Basic wooden gates can be the most cost effective purchase however they don’t tend to meet many aesthetic goals. Luckily, there is no need to fret as staining them can make all the difference. In fact, it can even help your gates lock in moisture and prevent rot from taking over.
Before you begin it is important to ensure that you have everything you need to complete the job, as once you start staining wooden gates you can’t stop or the finish will be uneven. For this job, you will require sandpaper of different grades, some masking tape, an outdoor paintbrush, a white spirit and your desired brand of wood stain.
Wood staining should always be carried out on a dry day as rain can cause it to dry with splodges. It is wise that you also remove any latches and bolts that are in place on the gates as these may get in your way.
Start the staining process by sanding down the gates in order to ensure that the surface is even and that there are no loose wood fibres in the way. After this, if necessary, you can use the white spirit to clean the wood and remove any dust, dirt and grease. Finally, leave the gate to dry.
Before you start staining you should use the masking tape to cover any hinges that can’t be removed from the gate as this will protect them if you accidentally slip when applying the solution. It is also advised that you lay a sheet below the gate to protect the ground from any dripping.
Once you are ready to apply the wood stain, ensure that it is well mixed and use a high quality brush that is designed for the job in order to apply three even coats in the direction of the wood grain, leaving four hours between each one. It is vital that you never stain gates in direct sunlight.
Once the gates have completely dried, simply reattach the bolt that you removed at the start and, if desired, paint any rusted hinges in order to match the new shade of stained wood.
Here at Cheshire Metalcraft, we are the experts when it comes to everything gate related which is why we are more than confident in dealing with any questions or queries you may have. After all, the last person you want to speak to is someone who knows less than you do! To find out more information about taking care of wooden gates, get in touch with the best gates Manchester has to offer today and speak to a member of our team!