence

Written By Christina Muscari

Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links. I will receive a commission for items purchased through these links at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support. Please read all labels and follow all manufacturer safety recommendations when working with paints, stains, and other equipment.

Today, I’m tackling what I’m calling the ultimate DIY project: cleaning and staining my fence to protect it for years to come. This is a first for me, so I’m diving headfirst into the world of fence care, sharing all the tips, tools, and costs along the way. If you’ve ever wondered whether this is a doable DIY or something you’d rather leave to the pros, keep reading. Let’s jump in!

Step 1: Gathering Supplies

To kick things off, I headed to the store to pick up all the essentials:

  • Stain: To match my existing fence color.

  • Cleaner and Brightener: Essential for prepping both old and new wood.

  • Deck Sprayer: For applying the cleaner.

  • Stain Tip: Specifically for my Wagner Control Pro sprayer.

Some sections of my fence were already sealed (thanks to my neighbors), but I needed to match their stain color while blending old and new wood. This prep work ensured a cohesive look once everything was stained.

Here is what my fence looked like to start with. As you can see, I have some new wood panels and some older weathered ones. The goal? To prep this fence to get the most even color possible. Time to get started!

Step 2: Cleaning the Fence

Before staining, the wood needed a thorough cleaning. Here’s how I tackled it:

  1. Wet Down Surrounding Grass and Shrubs: To protect plants from the cleaner.

  2. Apply Cleaner with a Deck Sprayer: I focused more on older, weathered areas for a brighter finish.

  3. Rinse with a Pressure Washer: I used a wood-specific tip for gentler cleaning. (Don’t have a pressure washer? A regular garden hose works too!)

  4. Dry Time: I let the fence dry completely overnight to see the results.

After the first round of cleaning, the older wood lightened up nicely, but I realized a second round would bring it even closer to the desired look. I also learned the importance of using a deck brush to break up stubborn grime—a great tip for anyone tackling this themselves.

Step 3: Staining the Fence

I let the fence dry overnight and then it was time for the fun part: staining! I used two sprayers to see which worked best:

Here’s how I set up the Control Pro 130:

  1. Prime the Pump: Following Wagner’s tutorial (linked below) made this step a breeze.

  2. Use the Right Spray Tip: I chose a 311 tip for my semi-transparent stain.

  3. Test on Scrap Wood: Always test before tackling the actual fence.

I chose this semi transparent stain from Valspar to match the existing stain on my neighbor’s portion of the fence. This stain will still let some of the natural wood grain show through while still keeping the boards protected from the elements.

This is my first time using the Wagner Control Pro Sprayer. My favorite feature is that the hopper is separate from the sprayer so that it is easier to stain a large area without getting fatigued. It also holds a gallon and a half of stain at one time so that I didn’t have to refill it too often.

Pro tip: Invest in a pouring spout for your 5-gallon bucket—it’s a game-changer. It is also important to make sure that you have the right tip for your application on this sprayer. Wagner has lots of YouTube videos that can help you with selecting the right sprayer, tip, and setting up your machine. I used their channel as a resource for this project and it was immensely helpful!

First Impressions of the Sprayer

Initially, I was intimidated by the setup process, but it turned out to be straightforward. The airless sprayer was light, easy to maneuver, and offered a controlled spray with minimal overspray. After just four panels, I felt confident and ready to tackle the entire project.

Here’s what I learned:

  • Spray Pattern: Adjust the nozzle for horizontal or vertical strokes depending on the fence boards.

  • Spray Distance: Keep the sprayer about 12 inches from the surface.

  • Overlap: Ensure a 50% overlap for an even application.

The Cost Breakdown

Throughout the project, I tracked every expense—even the tools I already owned—to compare the DIY cost to hiring professionals. Here’s what I spent:

I researched the cost to hire someone for this project in my area and the total estimate was between $1700-$3500 for the entire fence to be stained by a professional.

Here is my total cost for the materials needed for this project. I did have some items already on hand, such as drop cloths, a power washer, and PPE.

After materials and purchasing the sprayer, my total cost of the project was $739. This is a considerable about of savings for a DIY- and in my opinion, totally worth tackling such a large project!

In the end, the total DIY cost was SIGNIFICANTLY less than hiring a contractor in my area for the job. Plus, the satisfaction of completing the project myself? Priceless!

Final Thoughts

This DIY fence cleaning and staining project was a learning curve, but I’m thrilled with the results. If you’re considering doing this yourself, take the time to prep properly, invest in the right tools, and don’t rush the process. It’s a rewarding project that can save you money while giving your fence the care it deserves.

Have questions or tips of your own? Drop them in the comments below. And if you want to see the full process, including product links and tutorials, check out the video on my YouTube channel. Happy DIYing!

Christina Muscari
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