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Typically, you need one to two coats of stain for a fence. The number of coats you need can vary depending on the porosity of the type of wood. You can also apply an extra coat of stain if you want the color to look more saturated or to cover lap marks and patchy spots.

Staining a fence is less expensive than painting a fence due to the cost of materials and the longevity of the finish. Stain not only lasts longer than paint without chipping or peeling, but you also won’t have to put in the extra time and cost to prime the surface first. 

If you want to achieve a deeper, darker stain color, wait 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it off. However, wipe it off faster for a lighter tone. When wiping off the stain during this part of the process, be sure to work in the direction of the wood’s grain for best results.

You should wait three to six months after you buy it to paint pressure-treated wood. It needs time to dry from the chemicals applied to it. The paint will not adhere to the treated wood as well if it’s still wet from chemicals. To test the wooden boards, drip water onto them. If the wood absorbs the water, it’s ready for painting. If the water beads up, it’s not dry enough to paint yet. You can build your deck or fence while the treated wood is still wet, but you’ll need to paint it later.