How do I paint a fence?

Make sure the wooden fence is clean and frost-free before you start treating the wood. Remove old layers of varnish and paint. Then apply two coats of an Osmo outdoor product of your choice. This is easiest with an Osmo Microvezelroller on smooth wood, or with an Osmo Kwast on rough-sawn wood. Apply the product thinly in the direction of the wood grain and brush it out well, so there are no lap marks on the surface. Let each coat dry for at least 12 hours.

Which paint should I use to paint a fence?

For an opaque finish, Osmo Landhuisverf is the right product. For a natural, transparent look, Osmo UV-Beschermingsolie is a good protective product. All Osmo Nederland products are based on natural oils, which provide long-lasting protection for the wood. The outdoor products protect the wood against UV radiation from the sun, so it grays less quickly. They also make the wood water-repellent, so rain cannot soak into the wood.

Can I paint a fence without sanding?

Yes, you can touch up a fence that has been treated with Osmo without sanding. New wood does not need to be sanded beforehand either. For wood that has been treated with another product or brand, it is always wise to test whether the Osmo finish adheres to the old coat. If it does not, the fence must be sanded first. If the test shows that the Osmo finish adheres to the existing finish, you can treat the whole fence without sanding. We sell test packs of all our outdoor products.

Can I paint pressure-treated wood?

Yes, pressure-treated wood can also be painted with Osmo. Impregnation alone often does not offer enough protection, so always treat the wood with Osmo for the right protection.

Do I need to paint both sides of the fence?

If you want both sides to be protected against all weather conditions, it is wise to do so. It is not strictly necessary, but the parts that are not treated may turn gray and will not be water-repellent.

Painting a fence

Osmo Landhuisverf is ideal if you want to give your fence a fresh, natural look while also getting long-lasting protection. This opaque paint protects the wood against the weather, while the wood texture stays visible for an authentic result.

Hand staining a green fence with a brush

What you need for this tutorial;

Video: painting a fence

Painting a fence is not a complicated job, and there are several ways to do it. Do you prefer an opaque coat or a transparent look? There are also many colors to choose from. Fence paint not only makes the fence look good, it also gives the wood optimal protection. Treating the fence makes the wood last longer, so you can enjoy it for longer.

Watch the video below for a handy step-by-step plan.

SCHUTTING VERVEN

Step-by-step plan for painting a fence

The step-by-step plan below gives you all the information you need to paint your fence yourself. The video also shows exactly how to apply UV-Beschermingsolie to your fence. So it is time to get started on your (old) fence. You do not need an experienced professional for this.

Stir the product thoroughly

Stir the product thoroughly for 2 minutes, because the oil and wax have separated by the time you open the can. Always do a test on the surface first to check that the result gives the effect you want.

Apply the first coat

Apply the first coat to the new or sanded wood with a flat brush or floor brush. For larger surfaces, you can also use a roller or block brush. Prevent drips from staining the ground by covering it with protective sheeting.

Correct mistakes

Mistakes made during application can be corrected on the wet surface for up to 15 minutes after application. Think of lap marks from a roller or bristles from a brush.

Let it dry thoroughly

The first coat takes about 10 to 12 hours to dry (at 23 °C and 50% relative humidity). At lower temperatures or higher humidity, drying takes longer. Always make sure there is good ventilation, and do not apply the product in bad weather or rain.

Apply the second coat

Apply a second coat for longer-lasting protection. Apply it in the same way as the first coat.

Let it dry thoroughly

Drying takes about 12 hours; see step 4.

Supplies for painting a fence

Color examples

Choose the look that suits your fence. Will you go for a transparent or an opaque fence color?

UV-Beschermingsolie

Landhuisverf

The solution for every fence

Painting a grayed fence
If your fence has turned gray, the graying must be removed first before you can protect the wood again. Osmo Power-Gel Houtontgrijzer is the perfect product for this. You can easily apply the gel to the wood with a brush. Let the Power-Gel work for 20 minutes, then scrub the grayed fence with a stiff brush. Then rinse the fence with water. Once the graying has been removed, you can paint the fence with the Osmo product of your choice.

Painting a hardwood fence
Both softwoods and hardwoods can be treated with Osmo's outdoor products, so every outdoor wood species can be given a protective coat. Fences made of hardwood can also be treated with either an opaque or a transparent product.

Painting a pressure-treated fence
Pressure-treated wood can be treated with Osmo without any problem. On pressure-treated wood, you can apply either UV-Beschermingsolie (transparent) or Landhuisverf (opaque). After treatment with Osmo, the pressure-treated wood lasts longer and can be given the look of your choice.

Buying guide: the best paint for your fence

There are several ways to paint wooden or hardwood fences. For a transparent finish, Osmo UV-Beschermingsolie is the right product. This oil is available in seven different colors. All variants have a UV protection factor of 12. This means that after treatment, the fence is protected 12 times better than without treatment.

Osmo Landhuisverf is the best product for giving your fence an opaque finish. With this treatment, you can still see the texture of the wood, but the grain disappears. This creates an opaque color while you can still tell it is a wooden fence. Landhuisverf also protects the wooden fence against UV radiation, water and dirt.

Would you rather stain your fence? Then discover more handy tips about staining fences in our knowledge center.

Osmo tip: painting a fence without sanding

Painting a fence without sanding sounds ideal, and with Osmo it is possible. New or untreated wood can be treated with the Osmo product of your choice. If the wood has turned gray, the graying can be removed. The best way to do this is with Power-Gel, so the wood does not need to be sanded. This product removes the gray color from the fence and brings back the natural color of the wood.

After treatment with Osmo, the fence no longer needs to be sanded. When the fence needs repainting, you can simply apply a new coat without removing the old one. It is advisable to clean the fence first, though. Remove algae and green growth before you start painting. Do you still choose to sand? Then make the fence dust-free with a soft brush after sanding.