Ugh!!

[balsum fractus]

We've been here 17 years, and for the last 10, the fence needs re-painting. I've been putting it off, and putting it off....at the end of last summer, I had run out of excuses, and it HAD to be done this summer. After finishing landscaping the backyard (another 10 year project..) and even putting in a small vegetable garden...time was up! I rented a pressure washer yesterday, and bought some fence paint. It was amazing how good a job those commercial grade pressure washers do, compared to the electric water pistol that I had! At the cost of sore arms and shoulders, that got done!
Today was "start painting day"....I had recruited help from within the household, and everyone had their own brush. We were going to hit the ground running this morning.....

Of course, an un-forecasted thunder storm rolled through over night, and everything was soaked this morning. We are supposed to get another one tonight. Nothing like dragging out the agony!!

I got a tiny bit done in a sun drenched area, and gotta say, it looks a heckuva lot better...I'd like to get this over and done with, but have to wait for some more sunny weather........

[Onepoint]

Murphys law.  Kind of like we have had no measurable rain for weeks, until I had raked hay the day before yesterday an then finally a thunderstorm made it over us..  Today I try rake it back into rows and maybe bale it up before another round of them come in the next few days.

[stetto]

Having been a painter and paint contractor for 30 years, I'm curious what product you're using. Powerwashing: Very good, removes age-old tannins (acid) that will spit most non-industrial coatings right off your work.

A prime coat is also a good idea--There is NO such thing as "primer's in the paint". My favorite was always a PPG product called SealGrip. It's latex and sticks like skidmarks on Superman's undapants...

A note about cost: With paint, you DO get what you pay for.

Oh, and if you rent a small airless sprayer you cut the work by 9/10. Even the Wagners would suffice on a picket fence. That way you get two coats in a morning that would be two days with a brush, depending on the fence....You'd have to be aware of wind with a sprayer if you're in a close-built neighborhood...

Have fun! I personally haven't picked up a brush to paint with in around five years, but I bet old school is still best school...

[balsum fractus]

Using Behr stain.....it is going on pretty nicely....

I only need it to look good for a couple of years, then we will be downsizing. Thanks for the tips!

[stetto]

Obviously stain don't want no stinkin' primer...Though Behr's not my favorite brand they make a comperative high-end latex wood stain to Sher-Billie and Benny Moore.

...Just stay away from Cabot's. I've lost money using Cabot's.

[balsum fractus]

Got about 3/4 of it done today with help from the gals.......my hat is off to anyone doing this for a living......there are hundreds of things I would much rather do!

[balsum fractus]

YAY.......it's finished!!!  2 days, 5 gallons, and a few sore muscles later......my gals did an excellent job helping out. Now we shoul be good for another 10 or 25 years.......😄