Restore Your Fence | $200 Weekend Project

[@krunal7558]

Here is tip jeff, put that can in home depot bucket before you spin that wood piece with the drill. You would have save that 20% of stain. Perfect everytime .

[@Silverdragon517]

I was thinking the same

[@SewingMamaJulie]

Great idea!

[@MBMCincy63]

Or dump half in the bucket then spin in can to get bottom, and dump and continue to mixing the bucket.

[@willdonaldson4634]

But that's why he included a discount code!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Ended up doing this for the deck. Cheers

[@HotRedMonkey]

Jeff heres a tip, drill a hole in the paint can's lid big enough for the drill bit to go through. Then attack the piece of wood on the other side. Close the lid and mix. 😅

[@noumansyed2761]

I used the garden sprayer for application, much easier to use covers all the groves also and works really good.

[@hippiechick3829]

You used the spray to apply the stain? Or the cleaner? I like this idea!

[@noumansyed2761]

@@hippiechick3829 I used garden sprayer to apply the bleach cleaner and used paint sprayer to apply the stain.

[@MrsGussDoughboys]

I would have used a garden pump sprayer. Pool shock liquid is bleach but 5 times stronger for a couple dollars more, adjust strength accordingly with a touch of dish soap and water. I had used it on my deck before switching to Fiberon

[@AlexKunstar]

Yeah by the time he scrubbed two sections you could have sprayed a nice coat or two on the whole thing.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Thanks for sharing

[@variousrebuilds]

As a guy who owns a pressure washing and wood restoration business, I would never recommend you put bleach on wood. It literally burns the wood fibers. A dedicated wood cleaner is much better….

[@artc8577]

@@AlexKunstar And spray the fence with water before treating with the sprayed on bleach.

[@AB-ev3pi]

Thanks!

[@x.avaly.x4523]

I’ve been in construction since I was a teenager. Mostly worked on remodeling historic homes. I’ve done it all & I still learn something every damn time I watch one of these videos. Jeff-you are the man, brother! More than anything though, you remind me not to over-complicate this stuff & the simpler the work is, the more I enjoy it. So I’m sending every bit of my respect & gratitude from Cape Cod. You are one hell of a tradesman.

[@DergEnterprises]

I just bought a house (20 yrs old) last month that has a huge cedar fence and huge cedar back porch. Not one single effort was done to preserve the beauty of the cedar. When it warms up, I'll be doing this method. I own both sides of the fence. Thanks for the instruction.

[@dilahlaird]

Amazing how many people commented here about a sprayer... did you even watch the video? He mentioned a sprayer twice, he's trying to use tools everyone should have access to, or be able to gather cheaply. Thanks for all the great videos Jeff!

[@cheribachman1548]

Everybody has access to a pump sprayer .They hold about 2 to 3 gallons.And you pump it to spray so yes everybody would have access to that buy it at home depot.... I'm a painter By trade and i'm telling you Spraying is the way to go and it's simple.

[@MrCjogobyu]

Use a backpack bug sprayer to apply the deck wash. Saves more than half the time as well your back!

[@teresaevans4840]

​@WhatTheHellsAGigawat😢 so sorry 😞

[@sir.gandolf]

I do something similar to clean my house and buildings, but I find it easier to put the bleach water in a pump sprayer, I think it is easier then trying to use the brush to apply. Just go back with a brush if necessary, then rinse/finish with garden hose or power washer, bleach is amazing for cleaning.

[@jonnyfive5000]

Did this and the scrub helped take out the black stains on my gate. I applied with a Sponge tho and found it helped keep bleach from splashing around and getting on me and my clothes. Hoping the weather is good and I’ll stain and seal it today.

[@TheGibby13]

Looking good Jeff! Used to use diesel and used motor oil as a stain, would be even cheaper but not everyone changes their own oil

[@darrelmartin8261]

Nice

[@maxmanx1294]

Great preservative!

[@TheGibby13]

@@13ChroniclesOfDagger sure did

[@AccountantByDay553]

Lol i do same

[@ContractorMemes]

Bleach breaks down the lignin in wood causing damage to cells of wood. Yes, it’s instant results, consider other alternatives such as wood brighteners or other cleaners designed to safely brighten and clean wood which also preserve the life of the wood. Also, you can pressure wash from a safe distance without etching the fence, and the brush isn’t always as necessary. If you are a DIY weekend warrior however, bleach is a cheaper option and probably a better result than greyed out cedar. Apply chems top down on vertical surfaces, rinse from bottom up with water

[@ourkid718]

Could you put the deck cleaner in a pump sprayer or backpack sprayer and evenly spray it across the fence without having to use a deck brush?

