How can I cover up this orange stain disaster on my backyard gate – should I paint over it, sand it down, or use a stripping agent?
Asked by Hüseyin Wolfrum 
2 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
I need help with fixing this situation. My husband put up a small gate in our backyard, and he chose a stain color called ‘Redwood’. The problem is, he’s color blind, and now we’re stuck with this bright orange gate that I can’t stand! Do you have any advice on the best way to change the color? Should I just paint over it? Sanding it down seems like a daunting task at this point. Is there a different method to remove the varnish? I appreciate any suggestions!
**update** I decided to try applying a darker stain over three of the rails, but it’s been three days and it’s still sticky to the touch…I’m not sure what to do next, any ideas? 🥴
Consider choosing a dark stain shade from the minwax polyshades line. It’s a combination of polyurethane and stain, perfect for covering the orange hue. Test a small section beforehand since it seems like there may be some supernatural activity going on.
Minwax Polyshades are great for indoor projects like furniture and cabinets, but they are not suitable for outdoor use in direct sunlight and bad weather. I used to work in a paint department and sold a lot of Minwax. You should use an exterior stain for the fence.
Do you think it will work over varnish?
Try pressure washing it with a non-rotating head, and make sure to clean that detail sander! lol 💔 Ryobi’s electric pressure washer is fantastic, so if you don’t have one, I would definitely suggest getting one. Another idea is to also stain the posts, then use mineral spirits on a rag to wipe it down slightly. This might lighten it up. Just be sure to test it on a scrap piece first.
You might consider applying a darker exterior color like charcoal or dark brown to better match the landscape.
It’s funny how he started by doing just one picket and then decided to do all of them 😂
I was actually thinking about using a pressure washer as well
Adding more coats for a darker shade
I think a chocolate stain on top could look really nice, it might even weather in a pretty way
Can you believe my husband chose this color for our entire privacy fence? Men 🤦🏼♀️
Steph Spence Day! Haha, no one stares at it too long, right? Privacy at its finest!
Haha I notice it all the time. But as long as he doesn’t choose paint colors for the interior of the house, I’ll keep my mouth shut.
How about painting it black?
Well, at least he’s capable of building and hanging a fence. I often have to remind my husband to turn it right to tighten it.
Hold on, we’re both married to the same guy? How crazy is that! Haha
Am I actually talking to this guy… so awkward
I would definitely use a grey stain on it
Do you think a dark green stain would complement the bushes and trees?
Consider using a medium brown solid stain.
It will fade fast, but no need to stress over it.
Just leave it to weather for a year.
I remember a similar situation with a dresser I had. The stain ended up looking too orange, just like this. I decided to lightly sand it, add a bit of black paint, and it turned into a beautiful deep cherry color.
Just treat the posts with the same wood treatment and you’re good to go. They’ll naturally weather into something nice within a year.
It is absolutely stunning
Transparent Jocobean stain just isn’t the right choice. I suggest going with a solid color stain instead. I actually went with Behr on this swing last year and it still looks brand new today. The way it penetrates the wood is much better than paint.
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Maybe ask your husband to switch the diagonal brace on the left gate to match the right one. That way, it won’t sag anymore.
Came by and shared the exact same thought! 😄
Mentioned that the hinges may not be sturdy enough for the gates.
In this scenario, with the diagonal positioned behind the horizontals instead of between them, the board experiences tension rather than compression like it would if it were between the horizontals. In this case, it is essentially functioning as a cable and turnbuckle, especially if it is not attached to any of the uprights.
Note: I also struggle with colors, so I may not be interpreting the image accurately.
I really can’t stand that color either!!!
I suggest painting the post the same color and then applying a chocolate stain as someone previously mentioned. It will give a nice look!
Allow it some time to dry. Grab some darker semi-transparent stain and pour it into a Hudson sprayer, then lightly spray it on. ‘t worry about making it perfectly even in one go. Apply a couple of coats. Remember the motto “Thin to Win”. Also, consider installing the diagonal brace on the left side sloping down towards the post. This will assist in preventing sagging.
Put a darker stain on it with a smile 🙂
Consider applying another coat of stain in a color that complements the current one on the color wheel to soften the effect. For example, if it’s orange, you could try using blue. If blue isn’t an option, green would work too.
Just add some decorations and it should be good to go.
