Exterior Maintenance · 7 min read · Beginner

How to Paint or Treat a Fence & Garden Shed

Prepare exterior timber, choose a compatible coating and get more even coverage on fence panels, sheds and other garden woodwork.

Key points & steps

Check the timber condition first. Replace or repair rotten, structurally unsound or badly split sections rather than relying on paint to hold them together.
Allow new or recently pressure-treated timber to reach the condition specified by the coating manufacturer before decorating; treatment moisture can interfere with adhesion.
Brush off dirt, loose fibres and old flaking coating, and clean algae or contamination with a method suitable for the wood and previous finish.
Protect nearby plants, paving, glazing and metalwork and avoid coating hardware or drainage gaps that need to remain free.
Stir the product thoroughly and apply the number of coats stated by the manufacturer, working along the grain and into end grain/joints where the product is intended to protect them.
On fence panels, work methodically so overlaps stay wet enough to blend and drips do not dry on the opposite face.
Respect minimum temperature, drying time and rain-free periods on the label. Exterior coatings can fail early if applied to wet timber or exposed to rain before curing.

Fence paint coverage can vary hugely with rough-sawn timber, which can absorb substantially more product than smooth planed wood.
Sprayers are fast but create overspray; only use them where the product allows spraying and neighbouring property can be protected.
Do not assume a decorative fence coating is suitable for decking or walking surfaces.