A fence given proper maintenance and paint not only adds to the street appeal but gives you safety and privacy as well.
If you have a wooden or wall fence its best to consider routine maintenance to keep it looking good and strong. Care helps prevent damage and insect infestation. Regular fence painting should be done at least once in two years and with the right paint. This will help you prevent structural repairs and accidental damages. Start by cleaning and getting the area prepared, gather the right tools and the right paint and get started.
Preparation is an excellent step to obtain a good result. To start you will need the below.
A good finish paint of your choice.
Paintbrush or sprayer.
Cloth and drop sheets.
Scraper.
Sandpaper.
Spray gun.
Here are top essential preparation tips you should consider.
Sometimes, it's possible that grasses can surround the fence or over grow across the fence giving it a bad appearance. Trim the bushes, shrubs and weeds. This is important because it gives you the ideal workspace and prevents the paint from getting messed with by its plants.
This step is not just essential for you; it is necessary because it protects the ground and prevents it from being stained with paint. Use an old or drop cloth to place on the ground close to the fence. This ensures that all drips and residue will drop on your workspace.
Before setting out with painting, you may want to scrape out the old coat of paint, replace old or broken nails and tiles. Also, if you find cracks repair them with wood glue. Make sure the fence is in good shape.
There are many paint choices out there. You wouldn't want to use paint to wash out during the rain or look dull in the dry season. So, try to get yourself an affordable quality brush and paint that would, no matter the weather conditions, shine out as clean as new. Most times, a sprayer is often recommended instead of a brush.
It depends on the fence. If it's a brand new fence, sanding is not necessary.
Use a handheld orbital sander.
This also includes old surfaces, wooden fences such as redwood and cedar. They will require very light sanding. Meanwhile, you can apply sealer every few years to maintain appearance. You can either use a vibrating sander or an orbital sander. A fence that has been painted before needs sanding to remove the loose paint. This allows the wood to soak in the new colour. Wooden fences such as redwood, cedar will require very light sanding. Meanwhile, you can apply sealer every few years to maintain its appearance.
Some people want their fence to blend in with the environment and space. It helps to keep this in mind when picking a colour. For a wooden fence, oil paint or latex paint is a good choice. Oil-based paint is a good coat that prevents stains and absorbs quickly into the wood. Also, it takes only 4-5 hours to dry and leaves your fence all glossy and clean. Latex paint is another natural paint. It is safer and doesn't expand quickly like the oil paint. This is because it contracts with temperature changes.