Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 26, 2000 08:08pm | #1

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   water seal then semi-transparent stain. Or, get a product with them mixed. Brand is up to you, we all have our biases and beliefs on what works best in our area. So, pick one and let the adventure begin.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 26, 2000 08:24pm | #2

   *Mark,Get a pump-up stain sprayer, you'll be glad you did. About $25 at a home center.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 27, 2000 04:08am | #4

   *b TVMDCCabot makes a transparent and a solid oil-based stain that is great! It can be brushed or sprayed but should not be applied until the wood has dryed out (about 3 months +or- depending on your area). About $20/gallon in a bunch of colors. I used a blue-green on the last project and the transparent flavor lets some of the natural wood show through. Looks really nice.Make certain you cover all the exposed areas. Too bad you can't hit the rail/board contact points and the inside of the T&G: that's where the dry rot will start. I caulk the top of the rails along the board contact points for just that reason (but not the underside to let moisture out). I also canted the rails and post tops about 30 degrees down away from the fence boards to discourage organic build-up and ponding water.Good luck!

2. 
   Mark_E._Warner | Jun 27, 2000 04:08am | #3

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   I've built a new fence and gates that I had always assumed would be
   painted but now my wife likes the look of the natural wood. The fence
   is a frame and panel style with douglas fir frames on the fence and
   western cedar frames on the gates, all inset with 1x6 T&G pine
   panels. Obviousy not the best choices but that's what I'm stuck with.
   So, I'd like to darken the color of all the woods and then use a clear
   finish. Any suggestions?