Painting can be a real hassle. Knowing which paint to buy, which tools to use with it— even the proper painting techniques— are only part of the problem. Whether to stain or paint is another question you have to answer. If you have already painted, and want to stain, can you put stainer over a layer of paint? The answer is yes, but it’s complicated. To do so requires some prep work. Here’s how to stain over a painted fence.
Knowing Which Kind of Paint To Stain Over
Knowledge is power. Specifically, the power to understand which paints can be stained over, and which will result in oily rejection. If your paint is oil-based, that is, you’ll need to strip it completely. If it’s acrylic, then you need to examine the various properties belonging to both the paint and the stainer you plan to use. If the paint has chipped, and your plan for stainer is to showcase the beautiful grain of wood, you’ll also want to strip it with pressure washing and/or sanding. A professional service, like Central Fence, might be best suited for the task, as it can be a long and strenuous task for anyone not well-initiated with the process.
Knowing Your Stainer
Some stainers are naturally dark, and might be enough to mask the paint beneath, especially if the paint is light in color. If you want to use a stainer just because of how it looks, this could be a viable option for you. In most cases, however, you will need to strip the paint.
Even the Inconsistencies
Chipped paint isn’t the only thing to watch out for when switching to a stainer. If your fence has chipped or rotten wood. mildew stains, or other disfigurements, it would be a wise idea to address those in a manner that fixes the fence in a uniform manner. Some planks may need to be replaced. In the case that your fence needs repair work, even more prep work will be needed. With so many variables involved, and so much opportunity for things to go wrong, it is advised to hire a professional fence installation service, who knows all the ins and outs regarding the lengthy process of preparing a deck to be stained, especially in the event that it has already been painted over.
On the fence as to whether or not you want to stain it yourself? Feel free to call us on our telephone number (1-800-221-6425) or visit us at one of our convenient locations in Swainsboro, Vidalia, Statesboro, or Sandersville. We’ll be happy to assist you in any way we can!
