Fence Painting in St. Louis

A wood fence is an investment. A standard privacy fence runs $3,000 to $6,000 or more to install. But left unprotected, that same fence starts graying, cracking, and rotting within two to three years. Paint or stain is what keeps your fence looking good and standing up for the full 15 to 20 years it should last.

At OnDemand Painters, we paint and stain wood fences of all types — privacy fences, picket fences, split rail, and decorative fencing. Here is how we approach every fence project.

Prep comes first. We pressure wash the entire fence to strip off dirt, mildew, algae, and any old finish that is flaking or peeling. Pressure washing also opens up the wood grain so the paint or stain can penetrate properly. If the fence has never been finished, we let the wood dry completely after washing — usually 24 to 48 hours depending on weather.

While the fence dries, we inspect every board, post, and rail. Loose boards get re-secured. Cracked or split boards get replaced. Popped nails get pulled and replaced with screws that hold tighter. Posts that are leaning or soft at the base get assessed — sometimes they need replacement, sometimes they just need to be reset and reinforced. We handle minor repairs as part of the project. Major structural work gets quoted separately.

After repairs, we sand any rough spots, splinters, or areas where old finish is still hanging on. The goal is a clean, smooth surface that accepts the new finish evenly.

Now the big decision: paint or stain?

Stain soaks into the wood and lets the grain show through. It comes in transparent, semi-transparent, and solid versions. Transparent stain shows the most wood grain but offers the least UV protection. Solid stain hides the grain but lasts longer and protects better. Semi-transparent is the sweet spot for most fences — good protection with a natural wood look. Stain does not peel or chip the way paint can, which means touch-ups and future recoats are simpler.

Paint sits on top of the wood and hides the grain completely. It gives you full color options — white picket fences, for example, are painted. Paint creates a harder barrier against moisture and UV, but it can peel and crack over time, especially on wood that expands and contracts with moisture and temperature changes. When paint fails, the prep for recoating is more work than with stain.

We help you decide which one makes sense for your fence, your climate, and how you want it to look. Both are good options when applied correctly.

For application, we use a combination of spray, brush, and back-rolling depending on the fence style. Spray gets into all the gaps and crevices on privacy fences quickly. Back-rolling and brushing works the finish into the wood grain for better penetration and an even coat. Picket fences and decorative fences with lots of detail get more brush work.

We use exterior-grade products from Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore that include UV inhibitors, mildew resistance, and water repellent. These products last longer than consumer-grade stains and paints from hardware stores.

Most fence projects take one to three days depending on the length of the fence, condition, and whether we are painting or staining. We need dry weather and temperatures above 50 degrees. We protect landscaping, patios, and any structures near the fence with drop cloths and careful masking.

We have been doing this for over 20 years. Our crew handles the work directly — no subcontractors. You get a quote within 10 minutes and a written guarantee on the finished job.