Start by painting the hard-to-reach areas and edges with a brush. Work in sections from top to bottom, so you can see where you have painted. Just make sure that you follow the instructions: wear gloves and a mask and take care to cover nearby surfaces from unwanted paint spatters. The rain and cold (5°C and below) are your enemies when painting a fence; ergo, the spring and summer months are the best time to paint outside. A panel should take around 15-30 mins to paint, depending on how precise you are. This is the slowest method but also the simplest, as you only need a brush. To finish your fence prep, give the fence a rub down with sandpaper to get rid of any rough areas. This is not so important for rough-sawn fence panels, but if you have a smoother timber fence, i.e. a slatted fence, then make sure to rub down for improved adhesion.

Water-based and harmless to pets and plants, actual coverage achieved depends on whether you’ve opted for brush or gun and on the surface you’re covering, but as a rule you’ll always get more coverage using a brush than a spray gun. Both types of product usually contain anti-mould elements and an ingredient that will help waterproof your fence panels, to stop any moisture from getting in and rotting the timber. When Should You Paint Your Fence Panels?For this, you will need the best paint rollers, preferably a 4-inch product, a paint tray, and a 2-inch brush for areas that a roller can’t reach.

There are several options to consider when painting a fence. We take a closer look at each one, its pros and cons, and how best to apply.

Find out how to paint your garden fence

Finally, if you have concrete – or non-wood – posts that you don’t want to get paint on, mask off with tape and paper. A simple tip if you have slotted concrete posts is to lift out the panel completely and paint it in a separate prepared area. How to Paint a Fence: A Step-By-Step Guide If you need to give your metal fencing a much-needed makeover, then Direct to Rust Metal Paint from Hammerite is a hassle-free, time-saving option.

Due to its expert technical knowledge of the technologies and materials available across the industry, Promain has a reputation for outstanding service among its trade and retail customers. Once you have a clear space around your fence, think about covering the surrounding vegetation (essential if spray painting) and laying down dust sheets or plastic sheeting along the bottom of the fence to catch any paint drips. If your fence panel is still wet when you start painting, the paint won't adhere properly to its surface. This can cause unsightly bubbles, and the paint simply won’t do its job properly. Painting your garden fence is one of those jobs that’s easy to put off again and again. If you really want to make the best job of it, though, then it pays to take advantage of the brief spell of brighter, warmer days known as British summertime. So, if winter and autumn have taken their toll on your fencing, leaving it looking battered, faded and in need of TLC, then read on and we’ll reveal the best fence paints you can buy. Cover adjacent plants and grass with a plastic dust sheet to protect them from the cleaning detergent.Another element to consider is that, if you’re covering over a strong colour, this may also dictate whether another coat is required. Again, you’ll know once your fence has dried. Anything else to consider? A single fence panel should take you around 10-20 minutes to complete using this method, depending on how many edges you have to paint. Next, you need to clean your fence — especially if it's an older fence. Use a stiff hand brush or wire brush to remove any dirt and debris from the surface. If your fence has been stained or painted before, you might need a little extra prep. If stained, just clean, rub down and test the new stain on a small, out-of-the-way area to see how it looks and how well it goes on. If painted, scrape off any flakes with a decent paint scraper and give it a good rub down before painting.

If you have fence panels with large, flat areas, you can use a 9-inch roller to speed up the painting process. But for most panels, a 4-inch roller is perfectly adequate. Available in six natural wood colours, One Coat is formulated for use on new or previously stained rough sawn wood and can be applied using a brush or by spray. A five-litre tin is capable of covering six standard fence panels.Protecting wood for two years, One Coat goes on easily and is showerproof in as little as one hour (climate dependent), and as One Coat only requires, well, one coat, you can have the whole job done and dusted in next to no time, leaving you to go and do something far more interesting instead. Key specs – Finish: Smooth; Volume: 10 litres; Drying time: 3-4 hours; Coverage: 12-16m² per litre; Coats required: 2; Weather protection: 15 years; Available colours: 27 Key specs – Finish: Matt; Volume: 5 litres; Drying time: 5 hours; Coverage: 4m² per litre; Coats required: 1-2; Weather protection: 2 years; Available colours: 4 The best paint to use in this scenario is a specialist fence or exterior paint. There is also the option to choose from stain or paint, depending on what type of finish you want. Key specs – Finish: Matt; Volume: 5 litres; Drying time: 1 hour; Coverage: 6m² per litre; Coats required: 1; Weather protection: 2 years; Available colours: 6