How to Paint an Old Cedar Fence?
Whether you’re upgrading your home’s curb appeal or simply adding some new life to an old fence, painting it can be a great way to give it a fresh look. However, it’s important to choose the right paint and stain for your project.
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Wood stain is much more durable than paint, but it can also be less expensive. You can also find a variety of color and opacity options with stain, so it’s easy to find one that suits your needs.
Before you begin, it’s important to clean the fence and remove any old paint. Depending on your fence’s condition, you may need to remove the entire coat of old paint or strip it down in sections.
You can use a power washer to remove the old paint, but be sure to read the instructions carefully before using it. It’s best to use a low-pressure and detergent-based solution rather than plain water, which can damage the wood if you don’t use the right type.
Once you’ve removed all the old paint, it’s time to prime the fence with a quality primer that will protect it from the sun. This will help the paint to last longer and increase the coverage of your finished fence.
After you’ve applied the primer, you can start painting your cedar fence. To make this process faster and easier, you can invest in a paint spray gun that can cover your fence in just a few minutes.
It’s also a good idea to cover anything you don’t want to be painted, including shrubs, garden plants, or pavement, with plastic sheeting or old bedsheets to prevent the paint from dripping onto the area. Once the fence is covered, be sure to wipe down any brushes and rollers and store them in a dry place where they won’t oxidize.
Next, take a look at the fence to identify any damaged or loose boards and to see if there are any signs of rot on your fence. This will make it easier to fix and repair any gaps. If you notice any broken pieces, make sure to secure them with screws or nails and fill in any holes.
If the fence is rotting or warped, it’s probably time for a full replacement. If you can’t replace the entire fence, then try to repair any deterioration you can by digging out and replacing rotted areas with epoxy wood filler.
Inspect the whole fence to make sure the posts and pickets are in good condition. If they’re not, you can secure them with nails or screws to keep them from separating or coming loose.
You can also remove any rusted nails or screws that are loose but be careful not to leave them in place when you’re working on the fence. This can cause the paint to peel off or not adhere to the fence properly.
When you’re ready to apply the final coat of paint, dip the roller into your 5-gallon bucket of latex primer and roll it over the fence, moving from left to right and smoothing any runs as you go. Repeat this process to cover the entire fence, and let it dry completely.
