Painting fences and shed

[YoHoHoandabottleofWine]

Could anyone share any advice about painting fences and shed? Eg what to use or not use to last/ have a good finish, are the spray paints really any good?

Got a LOT of fences and a shed, oh and a climbing frame, all ought to be painted before the summer is over. None have been painted before (fences a year or 2 old, shed went up this spring).

Thanks

I wouldn't recommend using paint.

Shed and Fence stains leave a coloured waxy film that helps reduce water penetration, and look decorative. You buy them in 5-litre tubs. Stir well and use a big brush. For the climbing frame, I'd use a decking treatment as it is more durable. If you throw water on a recently-stained shed, you'll find the water rolls off in beads.

Some stains are not suitable for planed smooth timber, but will stick to rough-sawn or weathered timber. Read the label. They are pretty easy to re-coat without needing sanding, undercoats or primers. The garish colours will lose their novelty. Preferably recoat after a few years when the gloss has gone but the surface is not yet eroded. If you need to, for example if you have painted your fence blue, you can blast the coating off with a jet-washer.