Painting a wooden fence helps preserve the wood and makes your home’s exterior look more attractive. Whether the wood fence is new, faded over time, or you just want to change the color, the Real Milk Paint Co. offers solutions for how to paint a wood fence that includes milk paints in a wide range of colors to suit almost every decorating style from lodge and country to farmhouse and cottage.
Unlike oil-based paint or acrylic paint, Real Milk Paint requires no primer when you use it on raw wood for easy use on any DIY project, and the water-based formula uses nontoxic ingredients with low odors for a pleasant painting experience.
What to Consider When Painting a Wood Fence
When deciding how to paint a wooden fence, consider a few important things before you commit to a plan. First, figure out how long you want the paint to last. For instance, Real Milk Paint sticks well to bare wood, so removing old fence paint or stain can make your new fence paint job last longer.
Second, pay attention to the wood grain, as working with wood’s natural texture can improve paint adhesion and create a smoother finish.
Also, measure the area of the wood fence you wish to paint so you can stock up on the paint and supplies you need for the task.
Additionally, set aside some time for repairs if any portion of your wood fence requires a fix before you start painting, and be sure to clear away all the grass and weeds and protect areas you don’t wish to paint by taping down plastic drop cloths.
Lastly, set aside ample time to complete the wood fence painting job. It helps to plan painting a wood fence when you see clear weather ahead for a few days to better help your paint job cure before bad weather strikes.
How to Choose the Right Paint for Your Fence
Selecting the best paint for your wood fence depends on your goals, budget, and environmental concerns. Here are factors to consider:
- Durability: Choose paints designed for outdoor use. Real Milk Paint’s nontoxic, eco-friendly formula is excellent for raw wood surfaces.
- Eco-Friendliness: Avoid harsh chemicals. Milk paint offers a natural, biodegradable solution.
- Coverage Needs: Estimate the square footage of your wood fence to determine how much paint you’ll need. Milk paint powder lets you mix exactly what you need.
- Weather Resistance: Use additives like Real Milk Paint’s Outdoor Additive for improved protection against mold, mildew, and weather damage.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Paint a Wooden Fence with Real Milk Paint
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before you start painting your wood fence, ensure you have everything you need:
- Real Milk Paint powder in your chosen color.
- Outdoor Additive (optional, for added mold resistance and knot bleedthrough blocking).
- Anti-Foaming Agent (optional, for smoother mixing).
- Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) for cleaning. (or try EMERGE, which is premixed for quick cleaning action.)
- Oxalic Wood Bleach for stain removal.
- Real Wood Filler for repairs.
- Brushes, rollers, or a sprayer.
- Drop cloths or tarps, painter’s tape, and a paint scraper.
Step 2: Prepare the Area
- Clear the Space: Remove any objects or plants near the wood fence to provide a clean work area.
- Protect Surroundings: Use tarps or plastic drop cloths to cover areas you don’t want to paint, such as nearby vegetation, patios, or walkways. Tape the drop cloths securely in place.
Step 3: Prep the Fence
- Remove Old Paint:
- Use a paint scraper to remove loose or flaking paint.
- For stubborn old fence paint, apply Milk Paint Remover or Soy Gel Professional Paint Remover. Let the product sit until the old paint bubbles, then wipe it away with a putty knife.
- Clean the Surface:
- Mix Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) with water as directed and scrub the fence thoroughly to remove dirt and grime.
- Rinse with clean water and allow it to dry before applying a fresh coat.
- Remove Iron Stains:
- Treat iron or rust stains with Oxalic Wood Bleach and rinse thoroughly.
- Repair Damage:
- Use Real Wood Filler to fill in cracks, dents, or divots. Smooth the filler with a putty knife and let it dry before lightly sanding for an even surface.
- Check for Moisture: Ensure the wood is completely dry before painting.
Step 4: Mix Your Real Milk Paint
- Prepare the Fence Paint:
- Mix Real Milk Paint powder with water at a 1:1 ratio (e.g., one cup of powder to one cup of water).
- Stir or shake the mixture thoroughly until it reaches a smooth consistency. Allow it to sit for a few minutes for the foam to dissipate.
- Optional Additives:
- Add Anti-Foaming Agent if you need the paint ready immediately after mixing.
- For outdoor durability, mix in the Outdoor Additive to prevent mold, mildew, and stain bleeding.
Step 5: Choose Your Application Method
You can apply milk paint using brushes, rollers, or sprayers. Each method has its benefits:
- Brushes: Great for precision and reaching tight corners or edges of fence posts.
- Rollers: Ideal for covering large, flat surfaces quickly.
