how do you remove water stains from a cedar fence

To actually remove water stains from your fence, there are a few different liquid solutions you can make at home and apply to the wood. One type of solution is half cool water and half bleach. Another is equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. For cedar fences, you can try a mild citric acid–based cleaner.

Full Answer

How do you clean the inside of a cedar fence?

When using the proper cleaning procedures, you can easily clean and remove stains and discoloration from the cedar, without harming the color or finish of the wood. Pour one gallon of water into a bucket, mixed with 2 ounces of oxalic acid. Dip a cleaning brush into the solution, then scrub the solution into the wood.

How do you get rid of water stains on red cedar?

The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA) points out that water stains are typically a combination of extractive bleed and mildew. Mildew is easily dealt with by using a pressure sprayer and applying a mildewcide to the affected areas. Extractive bleed, however, is much more complicated.

How do you remove stains from cedar siding?

When using the proper cleaning procedures, you can easily clean and remove stains and discoloration from the cedar, without harming the color or finish of the wood. Pour one gallon of water into a bucket, mixed with 2 ounces of oxalic acid.

What is the hardest stain to remove from cedar wood?

Water stains are one of the hardest to remove from cedar wood. The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA) points out that water stains are typically a combination of extractive bleed and mildew. Mildew is easily dealt with by using a pressure sprayer and applying a mildewcide to the affected areas.

What to use on cedar to protect from stains?

What is the hardest stain to remove from cedar?

Is cedar wood good for outdoor use?

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Can you get water stains out of cedar wood?

Combine Vinegar and Olive Oil for a DIY Wood-Stain Remover In a small bowl, mix equal parts vinegar and olive oil. Apply the mixture to the water stain using a cloth. Wipe in the direction of the wood grain until the stain is gone.

How do you get stains out of cedar wood?

If washing with a mild detergent solution does not work, applying a mild oxalic acid solution has been proven to be effective in removing water, tannin, or iron stains. Commercial cleaners are also available if the stain remains; prime the area with an alkyd primer and topcoat with a latex coating.

How do you remove black water stains from cedar wood?

For stubborn black water stains, you may need to use a commercial wood bleach.After removing the wood finish, apply mixed wood bleach with a brush to the wood.Allow the wood bleach to work for four hours.Neutralize the wood bleach by applying a mixture of two parts water and to one-part vinegar with a sponge.More items...

How do I remove GREY from my cedar fence?

Scrub the fence with a wood cleaning detergent or a 20-percent solution of chlorine bleach that contains 1 part bleach and 4 parts water. Spray the fence with a garden hose and use a long-handled scrub brush to scrub the pickets from top to bottom, paying particular attention to the mold, mildew and algae.

Are water stains on wood permanent?

Thankfully, most watermarks are not permanent, and it's almost always possible to get rid of the stains from your wood surface, depending on the intensity of the stain and condition of the wood.

What is the best cleaner for cedar wood?

“The safe and effective way to clean the wood is oxygen bleach. The oxygen bleach comes as a granular powder that mixes with water.

Does toothpaste remove water stains wood?

To get rid of those telltale watermark rings left by sweating beverages, gently rub some non-gel toothpaste with a soft cloth on the surface to remove water stains from wood. Then wipe it off with a damp cloth and let it dry before applying furniture polish.

How do you remove water stains from finished wood?

5 Ways to Remove Water Stains from WoodA hair dryer. Put your hair dryer on its lowest setting and direct it at the water ring. ... Mayonnaise or petroleum jelly. Apply a dab of either substance with a soft cloth and rub it into the mark in a circular motion. ... Toothpaste. ... Steel wool. ... Over-the-counter products.

How do you fix a water stain on wood?

Mayonnaise can work well to remove an old white stain on wood. When you apply mayonnaise over the water stain, and allow it to sit on the spot for a few hours, the oil in the mayonnaise will help remove the moisture and the cloudiness that accompanies it.

How do I make my cedar fence look new?

The best way to restore your cedar siding or cedar fence to its original glory is with soft washing. Instead of the robust streams of high-pressure water used in pressure washing, soft washing uses a low-pressure technique with a special mixture of highly effective and biodegradable cleaning solutions.

Should you power wash a cedar fence?

If dirt becomes built up on the fence, the cedar can decrease in water resistance from lack of natural oils. Pressure washing your cedar fence and then applying a stain is the best way to keep your fence in its best condition, giving your yard the beauty it deserves.

How do you restore greyed cedar?

