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Hi all,
We have a bamboo fence with the colour being faded as in the picture. What would be a better option betw
een re-paint vs re-stain? And which finish works better in this case (water vs oil base)?
Appreciate your suggestions!
Hi @antta,
We've had this question come up before, and unfortunately, no stain or coating company will warrant their products for use on bamboo. This is because bamboo has a natural waxy coating that prevents proper penetration of stains and coatings, meaning any finish applied may not last as long as it would on timber.
Looking at your fence, the worn areas that have greyed are likely the spots you most want to improve. Since these areas have lost their natural coating, any product you apply will soak in better there, but the rest of the fence may not absorb it evenly. You could try an exterior stain such as Cabot’s Deck and Exterior Stain in either the water or oil-based, but be prepared for some inconsistencies between the worn and non-worn sections. If you're looking for a longer-lasting solution, you might also consider lightly sanding the greyed areas before staining to help with absorption, but results can still vary.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
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