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Paint closeboard fence slats before it’s built?

I’m having a closeboard fence built and have a few days off work before it’s being put up. I was thinking of painting it before it’s built. 

I’m going to be painting both sides as I want the fence to last as long as possible, but it will be different colours as I’ve asked my neighbours what colour they’d like and they’ve chosen a different colour  to my side. 

I’m not very practical minded and often have a DIY type brainwave only for someone with common sense to point out why it’s not possible or a bad idea!
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Comments

  • EssexExile
    EssexExile Posts: 6,347 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Personally I wouldn't paint it, paint won't make it last longer, preservatives do that.
    Tall, dark & handsome. Well two out of three ain't bad.
  • Rdwill
    Rdwill Posts: 235 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 20 August 2021 pm31 7:46PM
    I’ve asked my neighbours what colour they’d like and they’ve chosen a different colour  to my side. 

    I wouldn't paint it and I definitely wouldn't paint it two different colours on either side.

    Which side is going to get the posts and rails?
  • Rdwill said:
    I’ve asked my neighbours what colour they’d like and they’ve chosen a different colour  to my side. 

    I wouldn't paint it and I definitely wouldn't paint it two different colours on either side.

    Which side is going to get the posts and rails?
    The post and rails are going on their side, the fence on the other side is painted grey my side and brown on the other side without any issues.

    Is there a reason you wouldn’t you paint different colours? I’m definitely painting it as I want it to match the other side and in any case I’ve bought the fence paint now! Just didn’t know if it was impractical/a stupid idea to paint it before it’s been assembled 
  • Rdwill
    Rdwill Posts: 235 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I think it will be very time consuming to carefully paint one side one colour and the other side another. 

    You won't be able to 'slap it on' as you would normally do when painting a fence.

    I don't think painting it will add any value.  And painting two colours could reduce the value if it is not done very carefully.

    But hey ho, you seem determined. Post a pic when it's done please.

    For the record, if I was going to do what you propose, I would paint the fence panels before I built the fence. 

    But the job will take an eternity  and I still think you're bonkers. 😀
  • Rdwill said:
    I think it will be very time consuming to carefully paint one side one colour and the other side another. 

    You won't be able to 'slap it on' as you would normally do when painting a fence.

    I don't think painting it will add any value.  And painting two colours could reduce the value if it is not done very carefully.

    But hey ho, you seem determined. Post a pic when it's done please.

    For the record, if I was going to do what you propose, I would paint the fence panels before I built the fence. 

    But the job will take an eternity  and I still think you're bonkers. 😀
    Sorry I should have made it clear, I only planned to paint my neighbours side before it goes up to avoid having to be in their garden and ‘against the clock’ to get it done in the set time while it’s being put up and I have access to their garden

    I’m not fussed about adding value, I just want my fence a certain colour to match the other side. I’m sure plenty of people have different colours each side of the fence - it was more about practicalities as it’s a closeboard fence with slats rather than panels which would be much easier to paint first 


  • DB1904
    DB1904 Posts: 1,240 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Rdwill said:
    I think it will be very time consuming to carefully paint one side one colour and the other side another. 

    You won't be able to 'slap it on' as you would normally do when painting a fence.

    I don't think painting it will add any value.  And painting two colours could reduce the value if it is not done very carefully.

    But hey ho, you seem determined. Post a pic when it's done please.

    For the record, if I was going to do what you propose, I would paint the fence panels before I built the fence. 

    But the job will take an eternity  and I still think you're bonkers. 😀
    Sorry I should have made it clear, I only planned to paint my neighbours side before it goes up to avoid having to be in their garden and ‘against the clock’ to get it done in the set time while it’s being put up and I have access to their garden

    I’m not fussed about adding value, I just want my fence a certain colour to match the other side. I’m sure plenty of people have different colours each side of the fence - it was more about practicalities as it’s a closeboard fence with slats rather than panels which would be much easier to paint first 


    Paint your side when it's up and leave the other side. Your neighbour is getting a free fence so save money and let them paint it.
  • Jeepers_Creepers
    Jeepers_Creepers Posts: 4,339 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 21 August 2021 am31 9:45AM
    Hi WiP.
    There's no good reason for you not to do this if you want to. I totally get wishing to sort out the neighbouring side in advance so as not to have to stand in someone else's land doing this!
    I had a similar situation a good 10 years ago when I put up a boundary fence. I offered to also paint my neighb's side thinking it was the nice thing to do - which it is, of course. I get on well with him - he's a bit of an eccentric - but it just felt weird standing in someone else's property painting their fence. Also, terrified of any drips landing on their newly-laid driveway. And, not a single word of 'thanks' - the guy seemed to expect it...
    Ain't done it since. :smile:
    Something to consider - you will (I'm pretty sure) need to paint one face and one edge of the neighb's colour on each slat, yes? And the opposite on t'other side.
    Once up, you can top-up the finish on your side using a pressure sprayer - used carefully. This will help cover and seal the nail heads and stuff.

  • Rdwill
    Rdwill Posts: 235 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 21 August 2021 am31 10:01AM
    Once the fence is erected there will be gaps, knot holes etc.

    When you paint your side of the built fence the neighbours side will look a  mess as paint will find it's way through, in my opinion.

    Pay very close attention to the top  that is also where you will get dribbles down the otherside.

    I bet you'll be round the neighbours side touching up the mess that is made.

    Then back round your side touching up and so on and so on.


  • Hi WiP.
    There's no good reason for you not to do this if you want to. I totally get wishing to sort out the neighbouring side in advance so as not to have to stand in someone else's land doing this!
    I had a similar situation a good 10 years ago when I put up a boundary fence. I offered to also paint my neighb's side thinking it was the nice thing to do - which it is, of course. I get on well with him - he's a bit of an eccentric - but it just felt weird standing in someone else's property painting their fence. Also, terrified of any drips landing on their newly-laid driveway. And, not a single word of 'thanks' - the guy seemed to expect it...
    Ain't done it since. :smile:
    Something to consider - you will (I'm pretty sure) need to paint one face and one edge of the neighb's colour on each slat, yes? And the opposite on t'other side.
    Once up, you can top-up the finish on your side using a pressure sprayer - used carefully. This will help cover and seal the nail heads and stuff.


    Yes, that's exactly it - my neighbours are lovely people and we get on  well but I'd just feel more comfortable not being stood in their garden for 2 days!

    I hadn't thought about needing to do one face and one edge, just looked at the fence the other side (which is closeboard) and I think you're right - this is the sort of thing I mean when I posed the question! That in itself would be tricky to do the edge part on a slat that's not fixed to anything. In that case I might paint just the 'face' of the slat and then top up and do the edge as the fance goes up so at least it should be a fairly quick job.
  • Rdwill said:
    Once the fence is erected there will be gaps, knot holes etc.

    When you paint your side of the built fence the neighbours side will look a  mess as paint will find it's way through, in my opinion.

    Pay very close attention to the top  that is also where you will get dribbles down the otherside.

    I bet you'll be round the neighbours side touching up the mess that is made.

    Then back round your side touching up and so on and so on.



    The fence on the other side of the garden is mine too - one side faces my garden and the other a public footpath. I painted my side grey and the other side brown (after the fence was put up as no access issues) and there's no issues with leakages/dribbles - there's no brown on the side in my garden and no grey on the public side.  I'm not a careful painter either, I think cack-handed would be a good word to describe me!
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