Fence Staple Stains

[jerryb]

I'm new. Just cold water washed (economy home project), with no chemicals, a two year old privacy fence bought at Lowes. Adjusted my pressure to just remove the dirt and grey. Looks good except for the stains that run downward from the staples in the slats. Would a good cleaner have removed them? I suspect it is rust. Anything for a quick remedy? Since its a home project in a hidden area I'm not that concerned but would appreciate any possible short cuts. Thanks.

 

[Ron P.]

ron p

you should use oxalic acid to remove the tannin stains that bleed around the nail heads.
Any one of the dist. here that sell products for wood restoration sell it.
Some store bought brightners contain it.

 

[John Orr]

Jerry,

To expand on what Ron said, Oxalic acid brightens wood, as well as removes rust...so you get a 2-fer. If you won't be needing large quanities, HD sells RustAid for about $8/gal. Spray it on (don't need to get it wet, just get it on all surfaces) with a pump-up sprayer.

John

 

[Thomas Richter]

I used to build fences for a living 20 years ago. What is happening is a chemical reaction from the galvanized staples and the acid in the cedar. Cedar requires coated or aluminum nails or staples, galvanized is ok on treated, but not cedar. It will just come back.