Fence painting not only keeps your fence looking its best, but also helps protect it against the elements. However, when not done properly, you can create a mess that has to be sanded and repainted.
In this blog, we will share 12 dos and don’ts for painting fences from our professional painters in Victoria, BC.
1. Don’t put painting off too long
If you have an existing fence, your job is easier if you don’t put off repainting too long. The longer you wait between paintings, the more damage, decay, and peeling paint issues you’ll face when you begin. Ideally, you should wait no longer than three years between paintings, and inspect your fence each year for signs of deterioration.
2. Do be sure to choose the right type of paint
The entire paint job depends on using the right paint to ensure it will protect your fence and stand up to the elements for longer-lasting beauty. An exterior acrylic latex paint is best, as it will look good and provide protection against water by creating an effective moisture barrier.
3. Don’t be hasty when choosing your paint colour
Once you know the right paint type, you can view the paint colours available. It’s best to choose the type of paint first as, usually, colour palettes vary from paint type to paint type when purchasing from the store.
If you have a particular colour in mind, ask the paint store if they provide custom colours. Professional painters in Victoria, BC often offer customized colours to ensure you get the desired look.
Keep in mind that colour is very particular when it comes to light. Choosing a paint colour based on a small paint sample in the store will produce very different results once it is painted onto your fence outside.
In fact, the paint will appear differently in a different light, appearing brighter and lighter in direct sunlight and deeper and more saturated in areas of shade. You might consider purchasing a few samples to paint onto the fence to live with your colour choices for a day to see how it appears as the sun moves around your property.
4. Do use the proper tools
Painting is an art that calls for the right tools to get a smooth, even coat. This is important for both the look and wood protection. You will find that you’ll need a few different sizes of brushes to tackle spots between the fence slats and for areas with detail such as privacy lattice.
Although some people prefer a wide brush for the main area of the fence, you might find that a roller is quicker. Some painters swear by sprayers, but this can get quite messy, including getting into neighbouring properties!
5. Don’t skip steps
Painting is tedious work that requires proper steps to see the best results. It might be tempting to skip a few steps to get the job done faster. However, skipping steps only makes a mess of your fence and leads to more work down the road.
Therefore, follow the steps based on the manufacturer’s direction including prepping and repairing the wood, using a primer if recommended, and waiting for the paint to cure between coats for the appropriate amount of time.
6. Do protect your property and garden
Be sure to protect surrounding areas and vegetation from paint splatter or damage, as paint can kill some plant life and stain surfaces like paving stones, concrete driveways and paths, decks, etc. Tape off adjacent surfaces and use a lightweight plastic sheet to cover your plants.
7. Don’t forget to clean the fence
A clean surface is essential in ensuring the paint adheres to the wood properly. If you skip this step, the dirt, mossy build-up or mould, and other things like cobwebs will get caught in the paint and contaminate the coat.
This is one of those tedious steps you might want to skip, but it will only result in paint failure that looks awful and wastes all your efforts. You might consider having your fence professionally power washed, as using the wrong pressure could damage the fence.
8. Do make repairs
This is the time to take care of any repairs such as replacing damaged boards, securing loose boards, removing rusty nails, applying a solution to remove mildew or natural growth like moss, and filling holes to create a smooth surface.
9. Don’t skimp on the primer quality
With all the paint and supplies you need, you might be looking for ways to save money on your fence-painting project. However, primer is a critical step for fence painting and requires a high-quality primer to create a stable surface. Primer is also necessary to improve paint adhesion, while enhancing the durability of the entire paint job.
10. Do follow the manufacturer’s instructions for curing
As mentioned, it’s critical to follow the right steps to ensure your paint application is perfect and lasts. This includes allowing for the proper drying and curing times between coats.
Read the instructions carefully, paying close attention to the recommended drying times to create a sound coating to protect the wood against the elements. That extra time put in now will reduce how often you need to paint your fence over time!
11. Don’t forget to check the weather
Nothing is worse for exterior paint projects than painting in the wrong conditions. Check the weather the day before you plan to paint, and again in the morning to make sure the weather won’t negatively impact the finish.
The ideal weather is low humidity, zero chance of rain, and temperatures between 10 °C and 32 °C. Spring and fall tend to offer the best weather conditions, with cooler temperatures and less humidity.
Just be sure you check the forecasted overnight temperatures because if temperatures drop below freezing as the final coat is curing, the fence will freeze and compromise the finish.
12. Do try to “follow the sun”
Getting an early start will also help ensure the paint cures and adheres properly. If your entire fence line is in full sun, the earlier the start the better, as long as the weather conditions are suitable.
This is because a fence surface in high heat at the peak of the day can be 20 degrees hotter in the sun, causing the paint to dry too fast and creating an uneven finish. So, again, choosing a cooler day in the spring and fall and trying to follow the sun so you’re working in the shade will help improve the results.
Contact the Expert Painters at Victoria, BC
When it comes to painting, quality paint, primer, and preparation all ensure you get the job done right. At Parkside Painting, we take every precaution to make sure the proper steps are taken, in hand with a fair price, for a high-value, durable job that you’ll love.
To speak to our honest professional team of painters in Victoria, BC, call us at 250-891-2999 or contact us online. We offer an exceptional customer experience with ongoing updates throughout your project and a beautiful finish that shows your pride of ownership.