Comments on: Let’s Talk About Fence Stain, guys.

By: Oliver Smith

Oliver Smith — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:24:03 +0000

That’s a super smart move to go with the brush and roller for your fence stain, especially with all the feedback you got! It’s great to hear you’re really digging into the specifics like the staining brush vs. a regular paintbrush and the rough nap roller. For anyone in the area who loves the idea of a beautifully stained fence but might not have the time or tools, our team at Ninja Fence offers professional fence staining services to get that perfect finish you’ve outlined here.

By: Saun Legeman

Saun Legeman — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 05:24:36 +0000

What type of wood did you use – I’m pretty sure it’s rough cedar, but just want to confirm.

By: Novice

Novice — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 13:45:51 +0000

So what color was your final choice, chocolate or chestnut?

By: rachel

rachel — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 20:47:26 +0000

for my understanding, if you don’t stain cedar, it will turn to a beautiful silver / gray. Stain will prolong its life, protect the wood from the elements, but not necessarily make it more beautiful then the way it already is and what it will become.

But I love your fence , the end result is just perfect, darker color provides a nice contrast with all the plants in the front.

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 17:29:18 +0000

In reply to Larita. Hey Larita! I started staining with the Chocolate stain, I was thinking only two coats were enough, but I'm kind of thinking I might go back and do three. I'll let you guys know how it turns out!

By: Larita

Larita — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 04:52:03 +0000

That’s so funny – I was checking out your stain options and thinking, ‘three coats of chocolate looks amazing, but the two coats of chestnut is probably the best bet.’ :) No experience with staining here, but I’m glad you’re doing it. My dad built a fabulous cedar deck a few years ago, never got around to staining or protecting it in any way, and now the thing looks thrashed. Makes me so sad.

By: Scoops

Scoops — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 15:31:22 +0000

In reply to Deb. I KNOW! It is so hard to decide on colors and brands. I just gave up and went with what was easiest. I too was scared of an orange fence. I did an image search of your stain, and it looks awesome. Glad to hear that it mellowed out over time, I'm hoping mine gets a nice aged look too.

By: Scoops

Scoops — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 15:29:48 +0000

In reply to Sarah. I like the Chestnut too, Sarah! Although, I totally went with the chocolate when I got to the paint store. I think both would've looked great, but I just wanted something a bit darker.

By: Scoops

Scoops — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 15:28:55 +0000

In reply to Ronklyn. Hey Ronklyn, that color sounds so pretty. I considered doing a charcoal too, I'm glad you went for it, I bet your fence looks fantastic. Thanks for the tip on the second coat, I did end up going with the waterbased stain and sealer. I read the back of the can and it said to apply the second coat within 2 hours and I probably would've missed that if I hadn't read your post. Thanks!

By: Scoops

Scoops — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 15:25:48 +0000

In reply to Stacey. Oh man, I would consider doing the same thing if I had a corner lot. Exciting about your new fence!

By: Deb

Deb — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 23:03:10 +0000

I just stained my cedar platform deck. Man, it was so hard deciding on a product and color. I was paranoid it would get too orange and almost went with a gray. However, I decided on Sikkens stain from Heirshfields in Teak. After brushing it on, it looked so dark with orangish undertones. Today it looks so much better and mellow, and pretty happy with the results. I really don’t think you can go wrong with chestnut or chocolate…can’t wait to see pics!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 17:39:05 +0000

I agree, I like the Chestnut. : ) Staining is a pain! It takes so much and it takes a long time. I had to help paint my parents very long fence when I still lived with them. lol It look great after though.

Sarah : )

By: Ronklyn

Ronklyn — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 18:48:48 +0000

We just stained about 130 feet of 6 foot tall cedar privacy fence (in the mpls area as well) We used brushes, as I had also read that with a sprayer you’d have to back brush all areas anyway to prevent dripping, and well, that sounds like twice the work. Plus the neighbors white house is just over 6 feet away, and I didn’t want to risk overspray. I went with Sherman Williams water based WoodScapes type stain in Charwood (semi-transparent charcoal color) Since we had so much rain in the early summer it took quite awhile, but in small chunks we got it all done. We only did one coat, since once the stain dried if you try to do another coat it just beads up and especially on the smoother posts it looks like crap! I still don’t understand why the directions say wait 24 hours, then do a second or third coat. You’d have to do it before it was totally dry otherwise it won’t seep in. That was the biggest lesson learned. It does look nice with one coat though, really glad we did it!

By: Stacey

Stacey — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 14:05:35 +0000

You are far more energetic than I am, we just signed a contract for a white vinyl fence. I have no desire to maintain and stain a fence. Plus, our fence is on one of the most high-traffic pedestrian streets in my town (corner lot!) and I can only imagine all the damage the volume of dog pee the fence posts will get. Nope, space-age and easy for me.