Not really gardening but advice needed on whether to strip a picket fence or buy a new one

[zog]

We have a white picket fence which is now peeling and a bit rotten in places. Replacing the whole lot will apparently cost nearly £500 so I really want to try and patch it up for now. I don't eant to repaint it, so would be looking at stripping it back and treating/staining it.

What would be the best way of stripping it? Chemicals? Blowtorch? Some other way I don't know of?

TIA

C'mon, I know it's dull, BUT...

Sounds a dull and tediously long job.I would just paint it.

Hooray! Someone!!

But don't you have to do all that rubbing down stuff which'll take AAAAGES?

blowtorch would be the fun way

there is a liquid primer you can buy. I think it is made by International. Liquid sandpaper ??

this is it

wash the wood doen with sugar soap first and then apply the sanding stuff

I'd go the blow torch route - it's quite quick once you get going.

'down'

Ooh thanks, that stuff sounds interesting (well, as interesting as no sand primer gets )

Will ponder on the blowtorch route - have you actually done it franke? I worry about scorching the wood (am not very good at DIY )

Sorry, only just come back to this. Yes I've used a blow torch and if you're not careful you can scorch the wood. But once you get into a rhythm this is less likely. Light scorch marks will reduce with a light sanding or covered up with whatever wood stain/preservative you're using. The reason I favour the blowtorch is because it's very quick, thorough and you don't need any chemicals.

Thanks, I'll look into that

and fun! i did the hallway and burnt most of the carpet