Finishing a fence protects the wood from sun and moisture and sharpens your yard's look. Prep and the choice between paint and stain shape how long it lasts and how much upkeep it needs.
Clean and prep
Clean off dirt, mildew, and any flaking old finish, and let the wood dry fully — finishing damp wood traps moisture and peels. Make repairs and, for new pressure-treated wood, let it weather until it accepts a finish. Cover or mask plants and hardware.
Paint vs stain
Stain soaks in, shows the grain, and is easy to re-coat without peeling, but needs more frequent reapplication. Paint gives a solid colour and long life but can peel and is harder to redo. For most fences, an exterior stain is lower-maintenance over time.
Apply efficiently
A sprayer is fastest for a fence's many surfaces, back-brushing to work the finish in, or use a brush and roller. Work in dry, mild weather out of hot sun, coat all sides including the tops and bottoms of pickets where rot starts, and apply thin, even coats.