Best Fence Stain Sprayer

Best Fence Stain Sprayer Quick Chart 

Editor’s Top Picks for Best Stain Sprayer for your Fence 

1. Graco TC Pro
2. Graco Magnum X7
3. Earlex HV5500
4. Graco Project Painter Plus
5. HomeRight Super Finish
6. Wagner Double Duty
7. Neu Master
8. ITISLL 1.5 Gallon Pump Sprayer

Best Stain Sprayer for Your Fence

Premium Cordless Airless Sprayer

#1. Graco TC Pro

Powered by a DeWalt 20V lithium battery, the Graco TC Pro this made our painting easier than we ever thought. Thanks to its unique design, you can spray in any direction – including upside-down.  There is no thinning required for paint or stain.  

With the TC Pro Control technology incorporated by Graco, I was able to adjust the output pressure of their spray.

I went from 0 PSI to 2000 PSI for complete spray control. With varying spray speeds, I could control my overspray to create excellent finishes every time. You can get a smooth, consistent finish because of the amount of control you have over the spray.

Inside the box are a bunch of goodies.  Here is what you get.

• Flexline bags of 4 ounces to 32 ounces.
• 4 ounces of Graco pump armor storage fluid.
• A 60-mesh filter.
• 514 reversible spray tip.  (Get Different Tips HERE)
• Two DeWalt lithium-ion batteries and an XR charger.
• 2 VacuValve caps.

According to the manufacturer, users can receive up to 1 gallon of paint spraying on a single battery charge.

We found that to be about 45 minutes of stop-and-start time or 30 minutes of continuous painting.  If you need some advice on Graco Tips, check out their awesome post here.

Be sure to use the flexline bags for stains, however, as the cup stains easily.  Straining your stain is a must. Any changes to the texture of your stain does create a bit of a problem for the TC Pro.

You must also work in an almost continuous fashion to prevent stain from drying within the unit. If you pause for more than 15 minutes, you’ll need to clean the equipment before continuing again.

The TC Pro does weigh 10 pounds when fully loaded, so it may cause fatigue for some painters.

Stain Sprayer for Commercial Use

#2. Graco X7

Expect a quality machine when you purchase Graco’s Magnum X7 Cart Sprayer. The cart provides a ton of mobility for moving around larger scale projects.

When we ran this machine through its paces during testing we loved the fully adjustable paint flow control. Included is a 515 RAC IV 515 Switch Tip, which by itself can handle a ton of different paint mediums. Additionally, this unit can accommodate tips from .009 inch to 0.07 inch that you can buy HERE. You can then spray thinner materials that this high PSI machine may otherwise have issues with due to that 3000 PSI output.

Because of the 3000 PSI output of this machine, we were able to spray unthinned latex directly from our 5 gallon paint bucket with the handy flexible suction tube. 

The X7 comes with a 25 foot hose but can accommodate up to a 100 foot hose, so you can spray plenty of multiple story homes without wondering if your hose can reach.

Reverse the RAC IV 515 Switch Tip to solve any clogging issues easily and quickly.

Convenience is king with this model. On top of the cart for mobility, there is a hook on the front of the unit to mount your paint buckets.

This unit comes equipped with the SG2 metal spray gun, which is Graco quality and lightweight to prevent any wrist fatigue. Incorporated into the spray gun design is an inline paint filter directly on the gun.

Because of the included PowerFlush Adapter that connects to a garden hose for quick and thorough cleaning, clean up is a breeze. A bottle of pump armor is also included for when you need to store your X7.

It’s only limitation is the 125 annual use recommendation.  This is perfect for the hardcore DIYer but if you need more gallons/year, consider stepping up to other more robust Graco Sprayers, the popular X17 or the Graco Magnum ProX19.

#3. Earlex HV5500

The Earlex Spray Station HV5500 delivers consistent results with easy spray pattern adjustments on the fly.

Instead of fiddling with difficult knobs or dials, you simply push to receive the pattern adjustments that your next project requires.

What we really liked about this Earlex Spray Station was the fact that the spray pattern adjustments come with a push and click type of design. This easy spray pattern changing system makes it so you can easily complete a wide variety of projects with different paint mediums such as latex, oil, lacquers and sealers.

