Shelley’s choice: PAINTED FENCE

Smarten up your plot and shield your garden fences with a protective coat of paint to give them a new lease of life

- STEPHANIE DURRANT

Painting the garden fence can be the instant makeover your garden is crying out for – and it doesn’t cost the earth. Unsure how to paint a fence? Don’t worry, we have all the know-how you need to tackle this satisfying job. Set aside a day to get the task done, although another pair of hands will make it go quicker!

Choose the right day

This is key, thanks to unpredictable British weather. The wood has to be dry, so tackle the job when no rain is forecast for a few days. Avoid very hot days though, as the sun will dry out the paint before it’s had time to penetrate the wood properly.

Prepare the surface

Use a stiff brush to remove dirt and flaky bits. Scrub away any algae with a diluted general purpose cleaner and let it dry. Replace any rotten sections and repair small areas of damage with exterior wood filler (sand flush with the wood when dry).

Protect the area