Back-yard fences in Salinas take the valley wind every afternoon and stay damp along the bottom from fog and sprinklers. A stain or paint applied while the wood is still sound slows the graying and splitting. We wash, let the boards dry and check the posts before we coat anything.
Wood fences line nearly every back yard in Salinas, mostly redwood or cedar boards on treated posts. The valley wind tests them every afternoon, and the fog keeps the lower boards and rails damp. Bare boards turn gray in the first year or two, then begin to cup and split. Sprinklers do extra harm, leaving a wet, stained strip along the bottom. A fence that is stained or painted while the wood is still sound lasts longer and looks better from both sides.
We wash the fence to remove dirt, mildew and loose gray fiber, using low pressure so the soft wood is not torn up. Loose boards are fastened again and broken ones can be replaced. When the wood is dry, the stain or paint is applied by brush, roller or sprayer, and sprayed stain is brushed back in so it gets into the grain. Plants, paving and the neighbor's side are protected. On breezy days we do not spray.
A semi-transparent stain is the usual choice for a newer redwood fence, because it keeps the wood look and never peels. Solid stain or paint suits an older fence with mixed or patched boards. Paint looks sharp on a front picket fence, but it needs scraping when the time comes to redo it. We also check the posts. If they are rotted at the ground and the fence leans, coating it is money wasted, and we will tell you that first.
Fence painting & staining in Salinas: common questions
Should both sides of the fence be done?
It is better for the wood, since both faces then shed water the same way. If the far side belongs to a neighbor, you need their agreement before we work on it. Many people do their own side only.
My sprinklers hit the fence. Does that matter?
Yes. Daily wetting stains the boards and wears the finish off the bottom foot of the fence. Turning the heads away from the fence before staining makes the new finish last much longer.
Can you stain a brand new fence right away?
New redwood or cedar can usually be stained once it is dry to the touch and takes up water. Pressure-treated wood often needs weeks or months to dry out first. A few drops of water tell you: if they soak in, the wood is ready.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.