Fan widths that can be distributed onto a surface by this unit range from just 1 inch to 12 inches, give you the large-scale coverage you need or the detail work you’ve got to have.

It’s also easy to store the Earlex because the gun sits on top when not in use. Take this sprayer anywhere, with the easy carry handle. The motor is a bit loud. Even with hearing protection on, it can be enough to leave your ears ringing for a bit after you’re done working.

Its a spray station which means you don’t need a compressor because it comes with a turbine and generates its own air.  You can save some cash on buying a separate compressor.

This gives even contractors the power they’ll need to get some of their jobs completed on time. It gives contractors the power and control they’ll need to get some of their jobs completed on time.  With a 13 ft hose, you won’t have to struggle to reach your projects. However, we found that the hose for this particular unit can be easy to dislodge from the unit especially since it is only 13 feet long. If you have larger areas to cover, consider buying a longer hose.

This sprayer comes with a 2mm nozzle that covers most paint jobs. We didn’t like that the only spray tip you get out of the box is a 2mm tip. To spray certain finishes, you need to invest into several different tips to maximize the use of this machine.  You’ll need a 1.5mm tip/nozzle at least. When purchasing this unit, also purchase additional tips so your covered for all your projects.

The 1 quart paint cup allows you to paint without worrying about having to pause and refill your cup. It’s also teflon coated, along with the gun, which means super fast and easy clean up.

The portability and on board storage of this unit are well thought out making it easy to carry with you or store it when not in use.

If you’re tired of the messes and inconsistent coverage that brushes and rollers can provide you at times, especially for decking and other exterior work, then you’re going to love what the Earlex HV5500 Spray Station is able to do.

This pro spray gun is able to generate up to 42 CFM thanks to its 650 watt power turbine, giving you consistent coverage on your shutters, trim or similar medium-sized projects.

Get yourself the specialized Earlex Spray Gun Cleaning Kit to get your unit super clean after use.

It can be used for interiors or exterior needs and can spray thinned latex, lacquers, varnishes, oils, stains, and even sealants if you have the need to do so.  The Earlex HV5500 is a super versatile unit for all your DIY projects.

#4. Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus

With this Graco airless spray gun, you receive a paint sprayer that is fully adjustable. You stay in control of the flow of the paint as you work to create specific results.

The stainless-steel piston pump is strong enough to let you spray paint that hasn’t been thinned at a high enough pressure for consistent results.

This unit works best when spraying thicker paint mediums like latex. Stains and lacquers will need to have a thicker viscosity for this unit to spray them with good results. Additionally, this unit can accommodate a huge variety of tips for all of your paint mediums.

This unit is limited to 50 gallons per year, so for the hardcore DIYer, its a perfect match.

I love the fact that this unit takes paint directly from the can or bucket. The paint supply hose is flexible and works with both 1 gallon and 5 gallon cans and buckets. Most other models have a rigid paint hose that can cause issues and come out of your paint can/bucket when moving around your projects. This results in air getting into your paint system and having to stop, bleed the line and then begin painting again. This could result in a not so professional finish on your paint surface.

Hook yourself up with a 20 inch extension rod so you can reach everything you need to paint without too much effort.

When storing (and after cleaning), put some Graco Pump Armor into your sprayer to protect the pump parts.  You’ll thank me later.

Weighing 15 pounds, you can also take this unit just about anywhere and achieve professional results. Included is a 24 foot Duraflex hose, but this unit can accommodate up to a 50 foot hose.

We also appreciated the easy-to-access adjustable pressure controls that are on this Graco paint spray gun

Everything you need is placed on a dial that is easy to turn, even while working, and the symbols for each setting are placed in such a way that you can easily see them so you don’t have to guess at what you’re doing.

#5. HomeRight Super Finish Max

Take your crafts to the next level with this HVLP paint sprayer from HomeRight.

Make sure that you give the Super Finish Max a closer look. It offers the same functionality as the top models in the industry, but for a fraction of the price. It even requires less thinning that high-level models. If you want to start staining right away, this model will accommodate you. The lower levels of pressure with this HVLP model mean that you have less overspray to worry about.

