I can't tell you about how long the fence should dry after such a long rainy
season but I do know that you shouldn't paint or stain wood until it is
quite dry. Otherwise it can't soak up the stain or paint and it will peel
off and flake as soon as it gets hot and dryer.

We just used an off-white "Nantucket White" Cabot solid stain on the
railings of our deck railing which was about a year old. We used the acrylic
version (by mistake, actually. My painter contractor Sweetie wanted the oil
based, but the paint store gave us the other and we used it without
realizing it.)

It came out spectacular. It's very solid and durable. The solid stain dries
very quickly, and it doesn't give off anything toxic. It looks just like
paint. You can't chip it with your finger at all. I believe it is a better
choice for outdoor stuff because it is wetter and soaks into the wood more
deeply.

I'd say spring for the expensive stuff, not the Home Depot brand. In paint
it really does make a difference.

-- Jenny - Low Carbing for 4 years. At goal for weight. Type 2 diabetes,
hba1c 5.4.
Cut the carbs to respond to my email address!

Low carb facts and figures, my weight-loss photos, tips, recipes,
strategies for dealing with diabetes and more at
http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean/

Looking for help controlling your blood sugar?
Visit http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/...0Diagnosed.htm



"Peter Churchill" wrote in message
news:ztxzc.25069$Hg2.6910@attbi_s04...
I live in Washington State where it is fairly wet, and our rainy season is
just coming to an end now.

My neighbor wants to stain his fence, and I want to paint mine (although
may
go for a Behr colored solid stain).

How long should we wait before we paint/stain? These fences were put up
in
the rainy season and it has been raining on them regularly for a good few
months. He thinks a few days is okay, but I'm more comfortable waiting
4-5
weeks.

Also, along part of my fence is a vegetable garden. Should I put
something
up so the fruit/vegetables do not touch the treated fence? Would it be
safer for me to paint or stain bearing in mind we'll be eating the produce
grown next to it?

The fences are starting to look "grey" and we want to preserve them as
best
we can, but I'm particularly keen on having mine a lighter color.

Your suggestions are most appreciated.