Does your beautiful cedar fence look dull and weathered? Sunlight and rain quickly fade that rich, warm color. A faded fence makes your whole yard look tired. Choosing the right stain is a big job. You worry about harsh chemicals or a stain that peels off too soon. Finding a product that truly protects your wood while keeping that natural cedar look can feel confusing.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We explain exactly what you need to know about cedar fence stains. You will learn which stains offer the best protection against the elements. We cover easy application tips and help you pick colors that match your home perfectly. Stop guessing about wood care!
Ready to give your fence a long-lasting, beautiful finish? Let’s dive into the best ways to stain your cedar fence today.
Top Stain For Fence Cedar Recommendations
- Requires no primer. Ready Seal is darkest when first applied. It reaches its true color in approximately 14 days. Do not apply Ready Seal over painted or newly stained surfaces. Sealed surfaces inhibit penetration.
- May be applied using sprayer, roller or brush onto the woods surface.
- Requires no back brushing and will nerver leave runs, laps, or streaks.
- Requires no wet-line application, the product will blend itself and can be applied in any temperature range for proper application.
- Requires no diluting or thinning prior to spray applications.
- Requires no primer. Ready Seal is darkest when first applied. It reaches its true color in approximately 14 days. Do not apply Ready Seal over painted or newly stained surfaces. Sealed surfaces inhibit penetration.
- May be applied using sprayer, roller or brush onto the woods surface.
- Requires no back brushing and will nerver leave runs, laps, or streaks.
- Requires no wet-line application, the product will blend itself and can be applied in any temperature range for proper application.
- Requires no diluting or thinning prior to spray applications.
- SEMI TRANSPARENT EXTERIOR WOOD STAIN: Our outdoor wood stain and sealer allows the natural wood grain to show through, highlighting the beauty of your decks, fences and sidings and preserving its natural look.
- ULTIMATE UV PROTECTION DECK SEALER: Shields wood from damaging UV rays, preventing fading & graying. Lasts longer than deck paint for wood decks, siding or fences & is better for the planet because it's water based with less than 50 g/l VOC content.
- WOOD DECK STAIN AND SEALER IN ONE: This outdoor wood protector serves a dual purpose as both a stain and sealer. It adds color to your wood and seals it, designed to penetrate deep into wood pores for maximum protection and longevity.
- BEAUTIFUL WOOD STAIN COLORS: Our semi-transparent wood deck stain comes in stunning colors that dry to a flat and natural-looking finish. Enhance the beauty of your exterior wood with our natural, cedar, light walnut, gray, and dark walnut colors.
- EFFECTIVE ON DAMP WOOD FOR FASTER APPLICATION: Our wood stain sealer works on damp wood, cutting down wait times between cleaning and staining. Once your wood deck is visibly dry, it's ready for staining, speeding up your project.
- PROTECTS AGAINST COLOR FADE AND PREVENTS GRAYING - #1 Deck Protects Wood From Damage Caused By Exposure to the Elements. Can Be Used On Pressure Treated Pine, Cedar, Fir, Redwood, or Most Other Softwoods. Hardwoods Will Require More Frequent Maintenance Coats
- BOTH A DECK STAIN & DECK SEALANT IN ONE - #1 Deck Stain Is a Dual-Purpose Stain & Sealer. It Adds Color to Your Wood and Seals it, Preventing Damage Caused by Water Penetration
- ALLOWS THE WOOD GRAIN TO SHOW THROUGH - Available in 5 Beautiful, Semi-Transparent Deck Stain Colors That Dry to Flat, Natural Looking Finishes That Will Enhance the Beauty of Your Exterior Wood
- BETTER FOR THE PLANET, EASY SOAP & WATER CLEANUP - With Less Than 50 g/L VOC Content, #1 Deck Sealer Is a Better Choice For Our Planet. Clean Up is Super Easy - Just Use Soap and Water
- WORKS ON DAMP WOOD, MINIMIZING THE WAIT TIME BETWEEN CLEANING AND STAINING - Once Your Wood Deck Is Visibly Dry, It's Ready to Stain
- Ready mix, ready to use semi-transparent wood stain and sealant all-in-one
- Waterproofing deck and fence protection, dries in 24 hours
- Durable water based sealant that provides waterproofing protection with resistant coating
- SUNBLOCK UV defense
- Exclusive SCUFF GUARD Technology
- UTILIZES ULTRA-FINE TRANS-OXIDE PIGMENTS:to highlight the wood’s grain and other positive characteristics, and increase resistance to UV rays.
- COVERAGE RATE: on unsealed wood is 100-150 sq. ft per gallon.
- APPLICATION: Goes on easy in just one coat with no runs, drips, or back-brushing.
- SURFACE TYPES: Often used on new cedar or redwood fences that have a lot of naturla beauty to amplify, as well as for pre-stain facilities that choose to stain outdoor builing materials prior to installation.
- STATE RESTRICTIONS: Undeliverable to CA
- WATERPROOFING STAIN – Bring out the beauty of your outdoor wood with Thompson’s WaterSeal Transparent Waterproofing Wood Stain. Along with adding smooth color, it’s a deck sealer that prevents water damage to help you maintain your outdoor living spaces.
- TRANSPARENT WOOD STAIN – This outdoor wood stain provides a transparent finish. It will hide the wood grain, but still allow the wood texture to show. It provides complete protection while adding boldly tinted color.
- FADE RESISTANT FINISH – The advanced polymers in this outdoor wood and deck stain deliver fade-resistant color so it stays looking great year-round. The coating resists UV damage, so you can apply with confidence.
