How and When to Paint Your Wooden Garden Fence

When the better weather arrives, you’ll spend more time in your garden, so you’ll want it to be as attractive as possible. One of the jobs on your list should be painting your wooden garden fence. This will not only give your whole outdoor space a new lease of life, it will also help protect your fence against the elements and prolong its useful life. So how do you go about painting a garden fence?

Preparation is Key

This job is relatively easy, although it can be time-consuming. The best time to paint your fence is in early summer, when you can be as sure as possible of having a couple of days without rain to allow the paint time to dry completely. Your first step should be to remove everything you can from the area – the kids’ toys, pots and garden tools and so on. Trim back any growth that’s impinging on the wooden area, pinning back or staking up any climbing plants that you don’t want to cut away. Then, lay down a tarpaulin or similar covering to protect your plants or lawn from drips of paint.

Wait for a time of day when the fence is in the shade if you can. If it’s in full sun, the paint may dry too quickly and not have sufficient time to sink into the wood. Choose a paint that’s especially created for exterior wood, because this will provide it with the best protection. If you opt to use a primer, it will extend the time the job takes, but on the plus side, it will protect the wood for longer and you won’t have to paint it again as soon. Test the colour of your paint in an out-of-the-way area and let it dry completely to make sure you’re 100% happy with the effect before you start work in earnest.

While you’re waiting for that, check the fence panels over and remove any old nails or screws, ornaments or hanging baskets. Sand down rough areas and patches of peeling paint to improve the finish when you apply the new coat.

How to Paint

To paint a fence, you can either use a brush or invest in a pump or power sprayer. The latter tools make the job much quicker, but you’ll also need to wait for a day with very little wind or else the paint could blow onto other areas of your garden. Even with a sprayer, you’ll still need a brush to touch up those awkward areas, like round the posts or at ground level where there may be plants. Use a 4” brush for larger areas and a 1-2” one to get into the smaller nooks and crannies.

When painting with a brush, follow the grain, using vertical strokes on vertical panels and horizontal strokes on horizontal ones. If you’re applying primer, allow it to dry fully before moving onto your colour or stain. Either way, start at the top and paint down – this way, you can catch any drips and paint them in.

Most good fence paints only need one coat, but if you aren’t happy with the finish, wait a day for the first coat to dry before applying the second. And that’s it – you’re done! Clear away the protective sheet and clean your brushes, then sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

If your fence is showing damage after the ravages of the winter and you’d like any repairs or a whole new replacement, why not contact PA Lumber Fencing for a free quote?