Fence panels are a staple feature in front and back gardens up and down the UK. Painting them is a great way to transform their appearance or rejuvenate them and add some much-needed protection for the timber. This blog post will provide the necessary information for UK residents on painting concrete fence posts.

Preparing your fence panels

As with any paint job, preparation is the key. It's always worth an extra hour or two to prepare. Not only will it make your fences look better, but it will also ensure better paint coverage and a super-durable finish.

● Start using a stiff, hard brush to remove any loose debris, mud, moss, and cobwebs from the surface you intend to paint.

● Next, you'll want a good-quality cleaning solution to remove dirt and grime. Mix one part of Sugar Soap with ten parts of warm, soapy water before brushing the fence and posts.

● Once you've finished cleaning your panels, you'll need to leave them to dry for at least 3-4 days. The timbers must be dry before painting to ensure a long-lasting finish.

● If it starts to rain, it's best to cover your fence panels. Drape some polythene over them to keep them dry. Remove them when it stops raining to let the wind at them, which will help them dry quicker.

Sanding down

Now that the timber is clean and dry, you can give your fence a good, firm wire brushing. To start:

1. Follow that with a heavy sanding.

2. Once you've removed all the splinters and rough edges, change your sanding pads to a lighter grit and lightly sand all the surfaces.

3. Remember to wear your protective goggles and face mask.

The final step before painting is to do a weather check. You'll want the weather to be dry for at least a day with no moisture in the air, so you have time to paint sufficient coats on your fence and let them dry. In addition, you only want to apply the paint if the temperature is between 10°C and 35°C. So, late spring and summer are the best times in the UK.

Paint your fence

To paint on fence posts, apply the paint from the can with your brush directly onto the surfaces. Alternatively, you can use a roller. Pour a small amount of paint into your tray. Get a fair amount onto the roller, then apply it to the fence. This method is much quicker when painting larger areas, especially flat sections.