From Q Can I stain my green-treated wood fence?
A Yes, you can. In fact, green-treated wood, like any other wood, needs protection. While treated wood is insect and rot resistant, it’s still subject to splitting, cracking and warping caused by wetting and drying. We recommend that you use a semitransparent, water-repellent penetrating stain. It’ll color the wood and help keep out moisture. There are lots of products on the market, so carefully read the label to make sure it provides water resistance. Also, some products require two coats to be effective, so follow the application directions. If you’re applying the finish with a roller or sprayer, be sure to brush the stain into the wood as well.
New treated wood is often quite wet from the treatment process. You don’t want to apply the stain to a damp surface, so let wet wood dry for a couple of weeks. Then test the wood by sprinkling water on it. If the droplets are quickly absorbed, it’ll absorb the stain. If not, let it dry longer and test again.