Uneven Stain Penetration

Fence Renew

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Hi Shane. This picture is a 6-month old builder fence that we stained. As you can see, the stain did not penetrate evenly at all. This is about a week after application with a 12 volt PumpTec driven spray rig. I did two fences here and they both turned out this way. Sorry for such a newb question, but can you help me understand what happened? Thanks!

IMG_1833.jpgIMG_1833.jpg

PS - Sorry for duplicate pic, but I wasn't sure if I should use "attachment" or "insert image" so I used both.
 
I bet it's due to crap quality wood. Hard versus soft wood has different absorption rates.

What would you say caused the drips (runs) near the bottom?
 
Hi Shane. This picture is a 6-month old builder fence that we stained. As you can see, the stain did not penetrate evenly at all. This is about a week after application with a 12 volt PumpTec driven spray rig. I did two fences here and they both turned out this way. Sorry for such a newb question, but can you help me understand what happened? Thanks!

View attachment 25217View attachment 25217

PS - Sorry for duplicate pic, but I wasn't sure if I should use "attachment" or "insert image" so I used both.


What did you use to clean? Wood brightener would have helped lighten up the nail bleed "rust marks" it works great most of the time.


Is this Wood Defender you used on this fence? Do you back brush after spraying? Back brushing will help soak the stain into the knots to look more even.

Like Red said the quality of the wood will have some effect on how the stain looks.Some boards are rougher than others so they would be darker than the smooth boards.
 
We didn't do anything before staining. It is Wood Defender stain. We didnt back brush. After we apply the first coat on 20-30 linear feet, we go back and mist knots and light areas. I'll keep an eye on these builder fences as we stain and if we run across this again, I'll try back brushing.

I've only used bleach/soap/water mix to clean fences. Is brightener something added to the cleaning or is it an extra step? I've seen the brightener on TWP website. If not added to cleaning mix what do you use to apply and what is the SF coverage per gallon?
 
We didn't do anything before staining. It is Wood Defender stain. We didnt back brush. After we apply the first coat on 20-30 linear feet, we go back and mist knots and light areas. I'll keep an eye on these builder fences as we stain and if we run across this again, I'll try back brushing.

I've only used bleach/soap/water mix to clean fences. Is brightener something added to the cleaning or is it an extra step? I've seen the brightener on TWP website. If not added to cleaning mix what do you use to apply and what is the SF coverage per gallon?


Well by the looks of the age of that fence it should have been cleaned and brightened to lighten up the nail bleed.You brighten after you strip or clean with 12% once rinsed REAL good. I don't always use brightener after cleaning with 12% it all depends on what the wood looks like after the grey is cleaned off. I don't keep track of my chemicals sqft/gallon when cleaning just quantity used per job. My stain can go 120-150 sqft/gal depending on the age of the fences.

I think you just didn't put enough stain in the wood it still looks dry and won't last to long lucky to get 1-2 yrs.


These pics will show you how cleaning a somewhat older fences some sections a couple yrs old some sections newer 6 months or so.This fence was pretty dry and I always do 2 coats unless it's a re stain and still has lots of color left.

Also you can see some nail bleed not bad but I would say 98% were gone after brightening. Then It was stained with BGA Special Blend.













 
Hi Shane

I want to give Bakers a try, but online it's $139 per 5 gal bucket. This is $20-$30 more than I pay for WD or RS. Do you know where I can get a better price?

Also, Ive never brightened a fence. What is the product and process to do so?

Thanks...Jim
 
Hi Shane

I want to give Bakers a try, but online it's $139 per 5 gal bucket. This is $20-$30 more than I pay for WD or RS. Do you know where I can get a better price?

Also, Ive never brightened a fence. What is the product and process to do so?

Thanks...Jim

You can call Texas Wood Products @ 972-423-0211

I use oxalic acid to brighten I make my own but you can use any "wood brightener" product. You spray it on after cleaning it's a must use after stripping to bring back the wood to it's natural color.
 
You can call Texas Wood Products @ 972-423-0211

I use oxalic acid to brighten I make my own but you can use any "wood brightener" product. You spray it on after cleaning it's a must use after stripping to bring back the wood to it's natural color.

Shane what is your chem mix for both cleaning and brightening? I will put it in the recipe cook book.

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My stripping mixtures depend on what I'm stripping but I usually start at 2-3 cups to a 5 gallon mix.My brightener is like 2 cups/5 gallon mix but if i have nail marks i'll it stronger.
 
You can call Texas Wood Products @ 972-423-0211

I use oxalic acid to brighten I make my own but you can use any "wood brightener" product. You spray it on after cleaning it's a must use after stripping to bring back the wood to it's natural color.

....as well as neutralize the hydroxide used to strip.
 
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