Cleaning and finishing a fence

[Dragonrider99]

Greetings all. I'm not sure if this is the correct place for this post so please bear with me. My house is surrounded by fencing ( Stockade on the sides and rear, A Hurdle type (post and rail)), on the front. All of the fencing has silvered up quite a bit and I would like to clean and finish it. It is all Cedar. What is the best process/cleaner to use? I have access to a gas-powered, 3200 psi power washer. Should I just use a deck cleaner, let it soak, then power wash it off? Or what about bleach? The power washer can take an external feed from a cleaner to mix with the water. Please advise as to the best way to proceed. Depending on how well the fence cleans up, I will be either staining the fencing or just applying a water sealer like Thompsons. Thanks in advance.

[roger g]

There is a great article about cleaning decks in this months Fine Homebuilding. Actually it is a supplement from Fine Homebuilding called PROJECTS around the house, spring issue 2005. Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking are about the best magazines I've ever read.



roger

[plunkinberry]

Honestly, depending on how bad its weathered and looks, I'd just pressure wash, let dry, and use Thompsons. If its moldy, mildewed in areas, discolored, etc... pressure wash with deck wash. Don't stand too close else you may hurt the wood.

Sealer or colored stain/sealer is up to you. As the directions say, test in an unobtrusive location.