Can I renovate garden fence?

lawtz04

Hi guys

We've just moved into a rented property and around the front of the property's small area to the front door is a perimeter fence (approx 6/7 metres in total).

It is wooden and a bit rotten in places and I thought it would be nice to renovate it a little if possible but im not sure where to start.

It is a bit dampy so I guess I will have to wait for it to dry out totally before attempted any work (and there is a bit of moss on it in places).

Is this a lost cause or can i rescue it and make it shiney again!?

PS - given its a rented property I dont want to spend much!

Thanks
S

ormus

a photo would help us all.

Jonesya

Have you checked with the landlord? He may not want the fence renovating, alternatively he may even be willing to pay to have someone renovate/replace it?

lawtz04

Thanks for the replies ill try to get a photo up. The landlords been good so i dont mind doing it! Would i need to rub it down and undercoat? Im useless at diy!!

DVardysShadow

lawtz04 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies ill try to get a photo up. The landlords been good so i dont mind doing it! Would i need to rub it down and undercoat? Im useless at diy!!

Then leave well alone. It would be best, I think.

lawtz04

Thank DV for the honesty! I just thought if it was a case of sand it a bit, undercoat and then some kind of outdoor wood paint I could do that!

birkee

lawtz04 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies ill try to get a photo up. The landlords been good so i dont mind doing it! Would i need to rub it down and undercoat? Im useless at diy!!

Not many fences use 'undercoat'.... has it been painted with gloss paint?
Most fences are just painted with a modern creosote substitute, and are in the 'rough", so don't need rubbing down etc.
"Rubbing down" a fence? One panel and you will have had enough. Don't do it right, and you will have wasted your time, because the paint will have come off again by next year.

lawtz04

Thanks Birkee! I just didn't want to paint over the think layer of green moss/algi type stuff thats settled in places. No undercoat sounds ideal. I dont its ever been painted before looking at it! So perhaps if I just try to scrap off the green bits and use a product from bnq for outdoor fences? I just wanted it to look nice to come home too!

birkee

Rub the moss / algi down with a wire brush, to remove the bulk first.
If need be, afterwards, use a mosskiller, and allow to dry. Paint with selected fence treatment.
(sounds like a very damp area, where the sun doesn't get on the fence. It will always have a problem.)