Beautiful Cedar fence is now ruined by stain

3 years ago

Thanks for reading! Hope everyone is staying safe and well. I'm hoping someone out here can help me. Last year, we had a custom horizontal fence built and attached to our deck for privacy. We selected a beautiful Cedar and it was not inexpensive, as it was built by hand and the wood was higher quality. Once the fence was built we were told it would be a good idea to stain it to protect it as cedar grays over time. So we hired a company to do just that. We picked out a semi transparent stain that we liked, and made sure to tell the gentleman that it was very important to us that the stain was sheer because we wanted to see the wood through it.

Cut to a few days later, our beautiful fence was now a solid brick red. I spoke to the gentleman immediately and asked why it looked like that, he explained he did 2 coats to make sure it was thorough, I expressed my displeasure (calmly) at that point and he said to let it sit over the winter because it would likely weather and be the sheer color we wanted. So we did, and it's not.

I've tried power washing it which did absolutely nothing. I spoke to a gentleman who wanted $1800 to do the job (almost what the fence cost), I've been told I'll need to use a wood stripped and then a brightener, I've been told to use acetone and a wire brush (but expect a headache by the end of the day) and then I was told to forget it - that because it had been on there for almost a year, there is no way to get it back. Can someone please tell me the correct information? And the best way to get my fence back? I'm very appreciative of any information, product suggestions, hiring suggestions or anything else anyone can provide! Thanks in advance.

Featured Answer

lmckuin

3 years ago

I know it’s not what you wanted but the fence still looks beautiful. I’m so sorry this happened to you. If it makes you feel any better, you are preventing us from having something similar happen and will insist on having a sample board stained first before we get our fencing stained. I know it doesn’t help you but did want to share that your post is helpful to me (and probably others).

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Comments (9)

L Cole
3 years ago
So sad, I’ve got a similar issue, going to follow to see what recommendations you get.
lindac92
3 years ago
Essentially it's been painted.....and paint stripper will remove it......
I hate it when people do that to cedar!! i hope you didn't pay the man who did it!
Alexia Erlichman thanked lindac92
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millworkman
3 years ago
That's does not appear to be a semi solid or semi transparent stain to me. Looks like he used solid from all appearances. Your stuck now as stain adsorbs more than paint. You can attempt to strip and power wash but it will not all be removable as you have already found out. Your time to complain was a year ago when it was fresh. How many coats did the contract call for? Was two coats discussed?
Alexia Erlichman thanked millworkman
cat_ky
3 years ago
The others are right, that is solid color stain, not semi transparent that you wanted. You might try one section that is in an inconspicuous spot, and try a stripper. That is going to be a huge job if it works. The solid color stain, doesnt always absorb into the wood like semi transparent does. Sometimes, it sits on top of the wood, like paint would do. I know, it is not what you wanted, but, the fence is not ruined. It does actually look very nice. It is not, however, what is usually used on cedar, its the kind of stain, you use on treated wood and lesser quality wood than cedar. Be aware though, that even if you get a stripper to work, its going to be a very tedious, time consuming job, and even after you get it all off, the semi transparent stain, may not now, give you the look you were wanting.
Alexia Erlichman thanked cat_ky
ci_lantro
3 years ago
I'm going to disagree w/ everyone else. I think that is a semi-transparent stain. Two coats on not very thirsty wood. Other factors come into play--like the weather conditions when it was applied.

For new wood, you should use a transparent stain. Better yet is to let the wood dry out for a season & then apply a transparent stain. Semi-transparent stains are generally advised for older wood.
Alexia Erlichman thanked ci_lantro
Alexia Erlichman
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you so much for all the advise and comments! The information is much appreciated.
Izzy Mn
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
They probably used a water based stain also. That stuff acts more like paint. I've always used a oil based sealer/transparent stain ( I don't behave cedar, just pressure treated) Well, I've always used oil based (it penetrates and preserves better) until my husband purchased and stained last time. He used water based, now two years later it has some peeling going on....yeah he said he should have listened to me.
Alexia Erlichman thanked Izzy Mn
kate2carey
3 years ago
How disappointing not to get the look you wanted. On the other hand, imagine making lemonade. Are there accent colors, interesting designs or unique features that would make it even more special? :)
Alexia Erlichman thanked kate2carey