[@pyramidwoodworks]

my first thought as well haha

[@montezuma17900]

yeah watching him try to brush this was painful. ive been a painter for over a decade...pump sprayer costs about as much as that brush and bucket ($30 ish).... wouldve taken him less than 10 mins to spray the fence down. do it as many times as needed to kill all the mold and bring the color back.... wait a few days then instead of buying a $20 deck brush, get a couple gallons of thompsons water seal and fill the pump sprayer back up and hose down the fence with that, back brush with the grain, done. my parents bought and installed a cheap cedar fence 4 years ago and we used thompsons on year 1, and the fence STILL looks great this year (to my surprise)

[@rjrinaudo5597]

A garden sprayer is far more practical than a brush especially on a “shadow box” or “board-on-board” fence.

[@katherinekelly5380]

Totally agree - I love the colour of new cedar, really don’t like the gray colour Your daughter probably loves her dad is taking care of this for her ❣️♥️

[@123mjolie]

Jeff your daughter is a lucky girl!! Hope she remembers Father's Day!!!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

I’m a lucky dad. Cheers!

[@iphoneography]

As I get older, I rather enjoy these type of weekend project. Satisfaction guaranteed.

[@noahgrayhek1100]

Just curious, but if you apply the penetrating sealer stain on one side of the fence, what happens if you don’t do it on the other side as well? Will that cause problems down the line? If one side is protected and the other isn’t, when that unprotected side starts to decay will not reach your side eventually?

[@Charlie.Lockwood]

Great content Jeff, you're channel has helped me a ton on DIY projects. Staining my fence is on my honey-do list...once the weather heats up

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

That is awesome!

[@yusufkaydawala]

Thanks Jeff. We applied this to our backyard and the result is impressive. We ended up renting a power washer since the multiple round of scrubbing is hard work 😊 We went with C2 Guard as you recommended. It is expensive compared to big store competition. Hope the price is worth the performance. We underestimate our paint requirement by 3x

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Nice work!

[@AbbreviatedReviews]

The 'fence cleaner' that I got instructed me to wet the fence, spray it on with a pump sprayer, then scrub with a brush. That sounds like extra steps, but I think you avoid having to do a thousand bucket dips or saw your brush to bucket size.

[@AlexKunstar]

Yeah... There's not much of a reason to dip in a bucket.. Spray it on with a pump sprayer, then agitate it if it's even necessary.

[@LorentzInvariance]

This is on my spring list, so perfect timing on the video. Even for a simple job, it’s always nice to just watch one of your videos and get some confirmation. Great work, and a general thanks for the years of great stuff.

[@designmasters1073]

Down here in Texas we do a lot of burning our wood for a rustic look, then hit it with Thompson water seal. I did a style that's very old technique that the Japanese used to water proof all natural and it's called "sugi ban" It's almost black lacquer after it's burnt and repels water. I did a custom wood floor once using this i think you should check it out..

[@donnasmith-rn2qh]

My husband uses a sprayer (hand pump type) to spray our fence with a cleaning solution and it works great! Pressure treated, not cedar.

[@hammerhog22]

Hello Jeff! I realize my comment will probably be to far down the list to read but I just want to say a huge thank you for all that you do to help us DIYers. I love how real you are and how realistic everything is. You approach everything with an open mind and try to explain everything as best as possible and doing it all without crazy expensive tools! I tried the pressure washer technique you mentioned but I had no reference so I ended up with some of the wood being fuzzy. Do I just quickly give that a sand before staining? Also I Live in Nova Scotia and since I am not close to Ottawa, do you have a second recommendation for stain that I should buy? I’m close to a Home Depot if that helps at all. As well with the floor of the deck do I follow the same technique or will you be doing another tutorial on the deck your building right now? I understand if you don’t see this or get a chance to get back to me. Thank you again for everything! I love your channel and you’re amazing!!

[@funstuffonthenet5573]

I did this a long time ago and it worked quite well with a brush.

[@gergemall]

Thanks Jeff . You’re my mentor.

[@x1984x]

You can get a decent electric pressure washer at lowe's or harbor freight for around $100. Also could you apply the strain with pressure pot or air sprayer?

[@mobboss918]

Hudson sprayer was my thought too

[@DanielDickin]

Don't have Harbour Freight in Canada

[@luisbernal4698]

Exactly

[@kelomoigberale6611]

Can you use a sprayer to apply the stain faster and better or you recommend using a brush?