If your Wester Red Cedar lumber has greyed and you would like to restore it back to its original color, that can be done fairly easily using commercially available wood brighteners following the manufacturer's directions after you have sanded the exposed surface of the Cedar.

How do I clean and restore cedar?

Pour one gallon of water into a bucket, mixed with 2 ounces of oxalic acid. This type of acid can be found at any hardware or home improvement store and works well on cedar.Dip a cleaning brush into the solution, then scrub the solution into the wood.Rinse outdoor areas with a hose.

Should you sand cedar before staining?

If your cedar deck is newly installed, you'll need to sand* the cedar boards prior to staining. The boards go through a planing process at the mill that result in “mill glazing”. The planing process causes an oily surface on the boards that can hinder the wood stain from penetrating the wood.

Will bleach hurt cedar?

Do not attempt to power wash your cedar siding. Power washing can damage the wood, and bleach can damage a power washer. Though it may be more time consuming, always clean your cedar siding by hand.

Does cedar wood stain well?

Although cedar is a softwood like pine, it absorbs stain better than pine, especially when treated with a pre-stain wood conditioner. Indoor and outdoor cedar furniture are stained the same way. However, clear coat polyurethane, which gives the wood a shiny, smooth finish, should only be used on indoor furniture.

How do I remove debris from my privacy fence?

Before you get started on removing stain from your fence, you’ll need to eliminate any debris from the fence, such as soil, cobwebs or ivy. These i...

How do I use a wood stripper on my stained privacy fence?

To remove any fence stain you don’t want anymore, you’ll need a quality wood stripper to do the job. Wood stripper acts similarly to a bleaching ag...

How do I rinse my privacy fence?

When the stain has dissolved, rinse your fence with a pressure washer or a garden hose. Move the hose or washer in the same direction as the boards...

How can I restore my wood privacy fence?

Just a few more steps! While you may think you’re done, your fence may look a bit darker than usual. To brighten your fence back to its original co...

Who can install a privacy fence for me?

If you’re in need of a blank slate, consider a fence from Carnahan-White. Whether you want a wood, vinyl, or iron fence, we can find something perf...

How Do You Remove Water Stains from a Wooden Fence?

Even the best-laid maintenance plans can go awry or may not completely protect your wooden fence from getting water stains. If you end up getting these unsightly blemishes on your wooden fence, here are a few ways to deal with them:

What to do if your fence is water damaged?

If all else fails or your wooden fence has experienced severe water damage from rain or snow, you may need to replace individual boards or posts to freshen up the appearance of the entire structure. Before you make any drastic decisions that could cause more harm than good, speak to the professionals at Split Rail Fence Company. They can discuss your particular fencing issue and what maintenance solutions, which may include replacing certain pieces or materials on your wooden fence to make it look good as new.

Can you cover up water spots on a fence?

If your fence has already collected water stains, but is otherwise structurally sound, you can cover them up with a fresh coat of paint or stain. Also, as noted above, adding a new layer of paint, stain, or sealant can help prevent the wood from acquiring new water stains in the future.

Can snow damage a wooden fence?

Winter weather can be detrimental to numerous physical structures and systems on your property, including your fence. In particular, rain and snow can leave behind unattractive and damaging water stains. Here are a few tips to help you protect and maintain your wooden fence to keep it looking fresh and maximize its lifespan:

Can wood fences be used in Colorado?

However, they are also particularly susceptible to collecting water stains from snow and rain on the Colorado Front Range.

How to remove tannin stains from cedar?

To remove tannin stains, add approximately two ounces of oxalic acid to a bucket of lukewarm water. Dip a cleaning brush in this solution and wipe over stain. Use a dry rag to sop away any excess water.

How to get mildew out of cedar?

Dip a sponge in this solution and gently wipe over the stain. Do not scrub over the wood, as excessive scrubbing could scratch the surface. The bleach-water solution is particularly effective on mildew. In addition to cleaning out the stain, this solution also helps enhance the natural beauty of cedar lumber.

What is cedar lumber used for?

Cedar lumber is a strong, durable material and is popularly used in construction projects, as well as for home projects like building cedar fence, trims and molding, decks, and garden furniture. Cedar lumber is considerably resilient to the constant wear and tear caused by weather, and therefore, it is widely used for outdoor projects.

Can you clean cedar wood with bleach?

For a more thorough yearly cleaning, you need a stronger cleaning agent. Over time, mold and mildew form telling stains on cedar wood. These cannot be cleaned with just a water and soap solution. For such stains, add some bleach to a bucket of lukewarm water.

Is cedar wood low fuss?

