Now comes the fun part of how to paint a fence. First, pour some of your fence paint into a paint kettle. Brush strokes of paint should go in the same direction as the wood grain, but try not to spread paint too far with each stroke. Don’t overload the brush with paint and work it well into the wood.
What’s the Quickest and Easiest Way to Paint a Fence?
Have you ever wondered what is the best way to paint a fence? Or how to paint a fence fast? We have the solution for you. The Black and Decker DHVLP is your answer. This article will show you how to paint a fence with a sprayer and how to paint a fence in general as well as some other tips and tricks along the way. Painting a fence will no longer be a chore with this top of the range tool!
Though relatively straightforward, painting fences, decking, and garden furniture can be one of those jobs even the most diligent among us gets a mental block about.
Why? The time it takes, the fiddliness of the job and the mess you invariably make. Well, we reckon we might have found the all-in-one solution for painting fences, decking and garden furniture. This Toolstop guide explains the fastest and easiest of ways to paint your garden fence and furniture, as well as tips and tricks you should follow to get the best results every time.
Preparing to Paint a Fence
I t goes without saying that you want to pick a dry day to paint your fence. Your best bet is during the spring/summer months where temperatures are at their optimum and wind speeds are low. This will allow the paint to dry out as quickly and evenly as possible whilst reducing your chances of spraying more than your fence. If it has rained recently, make sure to wait for your fence to dry out fully again before painting. What is the best fence paint? Besides from colour and brand, we recommend choosing a weather resistant paint for the job, or one that will prolong the life of your wood and time spent between re-painting. If you are using a paint sprayer rather than brush, you must also check that the paint is compatible.
There are many ways to paint a fence, the most obvious being with a paint brush or roller. Whilst this will do the job, and will allow you to get neat and precise results every time, it can be extremely tedious and time consuming, especially for larger projects. If you do choose to paint your fence or garden furniture by hand, be sure to follow the direction of the wood grain as this allows you to cover a larger surface area quicker, and will result in a smoother finish. A faster solution to using a paintbrush, and a method we swear by, is to invest in a paint spray gun. Did you know that they are up to 10 times faster than using a standard paint brush? Depending on the size of fence you’re working with, you might want to take us up on the offer! If so, we have exactly the solution for you.
Bosch PFS 2000 Paint Sprayer – Is it the Ideal Solution for Painting Fences?
Paint sprayers are the ideal solution for painting longer and larger fences as they can cover the area quickly and more efficiently, not to mention with less effort. What are the key benefits of painting with a sprayer rather than a brush? First off, non-stop painting action! Our top choice for paint sprayer is the Bosch PFS 2000. This paint spray gun has a large 800ml paint container which allows you to cover a huge surface area before having to think about refilling. It has a 3 level adjustable paint nozzle for horizontal, verticle and circular spraying so you can adjust it to the mode most suited for the size and style of fence. Even better, it’s not just for use on fences and decking. Use this model indoors, too!
It applies paint evenly at 1.5 m²/min for small to medium indoor and outdoor projects, and cleaning up after using it is easy. Simply unscrew the cannister, pour the paint or stain back into the tin, then run the container under the tap to get it ready for the next job. Though it has 3 precision nozzle settings, always be sure to cover up areas like plants and slabs that you don’t wish to be splashed with paint as you cannot control things like the direction of the wind. The Bosch PFS 2000 is powered by the mains, so doesn’t require any pumping before use. Simply choose your nozzle setting, position yourself roughly 20cm away from the fence or object you’re spraying, power on and you’re good to go. Another great addition to this paint sprayer is its ConstantFeed function that ensures the spray gun receives a constant and steady supply of paint in every position. See how it works in this exclusive video:
Also available at Toolstop you can find a selection of fence paintbrushes. They are durable, long lasting and up to the task, providing a neat and professional finish. Painting a fence with a brush is just as effective, and even more precise, than using a sprayer. Shop our range below.
Smarten up your boundaries by learning how to paint a fence
Aside from applying the paint there is some essential prep which is important to factor into the job in hand. Some of this won’t be necessary if you’ve just learned how to install fence panels and the wood is brand new. The prep gets more in depth the older the fence, but it’s essential if you want to get the best results.
By following our easy tips on how to paint a fence, you can get brilliant results every time.
What you will need for painting a fence:
- Stiff brush
- General-purpose cleaner
- Bucket
- Wood filler
- Sandpaper
- Dust sheets
- Masking tape
- Exterior wood paint
- Paint kettle
- 3in paintbrush
- Optional paint sprayer
To begin, make sure that no screening plants or shrubs in your garden will interfere with your fence while it’s being painted. ‘It would help if you raked or mowed your lawn to collect any loose vegetation around your fence too,’ says Samantha Jones, landscaping expert at My Job Quote.
If you have trees or hedging plants that lean over your fence, you may have difficulty getting around them, or they may knock into the fence while you’re painting it. ‘Remove the branches from the fence,’ advises Samantha. ‘Use a leaf blower to remove vegetation or collect it with garden gloves.’
In turn you may be worried about the plants near your fence getting paint splatter on them. ‘Use plastic sheeting to protect your prized plants but be careful not to crush them,’ says Samantha. ‘You could also place a sheet of plywood between the shrub and the fence to keep paint toxins from causing damage.’
Prep the surface of your fence
If you’re painting a brand new fence then there will be less preparation work needed. ‘Sanding is usually not necessary before staining a new fence,’ says Samantha. ‘However, it doesn’t hurt to do some spot sanding if you notice any eased edges or other areas where the stain may have trouble adhering. If your fence is older, sanding it before staining is a must.’
Just like when you’re painting garden furniture it’s important to clean the surface before you start too. Use a stiff brush to remove dirt and flaky bits. Scrub away any algae with a diluted general purpose cleaner and let it dry completely. Replace any rotten sections and repair any small areas of damage with exterior wood filler (sand when dry, so it’s flush with the wood).
If your fence posts are concrete, cover the edges with masking tape. Do the same with any handles or metalwork you might have attached to your fence panels or wooden garden gate.