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

You can use a pump sprayer too

[@kelomoigberale6611]

@@HomeRenoVisionDIY so do you recommend using paint spray or pump spray?

[@neomacchio4692]

Killing me with brush Jeff! Try a roller to wet the fence then grab the brush! 😂. Thanks for the vid though I’m gonna do this to my 3 yr old fence!

[@RoyalLucas-y4l]

Funny, informative, and straight to the point! Awesome video!

[@robkerf]

Wouldn't applying the bleach with a garden sprayer then scrubbing be a better way?

[@shensley011]

So put the deck cleaner in your power washer, go to town, then put the sealer on? That's my plan with my cedar fence on the property I just bought.

[@LeverPhile]

You are going to atomize the bleach that way, so wear a respirator...?? Maybe better to use those cheap plastic pump sprayers to apply the deck cleaner.

[@shensley011]

@LeverPhile oh ya, I'll be in full gear of course. I don't mess around with anything.

[@escapethewormhole]

@@LeverPhile You cannot use bleach in pressure washers as a general rule as it will eat the seals and ruin the pump. But you can get pressure washer specific cleaners for this Homeless depot sells Zep which I believe is Oxalic acid.

[@LeverPhile]

@@escapethewormhole Somebody else mentioned using bleach, but their comment is gone. I wouldn't use it.

[@walleyeye]

Could you not use a paint sprayer of pump style sprayer to apply the cleaner?

[@NoName-jz5re]

Spray bleach with sprayer. Leave for 1 hr and then pressure wash. Ay part left over or still dirty scrub with hard brush and dawn washing liquid and clean with power wash. Oil based strain is very good. My fence is good since 4 years, while fences with water based is faded chipped and peeled.

[@NicholasDeFilippis-e7d]

Everybody is moving to alkyds for outdoor lumber applications but it's still a little pricey. it's an oil emulsion in water which is meant to mimic solvent based application features, including penetration. Still limited by the surface tension of water it achieves better penetration than conventional latex coatings. However, it's a misconception that they do not form films. The films being 1-2nm, even more if you choose to double coat the board.

[@ejmedina7065]

Thank you Jeff!! Looks great!!

[@Evian1990]

Do you have a link to buy that paint mixer? It looked like it worked great!

[@PrincessDeeDee67]

I think you could have used a pressure garden weed sprayer or a cheap electrical paint sprayer to spray the bleach onto the wood....a lot easier than the decking brush on a pole and less waste....sometimes other tools or equipment can be used for things that they were not originally intended. Work smarter and easier.

[@stevemanos2505]

hi Jeff - on an unrelated topic, I was searching for how to install home window tint. Of course, I searched your content first but didn't find anything. Just an idea for a future video. Meanwhile, keep up the great work!

[@charlesmckenzie7101]

it looks pretty good, not bad. but, I know a little sanding does wonders on the finished product, plus helps the fence to absorb it better.

[@good-to-know]

There is a penetrating strain product that is much easier to apply. You don't have to worry about overlaps or drips. No prep for recoats. It's Outlast Products Q8 Log Oil.

[@normajohnson6352]

Neighbor sprayed fence with 30 second outdoor cleaner from home depot, hosed off. I was impressed with results

[@tdayuk]

Sir, love watching your video's smart, funny and simple descriptions. Please keep making the videos & I love discovering your new stuff. I'll keep subscribing :)

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Cheers!

[@staceydickinson8021]

Reconsider using pool chlorine and water .. 50/50 ratio.. spray it on with a weed sprayer bottle and watch the fence come back to new.. rinse after that and leave it alone or restain.

[@herroyaldulkness]

I watched dozens of videos before this one but I should’ve known my man Jeff had all the info I need in one spot!

[@stephaniestrom9240]

Love the video! If you were using a pressure washer would you use cleaning solution or just water?

[@bbay1977]

OMG I was thinking the whole time in my head " Up......Down". I could even hear him with the thick ascent saying them words as well. RIP Mr.Miyagi or better know as Pat Morita. 😢

[@untaintedwheelchair]

Not all 'bleach' products are the same, I suggest you use words such as 'chemical cleaners' or something else unless you mean sodium hypochlorite (household bleach), they are chemically different. Household/chlorine bleach destroys the tannins and character of the wood, but is fine for treated pine. Also, I suggest: 1) pre-wet the wood 2) apply the chemicals using a pressure sprayer at the right concentration 3) let it sit for at least 5-10 mins depending on the product (keep damp, mist if necessary) 4) agitate with a brush 5) then rinse heavily to ensure no salts are left to crystallise on the surface

[@southsidetom]

Rent a gas pressure washer at your local HD. A half day rental is $60. I rent one every spring to clean and recoat the deck. Made a cheap fold up ramp and pull it into a small SUV. E Z!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Great tip

[@BlaineShillington]

Jeff, can you put the bleach in a pump sprayer in stead and skip the scrubbing? Ours has mildew, so i'm hoping that will be enough

[@jonathanduran8669]

If you use a pressure washer do you still need the cleaner product?

