Cedar Fence Painting Instructions
Painting a cedar fence is a great way to give your home a fresh new look and protect it from the weather. However, there are some important steps you should take before beginning your cedar fence painting project.
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Clean Your Cedar Fencing
First, make sure to remove any old paint or sealer on your cedar fence. This will allow the new paint or stain to absorb more easily into the wood and not peel off in a few months. Using a brush, spray the wood with a solution of water and a non-chlorine bleach (40-60 psi). This will loosen dirt and grime that can otherwise get under the new coat of paint or stain.
Apply a Wood Brightener
Before applying a wood stain, clean your cedar fence with a mild cleaner like Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner & Brightener. This will help to remove any mold and mildew that may have formed on the wood as well as mill marks from the old paint or stain. Once the fence has been cleaned, it’s ready for application of your new stain.
Decide What Color of Stain You Want
You should always test a sample of the stain you’re considering before applying it to the entire fence. This is especially true for colors that will show up differently in natural lighting than they will in a dark room. It’s also a good idea to test the stain on a piece of left over cedar fencing that you have lying around, or that you can buy in a similar color.
Choose a Semi-Transparent or Translucent Fence Sealer
A semi-transparent fence sealer will keep your cedar fence from getting grayish and will preserve the wood’s natural coloring. It will also be easier to see through than a solid opaque stain, and you won’t need to treat your fence as often to keep it looking fresh.
When selecting a fence sealer, make sure to choose a product that is resistant to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. If you’re concerned about the UV rays from the sun, you should choose a product that is semi-transparent and has enough pigment in its mix to prevent the wood from turning gray but not so much that it looks blotchy.
Don’t Rush Your Cedar Fence Painting project
A lot of people tend to move too fast when they are painting a fence, and they end up making a lot of mistakes. To avoid this, start by measuring your fence to figure out how much paint to purchase.
Use a tape measure to mark the length and width of your fence and multiply those numbers to find the square footage. This will ensure that you have the right amount of paint for your project and will prevent you from buying more than you need.
Work in sections of about two or three pickets at a time and stop frequently to use a paintbrush to cover any gaps, corners, or other areas that you can’t reach with the roller. This will ensure even coverage and prevent lap marks that can occur when the paint dries.