Right out of the box, the HomeRight Super Finish Max has multiple spray settings that help you conquer more projects.  You can also buy more spray tips making it even more versatile.   

The Super Max comes with a 450 watt turbine motor. When paired with an interchangeable tip, most paint mediums can be sprayed. Three brass spray tips are included: 1.5, 2.0, and 4mm.

You can tackle your entire staining to-do list with this strong and lightweight sprayer.   

Always pay attention to the connectors that you use on your HomeRight HVLP Sprayer.  Some models offer users a connector that is smaller in diameter than the air hose that connects to the unit.

Because this is a restriction to the flow of the paint or other substance, pressure can build up at the connection and cause issues.

There are some elements of an HVLP design with this HomeRight model, but there are also some siphon feed elements included as well.

This helps to keep your spray pressure consistent as you’re painting, staining, or varnishing, helping you to create that professional-looking finish. 

We also like the ergonomic improvements that were included within the design.

You also receive an air-blowing nozzle with this particular model. If you run this nozzle without a finish, then you receive a tight stream of air that you can use for cleaning out home electronics, underneath tables and chairs, and other tight spaces where dust bunnies tend to collect.

At just 3 pounds, your grip isn’t going to get tired as you’re working and this helps you to get through projects a bit quicker than you could with other models. Some craft sprayers do weighs less than this model, but they are a bit cheaper and don’t deliver the same results on furniture and larger woodworking projects.

It’s super easy to find parts for this very popular paint sprayer.  New paint containers and tips can be found online.  Need a spray shelter?  HomeRight makes that too!

Combine that with the brass nozzle for added durability and you can have confidence in the results you’re producing.

The 40 ounce cup is bigger than most other models (which have 32 ounce paint cups), and you should be able to cover about 90-100 square feet of paint area with one cup.

If you add the HomeRight Rapid Cleaning Tool to your arsenal, clean up is even easier.

#6. Wagner Double Duty

The Wagner Control Spray Double Duty Paint Sprayer can accurately spray sealants, stains, and other light body materials in addition to paint when it’s at the right viscosity.  

Spraying stain and varnish seems to be what this sprayer from Wagner does super well.

It can be used for both indoor and outdoor projects.   The first thing you’ll notice about this HVLP paint sprayer is that it is fairly quiet.  Actually, the Wagner Double Duty Paint Sprayer is super quiet for what it does.

This Wagner Sprayer has three spray patterns to dial in your results: you have horizontal, vertical, and round spray options.

The horizontal and round spray patterns were easy to get used to.  The vertical spray pattern took a little time to master.  We recommend practicing your technique if you need to paint vertically with this equipment. 

You’re going to love that it’s lightweight. It also produces a fine spray that doesn’t give you a whole lot of atmospheric pollution while you’re working. 

With the ability to paint up to 4.9 fluid ounces per minute, you’ll find that this two-stage indoor paint sprayer design has a lot of power for your next project.

You’re given two material cups for your project, the largest being 1.5 quarts, for your biggest jobs. If you’re looking for a solid entry-level unit, give this model a closer look for sure.

We do love how fast you can change between materials with the design of this Wagner model.

The variable trigger in particular makes finishing work consistent, but still personalized, and that gives this stain sprayer a unique advantage. 

Best Budget Fence Stain Sprayer

#7. Neu Master Cordless

This brilliant little sprayer offers a 30 ounce detachable container, a durable plastic housing, and enough pressure to spray even properly thinned latex. Neu Master claims you can paint 54 sq feet with a full paint cup: we found it to be a bit less, depending on your spraying skills.

You can find a few options on this cheap sprayer that normally come on more expensive versions. We are happy that such options are found on an entry level sprayer. This sprayer will spray everything from stains to latex to polyurethane and other finishes.

The included battery is 2.0Ah and the sprayer is compatible with Neu Master’s lithium battery products. At 5.5 pounds, this sprayer is well balanced and weighs about half of what the other sprayers in this category weigh, reducing wrist fatigue.

Users have reported that this unit leaks when you hold it in a non-horizontal position unless all the parts are screwed on extremely tight. If you have to paint upside down or at an angle, this unit may not be for you.