[@ajvlogslife8887]

Thank you Jeff. Ill do this to make some money this summer.

[@twospeed368]

I'd be interested in follow up videos or images to projects like this showing the completed project when dry and then maybe a year on. Would help clueless folks like me understand what I'm getting after all the work.

[@whatyouwontseeontv8266]

2:34 Just asking... wouldn't it be faster to spray the product?

[@VPBOYZ904]

💯💯💯

[@MaryCumbersnatch]

Would a pressure washer work just as well?

[@AlwaniAkber]

Hello Sir, very good video, can we use spray for bleaching and color. Can you write all require items😊

[@tool717]

In Ottawa , well that's pretty cool Jeff .

[@edbrown7919]

Does the behr penetrating stain and sealer work too? There’s a water based or oil for that one

[@davidbieritz1595]

Would a pressure washer would work, instead of a brush?

[@DanielRucci]

The dad-grunts make this both credible and relatable.

[@Jhope22]

Hey Jeff, watched your previous video on decks where you recommended Olympic Ascent Clear sealant and now you are recommending C2 Guard... Huge price difference. Also not readily available in GTA. Why the switch from Olympic to C2?

[@markothwriter]

I use hemp oil. Only have to re-stain with clear every 15 years or so.

[@janjaf844]

How do you know what kind of wood you have? We have a rental and I have to take off old peeling paint- which I'll use diamabrush but then do I need to wash the wood after sanding all paint off? Or can I just apply the stain. Also I really want to buy c2 wood stain but we are leaving tomorrow so I won't get it in time...is there any other stain you've done that is as good as c2 stuff?

[@Mike-iq9uh]

Do you still need the deck cleaner if you got a power washer?

[@sisleywang5365]

Is it possible to use a roller to apply the stain? I am going to finish mine😊

[@AntEloftheHouseofEl]

You could save your back using a pump sprayer. Or, because I'm into detailing, I use my snow foam cannon! I get a nice, thick coating that clings to the surface. I put one coat on and leave it until its almost drying out, then put on a second coat and work it with the pressure washer gently. Spotless in less than half the time.

[@amirnaghian4491]

Hi do you mixed water based with thinner or no?????

[@brentworks84]

Can the same methods be used to revitalize a pressure treated deck / fence? Similar age as what you were working on (and area). No previous protection applied.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Yes, absolutely

[@jordanlambert8]

Jeff or anyone, if using a pressure washer can you just fill the jug with the bleach solution and what nozzle would you recommend? Cheers

[@shrek2183]

Very articulate.Excellent job brother

[@Xx_eeveemocha_xX]

We just put out fence up 2-3 month ago … does I have to use that bleach or only use this for old fence?

[@AC-MAIN]

Great to see you are from my home town! Any other recommended similar stain as the C2 GUARD that we could get on Vancouver Island? Love the vids. Thanks for all the great advice over the years!

[@TheDeathblowX]

They use cedar instead of PT because all the PT fences split and warp horribly because the PT is so wet today and it dries too fast in the sun. I installed a cedar fence and finished it with Ready Seal. My fence looks new, but the PT fences in the neighborhood that were installed last summer are all warped and crappy already.

[@dannotubman6862]

Old Man out there Flexing 💪🏼😎

[@staceydickinson8021]

I'm just now building an '88 ft pressure treated Douglas fir 6 ft fence.. it's my first time and it's looking beautiful.. also running three 2x4 braces for each panel and a finish headboard along the top and after watching this video it looks like staining is extremely laborious... Is it even necessary that I stain?

[@jill552]

I thought if you did only one side, it wasn’t effective. Particularly if you seal. I was going to do both sides to try and save my fence from the landfill. What do you think about post caps.? Too bad the nice ones are cost prohibitive for your whole yard and the plastic ones only come in black and sometimes dark brown. BTW. Love your videos.

