About three years ago we painted our old picket fence. Since then, it has peeled very badly and this spring there is alot of bare wood exposed. What is the best way to paint it so that it won't peel? I can't remember the kind of paint we used, but it was a washable paint.
Comment Guidelines
We welcome your feedback on Houseandhome.com. H&H reserves the right to remove any unsuitable personal remarks made about the bloggers, hosts, homeowners and/or guests we feature. Please keep your comments focused on decorating, design, cooking and other lifestyle topics. Adopt a tone you would be willing to use in person and do not make slanderous remarks or use denigrating language. If you see a comment that you believe violates any of the guidelines outlined above, please click “Alert a Moderator.” Thank you.
Rule #1: don't use paint
Paint will peel and bubble and make a mess usually especially on surfaces that get weather like fences do. If there's still some paint on it, get a jet sprayer nozzle for your hose (they don't cost much and the good ones (see Lee Valley tools) really get a good blast going. I Have found the ones on the multi spray nozzles don't work nearly as well as one just for jet spray) and get it all down to bare wood and then use a stain. You can get opaque stains so you can have the colour you want and it will look solid like paint does. The nice part about stains is they fade over time so prepping to add a new coat isn't a big deal like it is trying to repaint. Use a brush as that helps push the stain into the fibers. Only use a roller or sprayer if you want to be redoing it a little sooner.
I've used Sikkens stains and they seem pretty good (still holding) but last time I went with one made by Cloverdale and it's going into year 3 and holding nicely. In the past I used some inexpensive stuff and it would need redoing every year so it's not worth saving a few dollars when all that work is involved. Whatever you use, know things like fences need redoing every few years because weather is so hard on them.
If you are stuck using paint because there is a bunch of old stuff stuck on ask around at good paint stores because they will know which ones last better in your climate. Also you have to make absolute sure the wood is very dry when you do anything to it because wood with moisture in it just won't hold paint or stain as well and it will be coming off within a year. I think I was told 3 days dry at least which is hard to do when you get spring rain. There are also little meters you can get to measure the moisture.