How do I paint a wooden fence so the paint lasts?

Fence paint fails early when it goes onto dirty, damp, or bare wood. The paint itself matters less than the preparation. Two thin coats over a primed, dry fence will outlast one thick coat every time.

How to do it, step by step

1. Clean the fence: scrub with a stiff brush and water to remove dirt, cobwebs, and loose paint. Rinse and let it dry for 24–48 hours. Painting damp wood traps moisture under the paint.
2. Sand the rough spots and any flaking paint until the surface feels even. Wipe off the dust.
3. Repair or replace rotten boards before painting — paint does not save rotten wood.
4. Apply one coat of exterior primer, especially on bare wood and knots. Let it dry fully, following the time on the can.
5. Apply the first thin coat of exterior paint or stain, working in the direction of the grain. Do not paint in direct sun or right before rain.
6. Let the first coat dry, then apply a second thin coat. Two thin coats flex with the wood and resist peeling.

Stop and call a professional if…

• The wood is soft, crumbling, or rotten — stop and replace the boards. Paint over rot only hides the problem.
• Rain is coming within the drying time on the can — wait for a dry window of at least 24 hours.
• You feel dizzy or get paint in your eyes — stop, get fresh air, rinse eyes with water, and get help if it does not pass.

Tip: paint the tops and bottoms of boards too — water gets in through unpainted edges first.

Kako ofarbati drvenu ogradu da boja dugo drži?

Boja na ogradi rano propada kad ide na prljavo, vlažno ili golo drvo. Sama boja manje je važna od pripreme. Dva tanka sloja preko grundiranog, suhog drva trajat će dulje od jednog debelog — svaki put.

Kako redom

1. Očistite ogradu: izribajte čvrstom četkom i vodom da uklonite prljavštinu, paučinu i ljuštenu boju. Isperite i pustite da se suši 24–48 sati. Farbanje vlažnog drva zarobljava vlagu ispod boje.
2. Pobrusite grube dijelove i ljuštenu boju dok površina ne postane ravna. Obrišite prašinu.
3. Popravite ili zamijenite trule daske prije farbanja — boja ne spašava trulo drvo.
4. Nanesite jedan sloj primera za vanjsku upotrebu, posebno na golo drvo i čvorove. Pustite da se potpuno osuši, prema vremenu na kantici.
5. Nanesite prvi tanki sloj boje ili lazure za van, u smjeru vlakana drva. Ne farbajte na izravnom suncu ni neposredno pred kišu.
6. Pustite prvi sloj da se osuši, pa nanesite drugi tanki sloj. Dva tanka sloja prate drvo i odolijevaju ljuštenju.

Stanite i zovite stručnjaka ako…

• Drvo je mekano, mrvi se ili je trulo — stanite i zamijenite daske. Boja preko truleži samo skriva problem.
• Kiša stiže unutar vremena sušenja s kantice — pričekajte suho razdoblje od najmanje 24 sata.
• Zavrti vam se ili vam boja uđe u oči — stanite, izađite na svjež zrak, isperite oči vodom i potražite pomoć ako ne prođe.

Savjet: ofarbajte i vrhove i dno dasaka — voda prvo ulazi kroz neofarbane rubove.

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