A vinyl fence looks sharp when it's new. After a few years in the sun, it turns chalky, gray, and dull -- that's oxidation, and pressure washing is the fastest way to fix it. Done right, you can restore a fence to near-new condition and charge a premium for the service.

The Quick Answer

Vinyl fence cleaning and restoration runs:

Cleaning only: $1.00 -- $1.50 per linear foot
Cleaning + sealer application: $1.75 -- $2.50 per linear foot
Typical 150-foot privacy fence: $150 -- $225 cleaning, $260 -- $375 with sealer
PSI range: 500 -- 1,500 PSI (never go over 1,500 on vinyl)
Best nozzle: 40-degree white tip, held 2 -- 3 feet from the surface

This is a quick, high-margin job. A 150-foot fence takes about an hour to clean and another 30 minutes to seal. Easy money if you price it right.

What Causes Vinyl Fence Oxidation

Oxidation is a chemical reaction that happens when PVC vinyl is exposed to UV rays, oxygen, and weather over time. The result is that chalky, powdery residue you can wipe off with your finger. It's not mold. It's the protective layer of the vinyl breaking down.

Left alone, oxidation turns white fences gray and faded. It's purely cosmetic, but homeowners hate it. That's your selling point: you can reverse years of sun damage in a single visit.

How to Pressure Wash a Vinyl Fence

Vinyl is softer than concrete or brick. Get the technique wrong and you crack panels, force water into hollow posts, or permanently dull the finish. Follow these steps exactly.

Rinse first. Pre-wet the entire fence at low pressure to knock off loose dirt and debris.
Apply detergent. Use a vinyl-safe cleaner or mix 1/3 cup dish soap with 1 gallon of warm water. Let it dwell 3 -- 5 minutes.
Pressure wash at 500 -- 1,500 PSI. Use a 40-degree white nozzle. Hold the wand 2 -- 3 feet from the surface. Work top to bottom in smooth horizontal passes.
Never angle upward. Spraying up into panel seams forces water inside hollow posts. Always spray downward or straight on.
Rinse thoroughly. Run clean water over the entire fence to remove all detergent residue.

What to avoid: Red (0-degree) and yellow (15-degree) nozzles are too concentrated -- they'll gouge vinyl. No abrasive scrub pads. No bleach mixed with any ammonia-based products.

Removing Heavy Oxidation

Standard pressure washing clears surface dirt but won't fully cut through heavy oxidation. For chalky, sun-faded fences you need to break it down chemically first.

Here's what works:

Mild oxidation: Mix 5 cups white vinegar with 1 gallon of water. Apply, let dwell 5 minutes, scrub lightly with a soft brush, then pressure wash.
Heavy oxidation: Use a commercial vinyl cleaner labeled as "oxidation remover" or "vinyl restoration." Apply per label, dwell 5 -- 10 minutes, then rinse with 1,000 -- 1,500 PSI.

After the wash, the fence should look several shades brighter. If a dull haze remains, that's where the sealer comes in.

Applying Vinyl Fence Sealer (The Upsell)

Cleaning removes the buildup. Sealer restores the gloss and slows future oxidation. This is where you add real money to the job without much extra time.

Restoration products like Vinyl Renu spray directly onto the clean, dry surface and lay down a clear protective coat. Application takes 20 -- 30 minutes on a 150-foot fence. The product costs $25 -- $40 per bottle and covers roughly 300 -- 400 square feet.

Charge $0.25 -- $0.50 per linear foot for sealer application. On a 150-foot fence:

Cleaning: $150 -- $225
Sealer add-on: $38 -- $75
Total: $188 -- $300 for about 90 minutes of work

That's a 25 -- 40% increase in job value for 30 extra minutes. Always offer it. Most homeowners say yes when you explain it protects their investment and extends time between cleanings.

Pricing Guide for Contractors

Fence cleaning is priced per linear foot, not per square foot. Height is relatively consistent on privacy fences (5 -- 8 feet) so length is the variable you price against.

100-foot fence: $100 -- $150 cleaning only
150-foot fence: $150 -- $225 cleaning only
200-foot fence: $200 -- $300 cleaning only
Sealer add-on: $0.25 -- $0.50 per linear foot extra

Set a minimum of $125 so small jobs are still worth the trip. Jobs under 100 feet often take just as long to set up as bigger ones. For a comparison of fence types and pricing across wood, vinyl, and metal, see our fence pressure washing pricing guide.

Common Mistakes That Cost You the Job

Too much pressure. Anything over 1,500 PSI on vinyl risks cracking thin panels and blowing out seams. Keep it under 1,500 -- period.
Wrong nozzle. Red (0-degree) and yellow (15-degree) tips are too concentrated for vinyl. Use white (40-degree) or green (25-degree) only.
Spraying upward into seams. Forces water inside hollow posts. Metal inserts inside vinyl posts will rust and cause long-term structural problems.
Skipping detergent. Water pressure alone won't remove oxidation. You need chemical action to break down the chalky buildup first.
Sealing wet vinyl. The fence must be fully dry before any restoration product -- at least 2 -- 4 hours in sun, longer in shade. Trap moisture under the sealer and you'll cause bubbling.

Bottom Line

Vinyl fence restoration is fast, low-equipment work with strong margins. Clean with a vinyl-safe detergent, pressure wash at 500 -- 1,500 PSI with a 40-degree nozzle, and upsell a sealer coat for an extra $38 -- $75 per job. Charge $1.00 -- $2.50 per linear foot depending on fence length and condition -- set a $125 minimum so short jobs stay profitable.

If you want customers to get an instant quote before you even pick up the phone, try QuoteSnap for free. Embed a pricing calculator on your website and turn fence cleaning leads into booked jobs automatically.

Pressure Washing Vinyl Fence: Restoration and Oxidation Removal (2026)