Tips To Ease The Stress Of A Big Fence Painting Job

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Remember that classic Mark Twain tale, when young Tom Sawyer convinced his friends that painting a fence was the most fun one could possibly have? While that tactic might work in classic novels, it's far less likely to motivate your friends, who probably realize that spending all day painting is about as much fun as, well, watching paint dry. Nevertheless, there are a myriad of reasons why painting a fence is a good idea, from combating the elements to enhancing curb appeal. There are some circumstances when you should definitely hire a professional to paint your fence. But according to Van Sureja, owner and president of Liberty Painting, some popular DIY tips like spreading paint with a sponge and sitting in a chair while you tackle the task can drastically ease the stress of a big job. 

We've noticed a lot of content creators sharing tips on how to make big fence painting jobs easier, but some of them seem less than practical. To figure out which hacks are worth a try and which ones you should skip, House Digest discussed several DIY strategies with Sureja during an exclusive interview. Painting one fence panel per day was one commonly recommended tactic, but the expert said it's not the best approach. "While it's tempting to tackle painting a big fence in more manageable chunks, I wouldn't recommend it," he said. "Painting the whole fence at once is the best way to ensure even coverage and consistent strokes. Plus, weather is a major consideration for outdoor painting, so you'll want to make sure you don't spread out the job across days with differing weather conditions!"

By the time you've figured out the best colors to paint your fence and waited for the perfect weather to do it, it's easy for your arms, legs, and back to tire out after bending and stretching for hours during a big job. A popular hack we've seen for this issue is to sit on a gardening stool or in a chair while painting lower sections of a fence to avoid the strain of kneeling and bending. During his exclusive interview with House Digest, Van Sureja said he thinks it's a great idea. 

"Your safety and well-being should always be your top priority," he told us. "If sitting in a chair makes the job more manageable for you, go for it!" The expert suggested making sure the chair is positioned on even ground to avoid tipping over while coating those hard-to-reach spots. Any sturdy weatherproof chair will do the trick. But if you have a lot of ground to cover, consider investing in a rolling seat like the Goplus 360 Degree Swivel Seat Garden Cart from Amazon. Picking a rolling option with an adjustable seat height will keep your project moving right along, and an attached basket is the perfect place to keep your can of paint right within reach. We think Tom Sawyer would definitely approve of this method.  

Another fence painting method that's getting pretty popular is spreading paint or stain with a large sponge instead of a brush. Although some people think the viral fence painting TikTok hack isn't worth your time, Van Sureja said that it may be worth a try. "Some paints are better suited for sponge painting than others, so you'll want to test a small section of fence to see if it applies correctly and has the desired finish before you tackle the whole thing," he told House Digest during his exclusive interview. The expert said if you like the look, this technique could save you a lot of time. "Have extra sponges on hand in case yours breaks down against the texture of your fence," he suggested, adding that you may use more paint than you think because sponges can be so absorbent.

Sureja admitted that there are lots of tricks out there to make DIY fence painting a lot easier, but for really big jobs, he recommended leaving it to the professionals. "We're already equipped with all the best tools and methods to make your fence the highlight of the neighborhood," he explained. If you're on a budget and hiring out the job just isn't practical, sponges may work well for you. But investing in professional tools like a VONFORN 700W HVLP Paint Sprayer for Fences and high-quality exterior paint or stain will help you get to a finish level on your fence even Aunt Polly would approve of.