Fence Painting/Staining Columbia, SC

Inspection and Prep Work

The key to a successful paint or stain job starts with thorough inspection and prep work. Our team will walk the entire fence line and make notes of any problem areas that need repaired prior to painting.

This includes checking for loose boards, protruding nails, cracks, rotted wood or sections that need partially replaced. We may sand and/or apply wood filler to damaged areas of your fence before priming.

Proper prep work also includes completely cleaning your wood fence prior to painting. We power wash at close range to remove built-up dirt, cobwebs, mold or mildew. For severely dirty fences, we may use a long handle brush and cleaning solution if needed.

Our team takes care to keep overspray off landscaping, pools, outdoor kitchens or patio furniture. We’ll mask off any areas as needed before starting the paint or stain process.

Choose Your Paint, Stain or Finish

We offer several types of finish coatings for your wood fence painting or staining project:

Acrylic Latex Paint

This type of paint has built-in primer and provides excellent fade resistance. It’s available in flat, satin or semi-gloss sheens. We typically apply two finish coats of acrylic latex paint. Pros are it’s affordable, flexible finish and fast drying time. Cons are it requires more frequent repainting than oil-based.

Oil-Based Alkyd Paint

Alkyd paint contains petroleum-based oils that provide maximum wood penetration and protection. It has excellent blister resistance but requires at least 24 hours drying time between coats. Oil paint also emits strong fumes during application. Pros are long-lasting color retention and durability. Cons are strong odor and slow drying time.

Semi-Transparent Fence Stain

This lighter bodied alternative allows some of the natural wood grain to show through. It offers UV protection without completely obscuring fence texture.

We typically apply two coats of semi-transparent stain. Pros are color variety, wood preservation and no peeling finish. Cons are requires more frequent reapplication than solid stains.

Solid Color Fence Stain

This heavy pigmented version obscures wood grain to provide complete opaque coverage. The acrylic-based stain offers protection from moisture damage. Pros are excellent durability, fade resistance and wood grain hiding. Cons are darkens and obscures natural fence color over time.

We’ll help you select the best finish option for your specific fencing needs in terms of appearance, protection level and application considerations.

Application Process

Our team takes great care in applying your chosen paint or stain finish correctly:

Priming

For new wood that has never been painted, we start by applying a high quality oil or latex primer coat designed specifically for exterior wood. Priming provides a uniform surface for the finish paint to properly bond. We also spot prime any repaired sections as needed.

First Coat

Per the manufacturer’s recommendations, we apply the first coat of your selected paint or solid stain finish carefully using brush, pad or sprayer. We check weather conditions and avoid painting in direct sunlight, rain or extreme humidity. Proper drying time is allowed between coats.

Second Coat

For optimum protection and appearance, a second finish coat is applied once first coat is completely dry. We often use a different applicator for the second coat to ensure proper coverage. The two coats combine to provide complete coverage across all fence board surfaces and edges.

Protect Landscaping and Clean Up

We take care to avoid accidentally spraying or dripping paint onto pools, patios, outdoor kitchens or landscaping. Drop cloths and masking materials are used to shield plants, trees and decorative hardscapes.

Once painting is complete, we do a final inspection for drips or overspray. Any minor spills are immediately cleaned to keep your property looking pristine.

When the paint or stain has fully cured, we return to remove all protective coverings and masking materials. All equipment, ladders and supplies are taken away and your property is left clean. We haul off any debris to complete the project.