0
0
Posted: 18th March 2025 | Author: Adam Brown | Category: Fencing
Back to news
Whether you’re looking to stain your fence to give it some protection against the elements, or you simply want to add or refresh a splash of colour in your garden, painting is a simple DIY task you should be able to complete in an afternoon or less.
Below, we discuss how best to paint a fence, as well as highlighting some tips and tricks to make the job easier.
The first step to painting a fence is to determine the right time to do it. You should aim to choose a day that is warm and dry - paint will stick better in these conditions, meaning you’re less likely to have to redo the job. Plus, paint typically dries more quickly in warmer weather.
It’s also worth considering whether it’s the right time to paint your fence in terms of its age. If your fence panels are brand new and pressure-treated, the paint might not stick very well. It may be better to leave the fence as it is for a few months until the treatment has had time to weather slightly.
For now, let’s assume it’s the right time to paint your fence and you’ve got a long spell of warm, dry weather ahead. Here’s how to do it right.
In order to paint your fence, you will of course need to have your fence paint and painting equipment ready - whether you intend to do it with a brush or you’re going to use a paint sprayer. However, there are a few other bits and pieces that can come in handy.
Lay down your dust sheets to protect the areas underneath the fence. This makes it easier to avoid splotches of paint dripping down onto your paths or garden. You should also either cut or tie back any shrubs or other vegetation that is close to the fence, and move away any garden furniture or similar items.
Chances are your fence is covered in dirt and cobwebs just from being outside. This can interfere with painting, so it’s worth going over your fence with a stiff brush before you begin painting to get rid of anything loose.
If the fence is really dirty, you can use a bucket of warm, soapy water to sponge it down and clean off the worst of it. But remember, you’ll need to allow extra time for the fence to dry thoroughly before painting.
Once you’ve checked that your fence is completely dry, you can begin painting. If you haven’t used this colour before, you may wish to test it ahead of time to make sure you’re happy with how it looks when dried.
Begin at the highest point of the fence and work your way downwards for each panel. This means that any paint that drips down to lower panels will get painted in as you go, so it’s less likely that you’ll end up with blobs of paint standing in relief once you’re done.
For the smoothest finish, paint in the direction of the wood grain.
Don’t spray on a windy day, as this makes it more likely paint will land on areas you don’t want it to. Keep a small brush handy for touching up areas, and remember that you’ll need to have covered non-painting areas well to avoid staining them by accident.
Important! Not all paints are suitable for use with a paint sprayer. Check the information on your paint before getting started.
Letting the paint dry properly is key - and this is why it’s so important to paint on a warm, dry day. You can do other tasks while waiting for your fence to dry, but you’ll still need a day with no rain in order for the finish to look its best.
Important! Remember to clean your paint sprayer or brushes well to remove paint effectively. Warm, soapy water is fine for water-based paints; use white spirit for oil-based paints.
For some paints, that might be the end of the job. Others may need two or three coats to achieve the desired look. Check the details on your paint container to find out what to expect and plan accordingly.
Knowing how long to wait between coats is key to getting a great looking finish. Unfortunately, while most paints take somewhere between four and 12 hours to dry fully, there can be a lot of variation between brands.
The best thing you can do is to check the recommended drying time on your paint of choice. If you’re still browsing for paints and you’re worried about how long it will take to dry, consider opting for a ‘quick-dry’ formula. These paints are designed to dry in less time to make additional coats more manageable.
Back to news
The Author: Adam Brown
With a background as a Mechanical Engineer, I started Nationwide Supplies alongside my brother with a vision to modernise what seemed a stuck-in-its-ways industry in the builders merchant sector. Since 2011 it has been my goal to source quality products at the correct prices to be able to offer a saving to customers along with high quality customer service which offers quick delivery and superior technical knowledge in the industry.
