How do I Paint Fences? | Decorating Centre Online

How to Paint Fences

Although a fence can be such a great way of retaining your privacy in your garden, as well as blocking out any unwanted views, or even adding that additional layer of security to your property, a fence in your garden can be a great way of adding some colour and vibrant to your garden.

It is also great that painting your fences can also lengthen the life of your fences too! If you use the appropriate paint, as well as prepare and prime it the correct way, you can make your fence more durable, strong and bright than it was before! 

Decorating Centre Online- Colour Match Paint from £13.99

The best way to paint your fence is to prepare!

If you have a brand-new fence, you have to firstly ensure that the wood that it is made from is completely dry!

This means that you must definitely apply your paint on a dry and sunny day, especially when no rain is expected in the next few days.

However, it is also expected that you paint in warm, but not hot conditions (above 10°C) as an intense amount of sun can cause the paint/wood stain/ anything else to dry out prematurely before any of your preparation staining or anything else has had time to penetrate the wood properly. 

Decorating Centre Online- Zinsser AllCoat Exterior Colour Match Paint from £20.99

How would I start to paint my fence?

Although there are many different ways in which you can start to paint a fence, one of the best ways which you can paint your fence is using our Colour Match service which allows you to choose over 16,000 colours, depending on your preference!

What will I need to paint my Fence?

What you will need:

· Brushes- Harris Artisan 2" Angled Sash Brush £3.49

· Rollers- Immaculate Finish Roller Sleeve Long For Uneven Surfaces 9" £3.99

· Primer

· Exterior paint- Zinsser AllCoat Exterior Colour Match Paint from £20.99

· Wood filler

· Wood stain or preserver 

Decorating Centre Online- Harris Artisan 2" Angled Sash Brush £3.49

Why should I paint my fence?

Although it can be a purely aesthetic preference, painting you fence can also have many other strengthening properties too.

It can be a fantastic way of reviving old wood, as well as preventing any of the elements such as rain, wind, sleet, snow and any other outdoor contaminants from wearing away the paint and damaging the fence.

This means that painting your fence can actually prolong the lifespan of your fence by several years if the correct preparation, painting and maintenance afters is taken. 

Decorating Centre Online- Scandi Tallinn Tree Wallpaper Taupe £19.99

Which paint should I use to paint my fence?

There are a few different types of paint which you can use for exterior woodwork, however for a long-lasting and durable exterior woodwork paint, you must use Zinsser’s Allcoat for that wood.

To ensure that the paint adheres perfectly to the shed’s surface, you can prime it with Zinsser’s Cover Stain beforehand in order to not only preserve the woodwork, but also ensure that the AllCoat has a friction surface to adhere to without chipping off or peeling. 

Decorating Centre Online- Azurite Marble Effect Wallpaper £12.99

This Zinsser AllCoat is also tintable, which means that you can choose from over 16,000 colours depending on which you would prefer!

What tools will I need in order to paint my fence?

Depending on what you would prefer, as well as the type of fencing you are painting, and the material it is made from, there are a few different types of tools which you can use in order to paint your new shed.

As it is usually such a big area, painting your fencing by hand can take up quite a significant amount of time, depending on how much you intend to paint.

However, painting a shed by hand is the easiest way to paint your shed in an accurate and durable way, especially if your fencing is an odd pattern, or a mesh of interlocking slats of wood. 

Decorating Centre Online- Glitter Leopard Fur Wallpaper Rose £11.99

How do I prepare my fence for painting?

There are a few things which you need to do before you start to paint your fencing in order for it to look the best it possibly can.

Step 1: Make sure that you cover up any areas with dust sheets to avoid any splashes and accidental spills!

Perhaps you have some garden furniture, or plants or even a bush which you don’t want paint splashes getting all over, make sure that you cover any surfaces with cotton or polyurethane dust sheets before you start painting!

Makes sure that you tie back any unwanted foliage- especially climbing plants- which you don’t want to cut back in order to give yourself space to paint your fence. 

Decorating Centre Online- Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Interior & Exterior Primer-Sealer Stain Killer £9.75

Step 2: Check to see whether the fence needs any structural work

You must firstly check to see whether the shed is structurally sound, or whether other smaller bits of work need doing.

If the work needs doing, this must be completed before you begin to paint the shed. This includes wood knotting, or any filling work.

Step 3: Apply Caulk where it is needed to cover any gaps
This step should definitely be taken if there are any holes or any gaps in your fence line in order to make it not only structurally sound, but also to retain some privacy at the same time too.

If you complete this step, you should wait at least 24 hours before moving onto the next step as this will allow the caulk to fully dry and become waterproof in the meantime. 

Decorating Centre Online- Rota! Professional Microfibre Mini Roller Kit £3.99

Step 4: Sandpaper the rough edges

If there are any rough edges to your fences (especially any splinters or sharper corners if you have children, or animals) , you must ensure that you sandpaper them away in order to smoothen down the surface which you are intending to paint.

This will ensure that the paint will not pick up any bumps, blebs or any other imperfections in the surface of the shed.

Step 5: Clean your fence

As it has been outdoors for quite a significant period of time, it is best to clean your fence before painting it.

This includes wiping any debris, spider webs, mud, mould and any other kind of muck off of your shed before painting it.

Make sure that an appropriate wash is used for your fence, such as a fungicidal wash if your shed is suffering from mould. 

Decorating Centre Online- Assorted Fine, Medium and Coarse Grade Sandpaper 140mm x 230mm £1.50

Step 6: Apply wood primer before painting
This step is essential for any shed painting in order to provide an extra layer of protection against the elements as well as to make it easier for you to spread the paint evenly and for it to adhere to the surface of your fence. 

Decorating Centre Online- Kayla Metallic Geometric Wallpaper Light Grey & Rose Gold £21.99

Step 7: Paint your fence

The final step is the best one!

Once the primer is fully dry, you can add your first coat of Zinsser’s AllCoat. Make sure that you apply this during the hours of 10-2 on a hot day in order for the paint to fully dry correctly!

Make sure that you paint this layer evenly and try to smoothen out any blebs which may occur, especially pushing the paint into the corners of the paint.

Wait the correct amount of time before painting your fence again and then re-coat as many times as you need.

What is the best technique for painting my fence?

For the best technique to paint your fence, just follow the video below for some handy hints and tips! 

And you're done! 

If you have any more questions or issues, just DM us on either Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for some individual consultation advice.

OR Check out our OTHER Blog Posts for more information as well as handy Tips & Tricks!