Using a roller and brush to paint your fence is the preferred method for many DIT enthusiasts. To begin, make sure you stir your paint so it has a consistent colour. Take your brush and, reaching in between the pickets, paint the horizontal rails of the fence and the sides of the palings. Then pour some paint into a tray and coat your roller. Go over each of the palings applying an even layer of paint to each.
Painting a Picket Fence
Painting a fence has a few simple steps, often with periods of waiting in between:
- Removing old paint from the fence
- Sanding and cleaning the fence
- Adding sealer or primer (depending on fence material)
- Painting first layer
- Painting extra layers
Fences are a highly visible part of any property and after a while it can begin to look a bit old. Repainting a fence can give it a new lease of life and give your home a feeling of completeness.
- How do I find my property boundaries?
- How to paint a wooden fence
- How to paint a timber fence with a sprayer
- How to paint a timber fence with a roller
- How to paint a metal fence
- How to paint a concrete fence
- How much does it cost to paint a fence?
How to prepare a fence for painting
Before you start painting your fence, you need to do a few things to make sure you end with a smooth and attractive finish. To begin with, you need to remove any paint that’s already on the fence. Leaving this on will often lead to a bumpy and uneven texture at the end. The best way to do this is with a high-pressure washer. Once the fence has dried, take a sheet of sandpaper to remove any remaining paint and to make sure the fronts and edges of the panels are smooth.
For a concrete or metal fence, you may need to also use a wire brush or scraper to remove flaky paint. Finish off by using a hose to wash away any debris, and then leave to dry before you start painting.
How to paint a wooden fence
Knowing how to paint a picket fence (with a brush, roller or sprayer) is one of the most important DIY skills to have. Fences create a strong visual feel for your home, both in your backyard and from the street. Once the paint has been stripped off the fence, you may notice a few areas that look worse for wear. Replacing these areas or applying fence cladding will help make your property look its best.
Once you have prepared your fence and left it to dry, it’s time to begin painting. If you’re going to paint your fence with a sprayer, you should dilute the paint before you start. Add 50ml of water for every litre of standard paint or for every 500ml of thick paint. Because of the messy nature of spray paint, it’s very important to put down a drop sheet before you start working.
With the sprayer, paint the timber palings and posts of the fence. Make sure you spray in between the palings to give the edges and the rails a touch of colour too. Before leaving it to dry, grab a paintbrush and smooth over any areas that are rich in paint, especially small details like the holes around nails or screws.
Once the paint has dried, repeat the process to add a second coat so that you have a richer look for your fence.
- A Specialised Paint Colour made to withstand the outside elements in your chosen sheen and colour
- Drop sheets
- Flat paddle paint stirrer
- Wide paint brush
- 10-12mm nap roller and tray
- Medium grit sandpaper
- Damp cloth
- Bucket for cleaning
- Prepare your fence by removing any bikes, cars or plants that are too close to the area. Brush away any dirt and lay down your drop sheet.
- Test if the paintwork is in good condition by cutting a small ‘X’ through the existing paint with a sharp blade, press cellulose tape firmly across the cut and then rip off the tape. If the paint comes off, it is unsound and should be removed. If the surface is sound, finish with a light but thorough sand.
- Make sure to sand back any small areas where the paint has peeled or cracked, and to fill and spot prime any larger holes and defects.
- Once you’ve sanded your picket fence, you can start painting straight away, Make sure your paint is self-priming on most surfaces.
- Open and stir your paint thoroughly, before loading your paint brush.
- To make painting your picket fence a breeze, start by painting the board that runs along the bottom of your fence with your paint brush. Be careful not to pick up any dirt from the ground.
- Then, paint the valleys where your roller can’t reach.
- Once you’ve painted all 3 sides of the valley with an even coat, you can use a roller in a vertical up and down motion, to paint the vertical panels.
- After you’ve finished painting the first coat, wait 2 hours before recoating. Once dry, follow the same process for a second coat. A third coat will need to be applied if the surface is bare timber.
Now – Stand Back and Admire!
Discover the Best Way to Paint an Old Picket Fence
In Texas, a house with a white picket fence is an iconic image representing home and family. It is traditional Americana at its finest. Nevertheless, every few years or so, it will need repainting, which can sometimes become a tedious chore. Short of pulling off Tom Sawyer’s trick of enlisting friends to complete the task, painting an old picket fence can be very laborious. However, there are ways to make things run more smoothly and bypass the frustration some people may feel. Today’s tips should provide you with some help.
1. Cleaning – Before attempting to paint an old picket fence, scrape off any peeling and old paint. Additionally, using a drop cloth will make cleanup easier. Once done, cover your plants with plastic sheeting and use a power washer to blast off any remaining paint and get down to the bare wood.
2. Preservation – All wood fencing is susceptible to the weather. So, before painting, you will need to apply a wood preservative that will resist water. While you may be tempted to use a sprayer, it is best to do this by hand. You want to make sure you get every nook and cranny.
3. Primer – A single thick coat of primer is all you should really need. Most of this can be accomplished using a paint sprayer, but use a brush to get at the hard to reach areas. A gallon should cover roughly 400 square feet. Also, much sure you cover your plants.
4. Painting – Don’t expect to get perfect coverage with just one coat. Two thin coats will produce a better result than attempting a single thick coat. Make sure to give your first pass enough time to dry before applying a second. Again, you can use a sprayer but make sure you have a brush for tricky spots.
5. New Picket Fences – It is always better to paint a new picket fence before installing. Not only will it be easy to get it painted, the wood in the ground is better protected.
Do you have any questions? What haven’t we covered yet that is important to you? If you would like to talk about the best way to paint an old picket fence or a related topic, please contact us.
