The guy who built my deck (cedar) and fence (pressure treated pine) instructed me to wait a month before I stained them. I was going to do it this weekend but now I am worried because it rained last night.

What should I do? Also, I was under the impression staining should be done as soon as possible, which is correct?

I would bet he told you to wait a month so that the wood has time to dry out. After you build it, the wood will shrink and settle.

I repaired part of my fence a year ago, and it still hasn't weathered yet, so I wouldn't worry about a months worth of weather...

agree with letting it dry out a little, esp the PT stuff.

let it go for a couple days and hit it with sealer/stain. I'd suggest using a pump sprayer like for round-up and doing it in the early morning before it gets hot. Super fast, easy, and pretty inexpensive.

Thanks.

Along the same line of questioning...

I moved into a house that is 7 years old. I'm not sure what type of wood it is but it doesn't appear to have ever been treated with anything. (I assume the fence is 7 years old also.) The wood has turned a gray color which is similar to most of the houses in my subdivision.

Should I apply some type of treatment or stain this summer or is it too late to do anything? Is it possible that its not meant to be treated? I have absolutely no clue.

I bet you have the materials backwards. Pine for decks and cedar for fence

Anyway, you need to let the deck sit for three to six months. If not the stain won't penetrate thoroughly and it will sluff off. the pressure treated takes along time to dry out. For a second opinion, go ask a sherwin Williams or other specialty paint store.

If it is indeed a cedar deck, you won't have to worry about losing the stain (bc it's not PT) so you could apply whenever you think it's dried out. If it's cedar, I woundlt worry to much. That stuff holds up well. Just do it before winter

I second OldArmy's question.

[This message has been edited by izbliss (edited 6/25/2011 10:54a).]

If you have an old fence that you want to stain/seal, get a wood brightener/cleaner and power wash the fence with a wide sweeping tip. After that, let it dry for a week or two and then use a spray applicator followed with a brush or roller to take care of the runs and apply whatever type of wood sealer or stain you want. I'm a fan of TWP products, specifically 116.

Thanks Taco! I'll give it a shot!