Have you thought about power washing it?
Why not try pressure washing it first to see if you can remove some of the stain? It might be more efficient than sanding it down.
I personally love how it turned out! He did a great job, although you could opt for a darker stain if you prefer.
Make sure to use a primer that can be stained before changing the color. And don’t forget to seal it once you’re done.
I’d suggest giving it a good wipe with mineral spirits and then applying a fresh coat of dark brown, don’t forget the posts on either side.
Just give it some time to mature.
Shaking my head
It will likely age rapidly and become less vibrant.
Burn it down
Appreciates the beauty of torch wood.
If my wife called me out on it, I’d gladly paint it bright yellow for her to see!
What type of stain was used? What is the base – oil, water, or some type of polymer? Determine that first before deciding on a plan of action. If the stain is oil or water-based, you could try toning it down with a wash-type stain. Another option is to apply a very transparent grey or green stain to mute the color. It might require multiple coats to achieve the desired tone or color. Alternatively, you could simply leave it as it is, knowing it will fade over time. Personally, I don’t find it offensive; I actually quite like it. The posts should be stained to match.
You can easily apply gel stain over it – just paint it on.
Try applying a different stain color with hints of green to balance it out
Explained that blue cancels out orange and green cancels out red. By the way, she works as a hairstylist.
Did mention she prefers warm tones, just not too much red.
In 10 or 15 years, you probably won’t even realize.
To be honest, it’s okay. The only thing that bothers me is the two different shades of wood for the gate posts not being stained or painted over. If you hang wreaths on the gates, it will tone it down a bit with a dark green color. You just have to have faith in the process. Keep in mind that the darker the stain, the more weathering will be visible over time outdoors.
I just can’t picture a scenario where my husband constructs a gate for our yard and I go online to gripe about the shade of the stain.
You know what, is right about it being unattractive.
Hey, , that’s really lovely.
Oh, is that ? Her husband must be going through a tough time.
I couldn’t agree more because my husband always has me choose the color since I have better taste haha!
In her position, I would feel the need to change it as well. It’s a poor choice of color for the area.
I just wish the author was kinder to her husband in person regarding his hard work on .
Everyone’s sensitivity levels vary. I didn’t interpret this as commenting on his physique. It’s simply a color preference 🤷🏼♀️ I’ve been married for 16 years and matters like this are insignificant. If my husband was bothered by my dislike of the color, our relationship wouldn’t have lasted this long because there are more important issues in life.
Gave an amazing response. We have been in this together for 27 years and counting.
He tried on his color correcting sunglasses and agreed that the color was a bit too bold. I’m really grateful that he built this for me. We shared a good chuckle about the color choice. I just need some advice on how to change it since it has a varnish finish and the darker stain didn’t adhere properly.
I totally agree with .
Just wait for to arrive 😂
I would totally spray paint it! When I first saw this photo, I was like “where the heck is the rest of the fencing?” It just doesn’t mix well and looks like a gate without fencing.
Try using a darker stain on top of that. I remember doing the same thing on my porch. The first stain I used ended up looking almost like red bark mulch… I switched to a darker stain (maybe walnut?) and applied a second coat. Initially, it was a bit more red than expected, but it eventually faded and I just reapplied when needed to get the right color.
I ended up painting my deck with a solid Russet Brown color stain because the cedar stain/sealer didn’t allow a darker semi-transparent stain to adhere properly.
You could have probably done it on your own, right?
I find myself having to restain my fence every other year because it weathers off. I guess I’ll just leave it for a year and see how it goes…
You were aware that he was color blind and still let him choose the stain. Now you have to live with it and laugh about it later. SMH. My father, who was color blind, selected the color for the house, resulting in a pink exterior (resembling a Mexican restaurant) instead of beige for our two-story house. My dad has since passed away and the house needs another coat of paint. It’ll probably be the same color. Lol
How about we paint the posts on each side in black?
Personally, I’d lean towards painting it black or charcoal to help it blend in with the background. Sanding all those intricate details sounds like a tedious task. Whichever option you choose, make sure to treat the posts the same way.
For optimal results, my suggestion would be to sand it down as much as possible. However, if you’re only looking to darken it, you should be able to apply a new coat of stain over the existing one. The color might not match perfectly, but using a dark walnut should result in a deep stain with a slightly reddish tint.