Because this is a cost effective sprayer, the battery only lasts about 15 minutes and will take an hour to charge. Another downside about the battery is they only supply one and you can only use the Neu Master batteries on this sprayer.

We recommend straining your paint at all times before spraying but especially with budget models like this one.

The Neu Master Kit includes:

• 1 * Cordless Piant Sprayer with 900ML container
• 1 * 20V Max 2.0Ah Lithium Battery
• 1 * Fast Charger
• 3 * Size Nozzles (2.0/2.5/3.0 mm)
• 1 * Viscosity Cup
• 1 * Cleaning Brush
• 1 * Cleaning Needle
• 1 * User Manual

You can adjust the spray patterns from vertical to horizontal to circular to achieve the perfect spray pattern for your project. There is also a material control knob to easily dial in the correct settings for your chosen spray pattern.

If you’re shopping on a tight budget, this is the best cheap paint sprayer you’ll be able to buy.   When you need a good paint sprayer to finish a project, give this one a closer look.

Best Fence Stain Pump Sprayer

#8. ITSILL 1.5 Gallon Pump Sprayer

While not as fast as a fence paint sprayer, the ITSILL Pump Sprayer is definitely better than using brushes or rollers to stain your fence.

We love tools that can work for more than one DIY job.  This pump sprayer is multi-purpose and can spray pesticides and herbicides to conquer your garden DIY as well. Just make sure you wash it out thoroughly between jobs.

While we do love the 1.5 gallon capacity, if it’s filled to the top, that’s nearly 16 lbs you’ll be carrying around.  You will fatigue fast of you’ve got a large area to stain.

The included nozzles let you change up your fan pattern and include stream, cone, wide flat fan, narrow flat fan and a foaming nozzle.  You can stain large panels or lattice work without much overspray and stain waste.

Available in 1, 1.5 and 2 gallon capacities. You can also pick a longer wand (up to 30 inches), to reduce strain and fatigue on your back.

For a pump sprayer, we were happy with its capabilities.

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Best Fence Stain Sprayer: Buyer’s Guide 

There’s a lot to consider when you build a fence.  #1 is making sure your fence lasts a long time, considering how much it cost to build it.   

The best way to keep your fence in tip top shape is to stain it with protective stain.  There are several tools to use and stains to choose from to safe guard your fence against the elements.

What are Sprayers for Staining Fences?

Fence stain sprayers are paint sprayers that are very good at spraying thinner materials like stain.

How do Fence Stain Sprayers Work?

Fence stain sprayers and paint sprayers work the same way. They use air and pressure to atomize paint into molecules that can be sprayed onto your fence. The stain is usually in a cup attached to the fence stain sprayer. The stain comes out of the nozzle of your sprayer, where you can adjust the pressure, flow and spray pattern to suit your project.

Fence Spraying and Safety Gear  

Spraying your fence with a stain sprayer is just like spraying paint. 

You will need to get your safety on first.  A respirator mask made for painting that fits well, is ergonomic, and allows you to move around are a must.  

We recommend this mask from 3M because it’s multipurpose and fits most folks easily.  Second, you need safety goggles to protect your eyes from any overspray and/or blow back of your stain as you’re spraying. 

Last, make sure you’re wearing coveralls or your work DIY clothes so you don’t a) ruin your good clothes and b) get any stain on your skin. 

Can You Apply Stain with a Sprayer? 

The best way to apply fence stain is with a sprayer.  Brushes and rollers are a waste of time here. But why use a paint sprayer to stain your fence? 

A spray gun will spray that stain in all the nooks and crannies of your finished fence using small and large fan widths and multiple spray patterns.  A sprayer uses compressed air to apply stain to your fence.   

The stain is shot out of your spray gun at higher pressure than using a brush or roller.  This means the stain really gets into the grain of your wood.  Stain sprayers also apply your stain evenly and quickly so you can get on with your day. 

Can You Use Paint in a Stain Sprayer? 

Yes and No.  Some sprayers really shine when spraying stains and lag when laying down paint.  Can you use stain in a sprayer?  Some sprayers are specially made for staining projects.  Others can spray everything from stains, varnishes, lacquers, and latex.  

You really should get a sprayer that does both, so you can use it for multiple staining and painting projects and work within your budget. 

