How to prepare and paint a wooden deck fence?

Question

Mine is white but looks like the old paint is falling. Many paintings guide mention siding, but I am not dure this applies to a wooden fance.

Answer 1

First of all, even treated decking lumber is subject to crazing, spliting etc. as well as a loss of the treatment used initially.
You probably should begin with a decent pressure washer to remove any loose paint, allow drying, then use a quality exterior finish. Your problem is one reason I don't advise painting decking or offer to. In essence however your situation is no different than painting a stockade fence.
I doubt you need to sand or scrape, and a high pressure wash removes a lot of sins. I use one every time I paint anything on an exterior surface.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

1st mistake was to use paint, whenever you've got new wood use a stain weather it be a solid or semi-transparent because when it's time to redo there is little prep just a good power wash to remove dirt and mildew. In your case sounds like a good scraping of loose paint and again the quick power wash, people make the big mistake as far as power washing to remove loose paint , 1 it blows the chips all over the place and 2 people want to try and remove as much as possible resulting in water saturated wood that takes forever to dry, power washing is for just what it says "Wash" to remove dirt and mildew. I'd still put a good water based solid stain on your fence, keep away from the paint. Good luck Les the painter

Answer 3

Prime it with another coat of white. Paint it the desired color, and then seal it with Thompson's Water Sealer so it doesn't chip and peel next time. Three steps, let them dry in between each step, and you're going to have something you're proud of.

Trilli