Correctly paint wooden garden fences

Wood is a natural material and is therefore recommended for many areas of a property. However, in order for it to withstand the effects of the weather for as long as possible, it must be painted regularly.

Paint or glaze garden fences?

If you would like to give your fence a strong color, it is a good idea to paint the fence battens with an opaque layer of varnish. This has the advantage that you can not only adapt the wooden fence to your house or garden, but also give it its "own character".

Your garden fence will be an eye catcher. If you prefer discreet wooden fences, it is best to use a glaze. This protects the wood from the effects of the weather just like a varnish, but it is nowhere near as intense in color.

If you have painted your wooden fence, you should renew the paint at least every two years. Over time, temperature fluctuations and moisture can cause the lacquer layer to crack and cause lasting severe damage to the wood underneath. You can prevent this by painting the fences regularly.

If, on the other hand, you have used a glaze, you only need to renew it every three to four years. The glaze penetrates the outer layer of wood and therefore cannot be damaged in the same way as paintwork can. Don't be surprised if the wood layer shimmers through the glaze. It is also a natural process for the fences to turn gray over time. Your wood is still completely protected.

How to properly paint wooden fences

Before you paint your garden fence, you will need a few utensils beforehand in order to be able to get off to a successful start. On the one hand, of course, you need the right paint or paint. the preferred glaze and a suitable brush. On the other hand, sandpaper to sand down, a cloth to wipe off and newspaper to protect against dripping.

1. Remove the paint layer. Before you apply a new layer of paint, you must sand off any loose paint residues, i.e. old layers of paint.
2. Wipe off the sanding dust. After sanding, clean off the sanding dust from the wood. Make sure that the wood is completely dry before painting.
3. The first coat. Now apply a first coat of varnish to your fence. You shouldn't be worried that this shift usually doesn't cover it completely. Let the paint layer dry for at least a day.
4. Roughen the surface. Lightly sand the first layer of paint with sandpaper. Don't remove any paint, it's about roughening the surface so that the second coat adheres well.
5. Remove sanding dust again. Pick up the resulting sanding dust with a rag.
6. The last coat of paint. When the second coat is applied, the paint completely covers. Let the paint dry before reassembling mailboxes, birdhouses and the like.

If your wooden fence is covered with climbing plants like the Herbaceous vetch is overgrown, do not paint it until autumn, when the plant parts die, or even better in spring, before budding begins. If you want to stand out from the garden fences of the neighbors, the best way to do this is with a strong colored lacquer.