We’ve been on a wooden fence roll lately, discussing different types of wooden fences and why Fence Central wooden fences are sturdier and longer-lasting than prebuilt fences you’ll find at your local hardware store. If you’re still reading, perhaps you’ve settled on the style of fence you want and are ready to prime and paint. Priming and painting your wooden fence can help to protect it against the elements and prolong its life. Priming seals the wood and will make painting easier.
For most types of wood, including pine, an acrylic or latex primer will work well. If you have a red wood fence such as cedar or Douglas fir, you’ll need an oil or alkyd-based primer. Without an oil or alkyd-based primer, red particles from the wood may bleed up through the primer and into the paint, muddying the final color of your paint.
For any primer, check that it contains zinc oxide and mildewcide. Mildewcide will eradicate any mildew spores that are present in the wood and zinc oxide helps stop new mildew from taking hold. This is especially important in Florida as the warm, moist climate helps mildew flourish.
Primer has other features that you may want to pay attention to, depending on your individual concerns and budget restrictions. Some primer have low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC), such as benzene and formaldehyde. Also, if you’ve already purchased your paint pay attention to which type of paint it is and match your primer to it. Some primers don’t work well with high gloss paints, for example.