What kind of sprayer do you use for stain? 

There are a bunch of types of sprayers on the market.  Some are better to use for spraying stain than others.  Let’s explore why you should choose one over the other and our recommended type of fence stain sprayer. 

What are the Different Types of Sprayers for Fences?

HVLP Paint Sprayers: Our Recommended Type of Fence Stain Sprayer

HVLP stands for “High Volume Low Pressure.”

 This spray paint gun uses a high volume of air to break up the paint for spraying.  The end result is a “paint mist” which reduces your overspray, but makes it difficult to cover large surfaces rapidly.  HVLP paint sprayers are good at keeping overspray to a minimum.

 You will need an air compressor with an HVLP unless you buy a turbine system.

Gravity Feed Paint Sprayers: Our 2nd Recommended Type of Fence Stain Sprayer 

Gravity Feed Spray Guns are called that because the cup in on the top of the spray gun feeding the paint into the gun.

They require less air pressure meaning they have less overspray so you save money on paint.   They come as HVLP or LVLP.

The low pressure also allows you to have more control over the spray and delivers a soft finish.  Make sure your gun can spray at weird angles and upside down before purchasing.

Using Airless Sprayers for Fence Stain

Airless Paint Sprayers Not Recommended for Beginners

Great for More Experienced Sprayers

This is not the best sprayer for beginners.

An airless sprayer requires more technical skill to use.  They use higher pressure than other types of sprayers to atomize stains.  

This means you’ll have more paint pollution in your area, increasing your paint cost by up to 1.5x over using a gravity feed or HVLP paint sprayer.

The trade off is, an airless sprayer gets large jobs done much faster than our recommended gravity feed or HVLP guns.

Siphon Feed: Not Recommended for Staining Fences

Siphon feed sprayers suck the paint up from a canister instead of having it fed directly to the nozzle through a cup. 

For this reason, it’s not the recommended option as a fence sprayer.

Siphon feed increases the chances of air getting into the lines and resulting in splatter – not something you want to see when applying stain. 

LVLP Paint Sprayers: Not Recommended for Staining Fences

LVLP means low volume, low pressure.

They work at a lower pressure than even HVLP, at around 10 PSI or less. Because of the low pressure they lay down a soft finish.  It also minimizes overspray (paint waste), saving you cashola on paint.

LVLP’s don’t require much experience to use them.

Best Temperature for Staining a Fence

he best time to paint your fence is when it’s warmer outside (think above 50 degrees) with low humidity.  This makes the stain dry faster.  

Newer wood that hasn’t been stained before will dry faster because the wood is porous and absorbs the stain at a much faster rate than old wood.  

What to Look for when Staining Your Fence

Features to Look for in a Stain Sprayer for Your Fence

Fan Widths

You’re going to want to have a fence stain sprayer that is capable of spraying wide fan widths. Why? Because when spraying your fence, you’re going to be covering a large area. A wide fan width will cover more with each pass of your stain sprayer, so you’ll complete your job faster. Think 10 to 12″ wide for fastest coverage.

A fence sprayer that also delivers results with a narrow fan width can help you get into tight spaces and around fence designs that are not just your typical wood plank. Think spindles, lattice work etc. Narrow fan width will reduce paint waste (overspray) and get your better results.

Different Spray Patterns

Cleaning 

Save yourself some time and grab a stain sprayer that’s known for being easy to clean.  Some paint sprayers come with the ability to attach them to your sink or garden hose and flush them out. 

Others come with specialty cleaning kits that help you clean all the stain out of your sprayer. 

Cordless and Airless Sprayers 

Dragging an electrical cord and an air hose attached to a compressor is such a kill joy when spraying stain on something as big as your fence.   

We do recommend cordless sprayers as awesome and convenient for staining your fence.  This is because they are super portable, making your job way easier. 

Because they have batteries, they are heavier than a regular fence stain sprayer so you might have some wrist and arm fatigue.  You will have to stop working and take more breaks using a cordless sprayer. 

Airless paint sprayers deliver stain onto your fence at high pressure.  Spraying thin materials at high pressure leads to more overspray and isn’t recommended for beginners.  If you have some experience spraying, than an airless sprayer will work wonders for you.

