Fence rejuvenation by spray painting

[Jason]

It is quick and easy to give your fence a makeover using a spray paint gun.

• The project
• Before and after
• Tips for painting your fence using a spray gun
• How to spray paint a fence
• Other paint spray gun projects

The project

I sprayed our backyard fence using the Dulux RapidFinish spray gun. We had some old sections of fence which didn't look great, especially near new boards. The spray gun was very quick and easy to use and the fence looks terrific.

We have an empty block on one side of our house so I was able to have a look to see if there was any paint that might have come through to the other side of the fence. There was no evidence that the other side had been painted at all. 

Most people go for Monument or Domino, but we decided on Dulux Ironstone. It was initially a little bluer than we were expecting, although as it has aged it is now more grey, which is what we wanted. It's holding up well four years on. It's faded a little in the hot sun but I don't think we'll need to repaint for a few years. 

Before and after

 

Tips for painting your fence using a spray gun

• You'll need to clean the palings before painting to remove any dirt, dust and cobwebs. I just did it by hand with a small brush. 

• Priming is usually advised before painting most surfaces, as it creates a layer that paint can better adhere to. It can often save you time and money, and help ensure a better finish. In the case of painting wood, primer can help fill in the grain and create a smooth surface for the subsequent coats.

• Remember that you'll want to choose a paint that is suitable for a spray gun. I used Dulux RapidFinish which doesn't need to be diluted and was self-priming so very convenient. Double check with a paint specialist at your local store first.

• You'll need to cover surfaces you don't want to get paint on, like brickwork for example. Although the gun is reasonably accurate there will be splatter, so preparation is important. I spent a lot of time taping up newspaper on the timber boards to cover them. But every time the wind blew through the boards the newspaper would lift off – the gentle paint tape I was using wasn't really strong enough, but I didn't want to use anything that might damage the boards. I found it was easier just to tape a couple of lines, cut in with a brush and use a large piece of cardboard to shield the boards whenever I had to spray near them.  

• As with any sprayer, they require you to follow instructions on cleanup after use. The most common issue is clogged paint in the nozzle and feed line. It really is a quick cleanup procedure compared to brushes or rollers.

 

How to spray paint a fence

Spray painting is a fast and efficient way to update the look of your front or back yard. The Bunnings team has shared step-by-step advice for how to transform your fence.

Other paint spray gun projects

Spray painting their fence saved Bunnings Workshop member KingStreetReno "hours and hours of paint time" and there wasn't a huge mess to clean up in their courtyard afterwards. The finish has earned lots of admirers in the Workshop community. 

Resident Bunnings D.I.Y. expert Mitchell used the same paint spray gun with Dulux Aquanamel on a kitchen storage unit and was "pleasantly surprised with the smoothness of coats". You can see the results in How to build a slimline spice rack.