by sladetanner on April 1, 2010
There are a number of good on line sources and home centers where one can browse a selection of fence panels in redwood, cedar and vinyl. The fencing is available in 6” wide, 8” wide and 12” wide individual pieces, and in 48” wide panels that will install easily on rails between fence posts.
Redwood and cedar pieces are found in 6’ lengths and some are manufactured with dog-ear clips at one end to give the top of the fence a classic garden appearance. Vinyl pieces are available with a radius top for an east-coast architecture concept that’s typical of white fencing.
The redwood pre-fabricated panels are made with 2”x4” frames that attach to the fence posts, and they are manufactured in rectangular configuration with a flat, uniform top rail. Vinyl panels are prefabricated with 2”x4” rails and are also configured with a flat, uniform top rail.
Determining the amount of fencing in pieces or in panels can be done by measuring the run, or length of fencing and multiplying this by the height of a standard fence, which is 72” or six feet. This will give the square footage of the fence, which is important when calculating the amount of sealer or paint that will be needed for raw wood fencing. The vinyl fencing does not require paint and can be washed when dust and debris collect on the panels.
Of course when painting both sides of a raw wood fence the square footage must be doubled to determine the total coverage area. Most wood sealer and exterior wood paints will cover approximately 80 square feet per gallon. A five-gallon bucket of sealer should cover approximately 400 square feet of fencing, or both sides of a section that is 6’ high and approximately 33 feet long. The ideal covering system for redwood or cedar fencing is one coat of penetrating wood sealer and two coats of exterior grade paint. Each coat should be allowed to dry completely before applying the next coat. If one is repainting an existing fence, the fence should be washed free of dust and debris and allowed to dry before painting.
Maintaining a fence in proper order is necessary to prolong the life of the fence and avoid costly replacement or repairs. A fence can be maintained by cleaning and sealing at least once a year. Clear sealer can be applied over the existing paint, or blended with paint to brighten up the entire fence.
by sladetanner on March 31, 2010
There are a number of methods for painting fence panels, whether one is painting newly purchased wood fencing or an existing fence. The entire process is no different than any other painting job, in that it begins with the prep work and concludes with the final coat of finished paint.
When painting raw lumber it is necessary to seal the wood prior to applying any paint. This will ensure the paint adheres to the wood, and it also saves on the amount of paint needed to obtain full coverage. For an existing fence, the panels and posts will need to be cleaned free of dust and debris in order to allow the paint to fully bond. Cleaning an existing fence can be done with a power washing system or with a garden hose and a wire brush.
The next step is to fill any unsightly pits or cracks in the new or existing fencing in order to obtain a uniform finish. This can be accomplished using a flexible plastic putty knife and wood Bondo. The plastic knife will conform to the texture of the wood and leave a more natural appearance than a metal putty knife. Once the fencing has been cleaned and filled, a water-based primer is applied to all surfaces. Under normal circumstances primer will dry completely in a few hours, and then an all weather finish coat can be applied.
The easiest method of applying primer and paint is with the use of an airless paint sprayer. The high-pressure spray nozzle forces paint into the crevices between the fencing and rails, and all but eliminates the need for any hand brush work.
Raw fencing pieces can be spread on sawhorses or a drop cloth and the primer can sprayed or applied with a roller. The edges of the pieces can be touched up with using a medium bristle brush. A good tip when rolling primer or paint, is to use them directly from a 5-gallon bucket rather than pouring into a rolling pan. This saves time and eliminates drips, and the bucket can be easily moved around by using the handle.
In addition, keeping the bucket close to the work will save time and steps. The idea is to roll a 3’ or 4’ section of fence, then move the bucket and repeat the process. It’s actually surprising how quickly one can move along a line of fencing by employing this technique. Any final detail touch up can be done using a brush and paint from a smaller bucket. When painting in this manner, it’s not necessary to wipe the brush after dipping it into the paint. Simply give it a light slap on each side of the inside the bucket, and this will ensure a full bristle of paint, which goes a lot further.