Spray Tip/Nozzle  

Fence stain is considered a thinner material.  This means you would spray it with a smaller spray tip/nozzle than you would if you were using paint (which is thicker). 

The best sprayers will have multiple tip options or come with a small tip specifically designed from spraying stains. 

The small spray tip makes sure to atomize the stain properly so your fence sprayer lays down an even coat of paint onto your surface. 

Fits in Your Hand: Ergonomics 

Staining your fence isn’t a 5 minute job.  This means you’ll be holding onto your stain sprayer for extended periods of time to get the job done. 

You want a sprayer that sits nicely in your hand so it doesn’t tire out your hand and wrist, forcing you to take a ton of breaks. 

Lightweight: Ergonomics (again) 

For the same reasons you want a sprayer to fit in your hand, your fence stain sprayer should be lightweight.  This stops fatigue, which forces you to take breaks, slowing down your work.  Fatigue can also badly impact your results. 

Speed

Make sure your sprayer can keep up with your pace of staining. You want a sprayer to be time efficient when staining your fence.

Angles

You want a sprayer that can spray at all angles, even upside down. This way you can get into those hard to reach places, like between fence slats.

Capacity

Make sure the paint cup on your sprayer is large enough so you don’t have to keep starting and stopping to refill. This cause delays in your project and may compromise your finish.

What is a Fence Stain Pump Sprayer? 

Pump sprayers are more labor intensive but also cheaper than a regular fence stain sprayer.  They have less moving parts, so maintenance, cleaning, labor and chances of things breaking down are reduced. 

You will have to stop a ton to pump air into the pump sprayer, which can be a huge time waster if you’ve got a large fence to cover.   

Also, because the pump sprayer pressure drops while you spray, the coverage is not as even or consistent like when you use a fence stain sprayer. 

Pump sprayers can be used not only to spray stain but for applying fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides in your garden.   

You can buy pump sprayers that are hand held, on a cart or even as a backpack.  Depending on the size or tank capacity you get, they can weigh quite a bit compared to a fence stain sprayer.  Some pump sprayers weigh over 16 lbs!  

Compare that to a stain sprayer that usually weighs around 3-5lbs and you can see that you might want to choose a paint sprayer for stain over the manual pump version. 

Can You Use a Pump Sprayer to Stain a Fence? 

You can use a pump sprayer to stain a fence, but there are pros and cons to consider.  As we mentioned above, a pump sprayer is much more time consuming, heavier, and more human power is needed to paint the same length of fence. 

This is one of those situations where you sacrifice time (and results) to save money.  Why you would use a pump sprayer instead of a power paint sprayer for stain comes down to your budget, time, and personal choice. 

Pros	Cons
Cheap	Heavy
No Compressor Needed	Slow Spraying
Multi-Purpose	Labor Intensive
User Friendly	Spray isn't Uniform

Not All Stains are Created Equal

As we said before, there are a ton of stains available.  Each stain is designed to do a specific job.  You can pick up stains that protect your fence from UV, seal against rain/weather/snow, and some just stain your fence a certain color.  Make sure what you’re buying is mildew resistant. 

You can also buy stains in transparent, semi-transparent, semi solid and solid.  

Each stain that we’ve mentioned above has its benefits and drawbacks.  Whatever stain you choose, make sure its quality.  If not, you’ll be restaining your fence every year instead of every 2-3.

2 top brands we recommend for fence stains are Olympic and Ready Seal.  

UV Protective Stains 

Like the title says, if you live in an area that gets a ton of sun, you should stain your fence with a stain that has a UV protectant built in.  The benefits of using a UV stain are that, just like your skin, it protects the wood from sun damage.    

Sun damage from UV can lead to premature aging of your wood, cracking and peeling. Did you know that stain with more pigment protects your wood even more from UV damage? 

Make sure to grab some stain that you don’t have to keep reapplying like this stain from XYZ that lasts 2 years before you have to restain. 

Weather Seal Stains 

Weather seal stains protect your fence from rain, cold, snow, ice etc.  They protect the wood by sealing it from the elements.  When staining a fence, your main concern is keeping it in good shape and well maintained.  

