Remember back in November when I made a confession?
I told you that I kinda, sorta, maybe, sometimes ignore the outside of my house.
Well, a couple weeks ago it seemed as if spring was finally arriving here (it was a trick though!). It was sunny, it was nearly 70 degrees and the kid was at preschool (thank heaven).
I certainly did not want to coop myself up in front of this computer all day. I thought it was a good time to spruce-up the porch a bit – seeing as how I have not touched it since its makeover nearly three years ago. And when I did do the makeover, I got pregnant half-way through and failed to touch the lattice on account of being tired all the time.
At least that’s the excuse I’m giving.
So, on that beautiful day a couple weeks ago, I figured out how to stain wood the easy way and gave my lattice a much needed refresh.
How to Stain Wood the Easy Way
Disclosure: This post was a collaboration with Thompson’s WaterSeal. However, all opinions and witty remarks are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Seriously y’all, excluding drying time, this whole project took less than an hour.
I have no idea when the last time was that this lattice had been touched.
I hadn’t touched it since we bought the foreclosure and the house had sat vacant for a year before we got it. I know that the previous owner did not build the porch onto the front of the house, so I’m not sure if they ever spruced up the lattice or not.
Either way, the lattice definitely needed a facelift.
Ok, so let’s be real for a moment. Who really wants to stain lattice by hand? Do you see all those criss-crosses, nooks, and crannies? It would have taken forever for me to do this by hand. Like two days worth of preschool and ain’t nobody got time for that. The kid only goes to preschool two days a week and I need every second of that time to accomplish multiple projects.
I had a trick up my sleeve, though. Remember when I did that mailbox makeover last year? I turned once more to Thompson’s WaterSeal Traditional Brown Wood Stain Spray.
Yep, its just like spray paint, except its stain.
To do the lattice, I didn’t tape anything off. I just took a piece of cardboard and held it up against the top of the lattice to keep the stain from getting on the painted wood. There were some places where the stain got on the painted wood, but it just wipes right off while wet or its an easy touch-up. Please excuse the fact that there is no picture showing me staining the lattice. I was all alone and I figured the roofers next door wouldn’t take time out of their work day to help a sister out.
Here is a during photo though. The lattice on the left had just gotten the first coat and was still wet.
Seriously y’all, I’m a little embarrassed to show you that photo. I don’t think I realized how bad the lattice was until I saw that huge difference.
I did two coats total and it took about three cans for all of the lattice.
Grunt Labor was quite impressed that I took some outdoor initiative when he got home. I didn’t tell him how easy it was. I just said I had worked all day and couldn’t possibly cook supper. hehehehe
There you have it, how to stain wood the easy way.
You can find Thompson’s WaterSeal spray stain at Wal-Mart and on Amazon.
Now, I no longer have an excuse to neglect the outdoors. But please, don’t tell Grunt Labor about my secret weapon!
More outdoor projects you might just want to see…
Staining Pressure Treated Wood –No Waiting Required!
DIY Cedar Planter Box – so pretty and a great way to display your house numbers as well!
Mailbox Makeover– took less than an hour and such a big impact!
How to Clean Your Sidewalk – had no idea mine was so dirty!
You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.
Sign up to get my posts delivered to your inbox here.
Stalk Me Here:
chris aka monkey says
i gotta get out of my cave more i didn’t know Thompson’s made a water seal in a can wow awesome…just found out there is a spray latex paint too lol… spring has to come soon so i can come out of hibernation xx
chris aka monkey says
oh and the lattice looks good xx
Sarah says
Okay, so this may be one of the most genius inventions EVER! Such an improvement on your porch too!
Trina @ Let's Just Build a House says
the best kind of projects are the cheap and super easy ones….whenever everyone else thinks you worked SO HARD! Looks great, a lot cleaner!
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
The only thing that would be easier is if you would have someone else do it for you! Great product and so happy you shared it with us!
BrocanteuseRose says
hehehe I love that you couldn’t possibly cook dinner after your outdoor trials and tribulations to get all that lattice done in one day. 🙂 I had no idea that it came in a can I may have to do so crazy hard outdoor project myself now that I know about this stuff and get myself out of dinner also! lol
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Really, how could anyone expect me to cook after that?! haha! The canned stain is amaze balls! You won’t be disappointed!
Julie says
Oh man…You just made my day…no, year. I have new lattice that will have to be done every year and this is the perfect solution. Thank you!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Perfect, Julie!! It is so easy and makes a huge difference!
Gretchen@BoxyColonial says
Looks great! I’m impressed with how far the stain went….when I first started reading I expected the post to end, “47 cans of stain later….” 🙂
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
hahahahahha! I know, right?! It really does go a long way!
DesignedByBH says
It looks fabulous! And I was curious if you had pulled out the spray stain stuff again…I still have a box sitting upstairs and still need to spray my fence! (Well, really the whole thing needs to be knocked down and rebuilt, but let’s be serious…that ain’t happenin’ any time soon!)
– Brooke –
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
I know how that goes, Brooke! Our whole fence needs some work itself, but I just can’t add anything else to the list right now!
Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says
Looks great! Good idea using the spray stain!
Chelsea says
It looks wonderful, Jenna! Spray stain is genius – what a big difference!
Jamie says
I don’t pay too much attention to outside either! I love your “new” lattice 😉
Jamie xo
Angela (Life in Velvet) says
Okay this is a game changer! I’m SO glad you shared this post. We have some decrepid looking wood going on at the new house and this is going to be one of my first projects! The spray is so much less overwhelming!
Kim says
Could’ve used this tip last week, when hubby stained the deck and lattice! Oh well, there’s more lattice to go, will keep it in mind! 🙂
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Yep! This makes staining so much easier!
Cyn says
Great I will try it.
Betty Crowder says
Question: Did you use something to clean the lattice before you painted? Ours has a bit of green (mold?), so we will need to clean it first.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
I sprayed mine down with water, but if you have a little mold, I was spray it with a mixture of water and bleach and that should take care of it!
Betty Crowder says
I love the lattice!!! Was there lattice on both sides of the stairs? You used 3 cans so I’m trying to calculate how much I might need for a project. Thanks for sharing!!!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Betty! Yes, I do think the lattice was on both sides of the stairs!
Nikki Gwin says
Well. I didn’t even know they made spray stain! And I am a spray paint queen so this is quite useful information! Your lattice looks great.
🙂 gwingal
Jenna says
They do and it is awesome, Nikki! Thanks!
Beverly says
Your fence looks so good. Paint is your friend for sure.
Thanks for sharing at Over The Moon Party.
Hugs,
Bev
Jenna says
Thank you, Beverly!
Christine says
It looks so much better, great job! It really adds that curb appeal now. Thanks for sharing this at the Dishing It & Digging It Link Party. I hope you enjoyed it and made some new friends as well.
Jenna says
Thanks, Christine!
Kimm at Reinvented says
That looks so good. I always love seeing what a coat of paint/stain can do to revive something.
Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
Jenna says
Thanks, Kimm!
Susan says
I have paint in places on lattice, some peeling and I want a different colour…so do I need more work
Steffie says
Love this DIY lattice screen idea! It’s such a versatile project – I’m thinking of adding climbing plants to mine for a natural touch. Thanks for the inspiration!