Painting fencing every 2-3 years is an excellent way to freshen the entire structure and improve the appearance of your landscape. In addition, painting fencing can extend the lifespan of the fence. Each type of fence calls for a certain painting method.
Painting a Wooden Fence
If your fence is made out of wood, it may require a fresh coat of paint every 1-2 years. Regardless, wood fences may resist the standard painting fencing methods, especially those fences that are fashioned from rough lumber. In this case, a paint sprayer is the best choice. Before you begin painting a wooden fence, you will need to scrape off the chips and flakes.
For small, wooden fences, hand-held cup sprayers are the most efficient choice. These sprayers have a paint reservoir of one quart. If your fence is rather large, it is not feasible to continually fill a one-quart reservoir. Therefore, you should opt for a suction-tube airless sprayer that is compatible with all reservoir sizes.
It can be all too easy to over-spray. But there are ways to prevent this from happening. First, refrain from spray painting fencing on windy days. The paint spray will cooperate much better on a calm day. Second, make sure there are not objects, cars or lawn equipment on the other side of your fence. You do not want to risk getting paint on yours or other people's valuables. So if a neighbor has a car parked nearby, ask them to move it.
Also, purchase a plastic sheet and staple this sheet so it will drape over the other side of your fence. Once you are doing painting fencing, take off the sheet and cover the newly painted side. This prevents airborne paint from blowing around or traveling. Finally, make sure not to overly thin the stain or paint.
Painting a Metal Fence
Although a lot of people do not realize it, painting fencing that is metal is a possibility. Chain-link is one of the types of metal fencing that can be painted. Even though it is covered in galvanized steel, the coating will eventually fail. And when that happens, the fence must be painted.
Before painting fencing, like chain-link, you will need to remove rust flakes with a wire brush. After the surface has been properly cleared of rust, it is time to clean the fence. To do this, you will need to use a sponge. Dip the sponge in mineral spirits and wipe the fence clean. Then, allow the fence to dry. After it has dried, the painting fencing step can begin. Of course, the paint you use should be made specifically for metal.
Keep in mind that chain-link fencing is hard to paint. Because too much paint is wasted with a sprayer, and a paintbrush is too tedious, the best idea is to use a paint roller that measures one to one and one-half inches. A paint roller will be able to get paint deep inside the fence's weave pattern, ensuring difficult-to-reach corners are painted.