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Paint

6 min read

How to Paint a Fence

By: Karine Dutemple

Paint

6 min read

How to Paint a Fence

By: Karine Dutemple

PaintRenovation tipsHow to Paint a Fence

A fence protects the exterior of your home, and when well maintained, can add some serious curb appeal to any property. Since this structure is left outside day and night, it comes up against some severe conditions: snow, rain, sleet, heat, both freezing and melting water. Therefore, it's only natural that the paint on an outdoor fence should easily wear and fade.

Not only does paint look pretty but it serves a purpose, as proper staining and painting creates a barrier and prevents moisture from deteriorating the wood or material of the fence. With that in mind, look outside and see if the paint on your fence is due for an update. If you noticed that it does, then follow our step-by-step guide to giving your fence a brand-new coat!

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To Paint or To Stain a Fence?

Experts recommend painting your fence every 2-3 years. But the best way to check if your fence needs a fresh coat of paint is to look for beading. If water is soaking into the surface of your fence, this is a sign that it's time for an update. Take into consideration the region you live in. If it rains often, then it’s possible that you’ll need to update the coat of paint on your fence more often.

Also, there is some debate about whether painting or staining your fence will help to preserve its longevity. Painting is less expensive but may require more maintenance, as well as additional preparation. Staining will be costly, as more is needed to complete the job. However, a stain's longevity outweighs paint and keeps the natural look of wood present rather than covering it up.

Plan!

Before starting, plan for any required help in advance. If you have a large fence, it's great to request the service of a friend or family member. Plan a small budget to take care of any tools or materials that you require, including gloves and a face mask which should always be used when working with chemicals. Other materials might include sandpaper, a small roller, a 4-inch paint brush, a piece of cloth, a scraper or wire brush as well as a 1-inch brush or angled/cutting brush.

Now, choose the right paint for the job.  Use an outdoor paint on your fence. This type of paint has been treated to hold up against the effects of weather. However, there are still a variety of types to choose from, these include:

Acrylic: This type of paint is durable and provides an excellent layer of protection for your fence. However, if your surface is untreated, make sure to apply a primer before moving forward with painting.

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Acrylic Stains: Stains enhance the natural elements of wood and don’t require the primer coats that paints do. Stains require minimal surface prep and are easy to re-coat.

Enamels: If you are painting an iron fence, you should be working with enamel paint. Start by treating the surface with a rust-enhancing primer.

Automotive epoxy paint: This is a very durable paint which only requires 1-step to apply. However, a hardener will need to be mixed in with this type of paint, which shortens the length of the paint job, as you risk the paint drying before the application process is completed.

Fence Painting Preparation

Wooden fence_RenoQuotes.com

source: Max Pixel, Creative Commons -CC0

The preparation is a significant phase of painting a fence. You will want to keep all moisture away from the surface by trimming the grass and/or bushes before beginning to paint. Furthermore, this will help to protect the grass from the chemicals you’re using. Go one step further and spread a cloth or plastic sheet under the section of the fence you are painting. If possible, use a leaf blower to remove any dirt or grass clippings that have collected by the fence line.

Bring along a kit of basic fence repair tools, that way if your fence needs repair, you can get this out of the way before beginning to paint. Also, it is important to check your local forecast to make sure the weather is optimal for taking on a painting project. Keep in mind you will be outside for an extended period, and any poor weather conditions will greatly affect this project. Also, take into consideration the time it will take the paint to dry. If it's calling for rain later in the day or during the afternoon following, it's probably better to postpone painting your fence.

If the fence was previously treated, make sure to scrape away loose or flaking paint. If your fence is new, pressure wash or sand the wood. Check for any insect damage or signs of termites. Remove burs and splinters and create a surface that will be receptive to the application of new paint. This will help paint to adhere smoothly. If you’re working with an iron or metal fence, it is necessary to use a steel brush to remove rust, then, sand down the surface with a medium-grit sandpaper. If there are sections of the fence that you don’t want to paint, seal or tape these off.

Get Down to Business and Paint!

Depending on the size of your fence or the amount you intend on painting, your method of operation will vary. Work on the fence in small sections, about 5 boards at a time. If you paint too much at a time, you risk having dried lines or paint mounds, which must be scraped off. If you work in a small area, you'll be able to clean up any mistakes right away, aiding in a better result.