It can also be left as it is for a rustic country look. In addition to its durability, cedar lumber is also a low-fuss wood. This means that it does not need constant attention or maintenance to look good, making it a convenient choice.

Does cedar lumber need to be inspected?

That said, cedar lumber does require that certain specific measures be taken to ensure its durability and appearance. In order to preserve cedar lumber products, it is essential to conduct some timely checks for stains and discoloring that can occur over time. Luckily, this is not very hard or time-consuming.

Remove Debris

Before you get started, you’ll need to eliminate any debris from the fence, such as soil, cobwebs or ivy. These items will leave patches of stain if they aren’t cleared away before the stain remover is put to use. If possible, lay down a tarp or sheet to avoid damage to your yard or nearby furniture.

Use Wood Stripper

To remove any fence stain you don’t want anymore, you’ll need a quality wood stripper to do the job. Wood stripper acts similarly to a bleaching agent to remove stain from a fence. Some materials you’ll need include:

Rinse

When the stain has dissolved, rinse your fence with a pressure washer or a garden hose. Move the hose or washer in the same direction as the boards. Once all the residue is removed, sweep or blow away any moisture from your fence.

Restore

Just a few more steps! While you may think you’re done, your fence may look a bit darker than usual. To brighten your fence back to its original color, you’ll need to use oxalic acid. Not only will it brighten the wood, but it’ll prevent any damage caused by the wood stripper. You can purchase it at any home improvement store or hardware store.

Buy a New Fence From Carnahan-White

If you’re in need of a blank slate, consider a fence from Carnahan-White. Whether you want a wood, vinyl, or iron fence, we can find something perfect for your home or business. Call us today at (417) 883-0733 for a quote.

How much does it cost to pressure wash a fence?

If you don’t have one, you can hire a local pressure washing contractor. Alternatively, the cost to rent a pressure washer ranges from $35 to $175 per day.

How much does it cost to stain a power washer?

Stain costs around $24 per gallon, plus about $7 for paintbrushes. Keep in mind that one gallon of stain will cover about 160 square feet of fence.

Why is cedar gray?

Cedar’s resistance to warping and rotting make it a popular choice for a home fence. It usually looks great for a few years but soon turns gray due to the elements. And when dirt buildup causes cedar to lose some natural oils, it's less water-resistant.

What to consider when choosing a fence?

As for choosing the best fence for your yard, consider variables like privacy, maintenance, and (of course) cost. Once you find what works best for you and your family, you can destroy, rebuild, and enjoy.

How much pressure should I use to splinter cedar?

Start by using 500 to 800 pounds (of pressure) per square inch (psi) with a 25-degree nozzle tip. Adjust the pressure as needed up to 1,500 psi, as anything beyond this may splinter the soft cedarwood.

Can you pressure wash cedar?

If you’re not into the pressure-washer idea, there’s a way around it —but you’ll need additional patience and elbow grease. Don’t skip the wash altogether, as it’s essential to clean cedar before staining. Otherwise, the stain might not adhere properly.

Can you stain cedar wood?

Despite its superior ability to resist rotting and warping, cedarwood fades to a grayish color over time. Fret not, though: with a little stain, you can restore a faded wood fence to its former glory.

What to use on cedar to protect from stains?

Tim Carter, of Askthebuilder.com, a homeowner resource for home maintenance, suggests a simple application of oil-based water sealant to new cedar wood before installation or building. This effectively eliminates many of the potential stains that can occur during the lifetime of your structure, particularly water stains.

What is the hardest stain to remove from cedar?

Water stains are one of the hardest to remove from cedar wood. The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA) points out that water stains are typically a combination of extractive bleed and mildew. Mildew is easily dealt with by using a pressure sprayer and applying a mildewcide to the affected areas. Extractive bleed, however, is much more complicated. This type of stain occurs when water penetrates into the wood. The naturally occurring chemical extracts that make cedar so unique also happen to be highly water soluble. As outside forces such as wind, sun and warm weather draw the water back out from the interior of the wood, the extracts emerge with it. The water then evaporates from the surface, oftentimes leaving a dark brown stain, which is simply the concentration of extracts that were once spread out within the wood.

Is cedar wood good for outdoor use?

Cedar wood is unparalleled in the outdoor environment for the warmth and natural look it creates. Few woods are capable of blending into a scenic environment the way cedar can. Likewise, few woods are able to withstand the elements with the same measure of grace that cedar does. Many homeowners forgo the process of staining or painting cedar, opting instead for that naturally weathered look that is sought after by purists and gardeners with a penchant for the nostalgic.