[@nejdro1]

Cedar is one of those woods that are inherently fairly rot resistive. I have never seen a rotted cedar fence except if it is allowed to touch the ground. In this case, water and organic material creep into the wood and cause the bottom to rot. Usually , a fence fails when the posts eventually rot and the whole thing goes over in a wind storm. There are many bleach based cleaners on the market which can be bought in a spray bottle which attaches to a garden hose. All that brushing to apply the bleach is unnecessary. A fence that is cleaned periodically will last many years, even WITHOUT a stain. Stains are largely for aesthetics - the color just looks good. If you like the look of natural cedar, just plan on keeping it clean. There is also a financial reason to not stain a fence, it will soak up a LOT of expensive stain, and then will have to be done again every several years. Whereas bleach is very effective in getting rid of the blackish mold and mildew, an oxalic acid containing cleaner will actually do a superior job of returning the original color of the cedar. Bleach tends to leave a silverish patina on the wood, rather than the warm wood tone.

[@patdabeatz]

Have you looked at Ready Seal?

[@babbsfangirl8254]

Thank you for the video. How do I calculate how much stain I need?

[@ilikebigbassandicannotlie7228]

For a new house - we bought 7 months ago - would I need to pressure wash or bleach the cedar pickets before staining? I see some gray'ing but its not too bad.

[@Dwplayground]

When do u think I should clean the paint brush after staining with c2 guard if the project is 2 different days? And what should I clean with? Mineral spirits? Should I clean the brush at the end of the day? Thank you!

[@TheRealRobM]

Jeff! where else can I buy this C2 stain in South Western Ontario? the website doesn't say. I had a new fence and about 800sq ft of deck installed last summer. I need to stain this spring.

[@demskies]

Do I have to wait for the wood to dry before I stain it?

[@angetodac]

great job and explanation...

[@jasonsgroovemachine]

Dunno if you answered this in the video and I missed it or not but why not just get a garden sprayer and spray the thing instead of the brush?

[@jeanninehayes1267]

If you have a pressure washer do you use a bleach cleaner or will the washer itself do the cleaning job?

[@MH-kj9hh]

Could you use a power washer? I need to stain my fence, it's rather old (probably 5-10 years old) and was never stained, I was thinking about getting a soap attachement for the hose, soaping it down and then using a powerwasher. Would something like that work instead of brushing?

[@MBMCincy63]

Shivering black 🔔👍, if I ever have a fence, I will know what to do to protect it. Thank you.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Cheers

[@etmeyutub]

What is the stain, the product I I paused at 9:08 abd used a magnifying glass to rty to figure it out. Do you ever mention or show what product you used?

[@ChristopherYogi]

Sugar Maple. He shows it as this in the description and it looks similar on their website.

[@saurabhbanerjee9205]

Thanks for the wonderful video!! would it not rot if the neighbour does not do it. I plan to do this on my face of the fence, but absolutely certain my neighbour will never do it. Thanks !!

[@octaviomelchor1133]

Does that remove stain ? Can I put stain after it’s dry ?

[@diabolox1272]

Can we do this on pressured wood ????

[@mindlessmistro]

does sealing only one side of the fence cause problems? I'm just thinking if the neighbor's side still absorbs / evaporates water, will the fence warp? Or even rot faster?

[@aidanmfowler]

Try a product called 30 second cleaner. Seems like it would be easier than all that scrubbing

[@LeverPhile]

You still need to brush the gunk off

[@msk3905]

Yeah way too much work, i used to use 30 second cleaner but now use a safer product from cleaner today called wood ox cleaner 2000 cleaner, i spray on my cedar outdoor shower then hose off looks like new. I leave outside alone because house is on cape cod so seasoned cedar blends in with home.

[@brittany09]

Can you use a sprayer for the bleach?

[@stevelankford7087]

Thanks Bro good info!

[@DAKneesy]

You should use a pump sprayer with chlorine bleach (for pool, dawn dish soap and water). So much easier.

[@thilagveera8681]

My front porch deck paint is peeling off. Can i stain them or should I repaint, what steps to follow either way

[@brumasbusiness]

with the pressure washer, do we need to use that product?

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

maybe not worth a test before buying. Cheers!

[@brumasbusiness]

@@HomeRenoVisionDIYIt seems your answer is "I don't know". I don't know if I understand your answer. When you mention "buying" you meant the pressure washer? I have a pressure washer and I did try it and the very old looking planks almost look like when they were bought. The question is. Do we apply the cleaner to kill mold (or what ever is there)? Or we apply the cleaner to clear the dark or patina from the wood? I know that the pressure washer takes away the dark... Other thing. That fence that you worked on, was still with very good colour. I'm basically transforming something that seemed destine to go to the landfill and make it look good again.