Start at the top of fence boards, working downwards on each individual board. A small brush might be required depending on the design of your fence. If you have something protecting the grass, you can paint right down to the bottom.

If your fence is particularly long, it might be in your best interest to use an industrial spray to complete the project. With the sprayer, aim lengthwise along the grain of the wood. Make sure to wear a respirator and spray downwards. Cover any plants in the area to protect them from the spray. Finish the job by doing minor touch-ups with a small brush.

If you are working with a wrought-iron fence, it is best to paint by hand to deal with its intricacies. Use a heavy coat of enamel or automotive epoxy paint to complete this job!

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Last modified 2022-12-19

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However, it's best to apply a product specially designed to ensure the durability of the wood. The varnishes currently available on the market include a wide range of finishes that highlight the beauty of your project while also adequately protecting it. For an impeccable finish, lightly sand the surface between each coat of varnish. Trick: Varnish is a little denser than paint. Apply thin coats of varnish to avoid bubbling, drippage, and streaks. Are you looking for experts for your paint project? Fill in our form to be connected with top-rated contractors! How to Paint or Stain Wood Patio Furniture Source: Canva Talk about the perfect weekend project! By following along with the steps detailed below, you’ll be able to benefit from your garden furniture for many years to come. Here’s how to go about it. Step 1: Prepare the surface Start by looking over all the surfaces. If there’s mould, clean it off with a part of bleach and a three-part water solution. Rinse and allow to dry. 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Here are some of the current trending colours. Whites for simple and tactful décors Whites give any interior a stylish touch while ensuring a lovely balance between the more colourful elements and the more textured materials. Opt for a Moonlight White if you want to create a cozy vibe in a room while also emphasizing your bright décor. As for White Clay, it’s the best shade of white you could use to create an elegant and bright room in your house. You can use it as your base colour, and add a few hints of gray for a unique and personalized look. Shades of beige for a coordinated look Beige is the perfect colour if you want to create a daring colour combo. Since it’s a neutral colour, it’ll balance and unify busy spaces. You can choose between various shades of beige: Cotton for a refined look; Everlasting for a traditional décor; Linen for a pleasant and calming ambience; Greige for a timeless look; A dark Castle In the Clouds beige for a unique and refined look; And lastly, Truffle if you want to create a more exotic look. Grey for a chic vibe Grey is perfect if you want to create a clean look. You can use it to transition from one colourful room to the next. Amongst the various shades of grey, one can choose between White Clay, which conveys an elegant and bright décor; Perley Grey if you dream of bright spaces with a modern touch; Stone Grey for a reassuring and comforting décor, etc. Pastels for a jovial and lively décor Pastel colours can add a touch of optimism and playfulness to any room. Choose a light colour like Millennium Pink for a warm and friendly space. If you're opting for a bold, radiant look, opt for a Sunshine yellow. Azure blue will definitely make your home look timeless. Tonics for a velvety ambience Pair pastels with shades of beige to create a luxurious look that's sure to leave a lasting impression. Choose a colour from an array of shades such as Galaxy blue, mysterious Evergreen, rich Truffle brown, and dark and mysterious black like Coal. Why choose Boomerang-brand recycled paint? Source: Canva The reason why Boomerang paint is so valued by consumers and professionals is due to its numerous advantages. It enhances air quality through low VOC emissions, making it ideal to paint nurseries and kids' bedrooms. Moreover, it's the most eco-friendly paint on the market. It can be used instead of latex paints that would otherwise seep into the ground and contaminate the phreatic zone. Aside from its environmental merits, Boomerang recycled paint boasts superior coverage over regular paint options due to its higher pigment content. Therefore, it requires fewer coats for complete coverage, unlike latex or oil-based paint. Also, it's very easy to apply, dries quickly, and tools used during the process can be cleaned with water. However, recycled paints don't solely have positive attributes. They also have a few drawbacks such as a very limited choice of colours and a faint gloss, which isn’t as easily cleaned. Examples of Interior/Exterior Paint & Pricing Source: Canva Choosing Boomerang paints will financially benefit you when it comes time to give your home a much-needed facelift. Paint cans cost half the price of brand-new, regular paint for basically the same benefits. For 3.78 L, a can of Boomerang paint costs about $15. This paint line is available in recycling and clearance centres, paint and home hardware stores, and construction material suppliers. Recycled acrylic latex paint: This is washable paint made with reclaimed quality paints. It’s made for interior use and has outstanding coverage. The 3.78 L-can costs $28.49. It’s available in Galaxy blue and is washable with soap and water. Velvet finish latex paint: Solely meant for interior use, this type of reclaimed paint has outstanding coverage. It emits very few VOCs and generates four times as few greenhouse gases compared to regular paints. Its 3.78 L-can format costs $28.49. Pearl finish interior/exterior acrylic latex paint: It’s a LOW-VOC-certified paint, which means its VOC levels are under 150 g/L. It can be used both indoors and outdoors, on flooring, decks, etc. It's available in a 3.78 L can and costs $28.49.

