Want to repaint fence - PLEASE HELP

JenniO

My fence was originally a dark brown (I think now it must have been a wood preserver stain like cuprinol). I then years ago decided to paint it with exterior gloss in white (because the dark brown looked, well, dark!)

Now I've got the white cracking all over the place leaving behind dark brown patches where the paint has fallen off. I know I'll have to wire brush it down but my question is:

If I wanted a lovely golden mustardy colour fence, what paint could I use on it now???? PLEASE HELP, I just don't have a clue what do buy now...and wanted to start on it this weekend.

thanks!!
Jen

WestonDave

The problem you will face is that the old dark brown was probably something like Creosote that soaked into the wood and is going to be very hard to cover over with something lighter.

I haven't done a test on all the fence paint available, but a while back I had to sort a wooden gate out pdq and bought some Wickes own brand fence preserver (comes in a white tub with a wire handle). I chose the dark brown because it matched the rest of our fencing but they do a golden colour. The reason I think this might work for you is that rather than being a stain it appears to be like a sort of paint on wax so it might have the covering power to cover over your brown. As its relatively cheap (compared to a brand like Cuprinol) it might be worth a test run somewhere inconspicuous.

Yes you are going to have to seriously brush it down otherwise the white will flake off taking the new paint with it.

andrew-b

We recently used Cuprinol ducksback in red cedar on our previously green fences. The fences sucked in far more paint than the coverage stated on the tub and it took a couple of coats to cover over the green but it looks good and i shouldn't have to paint it again for 5 years hopefully...though considering i was out propping up a swaying fence post at 8am with wooden stakes to stop it getting blown down i won't be surprised if i need to paint a new fence soon!

Andy

ormus

if using oil paint on a fence, you will have to do it properly ie rubbing down, undercoat and topcoat.
and its made more difficult if changing the color.
to be honest its more trouble than its worth.
i would stick to the normal water based fence paint, even if the color range is very limited.

prob ok to change within the browns/reds range etc.

squoog

Depending on how much white gloss is still on the fence, it may be worth trying (after really good preparation) an outdoor undercoat over everything then an outdoor gloss in chosen colour. How durable it is will depend on the type of surface you are covering, how smooth/rough and getting a good 'key' on the previously painted areas.

Keldin

You need to use microporous paint on external wood. Any other paint even if it is for external use will crack and peel off. External paint is UV stabilised amongst other things and can be used on walls etc but for wood you need a paint that breathes and allows moisture through. You mustn't use any other paint even waterbased. If you paint over the peeling paint whatever you put on top will also come off as it will be sticking to the flaking paint. You will need to strip off all the old paint.
It's a bit late to tell you but I've just been painting my fence with Profilan Opac which is one of the few microporous paints that I found. I have a neighbour who painted their fence 2 years ago with white gloss and they're redoing it again this year.
The normal fence paints are generally more of a stain than a paint.

K

nickj_2

try using bedec multi surface paint , if you can find it
it covers most surfaces inc creosote , it's water based , easy to apply
should be available from your local trade merchant

https://www.bedec.co.uk for further info