Protecting it from water damage is HUGE.  If you don’t seal it with stain, your fence will turn gray in about 2 years and start to need serious repairs in year 3. 

Regular Old Fence Stain 

This is the stuff that just stains your fence your favorite color.  It won’t offer any of the benefits of weather seal or UV Protective stains, but it will make your fence last longer than if you didn’t use it.  

It preserves the wood much better than if you left it unstained, bringing out the color and grain of the wood. 

Transparent 

If you want to show the natural texture and color of your grain, you would use transparent stain.  This provides minimal protection against UV. 

Semi-Transparent 

Semi adds a splash of color to your fence while hiding some of the imperfections.  Wood grain will still come through, but not as much as with transparent stains.  Better with protection against UV than transparent stains. 

Semi-Solid 

While a bit of the texture and grain of the wood comes through with semi solid, you are definitely getting more coverage here than with the transparent stains above.  Semi solid is more paint like, which means a film is applied to your wood instead of soaking into the wood.  You could have cracking, peeling and lifting sooner than is you used a transparent of semi-transparent stain. 

Solid Stain 

Best for hiding imperfections of older wood. Downside is that solid stains are like paint: they will peel and chip off as the wood expands and contracts with heat, cold and moisture because it’s a film that sits on top of the wood.  

How much Stain is Needed for a Fence

This depends on how tall and long your fence is, so we really can’t answer this question. Measure your fence and read the can of stain you buy for its approximate square foot of coverage to see how many cans you may need. Some fence stain sprayers will generate overspray so you will need to buy a can more than you think to account for that, especially if you use a powerful airless sprayer.

How do You get the Best Results from Fence Stain? 

When planning to stain your fence with a brush or roller, pump sprayer or stain sprayer be careful.  Some stains are better applied using one method over another.   

The manufacturer will list the best way to apply their stain on the can.  You shouldn’t apply stain with a brush and roller that is made for a pump sprayer and vice versa. 

Stain that is made for spraying with a fence stain sprayer will be formulated for sprayers versus a brush and roller or a pump sprayer.  This is because a paint sprayer will use compressed air and pressure to lay down stain on your fence instead of elbow grease. 

Get Creative with Your Fence Stain 

You used to only be able to get fence stain in boring tones.  Now, you can get stain in everything from beige to grey to a ton of brown and red tones.  You can personalize your yard to match your house, outdoor living area, or just stain it your favorite color. 

Quick Facts: Prepping Your Fence Before Staining 

Maintaining your fence throughout the year makes it easier to stain or paint it when the time comes. 

Make sure to keep up on repairs to the wood, fixing cracks or broken piece when they happen. Make sure to pick a time when the weather will be clear, with high temperatures and lower humidity.  These are the ideal conditions in which to stain your fence.

For older fences that are already stained, you will need to take off the old stain or paint by using a pressure washer and some good old elbow grease to scrub that fence with a wire brush.  

Cut your grass or clean up around your fence to remove all foreign objects that could get in your way of staining your fence properly. 

Clean your fence with a power/pressure washer and make sure to remove all mold/mildew. Don’t go too hard here and use a lower PSI on your washer to prevent damaging your wood.  

Wait a few days for it to dry.  If you’re using water based stain, your fence doesn’t have to be completely dry, although that’s ideal for best results. 

What is the Best Sprayer for Staining a Fence: Our Recommendation 

We recommend the Graco Project Paint Plus or the HomeRight Super Finish Max as our top 2 choices for staining a fence.  That’s because they are easy to clean, fit within most peoples budgets, and deliver results.

What to Budget for a Stain Sprayer

Stain sprayers range anywhere from $60 to over $500.  If you go for a lower priced model, you will be sacrificing the number of adjustments, fan widths and quality of parts.   

Fence stain pump sprayers are the budget choice here priced from $13 to $50.  More elbow grease is required and it will take you longer to paint your fence if you go this route. 

How to Video for Staining a Fence

Check out this great video on how to stain your own fence with a fence stain sprayer.

Conclusion 

The best fence stain sprayer will deliver beautifully finished results on everything from old fences to brand new builds.  You can customize your stains for all seasons and colors and really enjoy your backyard space.

FAQs