paint your fence

A fence is a very significant part of your home. Not only does it provide security and privacy, but it’s also the first thing people see when coming to your property. Whether you want to sell your home or you’re just entertaining guests, it’s important to make a good first impression. Therefore, you should maintain your fence on a regular basis and keep it looking its best.

Preparing the Fence

Before you get to the painting it’s important to prepare the fence and the surrounding area. This involves removing cobwebs from corners, trimming the grass around the fence, and either scrubbing or power washing away stains and bird droppings. If the paint is flaking, remove it with a scraper or wire brush. Also, be sure to inspect the fence for loose parts or signs of termites. If you suspect an infestation call an exterminator before you begin to paint.

If parts of the fence are loose, be sure to tighten them or call a local contractor. Additionally, before painting, be sure to place plastic or some other protective material beneath the bottom of the fence so that your grass doesn’t get painted and your brush won’t get dirty with leaves and dirt.

Wooden Fences

When it comes to wooden fences, paint can do more than just improve the look. Without quality UV-inhibiting paint, your fence will be more susceptible to sun damage. Use outdoor paint that’s specially-formulated to withstand fading from the sun, mold and mildew, and moisture from the rain. This will keep your fence looking great and help it withstand exposure to the elements.

Metal Fences

While metal fences don’t warp or rot, they do tend to rust over time. This looks very bad and can also weaken the fence and cause screws to fall apart. Before painting, scrape off any loose rust with a wire brush. Then apply a rust converter to all areas where you see rust. This acts like a primer and converts the rust into a protective layer, over which you can paint.

Tips

Invest in quality materials. A cheap paintbrush will lose its bristles and become stiff easily. The same is true for paint – the better the quality the longer it will last and protect your fence. Alternatively, some people prefer painting with a roller and feel it’s more comfortable; so purchase a good one if that’s what you’ll be using.

When beginning to paint, be aware of where the sun is and try not to paint in its path or during the hottest part of the day. Not only will the sun make things harder on you but it will also make the paint dry faster than it should.

Once everything is ready to go, be aware that the painting itself can take quite a long time. You’ll have to paint the front, sides and top of the fence, and apply two or three coats. This can be an exhausting, time-consuming project. If you’re not sure you’re up to the task, contact  the painting specialist .