8 min read

SoumissionRenovation.ca 02 Mar 2023

What You Need to Know About Urethane Paint

Are you looking to cover your indoor or outdoor flooring with strong, durable paint? Urethane or polyurethane paint is exactly what you need. For your wood decking, concrete walkway, cement garage floor, or steel-framed pergola, this paint will get the job done, regardless of the weather. Here’s everything you need to know about this type of paint. The Definition of Urethane Paint Source: Canva Urethane paint gets its name from the urethane links found in binders by means of an oxygen-carbon-nitrogen-hydrogen chain. It’s created by the chemical reaction between a monomer molecule (urethane paint) or a polymer (polyurethane paint) bearing an isocyanate and an element with one or more additional hydrogen molecules. When you’re perusing urethane paint technical data sheets, manufacturers will specify whether the paint is an acrylic polyurethane converted into an aliphatic isocyanate. Wait, what does that even mean? What’s an isocyanate? An isocyanate’s an ion, meaning a group of atoms. This chemical substance is made up of “isocyanate functional groups,” which are ions grouped together around what chemists call “organic radicals,” which can be: Aromatic compounds; Aliphatic compounds (fats); Alicyclic compounds (non-aromatic fats). Here's a distinction based on the number of isocyanate functional groups: Monoisocyanates (single functional group); Diisocyanates (2 functional groups); Oligomers, homopolymers, polyisocyanates, etc. (more than 2 isocyanate functional groups). With urethane paint, the most used formula is that of an aliphatic compound mixture made of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) oligomers grouped together in two types of molecular structures: Biuret; Isocyanurate. Why’s that important to know? Because it’s exactly those isocyanates that are the leading cause of occupational asthma in Quebec. As such, you have to follow instructions when using this type of paint. Are you looking for experts for your paint project? Fill in our form to be connected with top-rated contractors! What are the characteristics of polyurethane paint? Source: Canva Urethane paint has very interesting characteristics. It can be applied to: Indoor and outdoor surfaces (pylons, tanks, etc.); Plywood; Solid wood; Steel; Galvanized steel; Concrete; Painted or stained floors (alkyd or latex). It also has exceptional properties, such as a drying time that can be limited to 2 hours between handling, as a result of a urethane accelerator. If the structure on which the paint is applied is meant for people, you can apply an anti-slip coating to the urethane paint if there isn’t one already. As we’ll delve into further when discussing the paint types, there are urethane paints that have anti-slip characteristics. You can even apply urethane paint to a rusty, steel surface. The only things you should consider are: Surface preparation; Making sure it isn’t damaged. 10 Advantages of this Paint Type Waterproof; Self-sealing; Impervious to concrete alkalinity; Withstands cracks and chips; Doesn’t require a primer; Adapts to material motions (e.g. wood, metal); Withstands UV rays and bad weather; Available in numerous colours; Doesn’t fade; Practically odourless. How to Apply Polyurethane Paint Source: Canva Some manufacturers mention it in their technical data sheet, others don’t, but note that freshly applied paints are fragile. Following the application, avoid walking on the painted surface for a few days. Doing so could damage the paint’s protective coating. Make sure the humidity level in the room in question isn’t too high (for indoor use), and that it’s well aired out if the painted surface happens to be wood. Most importantly, wait 30 days before cleaning the surface, otherwise, you risk wiping off the paint. Why is that? Because urethane paint takes 30 days to cure. Applying a thicker coat of paint won’t render the paint-coated surface more protected. It’s quite the opposite. A too-thick coat of paint will weaken the paint’s protective coating. Refer to the paint's technical data sheet to know the exact paint film thickness needed. If not specified, 3 to 5 mils (75 to 125 µm) will do. Urethane Paint Models Source: Canva We’ll highlight 3 paints: Sico acrylic latex paint; MP platinum acrylic urethane-fortified paint; Rust-Oleum urethane mastic. 