Creating Safer Areas For Your Family

One of the reasons you may have selected ornamental fencing for your yard is due to the ability to easily paint the material and change its color. If you are planning to give your fence a new coat of paint, here are a few tips that will help you do it.

Cleaning

The best way to clean your ornamental fencing material is with a power washer. You can use a mild cleaning detergent to the water that will create an effective cleaning solution. Run the power washer over all surfaces of your fence since you want to remove dirt that is on the surface that will cause problems when painting. If you don't have a power washer, you can be just as effective by scrubbing down the surface with a sponge that has been dipped into soapy water.

Prepping

Is this the first time painting your ornamental fence? If not, it is a good idea to scrape off the old layer of paint on the surface. Removing the old paint will help ensure that the new paint doesn't come off as the old paint falls off. One way to remove the old paint is to scrub it down with a metal wire brush, which should cause those bubbled parts of the paint to come right off. The next step will be to use sandpaper to smooth out the rails of the fence. Fine- or medium-grit sandpaper will get the job done and help the surface feel smooth in the end.

You still need to do prep work if your fence is being painted for the first time. You'll need to remove any rust spots on the fence before you move forward with painting, which can be done with a wire brush and sandpaper.

Painting

Start by placing a tarp or drop cloth along your fence to protect nearby plants and grass that could get paint on them. Painting should be done by using a paint sprayer. Start by applying a coat of primer to help the paint stick to the surface, then follow it up with two layers of paint. The primer should have properties that help prevent rust formation on the surface. Just give the coat of primer plenty of time to dry before applying paint if you want it to be effective. The scrolled portions of the fence may need the help of a paintbrush to get into the small crevices of the design of the fence.

For more information on caring for your ornamental fencing, contact a company like Canyon  Fence Co.