- EASY TO USE – Whether you’re refinishing an existing fence or putting the finishing touches on a new deck, this waterproofing wood stain is easy to apply. It can be applied to damp or dry wood. Clean the surface thoroughly prior to use for best results.
- EXCEEDS INDUSTRY STANDARDS – Thompson’s Waterproofing Exterior Wood Stain exceeds Industry Standard ASTM D-4446 for waterproofing wood.
- UTILIZES ULTRA-FINE TRANS-OXIDE PIGMENTS:to highlight the wood’s grain and other positive characteristics, and increase resistance to UV rays.
- COVERAGE RATE: on unsealed wood is 100-150 sq. ft per gallon.
- APPLICATION: Goes on easy in just one coat with no runs, drips, or back-brushing.
- SURFACE TYPES: Often used on new cedar or redwood fences that have a lot of naturla beauty to amplify, as well as for pre-stain facilities that choose to stain outdoor builing materials prior to installation.
- STATE RESTRICTIONS: Undeliverable to CA
Choosing the Best Stain for Your Cedar Fence: A Buyer’s Guide
Cedar fences look beautiful when new. They have a warm, reddish-brown color. To keep them looking great and lasting longer, you need the right stain. This guide helps you pick the perfect stain for your cedar wood.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for cedar fence stain, focus on a few important things. These features protect your fence from the weather.
- UV Protection: Sunlight fades wood quickly. Look for stains with strong UV blockers. This keeps the color rich.
- Water Repellency: Rain causes wood to rot and grow mildew. A good stain repels water effectively.
- Mildew Resistance: Shady or damp areas encourage mold growth. Choose a stain that fights mildew.
- Penetration Depth: The stain should soak deep into the wood fibers, not just sit on top. Deep penetration offers better, longer protection.
Important Materials in Fence Stain
The ingredients in the stain determine how well it works. Cedar is a soft wood, so the stain base matters a lot.
Oil-Based Stains (Alkyd or Natural Oils)
Oil-based stains penetrate cedar deeply. This makes them excellent for protecting the wood from the inside out. They often provide the richest, most natural look. However, they take longer to dry and clean up requires mineral spirits.
Water-Based Stains (Acrylic or Latex)
Water-based stains are easier to use. They clean up with soap and water. They dry faster than oil-based options. Modern acrylic formulas offer fantastic UV protection. They tend to sit more on the surface, which means they might need recoating sooner than deep oil stains.
Pigment Level
Stains come in different levels of transparency:
- Clear: Offers UV protection but no color change.
- Semi-Transparent: Lets the natural cedar grain show through while adding color. This is very popular for cedar.
- Solid: Hides the wood grain completely, acting almost like paint. This offers the highest UV protection.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of the stain directly affects how long your fence lasts and how good it looks.
Factors that Improve Quality: High-quality resins and high concentrations of UV absorbers improve the stain’s lifespan. Stains that contain natural oils (like tung or linseed oil) nourish the cedar, keeping it supple and less likely to crack. Always choose a product specifically formulated for exterior wood.
Factors that Reduce Quality: Cheap stains often use less pigment and low-quality binders. These thin binders break down quickly when exposed to sun and rain. If the stain is too thin or applied poorly, it will peel or fail quickly. Also, applying stain to wet or dirty wood drastically reduces its ability to stick and protect.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you want to use the stain and how much work you want to do.
Ease of Application: If you are staining a large fence yourself, a water-based stain might be easier to spray on. If you want the longest protection and don’t mind a slightly slower process, oil-based stains are often worth the effort. Always test the stain in a small, hidden area first.
Maintenance: Cedar fences need maintenance every few years. Semi-transparent stains often wear away evenly, making touch-ups simple. Solid stains, when they fail, might need to be stripped off completely before reapplying, which is much harder work.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Cedar Fence Stain
Q: How often should I re-stain my cedar fence?
A: Generally, you should plan to re-stain your cedar fence every two to five years. It depends on the stain type and how much sun your fence gets.
Q: Can I use deck stain on my fence?
A: Yes, many deck stains work well on fences because both need strong UV and water protection. However, check the label to ensure it’s suitable for vertical surfaces.
Q: Should I clean my fence before staining?
A: Absolutely. You must clean the fence thoroughly using a wood cleaner or brightener. This removes dirt, mildew, and gray surface fibers so the new stain can soak in correctly.
Q: What is the best time of year to stain cedar?
A: The best time is during a dry period when temperatures are mild—usually late spring or early fall. Check the stain can instructions for ideal temperature ranges.
Q: Does staining stop my cedar fence from turning gray?
A: Yes, staining with a pigmented product (even semi-transparent) blocks the UV rays that cause cedar to turn gray. Clear stains offer the least protection against graying.
Q: Which is better for cedar: oil or water-based stain?
A: Oil-based stains penetrate deeper and are often preferred for maximum protection. Water-based stains are easier to apply and clean up.
Q: How many coats of stain should I apply?
A: For most semi-transparent stains, one generous, even coat is enough. If you use a clear sealer, you might need two coats, but avoid over-applying any stain.
Q: How long does the stain need to dry before rain?
A: This varies by product. Usually, you need at least 24 to 48 hours of dry weather after application before rain is expected.
Q: Will solid stain hide repairs or major imperfections?
A: Solid stains cover the most. They act like a thin layer of paint, hiding discoloration and minor surface flaws better than transparent options.
Q: Is it necessary to sand the fence before staining?
A: If the old stain is peeling or flaking, yes, you must sand those areas. If the old stain is just faded but bonded well, you only need to clean it well, not sand the whole fence.