1- Sico anti-slip acrylic latex paint Now this is the anti-slip polyurethane paint we mentioned earlier in the paint’s characteristics section. It’s perfect for decks, patios, and floors, and the Sico brand of polyurethane paint can be applied to both wood floors and concrete surfaces. This 30 oz (887 ml) can of paint can coat a surface area between 120 and 140 sq. ft., twice over. However, it can’t be applied year-round. It’s best applied in temperatures between 10°C (50°F) and 32°C (90°F). One final word of advice: Avoid treading on your floor for at least 24 hours. 2- MF 3500: Platinum urethane acrylic fortified paint MF urethane paint is made with 100% polyurethane acrylic resin that meets all the quality standards we’ve mentioned earlier regarding this type of paint. However, while it’s perfect to coat wood, concrete, fibreglass, plywood, and stained floors, it can’t be applied to metal. Also, pay close attention to the type of wood onto which you're applying the paint. Remember when we mentioned that urethane paints are self-sealing? Well, they're not when it comes to new wood surfaces that are likely to bleed, such as exotic wood, red cedar, or wood veneers and glued laminated wood. Just like all urethane paints, don’t apply it in temperatures below 10°C (50°F) or above 32°C (90°F). What about its weak selling points? Probably the fact that 3 finishing coats are needed to ensure durability. With 4 hours of drying time between finishing coats, that adds up to 12 hours total of drying time for light colours alone. Why light colours? Because with dark colours, you need to plan for 8 hours of drying time between each coat. After a 24-hour drying time has elapsed, you still might not be done yet. This paint isn’t typically anti-slip. This is why MF Paints strongly recommends that you apply an anti-slip coating, i.e. 2 additional coats. 3- Rust-Oleum urethane mastic Rust-Oleum markets a paint finish with a 2-year rust-proof guarantee. This guarantee isn’t contingent upon specific conditions, including the application of multiple coats, taking into account well-defined factors such as: Use at 25°C (77°F) and 50% relative humidity; Drying time at temperatures from 21-27°C (70-80°F); Relative humidity at 50% when drying. Not at all, because DTM 9800 System urethane paint works with just 1 coat. So one 106 oz (3.14 litres) can coats a surface area of 280 sq. ft. All the better, since its weak selling point is the same as that of MF 3500, except worse. The drying time between coats is 16 to 24 hours. This can be cut down to 4 or 5 hours by applying an accelerator. Why even consider multiple coats when a single one suffices? As highlighted by the manufacturer, professional painters apply 2 coats to surfaces stripped by means of abrasive blasting. This technique requires a tank sprayer. At this point, remember what we mentioned in our definition of urethane paint, notably the part about isocyanates and asthma: spraying without protection is harmful to your lungs, so leave it to the professionals. Back to its advantages, because there's more to it than that. This brand of urethane paint is available in 10 different colours: Aluminum; Blue; Silver; Navy gray; Yellow; Black; Red; Regal red; White; Beige. The only thing you need to know is that applying a grey or red primer will result in a better outcome. Unlike the previous paints described above, there's yet another major difference: Application temperatures are much higher. You can paint surfaces at temperatures between 5°C and 38°C (40°F and 100°F). In Quebec, to apply urethane paint worry-free, we recommend a good temperature variation. Urethane Paint Price Point Source: Canva The cost of urethane paint varies according to brand and model, rather than retailer. Check the model number or product code. At Patrick Morin's renovation centre, 100% acrylic and polyurethane latex paint by Sico retails for $28 for a 1-gallon (3.78-litre) can covering 140 sq. ft. The same retailer also sells a similar paint can, but with a different product code, this time priced at $66. So be careful. At Rona, the same can retails for $29. At Tenaquip, Rust-Oleum acrylic urethane floor paint costs around $78 for 1 gallon (3.78 litres) and covers 270 sq. ft. (25 m²). Bottom line: Know what you’re buying and compare the different characteristics of each can of urethane paint.


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