How to Paint a Fence? | Steps, Tips & More

Does your fence look outdated, and is the paint faded? If yes, then it’s time to re-paint it before it starts damaging the material and results in hefty costs. Painting a fence is a project you can do independently, avoiding the cost of hiring professionals. In this guide, we’ll teach you this art and how to execute the project for a flawless finish.
Choosing the Right Fence Colour
Fence colour plays a vital role in the overall aesthetics of your property. If it’s too light, this may not fit well, or if it’s contrasted, it may seem too bright. That’s why you have to pick the ideal colours that blend with the rest of the exterior elements.
- White Paint: A decent option for timeless classic aesthetics that highlight the garden elements.
- Black Paint: Ideal for dark colour lovers, creating an excellent backdrop for the flowers and a rich black finish.
- Invisible Green: It creates a seamless appearance with its rich hue, complementing the background vegetation.
- Bone China Blue: This colour offers a charming 1930s blue hue, creating a timeless and elegant backdrop in your garden that beautifully complements your coordinated scheme.
Things You Need to Paint a Fence
- Synthetic bristle paint brush (small & large)
- Coverings for plants and greenery
- Paint tins (as per the requirements & colour of your choice)
Steps to Paint Your Fence Like Pros
Follow the steps mentioned below for a successful fence paint DIY project.
Preparation
Start your fence painting by checking the weather forecast to avoid the later hassle of being stuck in the middle. A rule of thumb is to plan your task a few days before, ensuring to undertake this task on a warm and dry day. On the date of execution, clear up the from trees or shrubs from the area and temporarily tie them to a nearby pole so they don’t disrupt your process.
Fence Cleaning
Since your fence is exposed to wind, sunlight, and the outdoor climate 24/7. This results in degrading the material life and demands proper re-furnishing before the new paint application. Clear out the debris and dirt from the surface with the soapy liquid solution and dry it well.
Paint Application
Now, pick the appropriate-sized paint brush, soak it in the paint, and apply it to the fence. You may have to apply more than one coat, as a single coat won’t revamp your fence perfectly. Other than the tin paint, you can also apply the spray paint, but it should be compatible to the fence material.
Pack Your Tools
Done? Clean your tools and brush before the paint gets dry, as this paint gets stubborn after drying. For water-based paints, all you need to do is dip the brush in the water and rub it to remove the paint. While for the oil-based paint, white spirit works very well.
Paint Your Fence with a Roller
Do you want to try something different, or don’t have a brush to paint the fence? If so, don’t worry, you can also apply the paint with the help of a roller. Below are the steps to utilise the roller for this task.
Stage # 1: Be Prepared
Before you start applying the paint, prepare yourself and the surroundings to minimise the mess. Cover your face with a mask and wear eye protection goggles. You can wear old clothes as the paint splashes will ruin your fabric.
Step # 2: Use the Roller
Now start sliding the roller over the fence with gentle pressure. Since it will cover larger areas, you may still need a small brush to paint the hard-to-reach spots.
Step # 3: Apply the Final Coat
Finally, apply the last coat of paint, but ensure you allow sufficient time for the previous coat to dry. Lastly, apply the weatherproof sealant as a topcoat, as it will provide long-lasting protection to your fence’s paint.
Tips to Paint Your Fence Like Pros
Before you execute the fence paint DIY project, follow these tips to maximise your results and save your time and effort.
- Right Fence Paint: The market is flooded with a range of paints, but we recommend you only the premier quality ones. If you want a glossy finish, select the glossy paints. Or if you want a matte finish, go for the satin-like paints for a more organic appearance.
- Preparing the Surface: For outdoor fence paint, you have to pay more attention to preparing the surface, as the dirt and debris particles can compromise the quality of the finish. If there are some micro-pieces of worn-out paint or coating left behind, it’ll ruin the whole look. Thus, ensure you clean the surface thoroughly before applying the new paint coat.
- Protect the Greenery: Your garden plants and flowers may get drips or splashes of paint, which can harm them. That’s why you should cover the nearby greenery with a sheet of plastic to let them stay safe while you’re painting the fence.
- Preserve the Surface: If your fence is new, make sure to impregnate it with a wood preservative. It will allow the fence to develop an excellent resistance against moisture and contamination.
- Use the Right Paintbrush: Don’t use the same size of brush for every stroke. For larger spots, use a broader brush that covers the surface in minimal strokes. For the narrow sides, utilise the small brush to meticulously paint and reduce the wastage drips.
- Apply Multiple Coats: You may have to apply multiple coats, as a single one won’t bring the desired results. If you observe the imperfections, recoat those areas once the initial coat has dried.
- Choose Days Wisely: It’s better to execute your fence paint project on dry days because damp wood doesn’t allow proper paint adhesion.
- Go with the Flow: Stroke in the direction of the grain texture to achieve a professional-level smooth finish. If you don’t follow it, the quality of paint finish will get compromised.
DIY Vs. Hiring a Painter
If you’re a passionate homeowner who performs several DIY projects, then painting the fence isn’t a big deal for you. All you need is the paint, brush, and that’s it. You can easily revamp your fence’s aesthetics like a newly installed one. Whereas, if you don’t have time and your fence is too widespread, painting it independently may seem a huge task. We recommend you hire a professional before you skip the project midway.
Platinum Paints – Your Bespoke Exterior Paint Partners
Finding a reliable painter near you? At Platinum Paints, we’re your trusted company for customised fence paint services. Our experts have years of experience in the industry and can cater to any job with inch-perfect accuracy. You can contact us at 07481557135 or write to info@platinumpaints.co.uk for an instant quote. Unsure whether to invest in a paint project or not? Book an on-site inspection and get a consultation with our specialists.