- Sprayers: a paint sprayer is perfect for achieving a smooth, even coat on textured or large areas, but be cautious of overspray.
Step 6: Paint the Fence
- First Coat:
- Start at one end of the wood fence and work methodically, applying paint in smooth, even strokes.
- Use a brush or small roller for corners and hard-to-reach areas.
- Allow the first coat to dry completely.
- Second Coat:
- Once the first coat is dry, apply a second coat for even coverage and color depth.
- Check for areas that may need touch-ups.
Step 7: Seal Your Paint
- Use Outdoor Defense Oil to seal the paint and protect it from weather damage. Apply with a brush, roller, or rag, ensuring the oil soaks into the surface.
- Let the sealant dry fully before exposing the fence to outdoor elements.
Step 8: Clean Up
- Wash brushes, rollers, and other tools with warm, soapy water.
- Properly dispose of paint waste and safely store any leftover milk paint for future use.
Real Milk Paint Additives
If you don’t have time to wait for Real Milk Paint to settle after you mix it, add our Anti-Foaming Agent. This additive breaks surface tension, which can help brighter pigments mix better for even application.
Since you’re painting outdoors, using Outdoor Additive with Real Milk Paint can help it keep knots and other stains from bleeding through your fresh paint job. This additive also helps protect against mold and mildew for added peace of mind.
In order to ensure your wood fence stays in excellent condition for years to come it’s best to finish the freshly painted fence. Milk Paint if left unsealed will slowly wear and fade from the surface. By sealing the paint with an oil finish, like Outdoor Defense Oil, it protects the paint from wearing away.
Say goodbye to blisters, chipped paint and cracking or peeling paint as this finish can take on the ravages of the weather. It’s worth noting that the milk paint will change color with an oil finish. So, doing some color tests beforehand is recommended.
Painting with Brushes
Painting a wooden fence with a paintbrush is usually a pretty straightforward job. Start with a wide paint brush that provides smooth, even coats like chip brushes by the Real Milk Paint Company.
These brushes come in various sizes, giving you the tools necessary to cover broad swaths of panels and get into tight nooks and crannies with the colors you select. Keep in mind that natural bristle brushes leave behind brushstrokes but foam brushes don’t when deciding the look you wish to give your wood fence painting project.
Once you’re ready to paint a fence, just dip your paint brush into the mixed Real Milk Paint and begin applying it with broad, even strokes until it’s all covered. Let it dry a bit, then coat it again until you get the depth of color you desire.
Painting with Rollers
Painting a wooden fence with foam rollers speeds up the task but doesn’t offer the precision of brushes. Simply pour some paint in a pan designed to load up your paint roller, then apply the paint to the fence in smooth rolling vertical strokes and motions.
Smaller roller sizes can fit into hard-to-reach areas, but you probably also need foam or chip brushes to ensure you adequately cover the entire surface. Once you complete the task, allow the wet fence to dry completely, then add a second coat as needed.
Painting with Paint Sprayer
When painting a wooden fence with a paint sprayer, you may need to experiment with consistency to get the perfect flow. Sprayers transform your mixed Real Milk Paint into an aerosol that can quickly coat surfaces with thick, even color.
One drawback of spray painting a wood fence, however, is overspray. Be sure to protect surfaces surrounding and behind your fence before using a paint sprayer so you don’t end up with unwanted color.
However, Real Milk Paint is 100% natural and will biodegrade if it does get on any plant life. Paint jobs with sprayers usually look good after a single coat, but you may want to add another, depending on your preferences before letting it completely dry.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Painting a Wood Fence
Save time and effort by sidestepping these common pitfalls:
- Skipping Prep Work: Proper cleaning and surface preparation ensure the paint adheres well.
- Using the Wrong Paint: Oil-based or acrylic paints often require primers and don’t offer the same eco-friendly benefits as milk paint.
- Ignoring the Weather Forecast: Painting in humid or rainy conditions can compromise drying and adhesion.
- Not Sealing the Paint: Failing to seal with a product like Outdoor Defense Oil can lead to premature fading or peeling.
Paint a Wood Fence With Real Milk Paint
Knowing how to paint a wooden fence with Real Milk Paint can help you improve the look of your home with just a little bit of effort. Whether you use rollers, paint brushes or paint sprayers to get the job done, these time-tested colors by the Real Milk Paint Co. comes in many decorator shades and stays put on wood for beautiful endurance and performance. Shop now.
FAQs About Painting a Wood Fence
Here are some commonly asked questions to address potential concerns when wood fence painting:
