Dark Stained Pergola . It is best to start at the highest point of the wood pergola and work your way down. Apply acrylic paint or stain. Harco Fence and Deck Dark Stained Cedar Pergola Harco Fence and Deck from www.harcofenceanddeck.com The second option is to paint the pergola, privacy screen, and railings white. After applying the brightener thoroughly rinse the surface with fresh water. This stained cedar pergola features flagstone column bases, a flagstone and tile outdoor kitchen with a bronze tinted polycarbonate top making it as water tight as a patio cover.