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Mistakes To Avoid In Painting Your Wooden Fences

Newtown, PA

09/25/2024 07:16 AM

Mistakes To Avoid In Painting Your Wooden Fences in Newtown, PA

Having well-painted wooden fences will not only improve your home's overall curb appeal, but also extends the structural integrity of your fences! However, the process isn’t as simple as slapping on a few coats of paint and calling it a day.

There are several common mistakes that homeowners make when painting their wooden fences that can lead to premature wear, uneven finishes, and a lot of wasted effort.

To avoid exactly that, here is a list of Mistakes To Avoid In Painting Your Wooden Fences.

1. Skipping Surface Preparation

One of the most common mistakes when painting wooden fences is skipping or rushing the preparation process.

Wooden fences, especially those exposed to the elements, accumulate dirt, mold, mildew, and old peeling paint over time.

If these contaminants aren’t properly cleaned or sanded off, they’ll prevent the new paint from adhering correctly, leading to bubbling, flaking, or chipping down the road.

To do this, you’ll have to thoroughly clean your fences by simply brushing the surface with a scrub, water, and some detergent, or with a pressure washer – this depends on your convenience, and the overall condition of your fences!

Skipping surface preparation might save time in the short term, but it’s a costly mistake in the long run as you’ll likely find yourself needing to repaint sooner than expected!

2. Getting The Wrong Formulation

It is important to remember that painting certain surfaces would require getting specific paint or primer formulations – a mistake often overlooked or made by the average homeowner.

Not all paints and primers are created for the same use, and using the wrong products on your wooden fence can lead to several issues, including fading, peeling, and even wood rot.

Thus, in painting your wooden fences, it’s important that you have the right formulation – may it be paint or primer – to use for your project.

However, it can be confusing to do this all on your own, especially with all the available paint and primer variations out there in the market – so don’t hesitate to ask for help from a local paint professional!

3. Painting in Bad Weather Conditions

Timing is everything when it comes to painting your wooden fence, and this includes considering the weather.

Many homeowners make the mistake of painting their fences in unfavorable weather conditions, which can drastically affect the quality of the paint job. Here’s what you’ll have to avoid:

Rain: This should be an obvious one to avoid, since it’ll be impossible for you to paint your fences while it is pouring outside. So, make sure to check the weather ahead of time to schedule your project accordingly.
Extreme Heat: On the other hand, painting in extreme heat can cause the paint to dry too quickly, resulting in uneven application or brush strokes being visible on the final product. The ideal weather conditions for painting are dry days with mild temperatures, preferably between 50°F and 85°F.

4. Ignoring Gaps, Cracks, and Rot

Another classic mistake many people overlook in their fence painting project is ignoring the present damage on the surface – such as gaps, cracks, and rot.

While it may seem like the paint will cover these imperfections, that’s rarely the case.

Gaps and cracks in the wood can allow moisture to seep in, which will weaken the wood over time and cause the paint to peel prematurely.

Thus, any signs of these damages should be addressed appropriately before painting.

Taking this precaution could curtail damaging elements such as dirt, dust, and water infiltration, essentially extending the life of both your paint and the wood material underneath.

5. Applying Too Few or Too Many Coats

Lastly, when applying a fresh coat of paint on your fences, it’s easy to get carried away – making a mess of it rather than improving your fences’ appearance.

The number of coats is often something most homeowners find trivial in painting, and this is a mistake that should be avoided.

For this project, your wooden fences would require at least two coats of paint to provide full coverage and adequate protection against the elements.

For best results, follow the paint manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the number of coats and proper drying time, and have a local paint professional guide you through the process.