AUTUMN is the perfect time to get the outside jobs done while the weather cools ahead of winter.
Although it may not be the task you’d most like to spend your weekends doing, painting your tired-looking wooden fence will certainly make your house and garden look a whole lot better.
But before you roll up your sleeves and head to the hardware store, here are a few handy tips to get you started:
- Check the condition of your fence for any rot, damage or termite infestation.
- Replace any sections that need it and ensure your supporting posts are sturdy.
- Make sure you buy a quality paint brush; cheap ones tend to leave bristles on the wood surface as you paint.
- Purchasing a quality paint will also last longer, particularly if it is an exterior UV-inhibiting paint.
- Check the weather forecast before you start, ensuring that there is no rain insight for at least 48 hours, there is nothing worse than having your hard work ruined by a downpour.
- Mow the lawn and trim the grass that’s at the base of the fence, clear away cobwebs and dirt and use a drop cloth to protect the surrounds as you paint.
- Scrape away or use a power wash to remove layers of peeling paint and allow to dry thoroughly before sandpapering for a perfect, smooth finish.
- After priming the wood and allowing it to fully dry, begin to paint following the grain of the wood for an optimal finish.
- A rule of thumb in painting fences is to always use vertical strokes for vertical panels and horizontal strokes for horizontal panels.
