Staining the Fences and Deck

Well I took on a project this weekend in which may turn out to be a much bigger project then expected.... Today we'll know the outcome of this project.... For some time know I've been wanting to stain the deck and fences, but more the deck as I think it's only been stained once in the last ten years that I've lived in this house. I had an estimate done and they also said... "The deck needs it most". The estimate was $600. Dave and I we're going to split it, but we both agreed $300 is a little much. Soooo after a few more conversations we went to Menard's and bought 6 gallons of stain, brushes, tape, plastic cover up stuff and a sprayer.... for about $175.00 Not bad...

So yesterday we took on the project. I took on the smaller fences (Garden and Air Conditioner fences) He took on the "Yard" fence. He then left for a while and hooked me up with the sprayer, which was not a good idea. I could not get that flopping thing to work for the life of me. I pumped and pumped and pumped and nothing but a solid stream of stain would come out. I thought "Shit! This Sucks"! And that it did. So along back came Dave and he tried and couldn't get it to work.... Back to Menards he goes..... Back to the house he came with yet another sprayer.. By this time the Air-Conditioner fence is completed :-).... And yet another sprayer bit the dust.... Sooooo... he said "Grab a paint brush and start painting... It's the only way it'er get done." I thought "YEAH RIGHT" So I took a deep breath and took a brush and after two small boards I was done!!! I thought "OH NO! - THERE'S NO WAY I'M DOING THIS BY HAND" I went inside took a few deep breaths and a shot of Pepsi and back out I came. This time I got myself a very comfortable blanket and laid it over by the garden fence. Where I painted and painted... Pretty soon Dave came over and said "This is gonna take forever" I just smiled and said "Yes" Back to Menard's he went... and then he went to a rental place and I dunno where... He came back with good news and bad news... Good News He's got a sprayer, bad news - Can't pick it up until tomorrow.. hahaha Ok no biggy.. Just spray'er down and get'er done...

The Garden fence is almost done :-) and the deck has been washed and it's ready to go. this morning I will tape and put plastic up along the siding and start on the garden deck before the "sprayer" gets here.... Anyways... I must say I'm really really really happy with the color.. I really really really like it :-) I so can't wait for it to get done. It'll be really really really pretty....

Now all I need is for some-one to help with the garden and put in little walking paths and such. I think it'll be more enjoyable this way... (Hint Hint)

And why am I painting and such.... Well the market may be bad right now, but I believe it'll get better... Someday I want to sell maybe next year or the next or sooner, who knows. This house and yard is pretty darn big, but it's mine and I do my best to keep up with it... But it's not my little old two story white house with a porch and such.. It doesn't have to be white - it's just small and cozy and it's my place... But that's a different topic..

So any way here are some before pic's....

UPDATE (Monday 8/25) : The Deck is done... Just needs alittle touch up, The front fence of the garden is done... The back side needs the sprayer (or the chicken wire will have to come down and be hand painted). OOOOOOO the sprayer didn't work (again)... Dave picked up a high power sprayer from some local rental place... We couldn't get it to work so we called them.... Apparently they were on their way out to help us... When 7 hours later and still no guy.... I think he got lost or probably just went home... HA! Anyways... Last we just decided to take the sprayer back and call it off. We we're both very tired and the thought of hand painting the fence is not a very pretty one.

Last night I decided to stay home today.... and rest and such.... To much of my surprise... Later this am I got a call from Dave, who decided to give it another try.... I guess he will stop back at the rental place this morning and have a chat with them and then come back out yet for another sprayer day.... Me? I won't be much help today... I'm a littled "Fried" more ways the one....

Maybe some new pic's will come tonight... We shall seee...



Final Update: What took 2 1/2 days could of took 1 day... The sprayer worked and it looks beeeauutiful... I wasn't going to help out, but found alittle energy and gotter done. While Daved Sprayed and came up from behind brushed the excess in... Before and after pics are below...