Painting your garden fence: Everything you need to know

Painting your garden fence is necessary for its longevity, as it prevents wood rot, rust, and decay. However, undertaking this project is not a walk in the park, as it needs sufficient preparation and planning.

Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. Our guide will walk you through everything you need to know, like how to paint a garden fence, the tools you need to have, the best garden fence paint to use, and other useful tips for painting your garden fence. Read on!

Materials to paint a garden fence

• Detergent or bleach 

• Clean water

• Pressure washer

• Plant ties

• Wood filler

• White spirit

• Stiff-bristled paintbrush (4 to 5in)  or 8.5in paint roller

• Small paintbrush (3in) or small paint roller (4in)

• Wide-bladed paint scraper

• Sandpaper

• Dust sheets or plastic sheets

• Masking tape

• Wood paint primer

• Wood paint

• Exterior wood preservative

• Paint kettle

Time of completion

Depending on the weather, the condition, and the size of your garden fence, painting it can take a couple of days to a week to complete.

Note that an old, damaged fence needs repairs before painting, which can take an extra day or two. The fence’s surface must be clean, free of debris, and dry for the paint to bond properly with the wood.

As for new fences, you must also wait for at least six weeks before painting - most new fences are pressure-treated and have chemical preservatives that need this time to dry. 

How to paint a garden fence

Step 1: Choose a color

There’s a huge variety of garden fence paint colors to choose from, and you may find this overwhelming!

If you’re having trouble deciding on the right garden fence paint color, note that you can hire a designer to assist. They can help you choose the color that best suits your style and tastes, compliments the color of your home’s exterior, and gives your garden the most curb appeal. Don’t forget to buy the appropriate paint primer as well.

A good designer can also help you choose from the many garden fence paint brands on the market. Don’t put off buying paint last minute as the store might run out, especially if it’s a popular choice among homeowners!     

Step 2: Set a schedule

Check the weather forecasts and choose a day to paint your garden fence that’s not rainy or too hot. If the outdoor temperature is too hot, the paint could dry too quickly and fail to penetrate the wood.

Schedule your painting day when there’s no rain forecast, and the temperature ranges from 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity should be low to moderate to allow for drying. 

Step 3: Clear the area

On painting day, mow any grass that is close to the fence posts, gate, and bottom of the fence—don’t forget you can hire a gardener to assist with these tasks!

Move any shrubbery or plants close to the fence; use plant ties to tie down any plants you can’t trim or move. Sweep and dispose of any loose debris like dried leaves and grass cuttings. 

Step 4: Prepare the fence

Remove any ornaments, hanging plants, or accessories on your garden fence. You can use one of your paintbrushes or a broom to brush away any surface dirt on the fence panels.

If you’re painting a new or old garden fence, note that you may need extra time to prepare them - they also require different preparation measures before applying your garden fence wood paint.

Preparing an old garden fence

If you have an old, weather-beaten fence, here’s how to prepare it before painting:

• Use a paint scraper and sandpaper to remove all the old paint; the new coats of primer and paint need a smooth surface on which to bond. 

• Remove any mold or algae on the wood with a bleach or detergent solution, made with equal parts of clean water and either of these cleaners. 

• Clean the entire fence with a pressure washer—you can hire a pressure washer service if you don’t have this kit. 

• Use wood filler to fill any holes. 

• Cut off any sections that have wood rot, then apply wood filler or hire someone to cut and attach new timber sections as appropriate.

• After stripping off the old paint and cleaning the fence, apply some white spirit, then let it dry. 

Preparing a new garden fence

New garden fences are usually pressure-treated and need time to dry. Don’t apply garden wall paint to your new fence right after installation, as the paint may not bond well with the wood. Here’s what you need to do: 

• Wait for at least six weeks to allow the fence to acclimate to the ambient temperatures and allow any chemical preservatives to dry. 

• After six weeks, lightly sand the surfaces to remove splinters and give the paint a smooth surface to adhere to. 

• Ensure that all the surfaces are clean and remove any shrubbery that can obstruct your fence.

• Apply a layer of white spirit, then let the fence dry.

In some cases, like if your garden fence is made from cedar wood, a waiting period isn’t necessary. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or ask the staff at the DIY center where you bought the fence to be sure. If your cedar fence doesn’t need any drying time, go ahead and sand the surfaces, use white spirit then apply your garden wall paint on a clear day. 

Step 5: Preparing areas around the fence

Before you start applying primer and paint on your garden fence, you’ll have to protect surrounding areas from paint splatter. Use dust sheets or plastic sheets to cover any plants, paving, your deck, or any areas that may get paint on them. Cover your garden fence’s door handle with a plastic bag with the edges sealed with masking tape, or just use masking tape to protect it.     

Step 6: Painting the fence

And now comes the fun part—painting your garden fence! After doing all the necessary preparations, apply the primer. You can use a paint sprayer, paintbrush, or paint roller. After it dries, apply your paint. The primer is necessary to give your paint better surface adhesion, and some primers also prevent mold growth.

Using a paintbrush, paint roller, or paint sprayer offers different advantages and caveats:

• Paintbrushes need to be large enough to make even coats and cover a large area with a few strokes. Use a brush at least 4 to 5in wide for efficient coverage.

• Paint rollers are relatively more efficient in applying even coats with less effort. Use a roller at least 4in wide. Paint rollers can’t get into all the nooks and crannies of your garden fence, so check areas where your paint roller missed and use a paintbrush on them. 

• Paint sprayers are the quickest tool for painting your garden fence. But as with paint rollers, they can miss some nooks and crannies, and you’ll have to go over these areas with a paintbrush.

Whatever painting tool you use, give the paint at least a day to dry afterward. You can put up warning signs to prevent anyone from touching the wet paint. Keep your pets and very young children away from the fence!

Garden fence maintenance

In the weeks after your garden fence is painted, check for signs of dirt and mold. If you see any of these, prepare a bleach or detergent solution and apply it to affected areas with a sponge. Use a power washer or your garden hose to clean off the fence. Inspect your fence every month and clean it as necessary. 

Start your garden fence painting project today

A painted fence is a protected fence—one that will last for years to come! If you feel like you need the expertise of someone who can paint your fence for you, don’t forget that you can post a task on Airtasker so you can get more time on your hands.