Painting your Chain Link Fence

Painting your Chain Link Fence

By: Kurt Zier

If you own a chain link fence then you are already aware of the many benefits that come from having such a fence. Whether put around a yard, a ballpark, a school, or any other property, chain link fencing can protect your property and belongings while offering visibility that most other types of fences cannot offer. If your chain link fencing is looking a little bit shabby and old, you may want to paint it to give it a more vibrant, fresh look. Here is some helpful information about how to paint your chain link fencing.Before you paint your fence, you will need to have some basic tools like a paint brush, a roller brush, cardboard or plastic, and some old drop cloths. You typically shouldn\'t spray chain link fences with paint because it can be incredibly messy, but if you have helpers who can hold up large pieces of cardboard on the opposite side of the fence as you spray, and some plastic to cover the ground, then spraying your fence may be an easier option for you than hand-painting the entire thing. However, hand-painting your chain link fencing may not take as long as you think, and is usually pretty easy and simple to do.Most chain link fencing is made of galvanized steel and is silver in color, and you may choose to simply repaint it in silver so that it looks new again. Keep in mind that galvanized steel is susceptible to rust, so you should choose a paint that is made for galvanized fencing and is rust-inhibiting. If you purchase a silver aluminum flake paint for your chain link fencing, you have made a good choice because this type of paint typically covers very well, and only one coat is usually sufficient. This type of paint is also rust-inhibiting and is known for its excellent adhesion and durability for exterior uses. The overlapping of the aluminum in this type of paint is also very good at protecting the paint from weathering and damaging UV rays.If you want your chain link fencing to be a different color, such as brown, green, or black, then you can choose one of those colors as well. Green blends well into background grass and trees, but can be a hazard if people don\'t see it and run right into it. Black can make chain link fencing look more attractive and sophisticated, while brown can make your chain link fencing look more natural and welcoming.Before you begin painting your chain link fencing, make sure that you wire brush it carefully to remove any rust or grime that may be caked on the mesh. Next you can begin painting the fence with a roller brush using long strokes. A long roller cover will paint almost the entire surface, and you will only need the small paint brush for hard-to-reach places near the ground, or small areas where the roller brush missed. Make sure the ground is covered and protected from paint splatters and drips. Before long, your chain link fencing will look as good as new!

Repainting Wood Fence Posts

Repainting Wood Fence Posts

By: Kurt Zier

Sometimes you may have a wood fence that is painted and it wears over time, needing the fence and the wood fence posts to be repainted. Repainting wood fence posts is sometimes forgotten, as people are quick to get the rest of the fence done. Repainting wood fence posts is done the same as repainting the wood fence itself. There are a few easy steps to follow when repainting fence posts and you can also follow these same steps to do the entire fence.

Before doing the actual painting of the wood fence posts, there is some preparation that needs to be done. If the wood fence posts were previously painted and it has worn off or faded or flaked off, you will need to strip the posts of the old paint. This can be done using sandpaper, a paint scraper, or both. Sandpaper might take a little bit longer but will create a smoother work surface, and a scraper will get the job done quicker. You should think about your timeline and your own wood fence posts and decide which would be the better option for you. Whatever tool you choose, go ahead and start to strip the old paint from the fence posts and the wood fence. When you have all the old paint off, you can check for any loose nails, screws or staples on the posts and the rest of the fence. Perhaps there are some nails that are necessary to hold the fence together, and in that case, you should replace them before you paint the wood fence and wood fence posts. Check for any cracks in the wood and if you find some that are large enough to be an eyesore, you might want to fill them with wood filler. Check that there aren\'t any wood fence posts that have been destroyed by the weather or by termites or anything else, and if there is one that is beyond repair, you might need to replace it before moving on to the paint. When you are sure that the wood fence and wood fence posts are in good condition you can start to paint. Use a brush and go ahead and get a thick glob of paint on it and brush it on to the wood fence posts, starting with the open grain end and moving down to the front, side and eventually the back of the post. When you are done painting the wood fence posts, you can check each one and see if you would like to add a second coat of paint and maybe even a third to further protect them from getting worn out too soon.
It is important to keep your fence and your fence posts in top shape and if your fence is painted, you might need to repaint it every few years so that it looks really nice. It is not real hard to repaint a wood fence post and if you follow some simple instructions, you can get it done properly and quickly.