[Startingover]

Getting 50’ of new wood fence.

The contractor asked when I’d paint it. Between rain, work an energy level it depends. He said he wants to use Thompson Weatherproof Sealant then I should wait 3-4 months to paint. (Stain)

After being on this site so long I know somethings cause adhering trouble

Should I tell him to skip the Thompson’s?

 

[stick\shift]

I would. What kind of wood?

 

[mark sr]

Yes!!!!
TWP doesn't hold up well and any leftover residue can cause adhesion issues with whatever you apply over it.


Is the fence constructed of pressure treated lumber?

 

[Startingover]

Thanks, just what I guessed.

Don’t know type of wood but its thicker than HD ready made panels. When Getting estimates no one liked ready made panels. Mine will be shadow box built on site.

That will be hard to stain by hand getting in behind each board. He told me to go to Harbor Freight an buy a paint sprayer.

Wonder if I can rent one ? My budget is topped out.

Is deck stain thinner than paint? I read about sprayers clogging?

 

[mark sr]

Stain is thinner than paint. I'd probably opt for renting an airless versus buying a cheap one. The tip is basically the only thing that routinely clogs and most tips are reversible, you just turn them around and blow paint thru it backwards to clear it - easy peasy.




Since this is a site built fence in fla I'd expect the wood to either be PT pine or cedar ..... least ways that is what was common there 30 yrs ago.

 

[Gymschu]

Oh my, yes Thompson's is the absolute worst. If you are lucky, SO, you get maybe, maybe 6 months out of it. I did a homeowner's cedar patio set with Thompson's......cleaned it up nice, applied a nice coat.....it looked great......for the 3 months of summer. By summer's end it was black. Mildew just adhered to whatever was in the Thompson's and it no longer was beading water. I vowed then and there to never use that stuff again.

And, yes to renting a sprayer. A good rental store will show you how to use it properly. Cost is minimal. Back in the day, you could rent one for $50 a day. I'm sure it's a good bit more than that now, but still waaaayyyy cheaper than buying one you may never use again.

 

[Old Thomas]

Thompson’s is worthless. I tried it on a red cedar deck and it weathered off in a few month’s time. Olympic is better.
Products that penetrate are better brushed on and worked in. Products that adhere like paint spray well.

 

[Startingover]

My fence will be PT pine. I called a rental place and $85 per day for sprayers. BUT his are set up for latex. I’d have to buy a stain Tip. The photo is what I’m getting so you can see not simple by hand to stain. I’ve spent, including $60 permit, $1,160 of my anticipated stimulus check. 100’ front & back total to stain so I’ll do it by hand. And I told contractor NO TWP.

Too bad stain doesn't come in a spray can. The back side sill be covered by bamboo so I don’t care how it looks.

 

[mark sr]

Shadowbox fencing is hard to stain by hand. You'll want to get a mini roller to help with your brushing. How dry is the wood? PT wood doesn't hold stain well until it dries out from the PT process.

 

[Startingover]

Aprox how long for it to dry out?

Thanks

 

[mark sr]

It depends on how wet it was when installed and the environment it's exposed to. General rule of thumb is 6 weeks to 6 months.

 

[woodco]

Well, I'd say stain the wood down, but its PT..... Are you sure the slats will be PT? I would use PT for the framework, and cedar or something for the slats. Then you can stain them down.

 

[Startingover]

Woodco, sorry, not sure what you’re saying?


Contractor told me its PT pine after I asked.

 

[Startingover]

Ok, gottcha. This is what the contractor uses and I don’t have options.

 

[mark sr]

I used to stain a lot of fences in central fla and the majority were all PT .... although the majority were also premade panels brought out to the site. I doubt a fence contractor would give a homeowner the option of staining the slats before they were nailed up. He'd want to deliver the materials, put it up and get paid in short order.

 

[Startingover]

Mark, never thought about that. Clever.

We both know a lot of people in town and this man seems agreeable. I paid him $550 already of the 1,100 cost.

If I could stain the wood right away I’ll suggest this. It would be a big help.

The neighbor will be back in a month and park a big RV along the fence making it awkward to paint so I need to finish before then.

 

[french_guy]

Unless I'm wrong, Thompson WaterSeal IS NOT the same as TWP.....!!!
I've read good reviews about TWP

 

[mark sr]

Thompson WaterSeal IS NOT the same as TWP.

Correct, TWP is similar to Flood's CWF. I've heard it's better than CWF but have never used it or even seen it for sale other than on the internet.

 

[mark sr]

Yes!!!!
TWP doesn't hold up well and any leftover residue can cause adhesion issues with whatever you apply over it.


Is the fence constructed of pressure treated lumber?

Should have typed TWS - thompson's water seal