Learn the techniques, systems, and business foundations that turn ambition into a real staining operation, or help existing fence and deck businesses expand their services with confidence.
Mansfield, Texas
Save The Date
July 30–31, 2026
Our Monthly Training Class Just Got Even Better.
OUR CERTIFIED APPLICATOR TRAINING CLASS NOW A TWO-DAY EVENT
Our Monthly Training Class now includes Tony Thornton's The 7 Strategies for the Professional Fence Contractor Workshop, a $500 business workshop, included with your training class registration.
Thursday, July 30 | 2 pm–8 pm
The 7 Strategies for the Professional Fence Contractor Workshop, presented by Tony Thornton, Owner, Thornton Fence Consulting Group. Growing your business, increasing profitability, estimating and sales, building systems that scale, operations and leadership. Followed by a networking Happy Hour with Tony, the Wood Defender team, and fellow contractors.
Friday, July 31 | 8 am–3 pm
Wood Defender® Monthly Training Class—our signature hands-on training, exactly as always.
Register for the Monthly Training Class and you receive all of it as one complete training experience. Your only commitment is our standard $250 refundable registration deposit per company, 100% refunded when you attend Friday’s class.
SPEAKER INFO
Tony Thornton
Founder, Thornton Fence Consulting Group
Tony Thornton is a 50+ year veteran of the fence industry—contractor, distributor, and manufacturer. From 2014 to 2022 he served as Executive Director of the American Fence Association, where he built the Accreditation and Certification Institute (ACI), the industry’s third-party certification body. He founded Thornton Fence Consulting Group in 2022 to help fence companies build the structure, culture, and financial clarity that make growth sustainable. He is the author of The 7 Strategies for the Professional Fence Contractor.
Hands-On Training for
Real-World Results.
Wood Defender stain is engineered to perform in real conditions, and our training program is built the same way. Taught by the experts who develop and test the product, this hands-on course teaches you the how and why behind professional application and building a staining business from the ground up.
Earn Certification.
Open Doors.
Graduates become Certified Wood Defender Applicators — a designation recognized across the industry. Certification doesn’t just validate skill; it signals professionalism and commitment.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or adding staining to your existing fence-building or contracting business, certification elevates your credibility and helps you win more work.
- Professional designation
- Higher customer trust and close rates
- Competitive edge for staining-focused businesses
- Added value for fence installers looking to expand
- Access to exclusive resources and updates
- Connect with an AFA preferred vendor
Training
LEVEL UP YOUR SKILLS.
IMPROVE YOUR EARNING POWER.
Our training teaches more than how to use the product. It prepares you to operate confidently as a business, whether staining is your primary service or the next evolution of what you already offer.
- Surface prep and inspection
- Brushing, spraying, and hybrid techniques
- Equipment setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting
- On-site spray demonstration and facility tour
- Environmental adjustments for heat, humidity, and weather
- Consistency and coverage control
- Safety, cleanup, and workflow efficiency
- How to analyze staining jobs for profitability
- Understanding cost of goods, labor, and margins
- Quoting and estimating
- How to schedule jobs efficiently
- Customer communication and expectation-setting
- How to market staining services in your area
- How to grow from side-gig to full-scale business
For Pros -
and Those Ready to Be.
The Wood Defender Training Class is built for people who want to take staining seriously. From aspiring business owners to established fence builders, deck installers, and exterior and home service providers, this training gives you the skill and structure to grow.
Ideal Participants:
- New entrepreneurs eager to launch a staining business
- Fence builders aiming to incorporate staining for extra income
- Contractors looking to broaden their service range
- Established staining teams requiring standardized training
- Self-starters who want to elevate their craft
- Individuals transitioning into trades and outdoor services
Wood Defender Network Support
Strength in the pail. Opportunity Behind It.
Wood Defender isn’t just premium stain — it’s a network designed to help professionals succeed. Training connects you to experts, resources, and a community of certified applicators who share real insights from the field.
Whether you’re learning a new trade or scaling your operation, you’re backed by a system built to support performance and business growth.
You Get Access To:
TECHNICAL EXPERTS FOR JOBSITE GUIDANCE.
BUSINESS AND PRICING STRATEGIES.
ONGOING TRAINING MATERIALS
THE WOOD DEFENDER PRO NETWORK.
DEALER SUPPORT & PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE
RESOURCE LIBRARY WITH HOW-TO CONTENT, VIDEOS & ARTICLES.
-
TECHNICAL EXPERTS FOR JOBSITE GUIDANCE.
-
BUSINESS AND PRICING STRATEGIES.
-
ONGOING TRAINING MATERIALS
-
THE WOOD DEFENDER PRO NETWORK.
-
DEALER SUPPORT & PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE
-
RESOURCE LIBRARY WITH HOW-TO CONTENT, VIDEOS & ARTICLES.
Train With Us.
Build Your Future.
Sessions are held at our dedicated Wood Defender Training Facility at Standard Paints, Inc. in Mansfield, TX. Seats fill quickly — reserve early to secure your spot.
PROUDLY MADEIN TEXAS
WHAT GRADUATES ARE SAYING
Hear from certified applicators who turned training into stronger results, better customer trust, and new business opportunities.
-
After attending the Wood Defender class in June, I knew I had to bring my dad back. We attended July’s class and really enjoyed it! Everything was great from the people, to the classroom instruction and the job site experience. The Wood Defender course is an amazing way to break into the industry and make tons of connections at the same time!
Graduate
-
It was such a productive and insightful day of training at Wood Defender for our team at Steep Roofing! We learned so much about such a great product and a family-owned company...with a superior brand, solid core values, great guidance, and a prestigious product offering.
Our other classmates were a joy to learn with [and our] instructors were top tier!
We’ve already loaded up the pipeline with jobs and expect the customers to be thoroughly pleased with the look and durability of their fence staining.Graduate
-
Attending the training class two years ago was a game-changer for me. The comprehensive guidance on best practices for staining fences has significantly improved our efficiency and quality of work, and we’ve seen a noticeable increase in customer satisfaction. Bringing my staff along this time ensured that everyone was on the same page. This class is a must for anyone in the fence building industry looking to enhance their skills and deliver top-notch results.
Graduate
-
The most valuable part of the training was being able to get any answer I asked [for]. The dynamic at Standard Paints is amazing—every single person there seems to be happy to be a part of the company.
Graduate
-
No expense is spared, and the contractor and the customer gets the best product. The lab was crazy. Very impressed!
Graduate
After attending the Wood Defender class in June, I knew I had to bring my dad back. We attended July’s class and really enjoyed it! Everything was great from the people, to the classroom instruction and the job site experience. The Wood Defender course is an amazing way to break into the industry and make tons of connections at the same time! Sign up
Ready to Build
Something Bigger?
Join the network of professionals applying Wood Defender stain and building real businesses with it.
