Can Composite Fencing be Painted?

A top priority for most homeowners is ensuring that their fence remains protected and lasts long for many years. So, it’s unsurprising to see questions like “Can I repaint my composite fence?” online. The first thing to understand, when it comes to composite fencing, is that it is designed to be resistant to insects and moisture.

This means you don’t need to seal it with additional coating for protection. Also, if you want your fence to have a specific type of colour, there are several colour options you can choose from. Additionally, you can also select a style and surface that suits your aesthetic preference.

So, what does this mean? You have no reason to seal or paint your composite fencing. Despite all these, some homeowners still prefer to stain or paint their composite fencing. So, if you’re considering painting your composite panels for whatever reason, we’ll share details of the type of paint to use, and what you need to do when painting it.

Additionally, we’ll let you know the differences between staining and painting a fence. We assure you it’s going to be a good read. So, grab your coffee and some cookies as we go into the details!

Step-by-Step Guide for Painting Your Composite Fencing

So, you have decided to paint your composite fence! What do you need? How do you go about it? If you’re a DIY enthusiast, you’ll love to work on this kind of project. Let’s get right into the details so you can get to the task, but you can also read out other blog post about how long does composite fencing last.

Step 1: Remove Items Close to the Fence

You probably have some items stored close to your fence. So, the first thing to do before starting your painting project is to remove all items near your fence. However, if they’re heavy and can’t be moved, you can cover them. The idea is to keep every item stain-free due to the splashes from the paint.

We recommend taking away tables and chairs and covering any flower pots nearby. Also, you have to be careful with the paint if you have your composite fencing attached to your property. Make sure you don’t mistakenly splash paints on your walls. That would be an extra cost for repainting them.

Step 2: Clean the Composite Fencing

When you’re done taking items away from around the fencing, the next step is to clean your composite fencing. Take the time to clean the panels. Wash away any mud, stains, or debris that have stuck to the composite fence panels. It’s a good idea to use hot soapy water with a soft brush or cloth. You can also mix baking soda and vinegar to remove things like grease and oil stains, mould, and mildew easily.

Step 3: Paint Your Composite Fence

Now for the exciting part! To paint your fence, it’s best to use top-quality paints so it can last longer. Paint from panel to panel along the grain. Make sure to cover every inch until you completely paint the whole fence. We recommend attaching a long pole to a roller to make the painting easier, especially for the upper part of the fence. You can also use a paint sprayer to make the job easier.

Wait until the surface is totally dry and repeat the painting process to give it a good finish. Do this at least once or multiple times if the finishing is not looking nice. Usually, it takes at least two coats to get the best finish, but if you’re not satisfied with the result, keep coating the panels until you get the desired finish.

Can Composite Fencing be Painted and what colours work

 

Difference between Painting and Staining Your Fence

First thing first – there’s a difference between painting and staining your fence. Painting requires using high-quality water-based paint. When you paint, the colour remains on the panels’ surface. It is not absorbed. Painting can hide any imperfections or scratches on your composite fence panels.

On the other hand, the composite boards absorb paints used for staining. This is where both are different. You don’t need to do much with staining. With a thinly applied coat of stain, the appearance of your fence can be significantly enhanced.

As mentioned earlier, you don’t necessarily have to paint your composite fencing because it has UV-resistant properties and doesn’t wear out easily. It also comes in a rage of colours such as grey or brown composite fencing, which means you can choose any colour. With these features, your fence can last for many years with simple maintenance.

Types of Paints for Coating Composite Fencing

The best practice for painting or staining your composite fencing is to choose a high-quality water-based paint or stain. You’ll find many colours and brands in the market that you can choose from.

However, it’s good to know that each brand will work differently, so you should take the time to read the instructions on the paint before leaving the store. Also, for staining your composite fence, your best option is a latex-based product. These have a thicker consistency and are easier to apply.

Why Homeowners Paint Their Composite Fencing

Composite fencing doesn’t require painting. However, we still see many homeowners painting or staining them. There are different reasons why they do this.

Sight of Structural Wearout

While composite fencing lasts for many years, any hard-wearing structural material ends up wearing out eventually, even composite fence panels. Although manufacturers have improved the colour stabilising features, UV rays exposure over the years can still cause the composite to fade. This is not common, but it still happens. When this happens, homeowners would prefer to repaint instead of changing the panels.

Minor Panel Damage

The composite fence panels can experience minor damage like scratches or marks. Most times, simple cleaning or buffing can remove the scratches or marks. However, this may not be possible, and the only solution may be to repaint to cover them up. If your fence panel is seriously damaged, it’s better to replace the concerned panel to sustain the structural integrity of your fence.

A Facelift

If you’ve had your composite fencing for years, you may get tired of the colour. Also, if you change the paint colour of your home exterior, you’ll likely want to repaint your fence to match your home painting. For these reasons, you may consider painting your composite fence panels.

Final Thoughts

Although you can paint your composite fence, it is not usually recommended because it is not designed to be repainted. For one, the paint may not bond well, and there’s also a chance that the colour shade you use may not turn out as you want. So, we recommend that you stick with the natural look of your composite fencing and not paint it.